Smart attic ventilation system, and sensor module therefor

Abstract

Described are various embodiments of a smart attic ventilation system, and sensor module therefor. Also described are various embodiments of an effective energy storage and delivery mechanism for such systems, for example, when predominantly powered from an integrated solar energy capturing component such as a solar panel, for continuous operation in dark environmental conditions such as at night and/or on cloudy days.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ventilation system to draw airflow from a building interior to an exterior space as a function of an environmental condition of the building interior, comprising:
 a solar power source;   a ventilation fan operatively mounted within a ventilation channel formed between the building interior and the exterior space, wherein operation of said ventilation fan is powered from said solar power source;   an environmental sensor operated via a physical connector to said solar power source channeled along said ventilation channel to suspend said environmental sensor below said ventilation fan within the building interior to sense the environmental condition therein;   wherein said ventilation fan is powered at least in part as a function of the environmental condition as sensed by said environmental sensor suspended therebelow.   
     
     
         2 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein said solar power source comprises a solar panel integrated within an external ventilation fan outer housing to capture solar power from solar exposure in the exterior space, and wherein the captured solar power is relayed via said physical connector along said ventilation channel to power operation of said environmental sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a control unit, and wherein said solar power source powers said control unit to control powered operation of said ventilation fan as a function of the environmental condition as sensed via said environmental sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The ventilation system of  claim 3 , wherein said environmental sensor is housed within said control unit. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation system of  claim 3 , wherein said control unit comprises a rechargeable power source, wherein said solar power source recharges said rechargeable power source when solar power from said solar power source is available, whereas said rechargeable power source powers said ventilation fan, as controlled via said control unit, when solar power from said solar power source is limited. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation system of  claim 5 , wherein said rechargeable power source comprises a supercapacitor circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation system of  claim 6 , wherein said rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current limiter as input between said solar power source and said supercapacitor circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation system of  claim 7 , wherein said rechargeable power source further comprises a DC/DC current boost circuit as output between said supercapacitor circuit and a control circuitry of said control unit. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation system of  claim 8 , wherein said DC/DC current boost circuit comprises a buck boost circuit. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation system of  claim 7 , wherein said DC/DC current limiter comprises a buck limiter circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation system of  claim 6 , wherein said supercapacitor circuit comprises a lithium-ion supercapacitor circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein said environmental sensor hangs freely within the building interior below said ventilation fan. 
     
     
         13 . The ventilation system of  claim 12 , wherein said environmental sensor hangs freely via a cable physically connecting said physical connector. 
     
     
         14 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein said environmental sensor is fixedly connected via said physical connector to be suspended below said ventilation fan. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein said physical connector lines an outer vent channel wall so not to interfere with operation of said ventilation fan. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation system of  claim 15 , wherein said physical connector comprises a guide that lines said outer vent channel in guiding said connector therealong from a solar power source connector to the building interior. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilation system of  claim 16 , wherein said physical connector further comprises a connector terminal opposite said solar power source connector, and a cable physically connectable to said connector terminal at one end, and connecting at an opposite end thereof to said environmental sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication module operatively coupled to said environmental sensor to communicate data representative of the environmental condition to a remote communication device, wherein said communication module is further operated via said physical connector. 
     
     
         19 . The ventilation system of  claim 18 , wherein said communication module comprises a Bluetooth™ module powered via said physical connector to said solar power source. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein said environmental sensor comprises multiple environmental sensors each physically connected via said physical connector.