Automatic roof ventilation system

Abstract

A roof ventilation system operable based on environmental parameters is disclosed. The system includes a vent, a fan, a solar panel, a battery and a controller. The vent is positioned within a field of a roof, and includes a first opening configured to allow airflow between regions above and below the roof. The fan is positioned to generate an air flow through the vent. The solar panel is positioned on the roof in a location such that the solar panel receives solar radiation. The battery is electrically connected to the solar panel. The controller is in communication with the fan, and is configured to drive the fan based on at least one environmental parameter.

1 . A roof ventilation system for a sloped roof having a ridge and an eave, the system comprising:
 a first plurality of vents arranged generally linearly and positioned within the roof proximate one of the ridge and the eave, each of the vents comprising:
 a vent member comprising an opening that permits airflow between regions above and below the roof, and 
 a fan configured to generate an air flow through the opening; and 
   a controller in communication with the fans of the vents, the controller being configured to drive the fans based on at least one environmental parameter.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of vents are positioned proximate to the ridge. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the vents further comprises a solar panel positioned to receive solar radiation. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a battery electrically connected to the solar panels of the vents. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the battery is configured to provide electrical power to the fans of the vents and/or the controller. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of vents arranged generally linearly and positioned within the roof proximate the other of the ridge and the eave, the second plurality of vents permitting airflow between the regions above and below the roof. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each vent of the second plurality of vents comprises:
 a vent member comprising an opening that permits airflow between the regions above and below the roof;   a fan configured to be driven by the controller and to generate an airflow through the opening; and   a solar panel electrically connected to the battery and positioned to receive solar radiation.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the vents further comprises a cover member configured to cover the vent member, the cover member including an opening in fluid communication with the opening of the vent member. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the vents further comprises a solar panel positioned to receive solar radiation, and wherein the solar panel of each of the vents is mounted on the cover member of the vent. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, toxicity, moisture, air flow, and ambient light level. 
   
   
       11 . A roof ventilation system for a sloped roof having a ridge and an eave, the system comprising:
 a first plurality of vents arranged generally linearly and positioned within the roof proximate the ridge, each of the first plurality of vents comprising:
 a vent member comprising an opening that permits airflow between regions above and below the roof, and 
 a fan configured to generate an air flow through the opening; 
   a second plurality of vents arranged generally linearly and positioned within the roof proximate the eave, the second plurality of vents permitting airflow between the regions above and below the roof, the second plurality of vents including no fans; and   a controller in communication with the fans of the first plurality of vents, the controller being configured to drive the fans based on at least one environmental parameter.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first plurality of vents further comprises a solar panel positioned to receive solar radiation. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a battery electrically connected to the solar panels of the first plurality of vents. 
   
   
       14 . A roof ventilation system comprising:
 a vent configured to be positioned within a field of a roof, the vent including a first opening configured to allow airflow between regions above and below the roof;   a fan configured to be positioned to generate an air flow through the vent;   a solar panel configured to be positioned on the vent such that the solar panel receives solar radiation;   a battery configured to be electrically connected to the solar panel so that the solar panel charges the battery from solar radiation; and   a controller adapted to communicate with the fan, the controller being configured to drive the fan based on at least one environmental parameter,   wherein the battery is configured to provide electrical power to the fan and/or the controller.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to control the speed of the fan. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller comprises a microprocessor. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the vent comprises a first vent member configured to be positioned at an opening in the roof, and a second vent member configured to reside above the first vent member, the second vent member comprising a second opening, the second opening being in fluid communication with the first opening. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the solar panel is mounted on the second vent member. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, toxicity, moisture, air flow, and ambient light level. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises two or more environmental parameters, and wherein the controller is configured to control the fan based on a logical and/or mathematical formula involving measurements of the parameters. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a temperature sensor adapted to communicate with the controller. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a humidity sensor adapted to communicate with the controller. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising an air flow sensor adapted to communicate with the controller. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a toxicity sensor adapted to communicate with the controller. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller includes a user interface that displays measurements of the at least one environmental parameter. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow a user to control the fan. 
   
   
       27 . A roof having a ventilation system comprising:
 a roof comprising a layer of roof cover elements;   a vent configured to be positioned within the layer of roof cover elements, the vent including a first opening configured to allow airflow between regions above and below the roof, the vent mimicking an appearance of one or more of the roof cover elements;   a fan configured to be positioned to generate an air flow through the vent;   a solar panel configured to be positioned on the roof in a location such that the solar panel receives solar radiation;   a battery configured to be electrically connected to the solar panel so that the solar panel charges the battery from solar radiation; and   a controller adapted to communicate with the fan, the controller being configured to drive the fan based on at least one environmental parameter, the controller being configured to be powered by the battery.   
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the solar panel is mounted on the vent. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, toxicity, moisture, air flow, and ambient light level. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller includes a user interface that displays measurements of the at least one environmental parameter. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow a user to control the fan.