Air Inductor for Gutter Downspout

Abstract

An air induction device is provided for mounting to a downspout to induce the flow of air in the downspout. The air induction device comprises a tubular member that is sealingly fitted through the downspout such that it provides fluid communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the downspout. The air induction device is preferably mounted on an upwardly facing surface of the downspout and at a location where the downspout is extending angularly downward or at a bend in the downspout, thereby orienting the tubular member at an upwardly extending oblique angle relative to the downspout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for preventing hydrolocking in a gravitational drainage system, comprising:
 a downspout including a portion having an interior channel for carrying liquids along a non-vertical axis and an upwardly facing exterior surface; and   an air inductor having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis therethrough, wherein the air inductor is interconnected to the upwardly facing exterior surface of said portion to provide fluid communication between the interior channel of said portion and any ambient air.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises a straight run. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to straight run so that the non-vertical axis is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing interior angle forming a non-vertical tangent. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing exterior angle forming a non-vertical tangent. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said air inductor further comprises a blower positioned to force said air surrounding said downspout through the bore of said air inductor and into the interior channel of said portion of said downspout. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a solar cell, a piezoelectric energy harvester, and a battery. 
     
     
         10 . A method of preventing hydrolocking in a gravitational drainage system including a downspout having a portion that forms interior channel extending along a non-vertical axis and that includes an upwardly facing exterior surface, comprising the steps of:
 attaching an air inductor having a bore extending therethrough to said portion so that said interior channel is in fluid communication with any ambient via said bore; and   allowing said air surrounding said downspout to flow into the interior channel when a fluid is flowing through said downspout.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises a straight run. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to straight run so that the non-vertical axis is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing interior angle forming a non-vertical tangent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said portion comprises an elbow joint having an upwardly facing exterior angle forming a non-vertical tangent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said air inductor is interconnected to the elbow joint so that said non-vertical tangent is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of allowing said air surrounding said downspout to flow into the interior channel comprising actively blowing said air into said downspout by using a blower positioned in said air inductor to force said air surrounding said downspout through the bore of said air inductor and into said interior channel of said portion of said downspout. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said blower is interconnected to a power source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a solar cell, a piezoelectric energy harvester, and a battery.