Kinetic wall system and method

Abstract

A retractable wall system for a structure such as a building includes a torque tube and a kinetic wall member that is secured to the torque tube. A shaft that is at least partially positioned within the torque tube is secured to the structure so that rotation with respect to the structure is precluded. A drive mechanism that is at least partially positioned within the torque tube is constructed and arranged to selectively change a rotational position of the shaft with respect to the torque tube so that the wall member may be moved with respect to the structure. An electronic control system may be provided for monitoring and controlling movement of the kinetic wall member with respect to the structure. The electronic control system may be integrated with other control systems of the structure, such as the electronic control system of the structure's HVAC system.

1 . A retractable wall for a structure, comprising:
 a torque tube;   a wall member that is secured to said torque tube;   a shaft that is at least partially positioned within said torque tube, said shaft being secured to the structure so that rotation with respect to the structure is precluded; and   a drive mechanism positioned at least partially within said torque tube, said drive mechanism being constructed and arranged to selectively change a rotatable position of said shaft with respect to said torque tube, whereby said wall member may be moved with respect to the structure.   
   
   
       2 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a motor, said motor being positioned within said torque tube. 
   
   
       3 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises a reduction gearing assembly that is interposed between said motor and said shaft, said reduction gearing assembly being positioned within said torque tube. 
   
   
       4 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 3 , wherein said reduction gearing assembly comprises planetary gearing. 
   
   
       5 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said motor comprises an electric motor. 
   
   
       6 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a removable access panel that is mounted on said torque tube for permitting access to said drive mechanism. 
   
   
       7 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises an electronic control system for selectively controlling the position of said wall member with respect to the structure. 
   
   
       8 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said electronic control system comprises at least one sensor for monitoring the position of said wall member with respect to the structure. 
   
   
       9 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 8 , wherein said sensor comprises an absolute encoder. 
   
   
       10 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 8 , wherein said sensor comprises at least one limit switch. 
   
   
       11 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 5 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a variable frequency drive. 
   
   
       12 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said electronic control system is programmable. 
   
   
       13 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 12 , wherein said electronic control system is in electronic communication with an HVAC system of the structure. 
   
   
       14 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising sealing means for sealing said wall member with respect to the structure. 
   
   
       15 . A retractable wall for a structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said wall member comprises a plurality of thermal breaks. 
   
   
       16 . A method of retrofitting a structure to incorporate a kinetic wall member, comprising steps of:
 removing a portion of a pre-existing wall within the structure to form a wall opening;   providing a retractable wall assembly that includes a torque tube; a wall member that is secured to the torque tube; a shaft that is at least partially positioned within the torque tube, and a drive mechanism positioned at least partially within the torque tube, the drive mechanism being constructed and arranged to selectively change a rotatable position of said shaft with respect to the torque tube;   mounting the retractable wall assembly within the wall opening so that the shaft is secured to the structure so that rotation of the shaft with respect to the structure is precluded, whereby the wall member may be selectively positioned within and retracted from the wall opening by operating the drive mechanism.   
   
   
       17 . A method of retrofitting a structure to incorporate a kinetic wall member according to  claim 16 , further comprising a step of operating the drive mechanism to move said wall member with respect to said wall opening. 
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a kinetic wall member with respect to a structure to which it is mounted, comprising steps of:
 determining a first position of a kinetic wall member with respect to the structure to which it is mounted; and   moving said kinetic wall member to a second position by operating a drive mechanism to cause rotational displacement between a shaft that is mounted to the structure and a torque tube that is mounted to a kinetic wall member.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said step of moving said kinetic wall member comprises a step of programming an electronic control system that is constructed and arranged to control operation of said drive mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising a step of electronically monitoring the position of the kinetic wall member with respect to the structure.