Elongate weather louvre

Abstract

An elongate weather louvre 10 includes a leading longitudinal edge 12 , a trailing longitudinal edge 14 , and a crown portion 16 on a flow path defined between the leading longitudinal edge 12 and the trailing longitudinal edge 14 . Also included is an intermediate portion 18 between the leading longitudinal edge 12 and the crown portion 16 . The intermediate portion 18 has a leading surface 20 and a ramped projection 22 forming part of the leading surface 20 configured to direct airflow at least one of towards and over the crown portion 16.

1 . An elongate weather louvre comprising:
 a leading longitudinal edge;   a trailing longitudinal edge;   a crown portion on a flow path defined between the leading longitudinal edge and the trailing longitudinal edge; and   an intermediate portion between the leading longitudinal edge and the crown portion, the intermediate portion having a leading surface and a ramped projection forming part of the leading surface configured to direct airflow at least one of towards and over the crown portion.   
     
     
         2 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in an in-use condition, the ramped projection is at least in part below an apex of the crown portion. 
     
     
         3 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in an in-use condition, the ramped projection begins below an apex of the crown portion. 
     
     
         4 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in an in-use condition, the ramped projection ends below an apex of the crown portion. 
     
     
         5 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in use, the ramped projection of the intermediate portion is configured to promote an air-flow core velocity of less than or equal to 2 m/s. 
     
     
         6 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an airflow-guide surface of the ramped projection is concave and wherein the concave airflow-guide surface extends from a leading ramp portion to a free intermediate ramp edge. 
     
     
         7 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein an in use vertical extent from a trailing ramp edge of the leading ramp portion to the free intermediate ramp edge is less than or equal to 11 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein an in use vertical extent from the trailing ramp edge of the leading ramp portion to the free intermediate ramp edge is less than or equal to 1 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein an in use vertical extent from the trailing ramp edge of the leading ramp portion to the free intermediate ramp edge is between 0.65 mm and 0.85 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a backside ramp surface is below an apex of the crown portion. 
     
     
         11 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an underside of the ramped projection overhangs at least part of the crown portion. 
     
     
         12 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the crown portion includes a base portion and a wing portion. 
     
     
         13 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the base portion is convex. 
     
     
         14 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the wing portion is recurved to extend towards the ramped projection. 
     
     
         15 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, in an in-use condition, the ramped projection and the wing portion are configured to form a high-pressure region on the said flow path that causes a local reduction in airflow speed thereby promoting greater entrained moisture egress at or adjacent to the leading surface of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         16 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, in an in-use condition, the ramped projection is configured to move a higher-velocity air-movement portion of the said flow path to or towards an apex of the crown portion, thereby promoting greater entrained moisture egress at or adjacent to the leading surface of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         17 . The elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a trailing portion having the trailing longitudinal edge, the trailing portion extending from the wing portion. 
     
     
         18 . The elongate weather louvre assembly comprising two or more elongate weather louvres as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of improving entrained moisture extraction upstream of a crown portion of an elongate weather louvre as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising the step of providing a ramped projection on an intermediate portion of the louvre, the ramped projection moving a higher-velocity air-movement portion of the flow path to or towards an apex of the crown portion, thereby promoting greater entrained moisture egress at or adjacent to the leading surface of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the ramped projection is at least in part below an apex of the crown portion.