Sound attenuation module and oversized grill

Abstract

A Sound Attenuation Module and Oversized Grill is disclosed which prevents noise generated by an HVAC system from traveling through the duct system and into the room to which the air is directed. The goal is accomplished by use of oversized duct grills and an module placed between the wall and HVAC System, and uses an enclosure designed to expand the distance that the noise must travel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of attenuating noise generated by an HVAC system, comprising:
 a) choosing an HVAC system to be mounted on the exterior wall of a building;   b) creating holes in that same exterior wall between the interior of a building and the exterior of the building which match the hole and duct pattern of the chosen HVAC system;   c) mounting a Sound Attenuation Module (“SAM”, an enclosed box on the exterior side of the wall, said SAM equipped with:
 i) a hole pattern on one side of the box that match the holes previously constructed in the exterior wall and the HVAC system; 
 ii) an additional hole pattern matching the same holes on the opposite side of the box; 
 iii) two air ducts constructed within the box which connect matching holes on either side of the box that creates a physically longer air duct in at least one of the connected pathways; 
   d) mounting the HVAC system to the SAM.   
     
     
         2 . The method of attenuating noise generated by an HVAC system as described in  claim 1 , with the additional component in the SAM of Attenuating Panels, which are placed in the ducting within the SAM. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus to attenuate noise generated by an HVAC system, comprising:
 a) an enclosure with two matching external hole pattern on two sides of the enclosure which also match the duct connection holes of an HVAC system;   b) ducts within the enclosure which connect the matching holes that constitute the hole pattern previously identified;   c) where at least one interior duct connecting two of the matching holes leading to the enclosure's exterior duct openings are physically constructed to be deliberately longer than is necessary.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , in which the enclosure is shaped like a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , in which the external duct holes are on opposing sides of the enclosure rectangular prism. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , in which the two pairs of external duct holes are constructed on two adjacent side. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , in which sound attenuating panels or material are installed within the ducts to both assist diversion of the air in a desired direction within the duct, and to absorb sound. 
     
     
         8 . An Oversized Grill designed to cover an air duct, comprising an oversized duct grill and louvers, and an installation mechanism which deliberately holds the grill out from the wall. 
     
     
         9 . An Oversized Grill as in  claim 8  in which the Louvers is installed and held in place by an extension from the wall that is made of such material as wood and sheetrock. 
     
     
         10 . An Oversized Grill as in  claim 8 , in which the Louvers are framed, and that frame is sufficiently large that it covers the open duct without substantial other materials. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , in which the Sound Attenuation Module is installed on the exterior of an exterior wall. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , in which the Sound Attenuation Module is installed inside a room to be continued.