U.S. patent application number 12/185561 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for novel sustainable building model.
This patent application is currently assigned to EDIFICIOS SOSTENIBLES GETECH, S.L.. Invention is credited to Feliciano Garcia Fernandez.
Application Number | 20090249726 12/185561 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40019045 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090249726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garcia Fernandez;
Feliciano |
October 8, 2009 |
NOVEL SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MODEL
Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel sustainable building,
the outer enclosures, roofs and foundations of which form an
envelope that is formed, with the exception of doors, windows and
chimneys, by a central core (5) with a high heat storage capacity,
by an inner liner or membrane (4) with a high thermal conductivity
and which is in close contact with the central core, and by an
outer thermally insulated and mechanically resistant skin (6).
Inventors: |
Garcia Fernandez; Feliciano;
(Granada, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
EDIFICIOS SOSTENIBLES GETECH,
S.L.
Granada
ES
|
Family ID: |
40019045 |
Appl. No.: |
12/185561 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 5/10 20130101; E04C
2/523 20130101; F28D 20/0056 20130101; F24H 7/02 20130101; F24S
60/00 20180501; F24H 7/00 20130101; Y02B 10/20 20130101; Y02E 10/40
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/506.01 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/14 20060101
E04B002/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2008 |
ES |
P200800952 |
Claims
1. A novel sustainable building model, wherein its outer
enclosures, roofs and foundations form an envelope that is formed,
with the exception of doors, windows and chimneys, by a central
core with a high heat storage capacity, by an inner liner or
membrane with high thermal conductivity which is in close contact
with the central core, and an outer thermally insulating and
mechanically resistant skin, both the core and membrane as well as
the structure, partitions and remaining elements with heating
capacity of the enveloped building being conceived as a thermal
warehouse based on the use of materials with a good heating
capacity and the thermal insulation of the outer skin of the
envelope; and in that air is extracted from inside the compartments
in order to suitably renew it, while at the same time an amount of
air exceeding the extracted amount is driven into the compartments
so as to create a slight overpressure in relation to the outside,
which overpressure is sufficient to prevent the natural entrance of
outside air.
2. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1, wherein
the inner membrane or liner of the core of the envelope houses a
crevice the walls of which have ribs and sudden changes of
direction suitable for causing turbulences in a fluid, generally
air, circulating through said crevices.
3. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
the membrane is formed by a partition constructed with
prefabricated blocks coupled to one another and including the
crevices therein with their ribs and changes of direction.
4. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
the membrane is formed by large prefabricated panels in two halves
which are coupled to one another to form the crevice with its ribs
and changes of direction.
5. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
the membrane is formed by large panels constructed by means of
special molds which are later extracted or chemically dissolved
after the unit has set, both in the workshop and on site, and
containing the crevice with its ribs and changes of direction.
6. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
the membrane is formed by two elements, the first element
consisting of channels engraved in the skin of the walls, floors or
ceilings of the compartments, and the second element being formed
by thin and smooth plates attached to said skin.
7. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
the membrane is formed by two elements, the first element
consisting of thin plates with a smooth visible face, the other
face containing engraved channels, the second element being formed
by the smooth skin of the walls, floors or ceilings of the
compartments on which the panels are attached on the face of the
channels.
8. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 2, wherein
a fluid, generally air, is circulated through the crevices, moved
by aspiration or suction, which fluid exchanges its energy with the
walls of the crevice as a result of the turbulences caused in the
air by the ribs or changes of direction.
9. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1, wherein
ducts with good energy transmission capacity pass through the core,
through which ducts an energy-loaded fluid is circulated.
10. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the core is formed by granular materials with good heat
storage capacity and with hollows which allow the passage of
energy-loaded fluids, preferably carried by piping that is a good
energy transmitter, provided with open fissures or joints, which
allow the inlets and outlets of fluids in their course through the
core.
11. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the core is connected by means of heat transmitting routes
with one or more external thermal warehouses.
12. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the outer skin consists of a first or thermal insulating
layer in contact with the core and of another outer mechanical
protection layer which also performs waterproofing in vertical
planes, intercalating waterproofing between the two mentioned
layers in the horizontal planes.
13. A novel sustainable building model according to the claim 1,
wherein the inner partitions of the building are formed like the
inner liners or membranes of the core, but they lack outer skin on
both faces.
14. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the air extracted from inside the building is subjected to
heat exchange with the air that is driven into said building,
without direct contact between the air.
15. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the air introduced into the home is previously subjected to
a thermal conditioning process through an energy warehouse of a
natural or renewable origin.
16. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein the air that is driven into the building is subjected to a
prior dehumidifying process.
17. A novel sustainable building model according to the claim 1,
wherein the membranes and cores are permeable to water vapor.
18. A novel sustainable building model according to claim 1,
wherein an intelligent electronic device optimizes the use of the
available energies, taking into account the temperatures of the
cores and of the basement, as well as the temperatures and relative
humidities of the indoor and outdoor air.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of Serial No. P200800952,
filed 8 Apr. 2008, in Spain, and which application is incorporated
herein by references. A claim of priority to the extent appropriate
is made.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a novel sustainable housing
or building model reducing a large percentage of the energy demand
for heating and cooling thereof, the current waste of energy and
harm to the health of its inhabitants and for the environment
deriving from the use of current conventional technologies being
eliminated, while at the same time providing the use of natural
energy flows in ecosystems, as requested by the European Parliament
in Resolution A3-0054/94.
[0003] The designs of sustainable buildings can vary like
conventional buildings do, and even though this building basically
refers to housing, which is the most important sector, this model
also applies to all types of buildings, such as schools, clinics,
hospitals, university buildings, offices, industrial premises,
greenhouses, warehouses, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The serious looming energy crisis, the dependence on foreign
energy sources of most countries, such as Spain, which has already
reached 80%, the excessive consumption of homes today exceeding 40%
of the total energy used by societies and the preoccupying effects
caused by the change in climate, have made housing a top priority
for governmental institutions, for example Directive 2002/91/EC of
the European Parliament and Council.
[0005] If the energy demand for heating and cooling of homes is not
substantially reduced without further delay, the Kyoto agreement
will not be complied and the change in climate will not be
detained.
[0006] Heating and cooling of homes today are supported on two
essential, complementary and mutually needed points. The first
point consists of installing good thermal insulation in enclosures
and roofs, while at the same time extensively using lightweight
materials in partitions, noggings, roofs, and the like. Structures
are thereby economized and transport and on-site installation costs
are saved. Nevertheless, even by giving priority to thermal
insulations, the waste of energy in homes will continue because
there are other determining factors involved, as will be seen
below.
[0007] The second point relates to the installation of mechanical
equipment in conventional homes, generally heat pumps, which
provide hot or cold air, depending on the season. However, when the
operation of this equipment is stopped or brought to a halt, homes
cool down or heat up in a short period of time. It is then clear
that these two points or concepts complement one another and meet
their objectives at the cost, however, of high energy consumption
by means of permanently operating. However, since there is no
economy that can resist permanent equipment consumption nor is
there sufficient energy to supply them, one must ask what the
purpose of thermal insulation and lightweight materials is.
[0008] What happens actually corresponds to a somewhat anarchic
process in which there are several factors involved. First, like it
or not, conventional homes lack air tightness, i.e. it is rather
easy for outdoor air to enter and for air from the house to exit
due to cracks or irregularities in the closure or the fit of doors
and windows, in addition to directly opening same or chimneys and
air vents in kitchens and bathrooms; there is even a number of
mechanical air extractions. However, the main cause of these
movements of air is the difference in pressures between the inside
of the house and the outside. Therefore, the exit of a certain
volume of air from the house causes a certain pressure drop in the
indoor air, which causes the necessary entrance of the same volume
of air from outdoors to balance the air pressure of the house with
the outside atmospheric pressure. All this occurs within a set of
different, changing outdoor and indoor temperatures which cause
different densities, vertical movements and movements of all types,
giving rise to a truly natural and permanent renewal of air in
conventional houses, and although it serves a good purpose, i.e. it
eliminates bad smells and provides oxygen to be breathed in, it
fosters a truly wasteful energy model, since the air entering the
house enters with the energy provided thereto from outdoors and the
exiting air pulls out all the energy contained in the house.
Therefore this is a throwaway energy model that is widespread
today.
[0009] This air renewal in conventional homes is further verified
in any case regardless of whether or not mechanical heating and
cooling equipment is installed, which equipment frequently recycles
the inside air by artificially incorporating heat or cold, but such
equipment does not normally mechanically introduce outdoor air into
homes except in certain installations that would enhance natural
renewal of the air in the house.
[0010] Furthermore the total volume of air in a house is renewed
between once and several times every hour, depending on the climate
and the country. It is a widespread problem that must be solved. It
is obvious that, from the point of view of physics, conventional
homes have been reduced to simple containers of air, to passive
spectators in an energy play in which they do not actively
participate because they lack the ability to be involved therein
since their materials are determined according to their thermal
insulation and light weight, qualities that are not suitable for
collecting and transmitting energy in the form of heat.
[0011] The described throwaway energy model is the main cause of
waste in homes today. Any variants in conventional systems such as
radiators or panels mean the same in the end because they need to
permanently emit energy since the house barely participates in the
process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] From the point of view of energy in the form of heat, the
relations between a home and the environment are truly complex.
Solving the aforementioned drawbacks is equally complex.
Sustainability as such requires a long-lasting solution that
respects the environment. It has to be long-lasting insofar as the
current wasteful and non-renewable energy model must be eliminated
and replaced with another more natural and healthier model
integrated in the environment and which preferably uses natural
energy flows of ecosystems, which are truly long-lasting. The
greatest respect that can be given to the environment is to be
integrated in it.
[0013] However, this complexity cannot be solved with a single,
more or less powerful action, but rather by means of a new and no
less complex organization or strategy that allows simultaneously
implement a group of diverse and complementary actions.
[0014] There are five different actions from the point of view of
physics, and a sixth action intended for industrialization of
construction.
[0015] The first and main concept of the present invention consists
of converting sustainable buildings or homes into a warehouse of
energy in the form of heat, to which end the materials of said
buildings will have a good capacity to collect heat and store it,
while at the same time they will be protected by an overall
envelope isolating them from the environment.
[0016] The second concept of the present invention involves the
devices and manners of loading and unloading the overall energy
warehouse.
[0017] The third concept of this invention relates to the behavior
or operation of the thermal energy in the building, particularly
taking into account the energy play developed in inhabitable
spaces.
[0018] The fourth concept eliminates the anarchy occurring in air
renewal in conventional homes, controlling the flow of air that
exits and enters sustainable homes and creating a slight
overpressure in the inside air.
[0019] The fifth concept relates to energy and relative humidity
control treatments applied to the renewal air introduced in
sustainable homes.
[0020] The sixth concept involves industrializing the construction
of sustainable buildings by means of the use of prefabricated units
manufactured in a workshop or industrial solutions carried out "in
situ".
[0021] To that end, according to the invention the building
envelope, formed by the enclosures, roofs and foundations, with the
exception of doors, windows and chimneys, consists of a central
core with a high heat storage capacity, an inner liner or membrane
with high thermal conductivity which is in close contact with the
central core, and an outer thermally insulating and mechanically
resistant skin. Both the core and membrane as well as the
structure, partitions and remaining elements of the building, will
be conceived as a thermal warehouse based on the use of materials
with a good heat storage capacity and the thermal insulation of the
outer skin. Furthermore, according to the invention air is
extracted from inside the compartments in order to suitably renew
it, while at the same time an amount of air exceeding the extracted
amount is driven into the compartments so as to create a slight
overpressure in relation to the outside, which overpressure is
sufficient to prevent the natural entrance of outside air.
[0022] It is further provided with an intelligent electronic device
providing information about the inside and outside air temperatures
and also the temperatures of the cores and the basement, as well as
information about the pressure and relative humidity values of the
indoor and outdoor air, and other climatic data about the place
affecting the conditioning of the air in the building. The
electronic device chooses the most appropriate energy options out
of the programmed options.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] To better understand the present invention a set of
non-limiting and simplified drawings or diagrams, not to scale, of
a sustainable building with any design, height, dimension or number
of floors, is provided, and certain elements that may cause
confusion have been eliminated.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical section view of a building
with several floors, formed according to the invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a section view similar to that of FIG. 1, to a
larger scale.
[0026] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 correspond to details A, B and C of FIG. 2,
to a larger scale.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prefabricated unit forming
part of the outer enclosure of the building.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a vertical section view of the same unit,
according to section line S-S' of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a vertical section view of two overlaid and
coupled units.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6, showing an
implementation variant.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a vertical section view of the unit of FIG. 9,
according to section line X-X'.
[0032] FIG. 11 shows a vertical section view of two units such as
those shown in FIG. 9, overlaid and coupled together.
[0033] FIG. 12 shows a vertical section view of the enclosure of a
building according to the invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 shows a vertical section view of an inner
partition.
[0035] FIGS. 14 and 15 show side elevation and plan views of a
prefabricated unit providing horizontal and vertical ducts.
[0036] FIG. 16 schematically shows the circulation of a thermal
fluid through an enclosure or partition from a lower inlet to an
upper outlet.
[0037] FIG. 17 shows a vertical section view of a detail of an
implementation variant of an enclosure. 15 FIGS. 18 and 19 are
views similar to FIG. 1, respectively showing the transfer and
collection of heat by the enclosures, partitions and noggings,
towards or away from the compartments.
[0038] FIG. 20 shows a vertical section view of a possible fluid
circulation duct solution.
[0039] FIG. 21 shows a plan view of three attached panels.
[0040] FIG. 22 shows a section view of three attached panels
according to section line A-A' of FIG. 21.
[0041] FIG. 23 shows a plan view of a prefabricated unit for
forming the core.
[0042] FIG. 24 shows a side elevation view of the prefabricated
unit of FIG. 23.
[0043] FIG. 25 shows a cross section view of the same prefabricated
unit according to section line A-A' of FIG. 23.
[0044] FIGS. 26 and 27 are views similar to FIG. 23, incorporating
the thermal protection and the thermal and mechanical protection,
respectively.
[0045] FIG. 28 shows a perspective sectioned view of the different
elements of an enclosure according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical section of the building in
which several elements are seen: enclosures (1), roofs (2),
flooring and foundations (3), as well as doors (1'), windows (1'')
and chimneys (2'), along with columns, noggings and partitions.
[0047] In order to obtain the first and main concept of this
invention, i.e. converting sustainable buildings into an energy
warehouse, it is necessary to first define the envelope, which is
like the frame forming part of the mentioned buildings, with the
exception of doors, windows and chimneys or vents, enveloping,
demarcating, insulating and protecting them from both dirt and the
outside environment.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows the three main parts or areas of the envelope:
membrane (4), core (5) and outer skin or protection (6).
[0049] In fact, the skin forms the outer enclosures and also
comprises and includes the roofs and foundations of the building.
It begins in the inner skin of enclosures which is fused with the
membrane (4), which firstly complies with a function of lining and
protecting the core (5). This membrane will not only be a thin
layer of to material suited to its functions, but it can be thick
and integrated in structural elements such as reinforced panels and
the like which would be connected to the core and form part of
same.
[0050] In any case, the membrane will have another even more
important purpose, which is to collect and transmit energy in both
directions. Therefore, the materials used in the membrane must be
suited to their multiple function: mortars for cement, concretes,
stone, marble, etc.
[0051] The core (5) is located after the membrane (4), the core
being the central and key element of the envelope. It is confined
between the membrane (4) and outer skin (6). The materials forming
it must have a good heating capacity in order to optimize energy
storage, which is its essential purpose. Dirt, gravel, concrete and
water are suitable materials, without being closed off to new
incorporations.
[0052] The core can adapt different shapes and composition.
Generally, taking into account the economic requirements for
construction, and particularly the high price of land, less thick
cores will almost always be made of concrete, even
prefabricated.
[0053] Nevertheless, in low-rise housing, when the price of land is
lower and especially in very harsh climates, thick solid cores made
of concrete or other binders can be designed, or cores formed by
loose granular materials, with hollows, without mortar and capable
of obtaining enormous energy storage can also be adapted.
[0054] Details A, B and C of FIG. 2 are shown at a larger scale in
enlarged FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, which show a suitable thermal insulation
(7), in addition to waterproofing (8), especially in horizontal
areas or in areas in contact with the ground, and a solid liner by
way of a conventional mechanical protection (9).
[0055] Having seen the composition of the envelope, all the
elements housed therein, with the exception of the outer skin (6)
and the doors, windows and chimneys, will form part of the energy
warehouse of the sustainable building, starting with the core, the
main element of this invention. However, there are other important
enveloped elements also forming the mentioned warehouse, such as
the structures, noggings, partitions, foundations, flooring, stairs
and the like. The energy warehouse could occasionally be expanded
outside the sustainable building, creating energy pockets with
materials having a good thermal capacity under foundations,
streets, yards, etc. provided they are connected with other inner
warehouses or with the core of the envelope.
[0056] In order for the building to become a true energy warehouse
or deposit its different components with a good heating capacity
will lack interposed barriers or insulations hindering the free
circulation of energy inside the warehouse, such that they can
easily comply with the laws of energy transmission.
[0057] It must be emphasized that the envelope internally includes
the foundations or any other element of the building in contact
with the ground. Although it is true that the contact of the
foundation with the ground, with no insulation, could allow the
evacuation of excess heat from the building towards the ground in
warm periods, such contact is eliminated and a total thermal
insulation (7), even a more rigid sub-foundation insulation (7'),
is used to prevent transfers in cold periods, which would be
unfavorable for the house; while at the same time eliminating
uncontrolled energy migrations between both parts, according to the
climatic season, due to Clausius' principle.
[0058] Having defined the overall energy warehouse of sustainable
buildings, the devices or manners of loading it with energy or
unloading such energy therefrom form the second concept of the
present invention.
[0059] The main core and the small cores of the partitions of the
rooms of the sustainable building become the elements where all the
energy stored inside or outside the building will reach first and
foremost.
[0060] Since there are no thermal insulations or barriers inside
the envelope, if the cores are first and foremost loaded with
energy, the remaining elements of the building capable of storing
energy, such as structures, partitions, noggings, flooring,
foundations, stairs, etc., will actually be loaded by conduction,
radiation or convection.
[0061] The priority of the quality of the air in the building,
which provides oxygen to its inhabitants, must be pointed out. To
that end, in no case will outdoor air, the only air used to renew
air in homes, come into contact with another fluid, not even when
it is an energy carrier fluid. Therefore, loading energy into or
unloading it from the core will be done by using direct internal
routes that are different and independent from the routes used for
the air renewal process in the homes.
[0062] The most common method for loading energy into or unloading
it from the core of the building is based on the use of
prefabricated units, generally made of concrete, such as those
shown in perspective in FIGS. 6 and 9. In both models an open crack
or crevice can be seen which spans the models both horizontally and
vertically, said crevice starting in the lower part, with an
excessive width which allows introducing horizontal pipes or cables
in its upper part, in addition to the coupling with the lower
prefabricated unit for the formation of partitions. In the upper
part of the crevice of each prefabricated unit, there is another
hollow existing for the same purpose. FIGS. 7 and 10 show vertical
sections S-S' and X-X' of the two prefabricated unit models. The
open crevices for the unhindered passage of the thermal fluid can
be seen in these sections. FIGS. 8 and 11 show the vertical
couplings of the two prefabricated units through which the fluid
passes. Finally, the prefabricated unit of FIG. 9 shows a floating
thermal mass, with the exception of anchors fixing it to the side
faces of said prefabricated unit. Either of the two prefabricated
units shown can be used indistinctly.
[0063] FIG. 12 shows the outer enclosure of a sustainable building.
The inner membrane of the closure is formed by a partition formed
with any of the described prefabricated units, these partitions
being attached against the core by their outer face. The other
face, the inner face, is fused with the membrane of the envelope.
The outer skin of the enclosure includes thermal and mechanical
protections.
[0064] The inner partitions of the homes, FIG. 13, must be
constructed also using the mentioned prefabricated units, through
the crevices of which units the same energy-loaded fluid fed to the
cores will circulate. In any case, each half of the prefabricated
unit, on both sides of the crevice, will behave like a membrane and
core simultaneously.
[0065] FIGS. 14 and 15 show side elevation and plan views of a
prefabricated unit providing vertical ducts and which can be
coupled to the previously mentioned ducts, maintaining the
horizontal cavities of both.
[0066] The fluid or air must pass through the inside of the
crevices being split in two main directions: a horizontal
direction, aided by the flaring or cavities of each prefabricated
unit, in order to obtain the horizontal movement of the air with
little friction; a second predominant direction, the vertical
direction, which enhances the energy exchange between the air and
the two halves of the prefabricated units as a result of the
turbulences caused when the rising air collides with the broken
areas or abrupt changes of direction.
[0067] In order to provide to the core of the enclosures energy or
heat in cold periods, the necessary connections between the heat
source and the lower start E of the crevices of a prefabricated
unit partition, which forms part of an enclosure or forms an inner
partition, FIG. 16, supported on the flooring P or ground and
reaching the ceiling T or upper nogging, are first arranged.
[0068] Mechanically driving the air from the origin to coming out
at the end of the crevices of the partitions would involve an
unnecessary cost of energy for overcoming the load losses of the
air due to friction. However, if air is extracted from the end of
the course, the atmospheric pressure, which is always present at
the origin of the air, will act on the air, pushing it or applying
pressure to it so that it occupies the pressure drops caused by the
extraction of air at the end point. It thus acts by suctioning or
extracting the air mechanically from the upper opposite end F of
FIG. 16, such that the inner circulation in the partition will
essentially be upward, with an abundance of turbulences due to the
design of the prefabricated units.
[0069] In FIG. 12, the right area of the prefabricated unit
partition coming into contact with the core becomes part of such
core and transfers thereto by conduction the energy received from
the air. The left area of said partition will transfer its energy
to the membrane by conduction and the latter to the compartments by
radiation.
[0070] In order to unload the house in warm periods, FIG. 12, the
fluid will be kept cold and the energy transfer phenomenon will
then occur in the opposite direction. When the crevices conduct
cold air, which rises by suction, the two halves of the
prefabricated units of the partition and both the compartments and
the cores will transfer their heat to the adjacent halves which, in
turn, will transfer it to the circulating cold air.
[0071] The designs of all the prefabricated units are not limiting,
being able to be modified provided that they maintain the same
energy behaviors.
[0072] The extraction equipment located in F, FIG. 8, can operate
continuously or intermittently with temporary shutdowns. This
second intermittent system must be applied when using energy from
slow reloading sources, either direct solar collection or indirect
collection from the ground, as in the case of underground piping
which collects energy from the ground by means of a fluid
circulating therethrough.
[0073] In long courses for the circulating fluid and due to
exaggerated load losses caused by turbulences, a small ventilator
can be arranged at the outside origin of the air outlet to help the
atmospheric pressure drive the fluid.
[0074] In those buildings in which the core is rather thin due to
the high cost of land or the height of the buildings, the scarce
energy storage capacity of the core is made up for by providing
energy thereto with the necessary frequency. Even in this case, the
comfort and health of the system will be the same as in the cases
of cores with normal thickness; even the energy savings will also
be considerable insofar as the throwaway model has been
eliminated.
[0075] As a general rule, to load or unload energy in a core of any
design or dimension, good heat transmitting ducts or piping must be
introduced inside such cores and used for the passage of
energy-loaded fluids.
[0076] In the particular case of thick cores such as that of FIG.
17, formed by loose granular elements without mortar, with a good
heating capacity and with hollows permeable to fluids, a hot fluid
in a cold period and a cold fluid in a hot period can be passed
through said hollows, piping (10, 11) with good energy transmitting
walls and having open fissures or joints to allow the energy-loaded
fluids to exit, traverse the hollows exchanging energy with the
granular elements and again enter the piping to continue their
course through the inside of the core preferably being used.
[0077] In the same manner as before, not only is suction or
extraction of the fluid containing energy used instead of the drive
or injection therefore, but also at the described
intermittence.
[0078] Even though foundations and roofs also form part of the
envelope of the energy warehouse to load or unload it, the vertical
elements or enclosures for locating the membranes with crevices for
the circulation of an energy-loaded fluid are preferably used
because energy more readily accesses all the components of the
warehouse from these vertical cores. Nevertheless, when the designs
of sustainable buildings so require, the membranes with crevices
will also be located in floorings and in ceilings or roofs.
[0079] The intelligent electronic device will be decisively
involved in attaining this second concept, which device will offer
permanent information, will choose the suitable energy sources and
will make decisions about the starts and the temporary shutdowns of
the equipment suctioning the energy flows.
[0080] The third concept of the present invention relates to the
behavior of the energy stored in the building, placing a special
emphasis on the energy play occurring between the compartments or
rooms and the core or energy warehouse.
[0081] The general energy warehouse, both the one located inside
the building and the one outside the building but connected to it,
has the purpose of providing or extracting energy from the
compartments with the aim of maintaining the suitable temperatures
therein at all times.
[0082] Actually, any compartment of the sustainable buildings or
housing is a hollow space housed inside a large energy warehouse
enveloping it and all the walls of the compartment will be
permeable to the passage of energy, including floors and ceilings,
even though they lack the prefabricated units with crevices.
[0083] In cold periods, the warehouse or core will be kept loaded
with heat. The aggression of the external environment through
doors, windows or chimneys, could reduce the temperature of the
compartments were it not for the involvement of the membrane, the
anteroom and door of the core, which will project by radiation,
FIG. 10, energy from the warehouse onto said colder spaces,
affecting the people, furniture and the opposite walls, including
the air insofar as it contains greenhouse effect gases capable of
trapping the infrared radiation emitted by the membranes.
[0084] In warm periods, the energy warehouse or core must be kept
with reduced heat or cooled until reaching comfort level values or
lower. The outside heat would affect the compartments were it not
for the membranes, which will collect by radiation and convection
the excess heat entering the room, and will transfer it to the
cores, FIG. 19.
[0085] The use of the prefabricated units of FIGS. 6 and 9 improve
and expedite the energy processes occurring between the core or
warehouse and the compartments. The crevices of these prefabricated
units are important elements insofar as in addition to being the
channel for the circulation of the fluid loaded into or unloaded
from the warehouse or core, they are traversed, by radiation, by
the energy flows of said core which move towards the compartments
in cold periods, and in the opposite direction, from the
compartments towards the core, in warm periods.
[0086] One of the main advantages of these prefabricated units
consists of the priority that is given to the compartments, which
receive the energy containing the half of the prefabricated unit
close to the membrane immediately, without having to wait for the
core to be loaded, in cold periods. In warm periods, with the core
not yet cooled, the half of the prefabricated unit close to the
membrane will collect or take on the excess heat in the
compartments as it is being cooled as soon as the warehouse is
cooled. All the operations are coordinated from the intelligent
electronic device.
[0087] In order to provide satisfactory results in energy processes
and to improve the human comfort level, the membranes and cores
will be permeable to water vapor, allowing the passage to the
crevices of the excess relative humidity of the air of the
compartments which will be absorbed by the circulating fluid.
[0088] The inhabitants of the sustainable building will notice the
radiant energy projected through the walls, ceilings and floors in
a pleasant, healthy and natural manner as corresponds to the
emission of infrared radiation coming from the warehouse. However
it is true that the air inside the building will receive certain
doses of energy as a result of the friction with the walls,
ceilings and floors thereof, and as a result of the infrared
radiation projecting onto the spaces, which can intercept
greenhouse effect molecules or the possible energy load
incorporated into the renewal air, the amount of which will always
be secondary in relation to that which is incorporated into the
warehouse.
[0089] The fourth concept incorporated by the present invention
involves eliminating the energy waste and lack of control occurring
due to the renewal of air in conventional buildings or homes,
controlling in the sustainable home the flow of air coming in and
going out.
[0090] On one hand, it is necessary to assure minimal quality of
the air that is to be breathed in, especially regarding its purity
and the absence of bad smells. On the other hand, the throwaway
model used in homes today must be corrected or better yet
eliminated.
[0091] The sustainable buildings or homes of the present invention
can also maintain these irregular routes formed by chimneys, cracks
for doors and windows, although it would be appropriate to reduce
them, but always preventing complete air tightness.
[0092] A control device for controlling the exit airflow rate is
arranged as a first measure, strategically locating inside the home
extraction points or air outlets regardless of the air exiting
through the irregular routes. Other injection or supply points will
simultaneously be located far from the extraction points and also
inside the home. These supply points will allow introducing a
greater airflow than the sum of the air that is being extracted
plus the uncontrolled air of the irregular routes, so that this
greater airflow maintains an overpressure or pressurization of the
air inside the home that is above the outside atmospheric pressure.
With this overpressure, the inside air will be forced to exit to
the outside using the extraction points and the mentioned irregular
routes, while at the same time preventing the anarchic entrance of
the outside air, loaded with the energy taken outdoors. The
different processes will be controlled and governed by the
intelligent electronic device.
[0093] In order to incorporate the fifth concept, which relates to
energy and control treatments for the relative humidity that will
be applied to the renewal air introduced in sustainable buildings
or homes, the same installations described above in relation to the
fourth concept will be used, although from the point of view of
physics, they are different albeit simultaneously solved
concepts.
[0094] In fact, the air introduced in the homes will receive the
energy contained in the air that is extracted from such homes by
means of a heat exchange, without providing direct contact between
the two types of air, since the outgoing air will contaminate the
incoming air. The air that is introduced can previously undergo a
treatment to control its relative humidity, and it can also be
subjected to a thermal conditioning process, for example by
exchanging energy provided by another fluid that has passed through
the basement, under the home or in its proximities, or from an
energy warehouse of a natural origin, or from direct or indirect
solar collection or collection for outside energy pockets,
according to the methods expressed in the second concept.
[0095] Finally, the sixth concept relates to the industrialization
of the construction of sustainable buildings or homes to lower
costs and to improve precision, quality control and proper
operation assurances.
[0096] Several solutions are presented: first, the aforementioned
widely versatile prefabricated units (FIGS. 6, 9 and 14) from the
workshop and palletized for being shipped to the construction
site.
[0097] However, if larger units are required, modifications must be
made to the design. To start, the entire crevice does not have to
have ribs causing turbulences in the air and causing load losses.
They can be eliminated in certain areas, designing another type of
crevice therein that can be vertical and smooth or with little
texture. FIG. 20 shows a non-limiting solution in which horizontal
ducts are alternated with vertical ducts and the ribs with smooth
vertical sections or relatively non-textured sections.
[0098] Upon analyzing FIGS. 12, 13 and 20, different possibilities
for industrializing the construction of the crevice and its
surrounding area can be deduced. The two halves of the partition
containing the crevice can be manufactured in a workshop separately
and then assembled on site. Or the left half could also be
constructed in a factory and the other right half of the crevice
could be engraved in the previously constructed core. Other
solutions for obtaining the crevice are possible, such as the use
of special molds which are later extracted or which are chemically
dissolved after the unit has set, etc.
[0099] On special occasions either due to a lack of space or
because singular designs or already constructed buildings in which
technological elements of this invention are introduced are
involved, the described prefabricated units housing the crevices or
cracks are not possible due to their excessive thickness, therefore
requiring other thinner prefabricated units but which are also
capable of housing crevices or cracks that allow the passage of
fluids with the formation of turbulences.
[0100] In such circumstances, designs of prefabricated units
different from those described in FIGS. 6 and 9 must be used.
[0101] Two possibilities are provided, without being limiting in
nature. First, the prefabricated unit consists of a thin panel with
two smooth faces, the visible face and the concealed face, which
panel is attached to the walls or floors and ceilings, depending on
the designs, having open channels previously engraved therein such
that when the smooth plates are attached, the channels are covered
to form crevices with different designs from those of the previous
prefabricated units but which also allow the circulation of a fluid
with turbulences. Second, the prefabricated unit will consist of a
thin panel with a smooth visible face and the other concealed face
containing open channels dug therein which are covered when the
flat walls or floors and ceilings are attached, thus forming
crevices or cracks with different designs from that of the previous
prefabricated units, but which also allow the circulation of a
fluid with turbulences. FIG. 21 shows a plan view of three attached
panels and FIG. 22 shows a vertical section of said panels attached
to a partition.
[0102] As the energy warehouse that it is, the core has a
considerable weight. To that end, a hybrid, partially in a workshop
and the rest on site, industrial manufacturing process is
provided.
[0103] To form the core, FIG. 23 shows a plan view of a U-shaped
concrete prefabricated unit, open at the lower part, allowing its
manual placement as permanent formwork, to be filled with concrete
once it is installed on site. FIGS. 24 and 25 also show side
elevation A-L and section A-A', respectively. This prefabricated
unit allows for larger sizes, including reinforcements for aiding
in their transport and placement. When the hollow spaces are filled
in on site other reinforcements can also be introduced to transform
the core into a structural element while at the same time being a
heat warehouse. Other solutions complementary to this prefabricated
unit can be obtained in the same manner. First, the thermal
protection (7), FIG. 26, or even the two protections, thermal
protection (7) and mechanical protection (9) simultaneously, FIG.
27, can be incorporated in the factory.
[0104] Regarding the thermal protection (7), aerated concretes or
mortars made with natural lightweight aggregates as well as those
produced in a factory, such as expanded clay and the like, must be
used.
[0105] The mechanical protection (9) of FIG. 27 will be rigid in
accordance with the conventional manner, using cement washes with
or without reinforcements, facing brick or veneers, all weather
resistant; further obtaining good adherence with the thermal
insulation and both of them with the core.
[0106] Finally, FIG. 28 shows a general view of the different
elements of an enclosure with considerable industrialization
possibilities.
[0107] Having sufficiently described both the nature and the object
of the present invention patent, it is hereby stated that the
essential features on which the grant thereof must be based are
comprised in the claims detailed on the following pages.
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