Ventilation system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation exhaust fan comprising a main housing adapted to interchangeably receive a upgrade cartridge assembly. The main housing can include a fluid inlet through which fluid is received within the main housing, and a fluid outlet through which fluid exits the main housing. The ventilation exhaust fan can be installed in a structure in place of an existing ventilation exhaust fan assembly. The main housing can provide support to a scroll and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll. A motor may be nestled within the scroll and coupled to the blower wheel. A capacitor including a motor harness and plug can be electrically coupled with the motor. Electrical power can be supplied to the capacitor and motor to cause the motor to rotate the blower wheel to generate a flow of fluid out of the fluid outlet.

1 . An upgrade cartridge for a ventilation apparatus, the upgrade cartridge comprising:
 a blower wheel capable of generating a fluid flow;   a scroll, the scroll comprising
 an outermost peripheral wall defining a height of the scroll; 
 an intake wall extending inward from the peripheral wall over the top of the blower wheel to an intake periphery defining an intake aperture through which air enters the scroll; 
 a blower outlet defined in the scroll, the blower outlet defining a height, wherein the height of the scroll is greater than the height of the blower outlet and the scroll height transitions smoothly therebetween. 
   
     
     
         2 . The upgrade cartridge of  claim 1 , the blower wheel defining a rotational axis and the height of the scroll and the height of the discharge outlet measured parallel to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         3 . The upgrade cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the blower outlet is partially defined by a straight scroll sidewall and a rounded top wall defining an apex of the blower outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The upgrade cartridge of  claim 3  the scroll height is measured between a bottom of the scroll and the apex of the blower outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The upgrade cartridge of  claim 4  the blower outlet height is measured between a bottom of the scroll and the intake wall. 
     
     
         6 . The upgrade cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising a motor plate adjacent to a bottom of the scroll. 
     
     
         7 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A ventilation apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a blower wheel capable of generating a fluid flow;   a scroll comprising:
 an outermost peripheral wall defining a height of the scroll, 
 an intake wall extending inward from the peripheral wall over the top of the blower wheel to an intake periphery defining an intake aperture through which air enters the scroll; 
 a blower outlet defined in the scroll, the blower outlet defining a height, 
   wherein the height of the scroll is greater than the height of the blower outlet and the scroll height transitions smoothly therebetween.   
     
     
         18 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 17 , the blower wheel defining a rotational axis and the height of the scroll and the height of the discharge outlet measured parallel to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         19 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the blower outlet is partially defined by a straight scroll sidewall and a rounded top wall defining an apex of the blower outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 19 , the scroll height is measured between a bottom of the scroll and the apex of the blower outlet. 
     
     
         21 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 20 , the blower outlet height is measured between a bottom of the scroll and the intake wall. 
     
     
         22 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a motor plate adjacent to a bottom of the scroll. 
     
     
         23 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a motor secured to the motor plate. 
     
     
         24 . A ventilation apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a blower wheel capable of generating a fluid flow;   a scroll comprising:
 an outermost peripheral wall defining a height of the scroll, 
 an intake wall extending inward from the peripheral wall over the top of the blower wheel to an intake periphery defining an intake aperture through which air enters the scroll; 
 a rounded blower outlet defined in the scroll, the blower outlet defining a height, 
   wherein the height of the scroll is greater than the height of the blower outlet and the scroll height transitions smoothly therebetween.