U.S. patent application number 12/031623 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for modularized self-sustaining building system.
Invention is credited to James R. Fennell.
Application Number | 20090205266 12/031623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40953804 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090205266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fennell; James R. |
August 20, 2009 |
Modularized Self-sustaining Building System
Abstract
A self-sustaining modularized building system comprised of
prefabricated components. The self-sustaining utilities are fully
integrated into the modules, allowing service and protection
agencies to operate in remote areas in an eco-friendly manner.
Inventors: |
Fennell; James R.; (Colorado
Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James R. Fennell
20 West Washington Street
Colorado Springs
CO
80907
US
|
Family ID: |
40953804 |
Appl. No.: |
12/031623 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 10/30 20130101;
F24D 2200/02 20130101; E03B 1/04 20130101; F24H 2240/02 20130101;
E04B 1/24 20130101; Y02A 30/60 20180101; Y02B 30/14 20130101; Y02B
30/00 20130101; F24D 2200/11 20130101; E03B 2001/045 20130101; F24D
2200/26 20130101; E03B 1/042 20130101; F24D 11/003 20130101; F24H
2240/09 20130101; Y02B 10/70 20130101; Y02B 10/40 20130101; E04B
1/26 20130101; E03C 1/00 20130101; F24D 2200/14 20130101; F24D
2200/12 20130101; F24D 2200/15 20130101; Y02B 10/20 20130101; Y02A
30/62 20180101; F24D 12/02 20130101; E04B 2001/249 20130101; F24D
2200/20 20130101; Y02B 30/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 14/00 20060101
E04H014/00; E04B 1/348 20060101 E04B001/348; E04H 1/02 20060101
E04H001/02 |
Claims
1. A shop manufactured modularized, self-sustaining building system
where the basic module options comprise a general sleeping/working
module, a living module with kitchen, laundry, and bathroom
facilities, and a service bay module where each module is itself
self-sustaining and operates independent of any connected modules
in regards to power, water, heating, and cooling.
2. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the general sleeping/working module is comprised of
structural insulated panels used to frame the walls, roof, and
floor, and where openings for doors, windows, and other building
systems are added to the panels when fabricated in the shop; where
the interior and exterior finishes are also applied in the shop;
and where the module is self-sustaining in regards to power, water,
heating, and cooling.
3. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the living module is comprised of structural insulated
panels used to frame the walls, roof, and floor; where openings for
doors, windows, and other building systems are added to the panels
when fabricated in the shop; where the interior and exterior
finishes are also applied in the shop; and where the module is
self-sustaining in regards to power, water, heating, and cooling,
especially in regards to water usage.
4. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the service bay module is comprised of structural insulated
panels used to frame the walls and roof; where openings for doors,
windows, and other building systems are added to the panels when
fabricated in the shop; where the interior and exterior finishes
are also applied in the shop; where the floor is vehicle-grade
concrete, pavers, rock beds, or other options; and where the module
is self-sustaining in regards to power, water, heating, and
cooling.
5. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the module foundation system is comprised of micropile
helical piers.
6. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the modules are configured to operate on DC power that is
derived from a roof-mounted photovoltaic array and stored in
storage batteries for dark hours usage.
7. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the modules are also configured to operate on DC power that
is derived from a wind turbine generator and stored in storage
batteries for later usage.
8. A modularized, self-sustaining building system powered from a DC
power source as in claim 6 wherein the power distribution
throughout each module is to DC outlets and LED lighting.
9. A modularized, self-sustaining building system powered from a DC
power source as in claim 6 wherein there is a biodiesel generator
outputting DC power as an emergency back-up power source.
10. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the water is pumped in or transported in to fill fresh
water storage tanks where it is used by the building inhabitants
and then the water is filtered and purified for reuse until it is
unusable at which point it is either distributed as gray water
irrigation water or sent to a septic tank and associated leach
field.
11. A modularized, self-sustaining building system where water is
pumped in or transported in to fill fresh water storage tanks as in
claim 10 wherein the module is equipped with existing low water
using devices such as toilets, showers, sinks, and laundry
equipment.
12. A modularized, self-sustaining building system where water is
pumped in or transported in to fill fresh water storage tanks as in
claim 10 wherein all water in the system is tasked to the fire
suppression system when called.
13. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the modules are heated using hot water collected from roof
mounted solar collectors and collector tubing in south-facing walls
and then stored in the insulated crawl space as in-floor radiant
heating that is re-circulated for maximum efficiency; and where the
same hot water collection system provides the hot water for
domestic use.
14. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the modules are cooled using structural features that
include shading on the south, east, west, and roof of the module so
that the sun does not strike the buildings surface.
15. A modularized, self-sustaining building system as in claim 1
wherein the modules are also cooled using low voltage remote
condensers to remove heat from module interiors and re-circulate
the cooled air using wall-mounted air handling units.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to self-sustaining modularized
building systems designed primarily but not exclusively for
services and protections agencies. The modularized building system
components are of three possible module types that are
prefabricated to include self-sustaining utilities. The three
module types include service bay modules, sleep/work modules, and
water-use modules. The modules are all designed with active and
passive solar features. The water-use modules are designed to use
local or transported water, then recycle and reuse until considered
wastewater.
[0002] Service and protection agencies, including emergency
response, fire service, airport services, military, and disaster
relief often operate in areas away from utility access or make an
institutional choice to operate in an eco-friendly manner. The
present invention addresses the need for the application of
utilities in an eco-friendly manner based on modular design
principles.
[0003] Modularized buildings for remote or urban locations are a
well-established invention. The standardization of designs and
structure has been addressed in various ways by U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,493,996, 4,573,292, 4,327,529, and 4,263,757. Modularized
buildings that directly allow for integrated water usage have been
addressed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,070,661 and 4,763,451. These
inventions presume utilities will be provided while the present
invention does not rely on provided utilities and instead provides
its own utilities.
[0004] Modularized solar buildings have been addressed by several
inventions, the most interesting example is U.S. Pat. No.
4,325,205. This particular invention makes detailed use of passive
solar techniques applied to the interior and the exterior walls.
The present invention does not directly use the primary glass face
and interior design. Rather, the present invention uses exterior
shading or heat-gathering systems, as the season warrants.
[0005] The invention which tries to address the needs of remote
self-sustaining buildings is embodied in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,775.
This invention is a modularized utilities container that is
equipped to provide utilities to buildings in remote locations. The
container is either integrated into new or existing buildings or it
is adjacent to the building to which it is supplying power, water
processing, and sewage disposal. The present invention addresses
the same needs, but the processes are integrated into the building
design and are eco-friendly.
[0006] The present invention's goal is to provide a self-sustaining
modularized building system comprised of prefabricated components.
The self-sustaining utilities are fully integrated into the
modules, allowing service and protection agencies to operate in
remote areas in an eco-friendly manner.
[0007] Whatever the merits of the inventions cited above, the
present invention is able to meet the fully integrated,
self-sustaining goals as the others are not.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] Many agencies, for example rural fire service, must set up
stations in remote locations where there is no easy access to
utility services. The present invention is electrically
self-sustaining, designed with photovoltaic collection arrays and
wind generator to collect and distribute power, stored in battery
cells for nighttime or calm periods, with a biodiesel generator as
a backup system. In addition to active solar collection, the south,
east, and west sides of the structure are equipped with movable
shading devices that disallow direct solar gain during the cooling
season and allow full gain during the heating season.
[0009] In addition to power, the exampled fire service facility
must also meet water use needs. The water-use is addressed with a
storage tank for domestic water and the automatic fire sprinkler
system. This allows the water to be provided by a local well or
other water source, or to be transported in from a remote location.
Domestic water is distributed to low-water faucets and valves.
Toilet water is collected, filtered, and stored until distributed
as gray water. Gray water is discharged to landscape irrigation,
septic drain field, or septic storage, depending on local
conditions.
[0010] The hydronic heating system relies on roof-top hot water
collectors to heat the water. The water from the roof-top
collectors is either distributed immediately to radiant heat
devices in the module or is stored in the hydronic storage tank.
Additionally, water for a geoexchange well can be integrated into
the heating system using the same methods, where the water is
either distributed to the radiant heating system or stored in the
hydronic tank.
[0011] The present invention includes three module types: a service
bay module, a sleep/work module, and a water-use module. The
service bay module addresses, for example, the need to house and
service firefighting vehicles and equipment. It requires only
self-sustaining power and hydronic heating. The work/sleep module,
for example, provides firefighter sleeping space and office space.
It requires only self-sustaining power and hydronic heat. The
water-use module is the most fully self-sustaining module. It
provides, for example, firefighter kitchen and bathroom facilities.
The water-use module requires self-sustaining power, hydronic heat,
and the domestic water system.
[0012] The modules are designed to be configured together in any
variety of ways. For example, some remote firefighting locations
may be volunteer sites and require only a few service bays and a
water-use module. Other locations may be fully staffed and require
many bays, a water-use module, and several sleep/work modules. The
self-sustaining modularized building system of the present
invention provides the mechanism to address this plurality of needs
while maintaining an eco-friendly footprint.
DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS
[0013] FIG. 1 Overall Floor Plan
[0014] FIG. 2 Isometric View of Sleep/Work Module with Structural
and Enclosure Systems
[0015] FIG. 3 Sectional View of Sleep/Work Module with PV Service
and Hydronic System
[0016] FIG. 4 Floor Plan of Sleep/Work Module
[0017] FIG. 5 Elevations and Roof Plan of Sleep/Work Module
[0018] FIG. 6 Isometric View of Water-use Module with Structural
and Enclosure Systems
[0019] FIG. 7 Sectional View of Water-use Module with PV Service,
Hydronic System, and Domestic Water
[0020] FIG. 8 Floor plan of Water-use Module
[0021] FIG. 9 Elevations and Roof Plan of Water-use Module
[0022] FIG. 10 Isometric View of Service Bay Module with Structural
System and Enclosure
[0023] FIG. 11 Sectional View of Service Bay Module with PV Service
and Hydronic System
[0024] FIG. 12 Floor Plan Service Bay Module
[0025] FIG. 13 Elevations and Roof Plan of Service Bay Module
[0026] FIG. 14 Isometric View of Connector Module
[0027] FIG. 15 Sectional View of Connector Module
[0028] FIG. 16 Floor Plan of Connector Module
[0029] FIG. 17 Elevations and Roof Plan of Connector Module
[0030] FIG. 18 Sectional View of the Auto-closing Window Shade
[0031] FIG. 19 Diagram of Photovoltaic Power System
[0032] FIG. 20 Diagram of Hydronic Heating System
[0033] FIG. 21 Diagram of Split-unit Air Conditioning System
[0034] FIG. 22 Diagram of Potable Water Storage and Distribution
System
[0035] FIG. 23 Diagram of Waste-water Filtration, Recycling, and
Discharge System
[0036] FIG. 24 Diagram of Automatic Sprinkler System
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0037] The complete physical integration of the modules for the
preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1. The floor plan shows
the sleep/work module 1, the water-use module 2, the service bay
module 3, and the connector module 4. Each of the functional
modules, sleep/work, water-use, and service bay, are designed so
that additional modules can be easily assembled and integrated for
larger facilities than are illustrated in this embodiment. Although
FIG. 1 illustrates only one sleep/work module, one water-use
module, and one service bay, each module is self-sustaining and
expansion is easily accommodated by providing interior doors. The
connector module 4 is primarily to transition between a sleep/work
or water-use module and the service bay module.
[0038] FIGS. 2, 6, and 10 illustrate how each module utilizes the
same helical pier foundation 5 system. The piers are augured into
the earth leaving the top of the pier flush with the finished
grade, which is approximately six inches below the floor elevation.
At the perimeter of the modules the space between the piers is
filled with a landscape block retaining wall 9 to form a frost
barrier. FIG. 2 illustrates how landscaping block retaining walls 9
are used to create the necessary crawl space beneath portions of
the sleep/work module and the water-use module which is used to
house the hydronic storage tanks 27 and, in the water-use module
FIG. 6, the domestic water tanks 36 and grey water storage tanks
45. FIG. 10 illustrates that the service bay floors are comprised
of precast concrete slabs 6 set directly on the grade with the
accompanying hydronic tank embedded in the grade or fill. In
alternative embodiments, concrete pavers or rock beds are optional
flooring material for the service bays.
[0039] Beginning with the sleep/work module FIG. 2, the supports of
the module are comprised of wood or metal columns, beams, and
trusses 7, The walls, roofs, and non-vehicular floors are frames
using structural insulated panels (SIP) 8. The SIPs consist of
extruded light-gauge steel studs at 16 inches on center with the
cavities filled with rigid insulation. The SIPs are shop fabricated
with appropriate openings for the doors, windows, and building
systems, and delivered on site for installation. The insulation
value of these panels is extremely high, minimizing heat loss and
heat gain and thereby lowering the heating and cooling
requirements.
[0040] The windows and doors 11 are aluminum units set into the
aluminum wall panel system 10. In the preferred embodiment, the
aluminum wall panel system 10 is comprised of Alucobond.RTM.
Exterior Finish. This product is composed of a high level of
post-consumer recycled content and is easy to conform to both
corners and curves.
[0041] The single-pitch roof is south facing in order to optimize
solar collection. It is comprised of a membrane roofing system 12
on which is installed the thin-film photovoltaic array 14 and the
solar water heating array 26 which cycles water through the
hydronic storage tank 27.
[0042] FIG. 3 is the sectional view of the sleep/work module that
illustrates the two solar systems. The first system is comprised of
the thin-film photovoltaic array 14 that then stores power in the
battery bank 19 (FIG. 4). The second system is comprised of the
solar hydronic collections system 26 on the roof and on exterior of
the south-facing walls. The hot water is then store in the hydronic
storage tanks 27 and distributed to the in-floor radiant heat
panels 29 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 6) as needed.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an open floor plan for the sleep/work
module and also illustrates the use of the SIPs 8 and the aluminum
frame window and door units 11, the location of which can be
altered to address multiple module or site design needs. In
addition to construction features, the floor plan illustrates the
placement of the module battery pack 19 in a wall unit.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates the exterior view of the sleep/work
module with the roof-mounted thin-film photovoltaic array 14 and
solar water heater array 26. Additionally, one sample wall is
illustrated with the aluminum panel wall 10 and the aluminum frame
windows 11. Over the windows are mounted the fixed auto-closing
window shades 13 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 10). The shades are used to
control heat gain through the windows when the wall is exposed to
full sun. The shades are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10, and are
discussed later in the description FIG. 18.
[0045] The water-use module, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8,
has all the same attributes of the sleep/work module and then
additionally has a domestic water storage system (FIG. 20) and the
waste-water filtration system (FIG. 22). The domestic water storage
tank 36 is filled by transported water, local surface water source,
well, or local water main connection. The tank 36 is filled using
an exterior water inlet station 35 and distributed to fixtures
using a DC powered water pump 37 (FIG. 22). The fixtures, as in
FIG. 8, are low-water use sinks (kitchen 39 and lavatory 40),
showers 41, and toilets 42. Additionally, the kitchen in FIG. 8
utilizes DC appliances 24 and equipment 25 which are powered by a
roof-top solar array and in-wall battery pack as configured in the
sleep/work module.
[0046] The service bay, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, is
structurally composed of the same components as the sleep/work
module, with the exception of the floor, which is composed of
precast concrete slabs 6. Additionally, the service bays are
equipped with folding SIP doors, either vertical or overhead, which
are operated by a DC power motor. The hydronic heat tank 27 in the
service bay is a buried structural tank with fill packed around it.
For power, the service bay has thin-film photovoltaic array 14,
battery storage pack 19 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. For heating, the
service bay has a solar water heater array 26 and a hydronic
storage tank 27. Heat is distributed using a baseboard radiant heat
panel system 30.
[0047] The connector module, as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 16,
and 17, is constructed in the same method that was described for
the other modules and includes a thin-film photovoltaic electrical
system 14 and a solar hydronic collection system 26 on the roof,
and hydronic storage tank 27.
[0048] The details of the auto-closing window shade 13 are
illustrated in FIG. 18. Over windows 11 fixed within the SIP wall
are insulated shades that are opened by means of an interior manual
cranking system and are equipped to close on a shade-release timer.
These insulated shading devices are provided on the south, east,
and west sides of the structure. They are closed during times of
full sun on a particular wall to reduce solar gain on exterior
walls during the cooling season. During the heating season they are
open to increase solar gain. During the transition seasons, the
shades may be positioned as needed.
[0049] The solar power system, as illustrated in FIG. 19, is used
in each module type and is a DC system. The power system begins
with a roof-mounted photovoltaic array 14 as the collection system.
Additionally, there is a wind generator 56 tied into the collection
system. A lightning arrestor 15 is inserted in the system between
the array and the combiner box 16 to halt and discharge any
over-voltage atmospheric electrical charges. The combiner box 16
combines the various photovoltaic module strings and has a 15 amp
breaker. From combiner box, the collected electrical charge goes to
the DC disconnect 17 which serves as the master breaker box for
turning off all incoming DC power. From the DC disconnect, the
power connection is to the charge controller 18. The charge
controller 18 can accept up to 100 volts incoming and regulates the
charge of the batteries by outputting at a standard 48 V.
Furthermore, the charge controller regulates the deep discharging
and charging of the batteries, turning off all incoming power to
the batteries when the battery bank 19 is fully charged and there
is no draw down of power on the system. Once the battery bank is
fully charged, excess power is distributed to the domestic water
heating element 25 located in the domestic water storage tank 36.
The battery bank 19 is typically installed in one of the module
walls with eight or twelve batteries in a series, depending on the
predetermined building needs. The output from the battery bank is
at 48 V to the main control panel 20 which is the main distribution
panel to DC equipment 25, appliances 24, and outlets 22.
[0050] The hydronic heating system in FIG. 20 circulates water
throughout each module. Each module is equipped with a roof-mounted
solar water heater array 26 from which hot water is circulated
through a pump valve 28 where it is either directed to a storage
tank 27, to the in-floor radiant heat panels 29, or the baseboard
radiant heat panels 30. Additionally, the collected modules can use
a heat pump 31 to draw ground water from a geo-exchange well 32 to
circulate through the heating system. The water controlled by the
heat pump also circulates through a pump valve 28 that either sends
the water to the storage tank 27 or through the in-floor radiant
heat panels 29 or the baseboard radiant heat panels 30.
[0051] For cooling, all the modules use the split-unit system
illustrated in FIG. 21 wherein the modules have wall-mounted air
handling units 34 with remote condensers 33 that remove heat from
the interior air using closed-loop cooling coils. Additionally, the
geo-exchange well, as seen in FIG. 20, can be used to draw the
constant temperature water back into the radiant baseboard 30 and
in-floor system 29 as part of the cooling system.
[0052] Potable water storage and distribution, FIG. 22, is
applicable to the water-use module. The system begins with a water
inlet valve 35 that is used when the water reaches the site. The
inlet valve 35 provides external access to fill the water storage
tank 36. A water pump 36 then distributes water to the low-water
use appliances 38, including kitchen sinks, lavatories, showers,
and toilets.
[0053] Wastewater is then collected into the wastewater filtration
system as illustrated in FIG. 23. Wastewater from the low water use
kitchen sink 39, lavatory 40, and shower 41, are routed through the
drain lines 43 to the gray water storage tank 45. All collected
wastewater, including from the toilet, is processed by a filtration
and reclaiming unit 44 for distribution to the irrigation system 47
or to a septic system 48 depending on local conditions.
[0054] The fire suppression system in all modules, as illustrated
in FIG. 24, is controlled by a low-voltage fire alarm control
system 53. When the system is triggered, the misting heads 54 are
fed water by a DC pump 51 that draws water from the hydronic water
storage tank 27, In the case of the water-use module, water is also
drawn from the domestic water storage tank 36. The flow of water
from the hydronic tank 27 into the fire suppression system is
controlled by the hydronic water control valve 50. The flow of
water from the domestic water tank 36 into the fire suppression
system is controlled by the domestic water control valve 49.
* * * * *