U.S. patent application number 13/478001 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for multifunctional energy management building cladding.
Invention is credited to MATTHEW MURRAY BOTKE.
Application Number | 20120231222 13/478001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43411870 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120231222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOTKE; MATTHEW MURRAY |
September 13, 2012 |
Multifunctional Energy Management Building Cladding
Abstract
This invention relates to a building cladding for inclined
surfaces such as for a sloped roof. More specifically, this
invention relates to a building cladding that is passively
responsive to sun elevation angles, is multi-functional, and is
substantially uniformly ornamental when viewed from common viewing
positions. The cladding is predominantly comprised of pairs of
substantially horizontal and vertical surfaces extended
horizontally and repeated vertically or along the incline of the
building substrate. Substantially horizontal surfaces may be
adapted for absorbing solar energy, reflecting solar energy,
generating electricity from solar energy, converting solar energy
into another form of energy, and or ornamentally matching
substantially vertical surfaces.
Inventors: |
BOTKE; MATTHEW MURRAY;
(MOORPARK, CA) |
Family ID: |
43411870 |
Appl. No.: |
13/478001 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12829427 |
Jul 2, 2010 |
8201375 |
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13478001 |
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61273331 |
Aug 3, 2009 |
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61270033 |
Jul 3, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/156 ;
428/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/06 20130101; H02S
20/23 20141201; E04D 1/18 20130101; E04D 3/30 20130101; Y02E 10/60
20130101; Y02B 10/70 20130101; Y02E 10/40 20130101; E04D 1/30
20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; Y02B 80/00 20130101; E04D 1/16
20130101; H02S 40/44 20141201; Y02B 10/20 20130101; F24S 20/67
20180501; Y02A 30/254 20180101; F24D 2200/14 20130101; Y10T
428/24628 20150115; E04D 13/103 20130101; Y02B 10/10 20130101; Y02E
10/44 20130101; E04D 13/17 20130101; Y10T 428/24479 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/156 ;
428/174 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/02 20060101
E04D001/02; B32B 3/30 20060101 B32B003/30; E04D 1/00 20060101
E04D001/00 |
Claims
1. A molded or extruded roofing tile comprising at least a first
set of surfaces generally oriented in the observer direction having
desirable ornamental quality and emissivity and at least a second
set of surfaces generally oriented in the sun direction having
desirable solar radiation reflecting properties and emissivity.
2. The roofing material in claim 1 having at least one transverse
notch or groove in an observer facing and sun facing surface
pair.
3. The roofing material in claim 1 having an integral batten
stop.
4. The roofing material in claim 1 having features to provide a
weather resistant interface with adjacent roofing material units
when assembled together as a roof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/829,427, filed Jul. 2, 2010, which in turn claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/273,331 filed on Aug. 3,
2009 entitled Building Integrated Solar Energy Management Cladding
and Method Thereof and also to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/270,033 filed on Jul. 3, 2009 entitled Reflective Building
Element According to Sun Angles with High Emissivity
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to an outer covering or cladding of a
building envelope for inclined surfaces such as for a sloped roof.
More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-functional
cladding passively responsive to sun elevation angles and
substantially uniformly ornamental when viewed from common viewing
positions. This invention also relates to means and methods to
collect, transport, and utilize energy throughout the cladding
system. The building envelope includes the walls, roof, windows,
and doors of a structure and includes the weather protective
surface of the building. The envelope performs many functions
including minimizing heat energy transfer between the interior
conditioned space and the environment, resisting degradation due to
weathering effects as well as presenting an ornamentally appealing
surface. Heat energy transfer through the building envelope changes
the temperature of the conditioned space. Energy must be expended
to maintain the desired temperature of the conditioned space in
order to offset energy transfer to or from the environment.
Therefore, minimal energy transfer across the envelope is
desirable. The rate of energy transfer across the building envelope
becomes significant when large temperature differences exist
between the ambient environment and the conditioned space. Building
environmental systems must be sized according to maximum expected
demands in order to ensure comfort levels are maintained. A primary
source of heat energy loading on the envelope is due to the
absorption of direct solar radiation and secondarily due to the
absorption of diffuse solar radiation into the exposed surfaces of
the envelope. The outer surface of the envelope is comprised of a
cladding system by which tiles, panels, bricks or tiles are
arranged over the building substrate in order to provide a
contiguous weather resistant layer. Characteristics by which the
cladding interacts with incident solar radiation have significant
affect on the heat transfer between the interior conditioned space
and the outside environment. Minimizing solar heat gain into the
conditioned space in summer reduces energy demand on cooling
equipment. Maximizing solar heat gain in winter reduces energy
demand on heating equipment. Traditionally, the energy required to
cool a conditioned space is more expensive than the equivalent
energy required for heating the same space due to the type of
energy required for each application. Heating is typically
accomplished by burning fossil fuel while cooling is typically
accomplished using more costly electrical energy. Therefore,
envelope performance is designed to minimize solar heat gain in the
summer and secondarily to maximize solar heat gain in the winter
for much of the globe between about 50-deg North and 50-deg South
latitude.
[0006] Elevation and azimuth sun angles vary according to time of
year, time of day, and the positional latitude on the Earth from
which the angles are measured. During summer and especially at
summer solstice, the sun is at a higher elevation angle and for
longer periods of time during the day than during winter and
especially at winter solstice. Peak heating occurs in the hours
surrounding solar noon when the elevation angle of the sun is at or
near the daily maximum. Energy use to cool a conditioned space in
the summer most often reaches a maximum in the early afternoon as a
result of the energy absorbed into the active thermal mass of the
envelope during the times surrounding solar noon. FIG. 1
illustrates the daily sun path across the sky and throughout the
year as measured at 34-deg North latitude and is referred to as a
sunpath diagram. The sunpath diagram charts elevation angle (1) and
azimuth angle (2) of the sun (3) from winter solstice (5) to summer
solstice (4) throughout the day. During summer solstice, the sun
elevation angle remains above 40-deg for over seven hours. By
comparison, during winter solstice (5) the sun reaches a maximum of
only approximately 35-deg elevation angle at solar noon. A cladding
system that is responsive to sun elevation angles enables
substantial reductions in energy use especially during the cooling
season. Both U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,331 granted to Brunton and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,511,537 granted to Hively describe cladding methods
passively responsive to sun elevation angles each with
disadvantages to the present invention disclosed herein.
[0007] Energy transfer across the building envelope can be
effectively mitigated by the cladding including surface geometry as
well as thermal and thermo-optical properties. Some relevant
properties according to the present invention are; [0008] a.
reflectivity, which relates to the non-wavelength dependent total
fraction of incident solar radiation reflected and is measured on a
scale of 0 to 1, whereas 1 is a perfect reflector and; [0009] b.
transmissibility, which relates to the non-wavelength dependent
transmission of solar radiation measured through transparent
materials and is measured on a scale of 0 to 1, whereas 1 is
perfectly transparent and; [0010] c. absorptivity, which herein
relates to the non-wavelength dependent fraction of incident solar
radiation not reflected or transmitted and is measured on a scale
of 0 to 1, whereas 1 is a perfect absorber and; [0011] d.
emissivity, which relates to the non-wavelength dependent
effectiveness of emitting or radiating absorbed energy to the
surroundings for a given temperature difference between the
cladding and surroundings assuming optically thick materials and is
measured on a scale of 0 to 1, whereas 1 is a perfect blackbody
emitter and; [0012] e. thermal capacitance per unit mass which
relates to the temperature rise of the materials for a given unit
of energy input and; [0013] f. thermal conductivity, which relates
to the time rate of heat energy conducted through materials and
into or out of surroundings in physical contact. Since even highly
reflective materials absorb some solar radiation, building
materials including cladding systems can be advantageously designed
to manage the absorbed heat energy. Absorbed heat energy raises the
cladding temperature in proportion to the thermal capacity and
thermal mass of the cladding. The energy is then typically
transferred through conduction and radiation into the building
substrate, re-radiated into the surroundings, and or transferred
through convection to the air. Roof cladding comprised of a low
emissivity surface exposed to the environment will reach a higher
peak temperature compared to a similar roof cladding with higher
emissivity resulting in increased local air temperature through
convective heat transference. The effects of local air heating in
regions with a high proportion of absorbing surfaces such as in
developed areas is known as the Heat Island Effect and can be a
significant source of heat gain into buildings as well as result in
decreased air quality.
[0014] Both high reflectivity and high emissivity improve the
effectiveness of building cladding to reject solar gain just as
high absorptivity and low emissivity increase solar gain. Metals
traditionally used for building construction such as cladding
include bright zinc galvanized steel (emissivity=0.23 to 0.28),
aluminum (emissivity=0.02 to 0.19) and stainless steel
(emissivity=0.08 to 0.20). While bare metals are excellent
reflectors, these materials do not effectively emit heat energy
compared to other building materials such as paint and masonry
(emissivity>0.70). Therefore, a cladding system with a bare
metal coating exposed to radiant energy will increase in
temperature more than would occur for an otherwise equivalent
cladding system with a more emissive coating exposed to equivalent
radiant energy. Several disadvantages occur as a result of using
polished bare metal as a cladding surface such as that described in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,331 granted to Brunton. The cladding is
subjected to larger temperature cycling amplitudes, which degrade
the useful life of the system. Local air temperatures increase and
air quality decreases as cladding surface temperatures increase.
Also, higher cladding temperatures increase the thermal gradient
between the inside and outside of the building envelope causing an
increase in energy transfer rate. The emissivity of a building
cladding becomes more important as the heat capacitance or thermal
mass of the cladding is reduced such as that described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,001,331 granted to Brunton. A low thermal mass building
cladding increases in temperature greater than that of an otherwise
equivalent higher thermal mass building cladding for an equal
quantity of energy absorbed. A cladding that both reflects a large
fraction of the incident solar energy such as about 0.6 and emits a
high fraction of the absorbed solar energy such as about 0.7 back
into the environment will be subjected to a lower temperature
cycling amplitude compared to the referenced art of equivalent
thermal capacity in an identical environment. Limiting the
temperature cycling amplitude increases cladding useful life and so
is a desirable property of a building cladding. Another
disadvantage of the referenced art is that polished metal surfaces
must be chosen to withstand the effects of the environment without
degrading appreciably in reflectivity, which further limits the
applicability in both choice of material and economical
manufacturing for a reflective surface. Metals such as copper,
iron, steel and aluminum for example do not remain bright when
exposed to the weathering effects of the environment unless
sufficiently protected with a coating. The layer that develops on
the metal surface over time, such as the patina or oxide layer both
decreases reflectivity and increases reflectivity. Materials such
as bare copper and carbon steel are best suited for substantially
vertical surfaces as an ornamental and absorptive surface after a
short period of time when exposed to the effects of the
weather.
[0015] Cladding energy performance increases can be realized by the
use of materials exposed to the environment that are greater than
about 0.5 reflective and greater than about 0.5 emissive for
surfaces designed to reject solar gain. As but some examples of
suitable reflective and emissive coatings are light-colored paints,
and polymer coatings such as UV stabilized white PVDF
(Polyvinylidene Fluoride), epoxy paints pigmented with Titanium
Oxides or synthetic pigments of similar reflectivity. The total
emissivity of a combination of materials is greatly influenced by
the emissivity of the exposed outer surface. Therefore, a
sufficiently thick protective coating such as anodize or polymer
sheeting applied to an efficient reflector such as a bare metal
surface increases both the emissivity as well as the resistance to
environmental degradation. Metals with a reflectivity greater than
about 0.5 in combination with such a protective coating having
greater than about 0.9 transmissibility and greater than 0.5
emissivity functions as a second surface reflector is also a
suitable choice. Even mixtures of metal particles in an emissive
matrix can be effective reflective and emissive surfaces.
[0016] Minimizing energy transfer by thermal conduction between the
underlying substrate and the cladding is accomplished by minimizing
the surface area of the cladding in contact with the substrate.
Minimizing radiation transfer between a reflective and emissive
cladding and underlying substrate provides a further method of
reducing heat energy transfer across the building envelope.
Desirable properties of cladding surfaces exposed to the underlying
substrate include high reflectivity such as about 0.5 or greater
and low emissivity such as about 0.5 or lower, preferably below 0.3
to further reduce energy transfer between cladding and substrate.
Bare metals such as bright zinc galvanized steel and aluminum are
well suited for these surfaces.
[0017] Most available high reflectivity cladding systems have been
incorporated into commercial roof structures, which typically
comprise a large area fraction exposed to the sun and have nearly
flat roofs that are not commonly visible. These types of roofs are
not limited by ornamental requirements and most often are white or
lighter in color. Buildings with inclined roofs such as residential
structures benefit from the same technologies that have been
developed for commercial structures. Many factors are involved when
an architect or homeowner chooses a roof cladding for inclined
roofs. Since darker roofs are traditionally preferred over lighter
colored roofs, methods have been devised to create ornamental, high
reflectivity cladding.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,537 granted to Hively describes a system
in which two aspects negatively affect the functional performance
and ornamental appearance as applied to an inclined building
surface such as a roof; the overhanging vertical surface and the
visible exposure of the reflective surface. An overhanging surface
is not effectively self-cleaning except in heavy rains and
therefore tend to trap debris. This often leads to degradation and
discoloration from environmental fouling and thus results in
reduced solar performance and negative ornamental appearance.
Further, overhanging surfaces increase manufacturing complexity for
molded cladding such as tiles. The exposure of the reflective
surface sufficiently enough to be perceived in the visual field of
people viewing the cladding from normal viewing positions creates a
negative ornamental appearance. The published application WO
2006/1119567 A1 by Totoev discloses a similar cladding unit for a
vertical surface such as a wall, which is also comprised of an
overhanging surface and therefore manufactured by an extrusion
process. The extruding process is capable of producing overhanging
surfaces but not capable of producing features required for
inclined surface cladding such as the side lap and gutter for
tiles.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,525 granted to Magee is selectively
reflective in response to sun angle. Although an object of the
referenced art is to preserve ornamental appeal, the art as
described relies on refraction and is therefore very sensitive to
environmental fouling. Yet another method for increasing the
reflectivity of darker colored cladding utilizes wavelength
selective reflectivity in the infrared portion of the spectrum. A
representative performance curve for such a system is illustrated
as curve (10) of FIG. 2 where the X-axis is wavelength and the
right side Y-axis is reflectivity. This technology preserves the
visible color ornamental appearance of traditional roofs while
being more reflective in the non-visible infrared portion of the
spectrum (7). A disadvantage of this technology is that
reflectivity is limited to approximately only one-half of the
incident solar energy on the building. Curve (8) of FIG. 2
illustrates the normalized energy content on the left side Y-axis
versus wavelength of incident solar radiation at ground level. The
visible portion of the spectrum is illustrated in FIG. 2 as region
(6). A higher performing material might have a performance curve
such as that illustrated as curve (9) of FIG. 2 where both visible
and infrared portions are effectively reflected such as by a white
PVDF surface. Wavelength selective reflectivity addresses the
importance of ornamental appeal for visible building cladding but
does not exploit the advantages of sun angle responsive selective
reflectivity. A preferable cladding rejects the greatest fraction
of incident solar radiation during the cooling season while
maximizing ornamental appeal.
[0020] The sloped roof portion of the building envelope of low-rise
buildings represents a large fraction of the surface area exposed
to direct solar radiation. Often, additional equipment is located
on the roof such as photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels.
Traditionally, this equipment has not been well integrated to the
cladding system but rather attached over the cladding system.
Ornamental appeal is one consideration for the placement of these
systems. As a result, equipment placement is often not ideal from a
performance aspect and therefore operates at reduced
effectiveness.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,188 granted to Murphy discloses modes of
collecting solar energy throughout the building cladding such as to
preserve ornamental uniformity. An advantage of the referenced art
is that the cladding and thermal system are installed above the
roof substrate and therefore may be installed easily as a retrofit.
Published application US 2006/0288652 A1 by Gurr describes an
ornamental electrically heated roof panel for preventing ice dams.
A heated cladding and a solar energy collecting cladding can be the
same cladding embodiment with the flow of energy established
depending on intended use. The utilizing a common cladding system,
a multifunctional cladding is possible, which simplifies system
design and installation. Further, a cladding with surfaces that
remain perceptibly hidden from view can be combined with an energy
collecting, distribution, and or dissipating cladding that is
multifunctional and that presents a uniformly ornamental appearance
when viewed from common viewing positions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] This invention relates to a cladding for buildings as shown
in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 adapted for inclined building surfaces such as
roofs. More specifically, a building cladding is presented that is
multifunctional as an effective solar absorber, solar reflector
responsive to sun angle, solar reflector responsive to temperature,
energy generator, ice dam preventing cladding, and or simply an
ornamental cladding surface in any combination within the same clad
building surface while presenting a uniform ornamental appearance.
The cladding is passively responsive to sun elevation angles and
therefore responsive to daily and seasonal changes in solar
incident radiation. Several embodiments are shown in FIG. 8 through
FIG. 23. The cladding according to this invention is illustrated in
FIG. 24 through FIG. 31 as integral parts of several energy
management systems. Cladding according to this invention may be
adapted to system functions such as those described herein and then
combined as needed within the same clad building surface while
still preserving a uniform ornamental appearance.
[0023] A substantially horizontal surface (15) and a substantially
vertical surface (14) form a pair of surfaces with a common edge
(21), which repeat along the inclined building substrate, extend
horizontally and comprise a high fraction of the surface of a
building cladding. The substantially horizontal surface and
substantially vertical surface may be tilted from the horizontal
(25) and vertical (24) planes respectively for drainage. The
horizontal surface of the cladding system may be designed to
advantageously function in many modes by changing the outer surface
properties without significant impact to the visible uniformity and
therefore ornamental appeal of the clad building surface.
[0024] A South-facing sloped roof in the Northern hemisphere with
cladding elements according to this invention present a view factor
to the sun that varies from dawn, when the view factor is almost
completely of the vertical surfaces, to a sun view factor comprised
mostly of horizontal surfaces. The maximum view factor exposed to
the sun of substantially horizontal surfaces increases as the sun
elevation angle increases throughout the day and reaches the daily
maximum at solar noon. The view factor exposed to the sun of
substantially horizontal surfaces then decreases to a minimum at
sunset. The time rate of change of the view factor area fraction of
substantially horizontal surfaces is a function of many parameters
including; latitude, roof slope, date of the year, and time of day.
A cladding according to the present invention comprising
substantially horizontal surfaces configured for high reflectivity
and substantially vertical surfaces configured for low reflectivity
will exhibit a sun elevation angle responsive composite
reflectivity throughout the day.
[0025] An aspect of the invention is the method by which the
horizontal surface (15) is sized and oriented with respect to the
visual acuity limitations of the human eye resulting in a surface
effectively hidden when viewed from normal viewing positions.
Inclined building substrates such as roofs are commonly viewable
(231) from known positions (22), which can be determined by the
expected and or actual use of the building. Both the resolvable
feature size and the viewable fraction of the substantially
horizontal surface change as the observer position changes. The
viewable fraction of the substantially horizontal surface generally
increases as the resolvable feature size decreases for an inclined
roof or similar building surface. A locus of points can be
determined at which the maximum viewable fraction of the
substantially horizontal surface equals the resolvable feature
size. From within this locus of points, the substantially vertical
surfaces represent nearly the entire field when viewed from
standing at ground level. The slope angle and width of the
substantially horizontal surfaces can then be determined to
maximize drainage, minimize manufacturing complexity, reduce
effects environmental fouling as well as satisfy other relevant
design parameters. Any portion of cladding that can be viewed from
uncommon positions such that substantially horizontal surfaces will
be viewable may be ornamentally matched to substantially vertical
surfaces. Typically, cladding regions close to the fascia (16)
limit the maximum slope angle of the substantially horizontal
surfaces. Further, the adjoining angle between substantially
horizontal and substantially vertical surfaces may vary along the
incline of the building surface. An angle varying cladding as
described is effective in maintaining suitable feature sizes which
is important during manufacture and especially when molding
cladding elements.
[0026] Substantially horizontal surfaces may then be adapted to
functions such as those disclosed herein without the traditional
aesthetic and ornamental limitations of traditional cladding
technologies for inclined, visible building surfaces. The
substantially horizontal surface may be an effective solar
reflector, solar heat absorber, electricity generator such as by
photovoltaic devices, or even a surface that is reflectively
responsive to temperature. The substantially horizontal surfaces
may be comprised of any means to convert or utilize solar energy
such as even by photochemical processes. Since the substantially
horizontal surfaces are hidden from perceptible view of persons
viewing from common viewing positions, the cladding presents a
uniform ornamental aesthetic regardless of horizontal surface
configuration.
[0027] In some embodiments currently contemplated, the cladding
system is configured to generate electrical energy and or actively
or passively transport absorbed heat energy away from the cladding
system. This energy may be utilized immediately or stored for later
utilization. It is also an aspect of this invention that heat
energy or electrical energy for conversion to heat energy be
transported into the cladding system for utilization such as for
preventing or melting ice dams. It is a further aspect of this
invention that an electrical generating system such as photovoltaic
array or active heat transport system such as with a working fluid
or air be easily integrated into the cladding system with minimal
impact to ornamental appeal. Finally, the cladding and energy
system may be accomplished as a retrofit without having to replace
the underlying roof substrate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a sunpath diagram for 34-deg North latitude
illustrating the hourly and seasonal path of the sun across the
sky.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a graph of the normalized energy content of
incident solar radiation on the surface of the Earth by wavelength
and the reflectivity of two materials as a function of
wavelength.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roof system illustrating
lighter reflective surfaces and darker absorptive surfaces with
reference numbers to some of the aspects of this invention.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roof system assembly of
tiles of FIG. 17 illustrating light colored surfaces as highly
reflective and darker colored surfaces as more absorptive and or
ornamental surfaces.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the invention with reference
numbers identifying some of the aspects and design parameters that
are of interest in this invention.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a graph of the predicted performance at 34-deg
North latitude facing South during summer solstice.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a graph of the predicted performance of one
embodiment of this invention at 34-deg North latitude facing South
during winter solstice.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a shingle according to
this invention.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of the shingle in FIG.
8.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a front view of the shingle in FIG. 8.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a top view of the shingle in FIG. 8.
[0039] FIG. 12 is bottom view of the shingle in FIG. 8.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the shingle in FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a back view of the shingle in FIG. 8.
[0042] FIG. 15 is a partial view of a roof system of several
shingles in FIG. 8 illustrating one method of assembling a course
of shingles as part of a roof system.
[0043] FIG. 16 is a front view (16A) and a back view (16B) of one
embodiment as a shingle illustrating an ornamental accent or shadow
line on the front surface as well as the location sealant might be
used to increase the weather-tightness of the side lap joint.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a tile according to
this invention.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a front view of the tile in FIG. 17.
[0046] FIG. 19 is a top view of the tile in FIG. 17.
[0047] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the tile in FIG. 17.
[0048] FIG. 21 is a left side view of the tile in FIG. 17.
[0049] FIG. 22 is a right side view of the tile in FIG. 17.
[0050] FIG. 23 is a roof system of several tiles in FIG. 17
illustrating one method of assembling a course of tiles as part of
the roof system.
[0051] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of some of the components of
the cladding and other aspects of such a system as might be
constructed.
[0052] FIG. 25 is a top view of a cladding region as a roof.
[0053] FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the cladding region of FIG.
25 where FIG. 26A is a sectional view and FIG. 26B is an exploded
sectional view of FIG. 26A.
[0054] FIG. 27 is a top view of a solar thermal cladding region as
a roof with tubes or pipes exposed.
[0055] FIG. 28 is a top view of a solar thermal region as a roof
that might be constructed to mitigate the formation of ice dams
such as on the eaves of a roof.
[0056] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of some of the components of a
solar thermal cladding as might be constructed to collect and
transport waste heat from photovoltaic, solar thermal collectors
and or other waste heat producing processes installed on the
cladding system.
[0057] FIG. 30 is a sectional view of solar thermal cladding and
system of FIG. 29.
[0058] FIG. 31 is a top view of a solar thermal region as a roof as
might be constructed to utilize air to transport absorbed heat
energy from the cladding such as a solar chimney.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] Embodiments of the present invention are currently
contemplated as tiles and shingles. Panels such as standing seam
panels are also currently contemplated. Cladding units with
features added as a secondary process such as added in the field
during installation on a building to accomplish the aspects of the
invention are also currently contemplated. Tiles are typically
constructed of stone, concrete or similar rigid material. Shingles
are typically constructed of asphalt, metal, plastic or similar
material in sheet form. Panels are typically larger cladding
shingle units such as for use in standing seam metal roofs and can
often be self-supporting. A plurality of cladding units is
typically assembled into a system to provide a contiguous surface
resistant to weathering effects and be sufficiently ornamental when
commonly visible. It is an object of this invention that a building
cladding responsive to sun elevation angle and multi-functional
present a substantially uniformly ornamental appearance.
Embodiments are disclosed herein to illustrate the various aspects
of the invention and are not intended to be scope limiting to
specified attributes such as feature sizes or ratios, coating
selection, construction, materials and the like.
[0060] Winter solstice is characterized by a lowest annual sun (19)
elevation angle (20) while summer solstice is characterized as the
highest sun (17) elevation angle (18) at solar noon. A building
cladding according to the present invention presents a
predominantly dual surface composite view to the sun. The area
fraction of each type of surface facing the sun varies with respect
to sun elevation angle. At low sun elevation angles, the cladding
presents largely a view factor to the sun of vertical surfaces. As
the elevation angle increases throughout the day and season, the
cladding presents a view factor to the sun increasingly comprised
of horizontal surfaces.
[0061] FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 illustrate a cladding system for a pitched
roof with known slope angle (28) comprised of substantially
horizontal cladding surfaces (15) each interconnected by and
adjoining along a common edge (21) substantially vertical cladding
surfaces (14). Substantially vertical surfaces are oriented at an
angle to the vertical plane (24) and at an adjoining angle (26) to
the substantially horizontal surfaces. Horizontal surfaces are
inclined at an angle (25) to the horizontal plane to both promote
water shedding and remain substantially hidden from perceptible
view by persons viewing (232) from common viewing positions (22).
Alternating horizontal and vertical surfaces repeat in the inclined
direction and extending horizontally. FIG. 4 illustrates a roof
system comprised of tile units according to the present invention.
The tile units are assembled into courses or rows extending
horizontally. Successive courses overlap the upper portion of the
preceding course and repeat from the fascia (16) to the apex (11)
of the roof
[0062] Slope angles (25) of substantially horizontal surfaces of at
least 3-deg are acceptable for drainage in order to shed water
effectively. Insufficient drainage can cause pooling and
infiltration that can serve to shorten the useful life of the
building envelope. Slope angles are preferably about 8-deg for
practical considerations to provide for actual roof pitch
variability. The visual acuity of the human eye is generally
accepted to be within the range of about 0.012-deg or 1.0 arc-min
to about 0.007-deg or 0.4 arc-min. Visual acuity depends on the
lighting conditions and increases with increasing light. In order
to preclude perceptual viewing, the subtended angle (232) of the
substantially horizontal surfaces in the field of view should be
less than 0.012-deg and more preferably about 0.007-deg or 0.4
arc-min. Practical size limits exist for the traditional
manufacture of cladding units. For example, concrete molded tiles
are limited in feature size due to the material flow and fracture
toughness. Sheetmetal shingles are also limited by traditional
methods of manufacture such as stamping. Alternate construction
methods whereby smaller features are protected from environmental
fouling with a coating are possible.
[0063] Embodiments currently contemplated are disclosed herein as
applied to a pitched roof inclined at an angle of 8:12 rise:run or
34-deg, a fascia (16) height of 3.5-m from ground level, and a roof
peak height of approximately 6.7-m from ground level. Pitched roof
angles typically range from 4:12 or 18-deg to 10:12 or 40-deg.
Accordingly, a substantially horizontal surface oriented 8-deg from
the horizontal for rain shedding is limited in width to about
3.6-cm in order to subtend an arc of 0.007-deg in the visual field
and therefore remain substantially imperceptible to a person of
approximately 2-m in height viewing at a distance of 20-m. The
ability of a person to visually resolve objects of the same
physical size decreases when viewed further away than 20-m. The
viewing angle (231) increases for persons (22) standing closer to
the fascia (16) precluding the horizontal surface from view
entirely. The cladding therefore presents a uniform view of
substantially vertical surfaces (233) to observers. Substantially
horizontal surfaces of the present invention generally face the sun
at high elevation angles and are hidden from common view.
Substantially vertical surfaces generally face the sun at low
elevation angles. It is an aspect of this invention that the
substantially horizontal and hidden surfaces are utilized to modify
the thermal and solar radiation performance of the cladding
throughout the entire clad surface, in portions of the cladding, or
in any combination thereof resulting in a multifunctional cladding
without impact to the commonly viewable ornamental appearance.
[0064] A first contemplated embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4 and
FIG. 17 through FIG. 23 as a molded tile such as from concrete or
clay, approximately 36-cm wide by approximately 43-cm tall and
comprised of 11 substantially horizontal surfaces at an adjoining
angle of 100-deg to substantially vertical surfaces. Obtuse
adjoining angles result preferable draft angles and therefore
decrease complexity in the molding process. Aspects common to
roofing tiles are easily incorporated such as side overlapping
elements (39 and 40) for rain shedding and a batten stop (42). FIG.
23 illustrates the overlapping structure of a horizontal row or
course of tile cladding units according to this invention. The
cladding system in FIG. 4 is comprised of repeating courses of tile
cladding units, each successive course in the upward inclined
direction overlapping the upper or head portion of the preceding
lower course. A notch or groove element (41) interrupts the common
edge (21) of the substantially horizontal and vertical surfaces
enhancing drainage and adding variety to the ornamental appearance
of the cladding.
[0065] Molded tiles are typically manufactured with integral color
and or painted and then coated to inhibit water absorption and
environmental fouling. Horizontal surfaces may be coated to reflect
higher than about 0.5 and be emissive equal to or greater than
about 0.5. It is an aspect of this invention that both reflectivity
and emissivity properties of the substantially horizontal surfaces
be considered of nearly equal importance in the design and
selection of an exposed cladding surface for mitigating solar gain.
Highly reflective and emissive coatings in use today such as paints
can achieve nearly 0.85 reflectivity and greater than 0.7
emissivity. Suitable coatings such as epoxy paints with Titanium
oxide pigment can be applied directly on the tile using
conventional methods. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the predicted
sun elevation responsive rate of solar absorption of a cladding
according to this invention for 34 North latitude and on summer
solstice (4). Horizontal surfaces are modeled as 0.84 reflective
while vertical surfaces are modeled as 0.20 reflective. Predicted
performance is illustrated as curve (33) and is compared to a roof
cladding of traditional technology modeled as 0.48 reflective
illustrated as curve (32). The model assumes incident angle
absorptive and reflective performance variability is negligible.
The largest difference in absorption rate occurs during the period
bracketing solar noon when the sun elevation angle is highest. The
horizontal surfaces may be matched in appearance to vertical
surfaces for regions of the clad surface that are viewed from
atypical viewing positions such as from above in a balcony.
Therefore, the cladding according to the present invention is
multifunctional while presenting a substantially uniformly
ornamental appearance from common viewing positions.
[0066] Unmodified molded vertical surfaces are suitably functional
and acceptably ornamental surfaces. Natural or enhanced color and
texture variation of the vertical surfaces further enhances
ornamental appeal across the cladding. Decreasing solar
absorptivity of the vertical surfaces to preferably less than 0.40
such as by painting can enhance wintertime solar gain. Materials
with high absorptivity most commonly exhibit emissive values higher
than 0.5 and is therefore typically not a limiting design
parameter. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the predicted sun
elevation responsive rate of solar absorption of a cladding
according to this invention for 34-deg North latitude and on winter
solstice (5). Predicted performance is illustrated as curve (34)
and is compared to a roof cladding of traditional technology
modeled as 0.48 reflective as illustrated as curve (35). Again, the
model assumes incident angle absorptive and reflective performance
variability is negligible.
[0067] A second contemplated embodiment is shown in FIG. 8 through
FIG. 16 as a sheetmetal shingle approximately 36-cm wide by
approximately 43-cm tall comprised of 12 substantially horizontal
surfaces at an adjoining angle of 100-deg to substantially vertical
surfaces. Aspects common to roofing shingles are easily
incorporated such as a head clip (36) and lower tab (38). A course
of shingles is assembled by overlapping a portion (37) of an
installed shingle with the next successive shingle as illustrated
in FIG. 15. Overlapping pairs of surfaces align and nest upon
assembly establishing substantially contiguous channels (31). The
overlapping region between horizontally adjacent shingles is an
effective barrier against water infiltration. A layer of adhesive
or sealant (44) between shingles enhances resistance of the
cladding against the effects of both water infiltration and wind
damage. A darkened region (43) extending a portion beyond the
overlapping region enhances visual delineation of each shingle by
simulating depth such as by a shadow and therefore increases
ornamental appeal. The shadow can be continuous or intermittent for
additional visual variety. The darkened region can also be a layer
of adhesive or sealant. Finally, a shingle cladding system is
comprised of repeating courses of shingle cladding units, each
successive course in the inclined direction with head clips of the
preceding course interlocking lower tabs from the next successive
course. An alternate method of horizontally joining cladding
according to the present invention units is by use of integral
vertical side flanges such as those used for a standing seam
joining method. This is particularly suited to cladding panels,
which typically extend from the roof peak (11) to the fascia (16).
Horizontally adjacent panels abut and substantially contiguous
channels (31) are aligned from panel to panel.
[0068] The shingle cladding system contacts the building substrate
(30) at minimal contact areas (27) thereby minimizing thermal
conduction between the cladding and the remainder of the building
envelope. The cladding surfaces (29) exposed to the underlying
substrate are preferably less than about 0.5 emissive to further
reduce energy transfer from the cladding to the underlying building
substrate during summer and greater than about 0.5 reflective to
minimize energy transfer from the conditioned space (13) to the
cladding in the winter. The increased volume of air between the
cladding and the underlying substrate (30) over traditional
cladding technologies as a result of the channels (31) acts as an
effective thermal insulator. Additional insulation such as a phase
change material dramatically enhances thermal insulation and is
also currently contemplated.
[0069] The cladding according to the present invention is
multifunctional and substantially uniformly ornamental when viewed
from common viewing positions regardless of horizontal surface
properties. Horizontal surfaces remain hidden from perceptible view
and are therefore not limited to ornamental constraints.
Substantially horizontal and perceptibly hidden surfaces and the
underlying channels can be utilized together to advantageously
exchange energy between the cladding and the environment, convert
solar energy into another form of energy as well as move energy
into, out of, and throughout the cladding further extending
functionality.
[0070] FIG. 24 illustrates a third embodiment of the cladding
currently contemplated as a cladding system, which includes a
region of the cladding shown in detail in FIG. 25. A region (51) of
the building cladding (52) is illustrated in FIG. 25 whereby
horizontal surfaces (15) exhibit higher absorptivity than the
remainder of the building cladding horizontal surfaces. FIG. 26 is
a cross sectional view of the region in FIG. 25. FIG. 26A
illustrates the cladding (51) assembled on an inclined building
substrate (30). FIG. 26B illustrates an exploded view of the same
section in FIG. 26A. A plurality of tubes (56) or other means for
fluid or gas containment and transport is in thermal communication
with interior surfaces (29) of the cladding and located within the
horizontal channels (31). A working fluid circulated in the tubes
absorbs energy from the cladding, which is then transported away
from the cladding. As but some examples of working fluids include
air, water, glycerin, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or
a glycol-water mixture. FIG. 27 shows the same region (51) of the
cladding with a portion of the cladding units removed illustrating
the underlying tubes (56) and describes one method of working fluid
routing in the cladding system whereby fluid tube sets are arranged
in counter flow and head pressure assists flow through the tubes. A
set of tubes associated with a single course of cladding units (62)
direct fluid flow in the same direction (61). A tube manifold (60)
in fluidic communication with at least one set of tubes associated
with one course of cladding units and serves to direct flow into or
out of each set. Manifold segments are attached and separated by a
plug or a valve (63). A fluid inlet (54) and outlet (55) are
connected in fluidic communication with fluid flow equipment such
as a pump (47), reservoirs (46), and or loop heat pipes (48) in the
ground (49). The system described is a heat exchanger that is
utilized to transport thermal energy into or out of the cladding
system. A radiant heat barrier (59) and a waterproofing layer (58)
reduce energy transfer into the conditioned space as well as
preclude water infiltration in case of a fluidic leak. Tube
manifolds may be housed and covered by means of a conduit (45, 50)
in order to increase ornamental appeal and provide a
weather-resistant covering. The conduit is positioned generally
perpendicular to the channels in the cladding. The conduit is in
spatial communication with the channels in order to facilitate
routing of fluid containment equipment, electrical energy routing
equipment, or air while presenting an acceptable ornamental
aesthetic.
[0071] FIG. 24 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the cladding
system currently contemplated, which includes a region of the
cladding shown in detail in FIG. 28. A cladding region over the
roof eaves terminating at the fascia (16) of the building is
illustrated in FIG. 28 and is typically where ice dams form in cold
climates. A cladding according to this invention mitigates the
formation of ice dams by circulating a working fluid (61) at a
temperature sufficiently above 0-deg Celsius under the cladding in
order to preclude water freezing and or melting frozen water on the
cladding. Fluid input (54) is preferably above 30-deg Celsius and
the fluid output (55) is preferably above 5-deg Celsius and even
more preferably above 10-deg Celsius. An alternative heating means
utilizes electrical heaters positioned in the channels (31) in
thermal communication with the cladding surfaces (29) of at least
the courses of cladding units directly over the eaves. Electrical
wires service the heaters and are routed within the channels (31)
and conduit (45, 50) to a power source. Electrical heaters serviced
by wires can be located away from the power source with little
energy loss to the environment in energy transport and can be very
precisely controlled.
[0072] A fifth embodiment currently contemplated utilizes means to
generate electrical energy from incident solar radiation affixed to
or as the substantially horizontal surfaces. As an example,
photovoltaic devices may be affixed to the surfaces (15) of the
shingle illustrated in FIG. 8. Any combination of the entire clad
building surface or selected regions such as the region (51) shown
in FIG. 25 may be configured to generate electricity especially
when the sun is at high elevation angles. Electrical wires and
components such as inverters, and connectors are housed and routed
within the channels (31) of the cladding and are then routed
through the conduits (45,50) thereby minimizing substrate
penetrations. Electrical connections can also be established within
the overlapping region (37) of adjacent shingles. The outward
facing surfaces of conduits can also be configured to generate
electricity such as by photovoltaic devices (53). Energy conversion
from one form to another generates some loss in the form of heat.
Waste heat in building integrated or mounted systems can degrade
system performance, reduce the life cycle of system components as
well as heat the building envelope. A working fluid circulated such
as by a pump (47) through tubes (56) in the channels (31) under the
means for generating electrical energy is utilized to transport
heat away from the cladding to be stored in a reservoir (46) for
later use or removed from the system such as through another heat
exchanger such as a ground loop heat pipe (48). Alternatively, air
in the channels (31) can be similarly circulated such as by a fan
and then exhausted directly into the environment. Therefore, the
system described according to the present invention is a
multifunctional yet substantially uniformly ornamental
cladding.
[0073] A sixth embodiment currently contemplated is illustrated in
FIG. 29 whereby waste heat generated from discrete solar thermal,
photovoltaic panels (64), and or other heat-generating roof-mounted
equipment is transported away from the panels through the cladding.
FIG. 30 shows a cross section of FIG. 29 in which a mounting
interface (65) physically and or thermally couples the panels to
the cladding. Utilities such as tubes, pipes and wires are routed
(66) through the mounting interface. Conduit (45, 50) abutting or
near the mounting interface provides means to route the panel
utilities substantially hidden from view and away from the
degrading effects of the weather and environmental fouling.
[0074] A seventh embodiment currently contemplated is illustrated
in FIG. 31 whereby the building cladding is naturally or forcibly
ventilated with air. Natural or forced ventilation of building
cladding is advantageous both in the summer season as well as in
the winter season. Ventilation reduces summer time cladding
temperatures and speeds drying time during winter to reduce mold
growth and envelope degradation. Air entering open or screened
channel (31) ends such as at the beginning or end of a course (67)
is drawn (68) into a conduit (45) naturally such as by a chimney
effect or forcibly such as by a fan (71). An air inlet (72) in the
conduit near the fascia (16) enhances the natural ventilation.
Cooler fresh air is heated along the path from entry (67) to exit
(69) thereby removing energy absorbed in the cladding and
underlying substrate. A vent cap (70) precludes rain and pest
infiltration.
[0075] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of this invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It
involves both building engineering, design and materials analysis
techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate
manufacturing and installation. In this application, the building
engineering and design techniques are disclosed as part of the
results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and
as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the
natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described.
In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be
understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also
can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the
foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be
encompassed by this disclosure.
[0076] The discussion included in this application is intended to
serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the
specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments
possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully
explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly
show how each feature or element can actually be representative of
a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or
equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this
disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented
terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a
function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device
described, but also method or process claims may be included to
address the functions the invention and each element performs.
Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit
the scope of the claims.
[0077] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may
be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such
changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still
fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure
encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great
variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods
or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure.
[0078] Further, each of the various elements of the invention and
claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally,
when used or implied, an element is to be understood as
encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or
may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be
understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of
an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process
embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these.
Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure
relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element
may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method
terms--even if only the function or result is the same. Such
equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be
considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or
action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an
element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element
disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the
action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last
aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a "reflective
surface" should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of
"reflecting"--whether explicitly discussed or not--and, conversely,
were there effectively disclosure of the act of "reflecting", such
a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a
"reflective surface" and even a "means for reflecting". Such
changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly
included in the description.
[0079] Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in
this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference.
And, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim
and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the
building covering devices and apparatus as herein disclosed and
described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)
similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these
devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish
each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v)
those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the
functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is
disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step
shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications
enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the
resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each
system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to
any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses
substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any
of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and
permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xii) each
potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and
every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and
xiii) all inventions described herein.
[0080] In addition, support should be understood to exist to the
degree required under new matter laws--including but not limited to
European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent
Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws--to permit the addition of any of
the various dependencies or other elements presented under one
independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any
other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any
time whether in this application or in any subsequent application,
it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to
capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available.
To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the
extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to
literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent
otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to
have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage
as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all
eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably
expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally
encompassed such alternative embodiments.
[0081] Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase
"comprising" is used to maintain the "open-end" claims herein,
according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the
context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term
"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", are
intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or
group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other
element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be
interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the
applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the
phrase, "or any other claim" is used to provide support for any
claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent
claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a
subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example,
if a claim were dependent "on claim 20 or any other claim" or the
like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or
even claim 715 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall
with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also
provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and
even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain
claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus,
process, and the like claims.
[0082] Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby
incorporated by reference as part of this description of the
invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use
all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as
additional description to support any of or all of the claims or
any element or component thereof, and the applicant further
expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the
incorporated content of such claims or any element or component
thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as
necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by
this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or
continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit
of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent
laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such
content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire
pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation,
division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any
reissue or extension thereon.
[0083] The following documents are incorporated by reference.
U.S. Patent Documents;
TABLE-US-00001 [0084] Reference Date Inventor 3,001,331 1961 Sep.
26 Brunton 4,111,188 1978 Sep. 05 Murphy, Jr. 5,303,525 1994 Apr.
19 Magee 5,511,537 1996 Apr. 30 Hively
Other documents;
[0085] 1. US Published Application 2006/0288652 A1 published Dec.
28, 2006 by Gurr
[0086] 2. WIPO Published Application WO 2006/1119567 A1 published
Nov. 16, 2006 by Totoev
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