Venting unit and venting method

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods related to a venting unit for a wall of a building structure are described herein. The venting unit may include a frame defining an airway, a filter arranged to filter air passing through the airway, a platen operable to cover the airway, and an actuator system coupled to the platen and the frame, the actuator system operable to angulate the platen at a first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a first direction and to angulate the platen at a second angle different than the first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a second direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A venting unit for a wall of a building structure, the venting unit comprising:
 a frame defining an airway;   a filter arranged to filter air passing through the airway;   a platen operable to cover the airway; and   an actuator system coupled to the platen and the frame, the actuator system operable to angulate the platen at a first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a first direction and to angulate the platen at a second angle different than the first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , further including a solar panel coupled adjacent to the platen. 
     
     
         3 . The venting unit of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator system is operable to transition the solar panel between a first solar panel position and a second solar panel position to preferentially capture solar energy, wherein the first solar panel position and the second solar panel position are angularly offset. 
     
     
         4 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         5 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit further includes an outer panel, the outer panel including a louvered panel. 
     
     
         6 . The venting unit of  claim 5 , wherein the louvered panel is at a fixed angle relative to the airway. 
     
     
         7 . The venting unit of  claim 5 , wherein the louvered panel is covered by an insect screen. 
     
     
         8 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit further includes an inner panel, the inner panel including a screen. 
     
     
         9 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator system is configured to be driven via at least one of a crank, a button, or a slide. 
     
     
         10 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator system includes a set of actuators, the set of actuators being located at each of the four corners of the platen. 
     
     
         11 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the platen includes a hinge along an upper frame member and a lower frame member, and the actuator system is positioned opposite to the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , further including a control system in communication with the actuator system, the control system operable to drive the actuator system. 
     
     
         13 . The venting unit of  claim 12 , further including a sensor in communication with the control system, wherein the sensor is configured to receive weather information and send the weather information to the control system. 
     
     
         14 . The venting unit of  claim 12 , wherein the control system is integrated within a home automation system or a home security system. 
     
     
         15 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit defines a passive ventilation system. 
     
     
         16 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit defines a mechanical ventilation system and further includes a fan adjacent the filter. 
     
     
         17 . The venting unit of  claim 1 , wherein the venting unit defines a hybrid ventilation system. 
     
     
         18 . A venting unit for a wall of a building structure, the venting unit comprising:
 a frame defining an airway;   a filter arranged to filter air passing through the airway;   a platen operable to cover and seal the airway; and   an actuator system coupled to the platen and the frame, the actuator system operable to transition the platen between a plurality of positions to define a first opening into the venting unit and a second opening into the venting unit, the first opening being angularly offset from the second opening.   
     
     
         19 . The venting unit of  claim 18 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         20 . The venting unit of  claim 18 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         21 . The venting unit of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of positions includes a fully extended position, an awning position, and a casement position. 
     
     
         22 . The venting unit of  claim 18 , wherein the platen further includes a weather seal. 
     
     
         23 . The venting unit of  claim 18 , wherein the platen is coupled to the frame such that the platen is resistant to being forced open by a force external to the platen. 
     
     
         24 . A fenestration unit comprising:
 a frame assembly including a frame assembly member; and   a venting unit coupled to the frame assembly member, the venting unit including,
 a frame defining an airway, 
 a filter arranged to filter air passing through the airway, 
 a platen operable to cover the airway, and 
 an actuator system coupled to the platen and the frame, the actuator system operable to angulate the platen at a first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a first direction and to angulate the platen at a second angle different than the first angle to preferentially direct air through the airway from a second direction. 
   
     
     
         25 . The fenestration unit of  claim 24 , wherein the frame assembly member is an upper frame member. 
     
     
         26 . The fenestration unit of  claim 24 , wherein the frame assembly member is a lower frame member.