INTRODUCTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to ventilation in buildings such as domestic houses, hospitals or schools for example. There has been an increasing trend in recent years to provide both better insulation and window and door seals in buildings in order to reduce heating energy consumption. However, a problem has been a reduction of outside fresh air intake to many buildings, resulting in build-up of mould on walls or ceilings at locations with little airflow. This is not only unsightly but may also cause health problems.

In an effort to avoid this problem many occupiers open windows, thereby losing the benefits of the door and window seals and allowing heat to escape.

The invention addresses this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a building ventilation device comprising:

an air conduit arranged to receive heat from a space heater within a building,

an inlet for drawing external fresh air into the conduit,

an outlet for delivering heated fresh air to a space within the building,

wherein the device further comprises a fan for drawing air through the conduit and blowing warmed air out through the outlet. In one embodiment, the conduit is configured to contact a space heater.

In another embodiment, the space heater is a radiator.

In a further embodiment, the conduit is configured to fit on top of a space heater. In one embodiment, the conduit is elongate with a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

In another embodiment, the device further comprises an internal heat exchanger within the conduit for enhanced in-line air heating within the conduit.

In a further embodiment, the internal heat exchanger comprises a baffle.

In one embodiment, the baffle comprises metal wool.

In another embodiment, the baffle is retained within a removable insert within the conduit. In a further embodiment, said insert is connected to an air inlet fixture. In one embodiment, the fan is located adjacent the outlet.

In another embodiment, further comprises a controller for controlling operation of the fan. In a further embodiment, the controller is linked with a temperature sensor.

In one embodiment, the outlet is arranged to deliver warm air into a space alongside the conduct, whereby in use warm air is delivered into a radiator space onto which the device is mounted.

In another embodiment, the conduit and the outlet are arranged to turn air flow through an angle of approximately 130° to 200°.

In a further embodiment, the conduit and the outlet are arranged to turn warm air through approximately 180°. In one embodiment, the inlet and the outlet are at opposite ends of the conduit forming an inverted U-shape to conform to the top and part of the sides of a radiator.

In another embodiment, the device comprises a removable air filter at or near the inlet. In another aspect, there is provided a building ventilation and heating system comprising a ventilation device as defined above and a space heater.

In one embodiment, the conduit and the space heater are separable.

In another embodiment, the conduit and the space heater are integral.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation device of the invention in use; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view; Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view showing the device in more detail;

Fig. 4 is a set of views of an inlet manifold of the device; Fig. 5 is a set of views of an outlet of the device, incorporating a fan;

Fig. 6(a) is a top perspective view from above of an alternative ventilation device, and Fig. 6(b) is an underneath perspective view;

Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the device of Fig. 6 in use, and Fig. 9 is a cut-away front view of it in use, with arrows showing the air flows;

Fig. 10 is a set of views including underneath and top perspective views, and an exploded view of the device outlet unit;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view and an exploded view of the device inlet unit; Fig. 12 is a perspective view and an exploded view of a heat exchanger part of the device of Fig. 6; and Fit 13 is a set of views showing an alternative device of the invention, for capturing heat from under-floor heating.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 a ventilation device 1 has an elongate body forming an air conduit 2 of rectangular cross-section, a fresh air inlet manifold 3, and an outlet 4 for forced heated air delivery into a room. An inlet pipe 5 links the inlet manifold 3 to the outside of a building.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the device 1 is mounted along the top of an existing radiator R, typically just underneath a window W. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the inlet 3 is a plastics moulding which supports an insert 15 which is in the form of an internal housing for an in-line combined heat exchanger and baffle. In this case the baffle is of steel wool configuration. It may alternatively be of aluminium or any other metal which has good heat transfer properties and is inert to the air flow. It is anticipated that conventional steel wool for cleaning applications might rust over time in humid air, however aluminium would be more inert. The insert 15 fits into the main elongate housing 2 at the inlet end. The inlet manifold 3 comprises a main body 20, a pipe socket 21 for connection to the pipe 5, and a top part 22 aligned with the conduit 2.

Referring to Fig. 5, at the outlet end, the outlet 4 is provided by a fan unit 10 with a fan 11 driven by a mains-connected step-down transformer, and controlled by a controller (not shown) linked to thermostats.

In use, the device 1 is physically linked with the inlet pipe 5 and is mounted on the radiator 5, being held in position by brackets. The fan 1 1 is operated for intake of fresh air according to a desired timing schedule and/or according to room temperature. It is anticipated that the device will be used much more in winter than in summer.

When the fan 11 is activated external air is drawn through the inlet pipe 5 and the manifold 3 and through the baffle in the insert 15 within the housing 2. The baffle has the effect of transferring heat very efficiently to the incoming air. The baffle is itself heated by conduction from the radiator R through the main housing 2 walls, and the insert 15 walls to the steel wool. Because of the extent of surface area and the circuitous path forced on the air there is very comprehensive heat transfer.

The heart exchange baffle also restricts air flow so that the flow is more uniform and does not create draughts. The air flow is slowed to a level which does not create a draught, exiting the outlet 4 as a gentle warm fresh air stream. The fan 11 , being located near the outlet 4, provides uniform flow along the length of the conduit from the inlet, with comprehensive heating of the air along the conduit 2. It has been found that there is very efficient heat transfer to the air in the conduit. Hence, the radiator R is not only directly heating the space, but is also heating the air in the conduit.

The overall effect in a modest-sized building is that there would be a positive air pressure within the building. There is therefore a requirement for air escape through vents or indeed through gaps around doors or through fireplaces. Advantageously, the air within the room is both fresh and warm. It is expected that this will enhance occupier comfort and will also reduce likelihood of mould growth or dampness on surfaces. This is achieved without need for providing a dedicated heat source.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 12 an alternative device, 100, is shown. The device 100 has a heat exchanger conduit 101 , a fresh air inlet 102, and a warm air outlet 103 with an opening 104. The inlet and the outlet 102 and 103 provide a symmetrical arrangement with the device 100 over a radiator R, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This assists with retention of the device in place on the radiator, in addition to being more aesthetic.

In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the air flow is along the conduit 101 to gather heat and then the fan blows the warmed air back in the opposite direction through the outlet opening 104 just below the conduit 101. This provides the additional major benefit of the warm air being blown through the radiator. This both diffuses the blown warm air, but also increases the efficiency of the radiator because air is blown through it. The extent of turning of the air flow direction may be elsewhere in the range of about 130° to 200°.

In more detail, referring also to Fig. 10 the outlet 103 comprises: a fan 120,

user controls 121 in a side wall for temperature and fan speed settings,

a wall 122 which supports the fan 120,

a cover 123 under the fan 120,

a circuit board 124 with a controller connected between the controls 121 and the fan 120, a support wall 125,

a bottom cover 127, and

an outlet-side wall 126 defining the outlet opening 104. The user controls may in various embodiments have only fan speed control, or the device may have ambient and/or radiator temperature sensors for direct temperature control.

Referring to Fig. 11 the inlet 102 comprises:

a lower wall 150 with an opening to receive the fresh air inlet pipe 105,

a vertical riser 151,

a top wall 154, and

side walls 152 and 153.

Referring to Fig. 12, the duct 101 comprises an inlet opening 171 to receive fresh air via the riser 151. It has an insert foam filter 175 which is removably inserted via the end of the conduit 101. There is an end cap 172 at the outlet end. In this embodiment there is no heat exchange baffle, the heat transfer through the conduit 101 walls being sufficient.

Indeed, it is envisaged that for many applications there will be sufficient heat transfer in the conduit without a baffle.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides for heated fresh air intake to a building room in a very effective manner. This is achieved without need for a dedicated air ventilation and heating system, as existing radiators of conventional construction are used to provide the heat. Also, the device may be retro-fitted easily in any of a wide range of different types of buildings.

In another embodiment, the device is built into a radiator as an integral feature. Also, whether separate or integral, the device may have ducts which run vertically along a radiator or indeed at any suitable angle where they can convey air and receive heat. The path of the duct may bend at corners of the radiator. The position and/or slope may be of any of a variety of configurations to suit the space heater and the building, the important point being that the conduit takes heat from a space heater, thereby avoiding or at least reducing need for its own heat source. Also, in another embodiment the device is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from a radiator, typically above the radiator. The gap may for example be in the range of 5mm to 300mm. In this case the heat transfer is by convection rather than by conduction. The device may in this embodiment form another function such as a shelf. Also, in another embodiment, the device is supplied as part of a kit with a radiator which is suitably configured for supporting and transferring heat to the conduit.

A device of the invention may be arranged to use heat from a floor with an under-floor heating system. Referring to Fig. 13 a device 200 has an inlet pipe 201 which passes through a wall W to a rectangular box conduit 202. This runs along the edge of the floor and has a fan 203 near an outlet 204 for delivery of blown warm air at floor level. There is a deflector plate 204 for outward delivery. The device 200 may be incorporated into a skirting board.

The fan may be powered by any of a range of sources such as mains, primary battery, or solar cell. Also, the fan may alternatively be mounted in the inlet manifold, where there would be additional motor cooling. There may be no user control for the device, other than an on/off switch, the fan having a default standard speed setting.

The heat exchanger and baffle may be of any suitable configuration to perform the tasks of managing air flow so that it is uniform and efficient at transferring heat. It may be an integral part of the conduit.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail.