Attic ventilation system

Abstract

A ventilation system for ventilating of an attic is provided. The ventilation system includes an intake vent, a first member and a ventilation fan. The ventilation fan is configured to draw a flow of air from areas external to the building, through the intake vent and through the first member. A manifold adapter is connected to the ventilation fan and configured to receive a flow of air from the ventilation fan. A plurality of manifolds is connected to the manifold adapter. Each manifold has a plurality of apertures and is configured to receive flows of air from the manifold adapter and channel the flows of air through the apertures. A plurality of exhaust vents is in fluid communication with the flows of air from the apertures. The ventilation system is configured to allow flows of air exiting the apertures to circulate within the attic and exit through the exhaust vents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ventilation system configured to enable ventilation of an attic within a building, the system comprising:
 an intake vent;   a first member in fluid communication with the intake vent;   a ventilation fan connected to the first member and configured to draw a flow of air from areas external to the building, through the intake vent and through the first member;   a manifold adapter connected to the ventilation fan and configured to receive a flow of air from the ventilation fan;   a plurality of manifolds connected to the manifold adapter, each manifold having a plurality of spaced apart apertures, each manifold configured to receive a flow of air from the manifold adapter and channel the flow of air through the spaced apart apertures; and   a plurality of exhaust vents in fluid communication with the flows of air from the apertures;   wherein the ventilation system is configured to allow flows of air exiting from the apertures to circulate within the attic and exit the attic through the exhaust vents.   
     
     
         2 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member has a diameter in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 10.0 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation fan is an in-line style of fan. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation fan has an air flow rating in a range of from about 600 cubic feet per minute to about 1300 cubic feet per minute. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold adapter has a diameter in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 10.0 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold adapter is formed as a one-piece structure. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold adapter has more than one outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the attic has a length and the manifolds extend substantially the length of the attic. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the building includes a ridge board and the manifolds extend in directions substantially parallel to the ridge board. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the attic has one or more layers of insulation and the manifolds are positioned just above the top layer of the insulation. 
     
     
         12 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifolds have a diameter in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 10.0 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , wherein the apertures are fitted with nozzles. 
     
     
         14 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , further including an exhaust system configured to draw air circulating within the attic and channel the drawn air to areas external to the building. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation system of  claim 14 , wherein the exhaust system includes an exhaust fan. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation system of  claim 14 , wherein the exhaust system includes at least one exhaust manifold having spaced apart apertures. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilation system of  claim 14 , wherein the vent is a ridge vent. 
     
     
         18 . A method of enabling ventilation of an attic of a building, the method comprising the steps of:
 drawing air from the areas external to the building through an intake vent and into the attic;   urging the drawn air into a plurality of manifolds positioned in the attic, each manifold having a plurality of spaced apart apertures;   urging the drawn air through the apertures such as to circulate the drawn air within the attic; and   facilitating the exhaust of the circulating air through an exhaust vent.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the exhaust vent is a ridge vent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a ventilation fan is used to draw the air from areas external to the building and is further used to urge the drawn air through the apertures in the manifolds.