Heat exchange system

Abstract

A heat exchange system including ductwork for transporting fresh, preheated air into the interior space of a building. The ductwork has a header and at least one lateral in fluid communication with the header. The lateral includes a trunk passing through an opening in the exterior wall of a building. The trunk extends upwardly into the interior space of the building from the opening to an apex whose elevation is higher than the opening. A branching arm extends outwardly from said apex and has an open, terminal end remote from the trunk that serves as an air outlet. A tubular sleeve loosely encloses the trunk from the apex downwardly through the opening in the exterior wall so as to form an annular space between the trunk and the sleeve through which air is exhausted from the building. Air passing through the annular space conducts heat to the trunk, warms the trunk, and preheats the air within the trunk being blown into the building. A fan is connected to the header for blowing fresh air from the exterior of the building into the header and through the lateral into the building.

1 . A heat exchange system for use with a building enclosing an interior space and having an exterior wall with an opening therein, said heat exchange system comprising:
 ductwork for transporting fresh air into the interior space of the building, said ductwork including:
 a header; 
 a lateral being in fluid communication with said header and extending therefrom, said lateral including:
 a trunk passing through the opening in the exterior wall of the building, said trunk extending upwardly into the interior space of the building from the opening to an apex whose elevation is higher than said opening; 
 a branching arm being in fluid communication with said trunk and extending outwardly from said apex, said branching arm having an open, terminal end remote from said trunk serving as an air outlet; 
 a tubular sleeve loosely enclosing said trunk from said apex downwardly through the opening in the exterior wall so as to form an annular space between said trunk and said sleeve through which air is exhausted from the building whereby air passing through the annular space conducts heat to said trunk, warming said trunk, and preheating the air within said trunk being blown into the building; and, 
 
   a fan being connected to said header for blowing fresh air from the exterior of the building into said header and through said lateral into the building.   
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 1  wherein said header extends along the length of the exterior wall of the building for passive warming by the sun. 
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 1  wherein each said lateral further comprises a pair of branching arms extending horizontally from said trunk in opposite directions. 
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 3  wherein said ductwork includes a pair of laterals extending from said header, and said terminal ends of said branching arms being axially aligned to maximize air mixing within the interior space of the building.