Modular structural louver and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems that include structural supports and louvers, and may also include dampers, actuators and wiring in pre-assembled modules that may be transported to a building site, tilted up into place, and installed. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems which include integrated vertical and horizontal structural supports, allowing for the elimination of some vertical and horizontal wall structures in a building by relying on the structural support provided in the modular louvered systems, thereby making more space available in the building for louvers and airflow.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A pre-assembled modular structural louver system comprising:
 a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and at least two horizontal structural support members wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members;   at least one louver attached to the frame wherein at least one outside vertical flange of said at least one louver is sealed against at least one edge of one of said vertical support members;   at least one damper support member attached to one of said vertical support members;   at least one damper attached to said at least one damper support member; and   
       wherein the modular structural louver system is configured to be completely assembled at a location other than a construction site of the building for subsequent transport to the construction site of the building for installation thereon. 
     
     
         16 . The modular structural louver system of  claim 15  further comprising at least one electronic actuator attached to said at least one damper. 
     
     
         17 . The modular structural louver system of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of wires wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to said at least one actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The modular structural louver system of  claim 15  further comprising a catwalk attached to one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
         19 . A method for constructing a building comprising the steps of:
 a. at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling at least one structural louver system comprising the steps of:
 (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and at least two horizontal structural support members, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 (ii) attaching at least one louver to the frame wherein at least one outside vertical flange of said at least one louver is sealed against at least one edge of one of said vertical support members; 
 (iii) attaching at least one damper support member to one of said vertical support members; 
 (iv) attaching at least one damper to said at least one damper support member; 
   b. transporting said at least one structural louver system in an assembled state to the construction site of the building; and   C. installing said at least one structural louver system on the building.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising the additional step of attaching at least one electronic actuator to said at least one damper before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of wires to said structural louver system wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said at least one actuators before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  comprising the additional step of attaching a catwalk to one of said horizontal support members. 
     
     
         23 . A method for increasing an amount of air available for circulation in a louvered building comprising the steps of:
 a. creating a design for the louvered building to include at least one modular structural louver system with vertical and horizontal structural supports in order to reduce space taken up by walls of said building such that additional space is available for louvers;   b. at a location other than a construction site of the building, assembling said at least one modular structural louver system comprising the steps of:
 (i) erecting a frame comprised of at least two vertical secondary structural support members configured to provide support to a building, and at least two horizontal structural support members, wherein ends of said horizontal support members are attached to sides of said vertical support members; 
 (ii) attaching at least one louver to the frame wherein at least one outside vertical flange of said at least one louver is sealed against at least one edge of one of said vertical support members; 
 (iii) attaching at least one damper support member to one of said vertical support members; 
 (iv) attaching at least one damper to said at least one damper support member; 
   C. transporting said at least one structural louver system in an assembled state to the construction site of the building; and   d. installing said at least one structural louver system on the building.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  comprising the additional step of attaching at least one electronic actuator to said at least one damper before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  comprising the additional step of attaching a plurality of wires to said structural louver system wherein one end of at least one of said plurality of wires is attached to one of said at least one actuators before said at least one structural louver system is transported to the construction site of the building. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  comprising the additional step of attaching a catwalk to one of said horizontal support members.