Method and Apparatus to Provide Ventilation for a Building

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus allows fresh air to be introduced into a building through action of a special manifold or manifolds designed to direct fresh air into the interior atmosphere of the building, while air from the interior of the building is directed to the furnace combustion system and ultimately exhausted to the exterior of the building.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A method for providing exterior fresh air into an interior of a building, the method including a manifold comprising;
 an exterior air inlet port that allows the exterior air into the manifold,   an interior air inlet port that allows air from the interior of the building into the manifold,   a furnace combustion fan outlet port that allows air from the manifold to pass to a furnace combustion fan of a heating system of the building and thence to an exterior of the building,   a movable gate that directs air within the manifold by being adjustable through a range of positions, and   a control means for operating the moveable gate;   adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions, the two positions including a first position and a second position; and   directing air through the manifold;   wherein when the moveable gate is in the first position the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port such that air passes through a combustion chamber of the furnace and subsequently passes to the exterior of the building;   and wherein when the movable gate is in the second position, the air from the interior of the building enters the manifold through the interior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port and subsequently passes to the combustion chamber of the furnace, wherein air from the interior of the building is used to provide air for furnace combustion and which is exhausted to the exterior of the building through action of the furnace combustion fan.   
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system which is, in turn, adjustable by a user and includes selected operational settings. 
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positioned based on the difference between interior and exterior barometric pressure. 
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positioned based on humidity levels within the building. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the control means for operating the movable gate is actuated through direction of an electronic control system and is positionable to provide a variable mixture of the exterior air with the interior air prior to delivery to the combustion chamber of the furnace. 
     
     
         6 ) A method for providing exterior fresh air into an interior of a building, the method including  2  manifolds;
 a 1st manifold comprising;
 an exterior air inlet port that allows the exterior air into the manifold, 
 an interior air inlet port that allows air from the interior of the building into the manifold, 
 a furnace combustion fan outlet port that allows air from the manifold to pass to a furnace combustion fan of a heating system of the building and thence to an exterior of the building, 
 a movable gate that directs air within the manifold by being adjustable through a range of positions, and 
 a control means for operating the moveable gate; 
 adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions, the two positions including a first position and a second position; and 
 directing air through the manifold; 
 wherein when the moveable gate is in the first position the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port such that air passes through a combustion chamber of the furnace and subsequently passes to the exterior of the building; 
 and wherein when the movable gate is in the second position, the air from the interior of the building enters the manifold through the interior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the furnace combustion fan outlet port and subsequently passes to the combustion chamber of the furnace, wherein air from the interior of the building is used to provide air for furnace combustion and which is exhausted to the exterior of the building through action of the furnace combustion fan; 
 
 and a 2nd manifold comprising;
 an exterior air inlet port 
 an interior air outlet port 
 a movable gate that controls air through the manifold 
 a control means for operating the movable gate; 
 adjusting a position of the moveable gate into one of two main positions; 
 
 the two positions including a first position and a second position; and
 directing exterior air through the manifold; 
 wherein when the movable gate is in the first position, the exterior air is prevented from entering the manifold 
 and wherein when the control gate is in the second position, the exterior air enters the manifold through the exterior air inlet port and exits the manifold through the interior air outlet port and thereby into the interior of the building. 
 
 
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein the control means for operating the movable gates are actuated through direction of an electronic control system to position the movable gate within the 2nd manifold in a coordinated manner with an action of the movable gate within the 1st manifold. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein the control means for operating the movable gates are actuated through direction of an electronic control system to position the movable gate within the 2nd manifold in an independent manner from an action of the movable gate within the 1st manifold. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein the control means for operating the movable gates within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold positions the gates through direction of an electronic control system which is, in turn, adjustable by a user and includes selected operational settings. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein the control means for operating the movable gates located within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold are actuated through direction of an electronic control system and are adjusted based on the difference between interior and exterior barometric pressure. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein action of the control means for operating the movable gates located within the 1st manifold and the 2nd manifold are actuated through direction of an electronic control system and are adjusted based on humidity levels within the building. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of  claim 6  wherein the control means for operating the movable gate of the 1st manifold is actuated through direction of an electronic control system to provide a variable mixture of the exterior air with the interior air prior to delivery to the combustion chamber of the furnace, while the control means for operating the movable gate located within the 2nd manifold is actuated