High wind event pressure equalization device

Abstract

A pressure equalization device 200 comprises an elongated member 202 arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building 100 and at least one rupture disc 208. The rupture disc 208 may be any appropriate shape and is configured to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the building exceeds a certain threshold, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures to substantially equalize. The device may contain end caps 205 which may be attached to the elongated member 202 by a friction fit or other suitable method.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure equalization device ( 200 ) comprising:
 a hollow elongated member ( 202 ) arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building, said member ( 202 ) having an exterior end and an interior end;   at least one rupture disc ( 208 ) coupled with the elongated member ( 202 ),   wherein the rupture disc ( 208 ) is designed to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior exceeds a predetermined air pressure differential, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures of said building to substantially equalize.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including an end cap ( 205 ) disposed at the exterior end of the elongated member ( 202 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the end cap ( 205 ) is connected to the elongated member ( 202 ) by a friction fit. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further including an end cap ( 205 ) disposed at the interior end of the elongated member ( 202 ), wherein the rupture disc ( 208 ) is disposed within the end cap ( 205 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure equalization device ( 200 ) is installed in a wall ( 101 ) of a building. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member ( 202 ) is at least  6  inches long. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member ( 202 ) has an outer diameter of at least one-half inch. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting flange ( 204 ) arranged and designed for mounting the pressure equalization device ( 200 ) to a wall of a building. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting flange ( 204 ) is an integrally formed component of the elongated member ( 202 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member ( 202 ) is made substantially of a polymer material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture disc ( 208 ) is replaced with a rupture wall ( 208 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture disc ( 208 ) is disposed at or near an end of the elongated member ( 202 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rupture disc ( 208 ) is disposed within the elongated member ( 202 ). 
     
     
         14 . A pressure equalization device ( 200 ) comprising:
 an elongated member ( 202 ) arranged and designed to extend between an exterior and an interior of a building, said member having an exterior end and an interior end;   at least one mounting flange ( 204 ) affixed to the elongated member ( 202 ), wherein the mounting flange ( 204 ) is arranged and designed for mounting the pressure equalization device ( 200 ) to a wall of a building;   at least one end cap ( 205 ) arranged and designed to be coupled to an end of the elongated member ( 202 ); and,   at least one rupture wall ( 208 ) disposed at the distal end of the end cap ( 205 ),   wherein the rupture wall ( 208 ) is designed to rupture when an air pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the building exceeds a predetermined air pressure differential, thereby allowing the exterior and interior air pressures of the building to substantially equalize.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the end cap ( 205 ) attaches to the mounting flange ( 204 ) by a lip ( 209 ) on the end cap ( 205 ) that is configured to engage the mounting flange ( 204 ).