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US20020073628A1 - Building wall humidity control system - Google Patents

Building wall humidity control system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020073628A1
US20020073628A1 US09/976,563 US97656301A US2002073628A1 US 20020073628 A1 US20020073628 A1 US 20020073628A1 US 97656301 A US97656301 A US 97656301A US 2002073628 A1 US2002073628 A1 US 2002073628A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
moisture
headers
humidity
stud
humidity control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/976,563
Inventor
Kenneth Dextras
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
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Publication of US20020073628A1 publication Critical patent/US20020073628A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
    • E04B1/70—Drying or keeping dry, e.g. by air vents
    • E04B1/7069—Drying or keeping dry, e.g. by air vents by ventilating
    • E04B1/7092—Temporary mechanical ventilation of damp layers, e.g. insulation of a floating floor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F17/00—Vertical ducts; Channels, e.g. for drainage
    • E04F17/04—Air-ducts or air channels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
    • F24F2013/221—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate to avoid the formation of condensate, e.g. dew

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the exterior wall construction of frame buildings for residences, apartments, office buildings and the like.
  • the present invention is a system whereby specific parameters such as moisture content and relative humidity are measured, managed and controlled without significant changes to the standard framing arrangement.
  • the invention controls moisture in frame building walls by enabling dry interior air to pass through the wall cavity by means of a forced ventilation system that is controlled by a moisture control mechanism connected to moisture probes installed in the said cavity and which exhausts this air to the exterior.
  • the system operates on demand such that when the probes detect that the moisture content or humidity in the cavity exceeds predetermined values, the control mechanism activates a fan which continues to operate until such time as the predetermined values are reached and upon reaching same, the mechanism then shuts off the fan.
  • the air circulation is achieved by connecting the fan works to a series of specifically designed hollow headers and exhaust ports which form part of the wall itself but do not require significant changes to the standard framing arrangement of a conventional building wall.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a typical general arrangement of the present invention in a new construction application.
  • FIG. 2 is a section view of the system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed portion of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a typical general arrangement of the present invention in a retrofit application.
  • FIG. 5 is a section view of the system of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed portion of FIG. 5.
  • a standard exterior load bearing wall is comprised of an exterior wall portion 1 , an interior wall portion 2 , a perforated hollow top plate header 3 , a perforated hollow bottom plate header 4 and in the cavity thus defined, is found insulation 5 , insulation spacers 6 and moisture/humidity probes 7 .
  • a moisture control mechanism 8 activates a fan 9 which draws dry interior air 10 and forces it through a connector pipe 11 and the components of the stud space defined above. The air is allowed to escape to the exterior by means of exhaust ports 12 located at the ends of the top plate header 3 .
  • the mechanism 8 shuts off the fan 9 .
  • the invention is able to keep the moisture/humidity levels in the cavity below acceptable levels thereby preventing mould growth and the structural damage associated with same.
  • FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 it can be seen that a typical retrofit general arrangement of the present invention is disclosed.
  • This arrangement is essentially the same as the one described above except that the hollow top plate header 3 and the hollow bottom plate header 4 , are constructed by cutting open and expanding inward the interior wall portion 2 .
  • the insulation spacers 6 which, if used, may require a slightly higher capacity fan 9 to overcome the small increase in friction head loss at the interface of the insulation 5 and the inboard edges of the interior and exterior wall portions.
  • the frequent automatic operation of the system can act as an early warning that possible water related breaches or defects in the wall have occurred at specific locations. This can enable the owner(s) to take corrective action in a timely manner thereby preventing damage that might otherwise grow out of control if left undetected.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (and devices) for controlling the moisture in wood frame building walls by controlled forced ventilation. The object of the invention is to improve the long term structural performance of the wall by keeping the moisture in the wall cavity below acceptable levels. The invention can also be used to help identify possible water related breaches or defects in the wall at specific locations.

Description

    DESCRIPTION Technical Field
  • The invention relates to the exterior wall construction of frame buildings for residences, apartments, office buildings and the like. Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. [0001]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • It is common in the method and materials used to construct frame building walls, that relatively airtight cavities are created such that natural ventilation of the said cavities is prevented or seriously reduced. Since frame building walls are not absolutely watertight, the net result over time is that excess moisture (or humidity) accumulates in the cavities thereby causing mould to form and eventually causing structural damage to the wall itself. Also, present day methods and materials effectively allow these moisture related problems to go on undetected for long periods of time. [0002]
  • The prior art does contain modifications to the common method and materials to generally improve air circulation such as described in Canadian application no. 2,148,626 by Fitzgibbon and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,633 by Charniga. However, all of these are strictly passive arrangements that do not measure, control or manage any specific parameters whatsoever. Because of this, the net effect that the prior art systems could possibly have on any specific parameters, such as moisture content or relative humidity for instance, is unknown. Also, these systems require significant changes to the standard framing members which in turn poses a serious limitation on commercial feasibility. [0003]
  • The present invention is a system whereby specific parameters such as moisture content and relative humidity are measured, managed and controlled without significant changes to the standard framing arrangement. [0004]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention controls moisture in frame building walls by enabling dry interior air to pass through the wall cavity by means of a forced ventilation system that is controlled by a moisture control mechanism connected to moisture probes installed in the said cavity and which exhausts this air to the exterior. The system operates on demand such that when the probes detect that the moisture content or humidity in the cavity exceeds predetermined values, the control mechanism activates a fan which continues to operate until such time as the predetermined values are reached and upon reaching same, the mechanism then shuts off the fan. The air circulation is achieved by connecting the fan works to a series of specifically designed hollow headers and exhaust ports which form part of the wall itself but do not require significant changes to the standard framing arrangement of a conventional building wall. [0005]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a typical general arrangement of the present invention in a new construction application. [0006]
  • FIG. 2 is a section view of the system of FIG. 1. [0007]
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed portion of FIG. 2. [0008]
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a typical general arrangement of the present invention in a retrofit application. [0009]
  • FIG. 5 is a section view of the system of FIG. 4. [0010]
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed portion of FIG. 5.[0011]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and [0012] 3, it can be seen that a typical new construction general arrangement is disclosed. A standard exterior load bearing wall is comprised of an exterior wall portion 1, an interior wall portion 2, a perforated hollow top plate header 3, a perforated hollow bottom plate header 4 and in the cavity thus defined, is found insulation 5, insulation spacers 6 and moisture/humidity probes 7. When the probes detect that the moisture or humidity in the cavity exceeds predetermined values, a moisture control mechanism 8 activates a fan 9 which draws dry interior air 10 and forces it through a connector pipe 11 and the components of the stud space defined above. The air is allowed to escape to the exterior by means of exhaust ports 12 located at the ends of the top plate header 3. Once the predetermined moisture/humidity values have been reached, the mechanism 8 shuts off the fan 9. In this way, the invention is able to keep the moisture/humidity levels in the cavity below acceptable levels thereby preventing mould growth and the structural damage associated with same.
  • Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and [0013] 6, it can be seen that a typical retrofit general arrangement of the present invention is disclosed. This arrangement is essentially the same as the one described above except that the hollow top plate header 3 and the hollow bottom plate header 4, are constructed by cutting open and expanding inward the interior wall portion 2. Also shown is a different configuration for the insulation spacers 6, which, if used, may require a slightly higher capacity fan 9 to overcome the small increase in friction head loss at the interface of the insulation 5 and the inboard edges of the interior and exterior wall portions. With these changes and the same previously described control arrangement, this retrofit application can achieve the same objective of keeping the moisture/humidity levels in the cavity below acceptable levels thereby preventing mould growth and the structural damage associated with same.
  • Also, for both of the applications described above, the frequent automatic operation of the system can act as an early warning that possible water related breaches or defects in the wall have occurred at specific locations. This can enable the owner(s) to take corrective action in a timely manner thereby preventing damage that might otherwise grow out of control if left undetected. [0014]
  • Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.[0015]

Claims (3)

Having thus defined my invention, the embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An improvement to control moisture in an exterior load bearing wall construction having a plurality of stud members connected to specially constructed lower plate and upper plate structural headers, inner and outer wall portions and in the stud spaces thus defined, moisture/humidity probes, insulation spacers and batt insulation are installed such that if the moisture in the framing members or the humidity of the air in the stud space exceed predetermined values, a moisture/humidity control mechanism actuates a fan that draws regulated interior air from the living space, forces it into the headers and gaps thus created and exhausts it to the exterior by means of exhaust ports and continues to operate until such time as the predetermined values are reached and upon reaching same, the mechanism then shuts off the fan.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lower plate and upper plate headers are non-structural, base board and crown molding headers installed externally to the wall construction, inside of which the insulation spacers are omitted.
3. The systems of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the moisture/humidity control mechanism contains a manual override setting to enable manual operation independent of the probes.
US09/976,563 2000-03-22 2001-10-15 Building wall humidity control system Abandoned US20020073628A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2,302,795 2000-03-22
CA002302795A CA2302795C (en) 2000-03-22 2000-03-22 Building wall humidity control system

Publications (1)

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US20020073628A1 true US20020073628A1 (en) 2002-06-20

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US09/976,563 Abandoned US20020073628A1 (en) 2000-03-22 2001-10-15 Building wall humidity control system

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CA (1) CA2302795C (en)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030084638A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-08 Vacek Sam S. System and method for inhibiting moisture and mold in an outer wall of a structure
US20030207663A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-11-06 Roff Roger R. Method and apparatus for reducing respiratory illnesses among occupants of buildings
US20040139688A1 (en) * 2003-01-22 2004-07-22 Trotter Robert Michael Drying system for structural waterproofing
US20040226238A1 (en) * 2003-04-15 2004-11-18 Haapiainen Heikki Olavi Methods and devices for building construction
US20060283963A1 (en) * 2003-10-24 2006-12-21 Fuller Andrew C Monitoring system
US20070094964A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-05-03 Stender Mark L Dynamically ventilated exterior wall assembly
US20070180785A1 (en) * 2003-09-18 2007-08-09 Trotter Robert M Method and device for creating a drainage conduit
US20070293139A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2007-12-20 Vacek Sam S System and Method for Inhibiting Moisture and Mold in Structures
US20090000243A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2009-01-01 Blumberg Marvin R Data center
FR2927341A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-14 Marc Serge Noel Aeraulic sanitation system for durable rehabilitation of e.g. ancient building, has sanitation space formed between wall and partition, where space forms interface to ensure total and definite decoupling between wall and interior of premise
WO2010007215A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2010-01-21 Vahanen International Oy Method for moving thermal energy and/or moisture in a shell structure of a building and a shell structure
US20100102137A1 (en) * 2007-08-01 2010-04-29 Caebit Srl Low energy consumption climate control system
US7788876B2 (en) * 2006-06-05 2010-09-07 Asahi Glass Green-Tec Co., Ltd. Building material, building and method for controlling the indoor environment in a building
US20100287861A1 (en) * 2009-05-18 2010-11-18 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including moisture transportation feature
US20100287862A1 (en) * 2009-05-18 2010-11-18 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including dynamic moisture removal feature
US20120228393A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-13 Trane International Inc. Systems and Methods for Controlling Humidity
US20130014447A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Blank James D System and method for controlling basement leakage and humidity
US20140047734A1 (en) * 2012-05-21 2014-02-20 Hefei Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. Prebake Equipment And Air Discharge Method Thereof
US8813443B2 (en) 2009-05-18 2014-08-26 Moisture Management, Llc Building envelope assembly including moisture transportation feature
FR3003584A1 (en) * 2013-03-20 2014-09-26 Marc Noel AERAULIC SYSTEM FOR SANITATION OF BUILDING WALL SUBJECTED TO HAIR REMONTEES.
US20150121716A1 (en) * 2003-07-16 2015-05-07 Savannah Ip, Inc. Moisture reduction and mold and moisture damage preventative system and method in construction
ITUA20161966A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-24 Maurizio Artuso SYSTEM FOR DEHUMIDIFICATION AND DRYING OF A WOODEN STRUCTURAL WALL.
US11332925B2 (en) 2018-05-31 2022-05-17 Moisture Management, Llc Drain assembly including moisture transportation feature
NO347149B1 (en) * 2022-04-25 2023-06-12 Gunvald Harila Device and method for odor and dehumidification of rooms, fridges and freezers

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030207663A1 (en) * 2000-05-31 2003-11-06 Roff Roger R. Method and apparatus for reducing respiratory illnesses among occupants of buildings
US6705939B2 (en) * 2000-05-31 2004-03-16 Roger R. Roff Method and apparatus for reducing respiratory illnesses among occupants of buildings
US7247090B2 (en) * 2001-11-08 2007-07-24 Vacek Sam S System and method for inhibiting moisture and mold in an outer wall of a structure
US20030084638A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-08 Vacek Sam S. System and method for inhibiting moisture and mold in an outer wall of a structure
US20070293139A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2007-12-20 Vacek Sam S System and Method for Inhibiting Moisture and Mold in Structures
WO2004065870A3 (en) * 2003-01-22 2005-04-14 Robert M Trotter Drying system for structural waterproofing
US7143558B2 (en) * 2003-01-22 2006-12-05 Robert Michael Trotter Drying system for structural waterproofing
US20040139688A1 (en) * 2003-01-22 2004-07-22 Trotter Robert Michael Drying system for structural waterproofing
WO2004065870A2 (en) * 2003-01-22 2004-08-05 Trotter Robert M Drying system for structural waterproofing
US20090000243A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2009-01-01 Blumberg Marvin R Data center
US20100154687A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2010-06-24 Blumberg Marvin R Data center
US8109043B2 (en) * 2003-03-28 2012-02-07 Blumberg Marvin R Secure data center having redundant cooling and blast protection for protecting computer servers by the positioning of air handling units, fiber optic cable and a fire suppressiion system
US7690157B2 (en) * 2003-03-28 2010-04-06 Blumberg Marvin R Secure data center having redundant cooling and blast protection for protecting computer servers by the positioning of air handling units, fiber optic cable and a fire suppression system
US20040226238A1 (en) * 2003-04-15 2004-11-18 Haapiainen Heikki Olavi Methods and devices for building construction
US10234200B2 (en) * 2003-07-16 2019-03-19 Savannah Ip, Inc. Moisture reduction and mold and moisture damage preventative system and method in construction
US20150121716A1 (en) * 2003-07-16 2015-05-07 Savannah Ip, Inc. Moisture reduction and mold and moisture damage preventative system and method in construction
US20070180785A1 (en) * 2003-09-18 2007-08-09 Trotter Robert M Method and device for creating a drainage conduit
US20060283963A1 (en) * 2003-10-24 2006-12-21 Fuller Andrew C Monitoring system
US20070094964A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-05-03 Stender Mark L Dynamically ventilated exterior wall assembly
US7788876B2 (en) * 2006-06-05 2010-09-07 Asahi Glass Green-Tec Co., Ltd. Building material, building and method for controlling the indoor environment in a building
US20100102137A1 (en) * 2007-08-01 2010-04-29 Caebit Srl Low energy consumption climate control system
US20110220319A1 (en) * 2007-08-01 2011-09-15 Caebit Srl Low energy consumption climate control system and method for the realization of high heat-sound insulation building
US8276337B2 (en) * 2007-08-01 2012-10-02 Caebit S.R.L. Low energy consumption climate control system and method for the realization of high heat-sound insulation building
FR2927341A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-14 Marc Serge Noel Aeraulic sanitation system for durable rehabilitation of e.g. ancient building, has sanitation space formed between wall and partition, where space forms interface to ensure total and definite decoupling between wall and interior of premise
WO2010007215A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2010-01-21 Vahanen International Oy Method for moving thermal energy and/or moisture in a shell structure of a building and a shell structure
US20100287861A1 (en) * 2009-05-18 2010-11-18 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including moisture transportation feature
US8074409B2 (en) * 2009-05-18 2011-12-13 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including moisture removal feature
US8316597B2 (en) 2009-05-18 2012-11-27 Moisture Management, Llc Method of removing moisture from a wall assembly
US20100287862A1 (en) * 2009-05-18 2010-11-18 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including dynamic moisture removal feature
US8813443B2 (en) 2009-05-18 2014-08-26 Moisture Management, Llc Building envelope assembly including moisture transportation feature
US9353498B2 (en) 2009-05-18 2016-05-31 Moisture Management, Llc Building envelope assembly including moisture transportation feature
US8001736B2 (en) * 2009-05-18 2011-08-23 Moisture Management, Llc Exterior wall assembly including moisture transportation feature
US20120228393A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-13 Trane International Inc. Systems and Methods for Controlling Humidity
US9835348B2 (en) * 2011-03-11 2017-12-05 Trane International Inc. Systems and methods for controlling humidity
US9169636B2 (en) * 2011-07-14 2015-10-27 James D. BLANK System for controlling basement leakage and humidity
US20130014447A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Blank James D System and method for controlling basement leakage and humidity
US9234702B2 (en) * 2012-05-21 2016-01-12 Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd. Prebake equipment and air discharge method thereof
US20140047734A1 (en) * 2012-05-21 2014-02-20 Hefei Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. Prebake Equipment And Air Discharge Method Thereof
FR3003584A1 (en) * 2013-03-20 2014-09-26 Marc Noel AERAULIC SYSTEM FOR SANITATION OF BUILDING WALL SUBJECTED TO HAIR REMONTEES.
ITUA20161966A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-24 Maurizio Artuso SYSTEM FOR DEHUMIDIFICATION AND DRYING OF A WOODEN STRUCTURAL WALL.
US11332925B2 (en) 2018-05-31 2022-05-17 Moisture Management, Llc Drain assembly including moisture transportation feature
NO347149B1 (en) * 2022-04-25 2023-06-12 Gunvald Harila Device and method for odor and dehumidification of rooms, fridges and freezers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2302795A1 (en) 2001-09-22
CA2302795C (en) 2002-07-30

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