U.S. patent application number 14/006769 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-16 for heat energy system for heating or maintaining thermal balance in the interiors of buildings or building parts.
The applicant listed for this patent is Matyas Gutai. Invention is credited to Matyas Gutai.
Application Number | 20140014302 14/006769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45998419 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140014302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gutai; Matyas |
January 16, 2014 |
HEAT ENERGY SYSTEM FOR HEATING OR MAINTAINING THERMAL BALANCE IN
THE INTERIORS OF BUILDINGS OR BUILDING PARTS
Abstract
A heat energy system which can be used to heat or maintain
thermal balance in the interiors of buildings or buildings parts.
According the invention there are containers built near and/or
instead of surrounding surfaces of a room: of upper and lower
surrounding surfaces to at least certain extent, and at least two
parts of opposite side surrounding surfaces; and the neighboring
containers are connected, and all containers define one closed
fluid volume which is filled with heat transporting fluid. The
typical layout of the invention is shown in FIG. 3.
Inventors: |
Gutai; Matyas; (Kecskemet,
HU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gutai; Matyas |
Kecskemet |
|
HU |
|
|
Family ID: |
45998419 |
Appl. No.: |
14/006769 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
March 23, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/051394 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 20/0034 20130101;
F28F 1/00 20130101; F28D 2020/0078 20130101; E04C 1/392 20130101;
Y02B 30/00 20130101; Y02E 10/40 20130101; E04C 2/525 20130101; F24D
3/12 20130101; F28D 2021/0035 20130101; Y02E 10/44 20130101; Y02B
10/20 20130101; Y02E 60/14 20130101; F24S 20/66 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.19 |
International
Class: |
F28F 1/00 20060101
F28F001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2011 |
HU |
P1100156 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. An apparatus for heating or cooling of one or more inner spaces
of a building comprising at least one heat-transfer circuit
associated with a structural surface of said at least one inner
space of the building and containing a fluid for heating or cooling
said structural surface said at least one heat-transfer circuit is
built as to allow a circulation of said fluid for effecting a heat
exchange between the fluid and the inner space directly or via said
structural surface characterized in that said at least one
heat-transfer circuit comprising essentially flat, panel-like
containers said containers are associated with respective
horizontal lower and upper structural surfaces and at least two
opposing vertical structural surfaces of said one or more inner
spaces of the building wherein the adjacent containers are
interconnected via their respective edges forming a closed fluid
path and providing an unhindered circulation of said fluid for
heating or cooling.
17. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the closed fluid circuit made by containers (15) is connected
by heat exchangers (55) to conventional energy system (58) of a
building and/or additional closed circuit fluid volume made by
containers (15) and/or with a heat storage unit (56).
18. The heat energy system according to claim 17 characterized in
that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a counter flow/serpentine
piping (66) placed next to the side (16) of the container (15).
19. The heat energy system according to claim 18 characterized in
that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine piping (66) is sunk
in the side (16) of the container (15).
20. The heat energy system according to claim 18 characterized in
that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine piping (66) is
built inside the container (15).
21. The heat energy system according to claim 18 characterized in
that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a second container (68)
built next to the container (15) and parallel to its side (16).
22. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the container (15) is divided into two parts by a separating
plate (69) which is parallel to the side (16) of the container (15)
and one part is connected to the fluid circuit and other is the
space for the heat exchanger (55).
23. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the container (15) built at the building's facade has a
thermal insulation (41) in front of it and between the container
(15) and the thermal insulation (41) there is a thin air cavity
(44) which is connected to the exterior through ventilation holes
(42) made at the bottom and at the top of the container (15).
24. The heat energy system according to claim 23 characterized in
that the ventilation holes (42) are connected to an airflow
producing appliance (43).
25. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the container (15) placed vertically and ideally at the
building facade has vertical ventilation pipes (46) inbuilt which
are connected to the two sides of the container (15) through one
conduct (47) at both near to its lower and upper end.
26. The heat energy system according to claim 25 characterized in
that in the container (15) the vertical pipes (46) are connected
with airflow producing appliance (43).
27. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the vertical container (15) placed in front of perimeter wall
(3) is connected to the lower and upper horizontal containers (15)
through pipes (40) inside openings in the perimeter wall (3).
28. The heat energy system according to claim 18 characterized in
that the heat exchangers (55) which connect two neighboring closed
fluid circuits made by panels (15) are made at the vertical
containers (15) next to the two sides of the separating wall (34)
between the two closed fluid circuits and the heat exchangers (55)
placed at the two sides of the separating wall (34) are connected
by pipes (70) penetrating the wall.
29. The heat energy system according to claim 18 characterized in
that the separating wall between two neighboring closed fluid
circuits made by containers (15) is a heat exchanger (55) which
makes heat transfer connection between the two circuits as a
container (15) which has another container (68) next to it and
parallel to its sides (16) or it is divided into two by a
separating plate (69) which is parallel to the side (16) and one
container (15) is connected to the other containers (15) of the
closed circuit, the other container (68) or other part of container
is connected to the other closed circuit containers (15).
30. The heat energy system according to claim 16 characterized in
that the closed fluid circuit made by containers (15) includes
several neighboring rooms of the building and the vertical
containers (15) are only at the two end perimeter of the rooms and
the lower and upper containers (15) run through all the rooms and
the separating walls (34) are built between the lower and upper
horizontal containers (15).
31. An apparatus for heating or cooling of one or more inner spaces
of a building, comprising at least one heat-transfer circuit
forming structural surfaces of said at least one inner space of the
building and containing a fluid for heating or cooling said inner
space, wherein said at least one heat-transfer circuit comprising
essentially flat, panel-like containers forming respective
horizontal lower and upper structural surfaces and at least two
opposing vertical structural surfaces of said one or more inner
spaces of the building, said at least one heat-transfer circuit is
built as to allow a circulation of said fluid for effecting a
direct heat exchange between the fluid and the inner space wherein
the adjacent containers are interconnected via their respective
edges forming a closed fluid path and providing an unhindered
circulation of said fluid for heating or cooling.
32. The heat energy system according to claim 31 characterized in
that the closed fluid circuit made by containers (15) is connected
by heat exchangers (55) to conventional energy system (58) of a
building and/or additional closed circuit fluid volume made by
containers (15) and/or with a heat storage unit (56).
33. The heat energy system according to claim 32 characterized in
that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a counter flow/serpentine
piping (66) placed next to the side (16) of the container (15)
34. The heat energy system according to claim 33 characterized in
that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine piping (66) is sunk
in the side (16) of the container (15).
35. The heat energy system according to claim 33 characterized in
that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine piping (66) is
built inside the container (15).
36. The heat energy system according to claim 33 characterized in
that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a second container (68)
built next to the container (15) and parallel to its side (16).
37. The heat energy system according to claim 31 characterized in
that the container (15) is divided into two parts by a separating
plate (69) which is parallel to the side (16) of the container (15)
and one part is connected to the fluid circuit and other is the
space for the heat exchanger (55)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a heat energy system which can be
used to heat or maintain thermal balance in the interiors of
buildings or buildings parts.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0002] Since researches turned to renewable energy sources, solar
energy has played a more and more important role in the heating of
buildings. Several different solutions for this have been
introduced, such as photovoltaic panels to provide electric power,
or solar panels to cover the heat energy demand of buildings for
heating or hot water supply (at least to a certain extent).
[0003] As it is well known, these systems developed to utilize
solar heat energy basically consist of three main parts: a device
to absorb heat energy, which inhabits a fluid medium and finally a
technology to utilize the collected heat. In the beginning this
task was usually solved by elements attached to the buildings like
solar panels on rooftops or black painted water containers (popular
especially in warmer climates). Nowadays however, these
technologies intend to utilize the whole perimeter surface of a
building. Depending on the building method or the size and the
scale of the house, various systems have been developed.
[0004] The description of such a relatively simply system can be
read in U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,332. This technology can be used for
small buildings and detached houses with a pitched roof.
Distribution pipes are made at the ridge and eaves of the roof,
between them there are parallel pipelines arranged running along
the roof. Thin vertical containers are built in the perimeter walls
insulated on both sides and placed directly next to each other at
the interior side of the walls. The steel containers are connected
to the pipes of eaves at the top and to another pipeline at the
bottom which runs through the building and is attached to a pump.
This lower pipeline is also connected to the distribution pipe of
the ridge. The pump circulates water in the system. The steel
containers have inbuilt heat-exchange pipes with air-intake holes
at the bottom and air-exhaust holes at the top. In case of a
multi-level building, the heat-exchange pipes have an extension
conduct, which leads to the next floor.
[0005] It is important to note that the solution above and all
following are only described to compare them with the invention
introduced in this document. Because of that, the examples are
shown only with the necessary elements and properties for
comparison, all other information (technical details, insulation
solutions, selected materials, etc.) are presented to the necessary
extent.
[0006] A relatively similar solution can be read in U.S. Pat. No.
4,164,933 for panel buildings. The heat-exchange pipeline is made
of concrete panels, which can be used as a roof, a wall, a fence or
even as a road pavement. Neighboring panels are connected with each
other and with the complete energy system, which runs a fluid in
the panels.
[0007] EP 0 582 730 is also for small buildings like detached
houses and workshops. In this case there are large and thin
containers built in perimeter walls and the roof of the house with
holes for the fluid medium to enter and exit from each container
unit. There are three different types of containers for different
tasks: a rain storage container, a heat storage container and a
heat-balance container. Heat storage containers have inbuilt
heat-exchange pipelines, which are connected to the heat energy
system of the building and to the floor heating as well.
Heat-balance containers are insulated from the outside and
corrugated from the inside. An additional sheet can be placed in
front of the corrugation and air in the void between the sheet and
the container can be moved with a ventilator. The heat-balance
container can contain heat-storage materials, and in case it is
used on the roof, the outside surface is corrugated with a glass
sheet cover on the top.
[0008] US 2009/0044465 introduces a panel technology which can be
used also as a wall or a roof. The panel has a "heat-breaking"
layer with heat-exchange pipes and an in-sulation layer on both
sides. An antifreeze fluid runs in the pipes, which can be joined
from one panel to the other to make a complete system in the whole
building.
[0009] DE 44 23 137 can be used for any scale of buildings, in
which case there are pipes in the perimeter walls placed outside in
the insulation layer. The pipes are connected to distribution pipes
in the wall, which join the heating system. This technology can be
used to heat slabs and floors.
[0010] EP 0 455 184 is also applicable for any kind of a building.
In a general case there is a perimeter transparent thermal
insulation layer which inhabits an air cavity in which
heat-transfer and heat storage elements are placed. A fluid runs in
both units. Both are connected to the heat energy system of the
building, which operates the heating unit inside the wall. The
system can be extended with floor heating pipes as well.
[0011] DE 31 41 931 is ideal for larger multi-level buildings. A
perimeter facade is made by a curtain wall system. The load-bearing
element of the wall is an aluminum box which looks towards the
exterior with its open end with an insulated layer at the bottom. A
flat radiator heater is placed on the insulation, in front of it
there are an air-layer, a flat plate with spacers and finally a
glass plate. The air layer has inbuilt vertical channels. Water
circulates in the flat radiator and air in the vertical channels.
Slabs of the building have inbuilt pipes which are connected to the
circulation system.
[0012] As it can be seen from the descriptions above, the
introduced solutions (and other technologies similar to them) are
made to gather solar heat energy by a collector of any kind filled
with a fluid medium and after that to forward this energy by heat
transfer to another medium, usually water or air. This second
medium takes part directly in the heating of indoors (with direct
air flow for instance), or it is part of the buildings' heat energy
system, and it is connected to heating applications (radiators,
floor heating, etc.) or mechanical installations for hot water
supply.
[0013] These solutions can be used well as an extension of the heat
energy system to store heat energy surplus for later use to heat
indoors or provide hot water. However, because the active energy
system is basically separated from the solar energy collector
technology, these solutions are applicable for a one-way energy
transfer only.
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
Technical Solution
[0014] Experience however shows that buildings are not in balance
with respect to thermal energy. The heat gain of facade surfaces
differ due to the changing solar exposure caused by orientation.
Because of that in conventional buildings temperature differences
appear, which require considerable energy investment to be
balanced.
[0015] Additionally there are internal heat sources which result in
heat surplus in the building where they appear. Such sources could
be concentrated mechanical applications in a building, or also
audience of a lecture hall for example. These heat sources could be
also included in the energy system of the building. Today there are
already tendencies for this, but mainly only air-conditional
systems are installed to eliminate the heat energy surplus.
[0016] Accordingly, the introduced systems are only applicable to
collect external heat gain which can be used in a later period.
They are not capable however to turn this process backwards, namely
to conduct the heat surplus away, so they cannot support the
cooling of a building. They also do not take part in the
distribution of the heat gain, because they leave that to
conventional mechanical installations (like radiators for example).
Because of that they also cannot avoid the occurrence of
temperature differences in the building.
[0017] The aim of the invention is to create an energy system which
on the one hand is able to utilize all heat energy which appears in
the building, and also can balance the undesired heat differences
indoors.
[0018] The invention is based upon the following recognition.
[0019] In terms of thermal energy, there are "heat gaining" and
"heat losing" surfaces in any building. The first ones are usually
perimeter structures (wall, roof), occasionally surfaces
surrounding internal heat sources. These areas take the local heat
gains. Heat losing surfaces are the ones which have no actual heat
gain, therefore they are colder. This can be a ceiling, an internal
wall or a floor, or even a perimeter wall, if it is currently not
directly exposed to sunlight for instance (like a cold wall looking
north). The ratio between heat gaining and losing surfaces always
depends on the actual heat gain and the geometry of the building.
In case of known examples, thermally speaking there is no direct
connection between these two kinds of surfaces. Balance however is
easier maintained if we create a direct connection between them,
which can transfer considerable amount of heat energy rapidly.
[0020] Because technically heat transfer can ideally be assured by
water, a large amount of heat energy can be passed on to heat
losing surfaces from heat gaining ones if the transfer can occur
through a relatively large connection surface. The task can be
solved in an even more simple way if also surfaces surrounding
indoors are employed which are between the heat gaining and heat
losing areas.
[0021] Technically this can be solved if the already known thin
containers are not only made along the heat gaining surfaces, or
generally along or instead of the perimeter walls, but also the
same thin containers are built along (or next/instead of) the
surrounding surfaces of a given indoor space: one placed next
to/instead of the heat losing surface and two parallel to the lower
and upper slab structures. Finally the neighbor containers will be
connected in a large area.
[0022] This way the containers define a closed circle in which the
medium (like water) can flow freely. There is no mechanical
installation required to assure this, because the fluid infill
intends to reach a thermal equilibrium, and therefore the mass
heated up flows towards the colder areas.
[0023] The mass of this structure is given by a fluid (like water),
the weight of which is not inbuilt separately, but joined and
connected continuously: from the perimeter wall the container fluid
can flow towards the floor or the ceiling as well. This possibility
is important because heat energy is transferred from the warm areas
of a building to the colder ones in the fluid. Actual gains
therefore spread in the whole building, so the useful thermal mass
increases considerably. This is practical not only in winter but
also during summer, because this way the overheating of the
interior can be avoided.
[0024] The system can utilize heat energy in several ways.
[0025] In basic case the absorbed heat flows to the colder areas of
the building, namely it will be used immediately.
[0026] The collected heat however can be also more, then it is
necessary to maintain ideal temperature. The part of heat energy,
which cannot be used right away, namely the heat surplus can be
stored in various ways.
[0027] In the simplest case the heat itself is stored in the
thermal mass of the closed circuits fluid volume. Because floors
and also ceilings are connected to the walls, a large water volume
takes part in the heat storage. The capacity of thermal storage is
still limited of course, but it is still considerably higher, then
in case of conventional structures.
[0028] This solution works effectively if it is united with some
cooling solution like when the system during the night is
ventilated by fans through air pipes placed in the containers, so
the heat surplus is transmitted back to the environment outside.
The stored heat this time flows backwards (towards the exterior),
the heat gaining surfaces during daytime become heat losers and
finally all heat store capacity will be available for the next
day.
[0029] Another possibility, if the heat surplus is stored by an
auxiliary system. This could be a conventional container in which
the heat is diverted to, or it can be an underground storage also.
The heat this case can be utilized for hot water supply or for
heating support similarly to solar panel system.
[0030] The invention is a heat energy system which can be used to
heat/cool and maintain thermal balance in the interiors of
buildings or building parts. According to the invention, the lower
and upper surrounding surfaces of a space are used at least
partially, and the surrounding surfaces at sides are used at least
to the extent of two opposite surfaces; and in their proximity (or
instead of them) thin containers are placed next to each other, and
the neighboring containers are connected, and all the containers
create one fluid volume with a connected and closed flow, and all
the volume is filled with a heat energy transporting fluid.
[0031] The invention is ideally realized when the closed flow fluid
volume defined by the containers is connected to the conventional
energy system of the building via a heat-exchange unit, and/or to
an additional container defined closed flow circle and/or to a heat
storage system.
[0032] Another ideal form to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when a series-loop piping is
attached to the side of the container and is used as a heat
exchange unit.
[0033] The fourth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the heat exchange series loop
piping is built in the container itself.
[0034] The fifth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when a second container is built
next to the container, parallel to its side and used as a heat
exchanger.
[0035] The sixth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the container is divided into
two parts by a plate parallel to its the sides, and one half of it
is connected to the closed circuit of the containers, while the
other is the volume for the heat exchanger.
[0036] The seventh ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when there is thermal insulation
built before the container at the facade, and there is a thin
cavity between insulation and container, which is connected with
the exterior by ventilation pipes at the top and the bottom.
[0037] The eighth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when these air pipes are united with
an air flow producer device, like a ventilator or fan.
[0038] The ninth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the vertical containers built
ideally at the facade of the building have vertical air pipes
inbuilt, and each have one in- and outlet on both sides of the
container around the bottom and the top.
[0039] The tenth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the vertical air pipes in the
container are united with an air flow producer device, like a
ventilator or fan.
[0040] The eleventh ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the container placed outside of
the perimeter wall is united with lower and upper horizontal
containers by pipes penetrating the facade wall.
[0041] The twelfth ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the heat exchangers--which
allow heat transfer between two closed fluid circuits made by
connected neighboring panels--are built at the vertical containers
of the closed circuits next to the sides of the separating wall
between the interconnected closed fluid circuits, and the heat
exchangers at both side of the separating wall are connected by
pipes penetrating the wall.
[0042] An additional ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the heat exchanger--which
allows heat transfer between two interconnected closed fluid
circuits made by neighboring panels--is made when the separating
wall--between two interconnected closed fluid circuits--is built by
a container, which has a second container made next to it parallel
to its side, or the container is divided into two by a plate, and
one container is connected to the other containers of one
interconnected closed circuit, and the second part or container is
connected to the containers of the other interconnected closed
circuit.
[0043] Finally also an ideal way to realize the heat energy system
according to the invention is, when the closed fluid circuit made
by containers includes more neighboring rooms, the vertical
containers are arranged only at the two ends at the perimeter and
the lower and upper container(s) run through all the rooms, and the
separating walls between rooms are built between the lower and
upper container(s).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Description of Drawings
[0044] The invention can be described in detail by one realization
example with some distribution possibilities shown on the figures
where:
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a building with a simple version of the heat
energy system according to the invention on a schematic vertical
section;
[0046] FIG. 2 shows the horizontal section I-I of the building as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 3 shows enlarged the part of FIG. 1 which is affected
by the invention;
[0048] FIG. 4 shows the detailed section II-II of the building
according to FIG. 3;
[0049] FIG. 5 shows the detailed section III-III of the building
according to FIG. 3;
[0050] FIGS. 6a-6b show special version for the joint elbow
elements on a perspective drawing;
[0051] FIGS. 7a-7b show one container applicable for the system
according to the invention on a perspective drawing and on cross
section IV-IV according to FIG. 7a;
[0052] FIGS. 8a-8c show another container applicable for the system
according to the invention on a perspective drawing and also on
cross section V-V and longitudinal section VI-VI according to FIG.
8a;
[0053] FIGS. 9a-9b show a third container applicable for the system
according to the invention on a perspective drawing and on cross
section VII-VII according to FIG. 9a;
[0054] FIGS. 10a-10e show some buildings with different versions of
the heat energy system according to the invention on one schematic
vertical section for each;
[0055] FIGS. 11a-11c show different solutions for the problem of
openings;
[0056] FIGS. 12a-12b show a special version for facade to realize
the system according to the invention on vertical section and on
horizontal section VIII-VIII according to FIG. 12a;
[0057] FIGS. 13a-13d show another special version for facade on a
vertical section and on horizontal section IX-IX according to FIG.
13a with a sketch of the operation;
[0058] FIG. 14 shows the way to realize the system according to the
invention replacing the building frame on a schematic perspective
drawing;
[0059] FIG. 15 shows the installation of the system which aids
radiant cooling on a vertical section of the building;
[0060] FIG. 16 shows schematic wiring diagram for the heat storage
version of the system according to the invention;
[0061] FIG. 17 shows the connection between the conventional heat
energy system of the building and system according to the invention
on a schematic drawing;
[0062] FIGS. 18a-18d show variations for heat exchangers for the
system on perspective drawings and the sections X-X, XI-XI and
XII-XII according to FIG. 18a;
[0063] FIG. 19 shows additional versions for heat exchangers for
the system on perspective drawing;
[0064] FIG. 20 shows a version for heat exchanger for the system on
vertical longitudinal section;
[0065] FIG. 21 shows arrangement to assure heat transfer connection
between rooms equipped with the system according to the invention
on a vertical section; and
[0066] FIG. 22 shows connection between the system according to the
invention and known energy systems of a building.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Best Mode
[0067] For an easier description, it is reasonable to introduce the
utilization of the invention first as a thermal energy system made
for a small building where there are also closed rooms without
windows. According to this, on diagrams 1-5 a relatively small
building is shown with two floors and a pitched roof. There is only
one closed room 2 of the building 1 which is equipped with the
thermal energy system according to the invention.
[0068] The surrounding surfaces 9-14 of the room 2 are given from
one side by the perimeter wall 3 of the building 1, from the other
sides by additional interior walls 4-6), also by the floor 7 from
the bottom and by the slab 8 from the top. Each of them is made of
conventional materials of building practice (to understand the
invention, the structure of the building, the different structural
elements and openings such as windows and doors, appliances or the
utilized materials have no importance, they are not indicated on
the Diagrams either, and their detailed introduction is not
necessary, either).
[0069] As it can be seen in a more detailed fashion on Diagrams
3-5, next to the surrounding surface 9 of the perimeter wall 3,
next to the opposite surrounding surface 10 of the interior wall 4,
above the floor's 7 surrounding surface 13 and below the slab's 8
surrounding surface 14 there are thin containers 15 attached in the
room 2. The containers 15 have different size and their surface are
about the same as the area of the surrounding surfaces 9, 10, 13
and 14--apart from the space required for their assembly-attached
to them respectively.
[0070] In this case the containers 15 are made of plastic, but
steel, aluminum or other materials can also be used. Diagrams 3-5
show a simple realization case, when containers are made of plastic
plates 16 parallel to 9, 10, 13, 14 surfaces and side plates 20
welded together.
[0071] The containers 15 at vertical surrounding surfaces 9 and 10,
and the bottom surface 16 of the upper container 15 below the
surrounding surface 14 can have an additional layer for finish 18.
This can be wallpaper or any other suitable material, ideally heat
conducting. On the top side 16 of the container 15, which lies on
the bottom surrounding surface 13, there is a load-bearing layer
and a walkable floor finish 19.
[0072] There are joint elements 20 along the whole side 17 where
neighboring panels 15 meet each other. In the current example,
these elements are plastic tubes melded in the side 17 of the
panels. The neighboring panels 15 joining elements 20 are at the
same location for each panel, and they are connected by tube
connecting elbow fitting 21 but they could be connected by any
other technology (like welding, gluing, by heat expanding elements,
etc.). The diameter of the joining elements 20 and elbow fitting 21
are as large as possible to assure an effective flow.
[0073] The containers 15 are prefabricated and made together with
the joint elements 20 in a factory. After they are put to their
places in the room 2 of the building 1, the joint elements 20
placed in pairs for neighboring containers 15 can be connected.
With this a system is made, in which the containers 15 create a
closed circle and an interconnected volume, in which the fluid
medium can flow freely.
[0074] After all joining elements 20 are connected, the containers'
internal volume can be filled with fluid. Because in case of
heating in buildings the heat transfer medium is normally water, in
case of the introduced system here the fluid infill of the
containers 15 is water also, and in later introduction the fluid in
general may be referred as water, with the amendment, that it could
be naturally other fluid applicable for this purpose.
[0075] In the system according to the invention the same fluid
medium in the containers absorbs and stores the heat, also working
as a heater/cooler unit (one part of the fluid surface may be small
but joined with the rest, it can provide a significant heat storage
capacity).
[0076] The heat gain of the surrounding surfaces 9-14 in the room 2
can be different because of their location, which causes
temperature differences in the building 1. The flow of the fluid
medium in the containers 15 is generated by the temperature
differences between heat gaining and losing surfaces. Thermal
balance is assured only by the fluid itself, which flows from heat
gaining surfaces to the colder heat losing ones.
[0077] During daytime, naturally the building's 1 perimeter facade
is the heat gaining surface in the room 2 and heat loser is any
surface 10-14 which is connected to the heat gainer one, but it is
colder because of lack of actual heat gain. Solar heat gain warms
the fluid in the container 15 reaching it through the wall
structure 3. The temperature balance between heat gaining and
losing surfaces causes the warmed-up fluid to flow from the
container next to the perimeter wall 15 to the other containers 18,
16 and finally 17 where it can pass the heat surplus to colder
areas reaching thermal balance.
[0078] The flow can naturally occur in both directions, therefore
if any surrounding surface 10-14 of the room 2 becomes an actual
heat gaining area because of any heat load, or the perimeter facade
cools down and changes to heat losing area, the direction of the
fluid flow can be opposite as well.
[0079] According to this, the system works during nighttime in the
opposite way. The thermal mass of the fluid utilizes the solar gain
to protect the interior against cooling. This is similar to the
effect of the thermal mass in conventional buildings, but in this
case the actual gain is spread in the whole system, so the amount
of utilized heat energy increases significantly. This is practical
not only in winter but also during summer, because this way the
heating up of the interior can be avoided.
[0080] Because of the introduced operation of the thermal system
according to the invention, stable temperature can be maintained in
the room 2.
[0081] For a full introduction, the introduced simple system has to
be extended with some technical information.
[0082] The containers 15 are attached to the perimeter 3 and also
interior wall 4 and to the slab 8 by railings and bolts. This can
ideally be made by screw joints with holes prepared on the side 17
or simply through sheaths, which allow the screws to reach the wall
directly through the container.
[0083] Figures show no insulation between the surrounding surfaces
9, 10, 13, 14 and the containers 15. The need for insulation always
depends on the current conditions. Generally some insulation may be
necessary if the goal is to keep all heat gains in the room 2 and
heat should not be passed beyond the containers 15 to the other
parts of the house. This can be especially practical when other
building parts are allowed to be colder for any reason. Yet there
are some cases, when lack of insulation is ideal, for example in
case of the perimeter wall 3 when the goal is to allow solar gain
to reach the fluid volume.
[0084] As it was mentioned before, the containers 15 after finished
assembly have to be filled with fluid to keep the presence of air
to minimum. For fluid infill for at least at one point in the
bottom as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at the edges of walls 4 and 6 and
floor 7 and at one location at the top diagonally at the edges of
walls 3 and 5 and slab 8 the joint elements 20 are joined with a
special elbow fitting at the bottom 21A and at the top 21F.
[0085] As it can be seen in FIG. 6a, on both sides of the joint
elbow fitting 21A, perpendicular to the plane defined by joint
elements 20 and joint valves 22 there is one check valve 23 for
each side. The principle of the check valve 23 is similar to the
automatic self-closing valves used for hose joints, namely the
check valves in the joint fittings open automatically when the
joined elements--like a hose used for fluid infillare put in.
[0086] The upper joint fitting 21F is generally made the same way,
but opposite to one joint valve 22 its volume is increased and on
both side of the resulted air lock 24 are the check valves 23
placed.
[0087] Fluid filling occurs through one of the check valves 23 of
joint elbow fitting 21A and when the containers 15 are filled up
completely the rest of the unnecessary water leaves through the
check valve 23 of the upper joint elbow 21F. Then the check valves
23 can be closed--by removing the hoses--, so the air presence in
the system is minimal. The air lock 24 leaves space for expansion
of the water in case of warming up.
[0088] The side 16 of the upper container 15 can also be made to
aid the flow of leaving air. In the whole closed water circuit the
highest point is the air lock and the upper side 16 of this
container 15 can be tilted slightly to this direction--namely the
two sides 16 of the container 15 are not parallel this case--.
[0089] The check valves 23 of joint elbow fittings 21A and 21F
allow also the change of fluid for cleaning and maintenance
(pumping from upside and taking from the bottom or vice versa).
[0090] The joint elements 20 of the containers 15 are closed with a
membrane in the fabrication process to avoid any pollution to enter
the containers during transportation and construction. Air is also
pumped out of the panels before placing the membrane. During the
assembly, the connecting elbow between 2 joint elements opens the
membrane automatically.
[0091] Depending on their purpose the now introduced containers can
be made in different variations.
[0092] The simplest containers 15 consist of sides 16 and edges 17
made by sheets only. The containers 15 are welded (in case of
plastic or steel) or assembled by gluing with a frame (in case of
glass). These can be used if there is a supporting surface next to
them, to which they can be attached to.
[0093] The container 15 does not necessary have to be fixed
directly to the supporting surface, it can also be a suspended
ceiling. The containers 15 at the ceiling are made horizontal and
normally with and opaque surface, similar to conventional ceilings,
with grid work of metal channels and hanging spacers.
[0094] These simple made containers 15 have limited structural
strength and practically they can support their own weight only
(naturally in their own weight includes the water also). This is
why they can be used only as fixed to a supporting surface as
mentioned above. At the same time also containers 15 can be
necessary, which can be built in without supported sides 16, for
this the self-supporting containers 15 can be made, as shown in
FIGS. 7a and 7b.
[0095] These self-supporting containers 15 are surrounded by a
structural frame 25. The frame as shown in Figures is made by two
horizontal and vertical U beams. The sides 16 are fixed to the U
beams' edges, which makes the third side of the U beams the edges
17 of the container 15. In case of thicker containers the frame can
also be made by L beams naturally, which have to be covered by an
edge 17, i.e. this case the edges 17 and the frame 25 are two
different structural elements.
[0096] In case of containers 15 with larger surface spacers 26 can
be placed between the sides 16 inside the container 15 in a way
that they do not disturb the flow of water--practically placed
parallel to the flows current with perforations 27. These
containers 15 can be used as independent wall elements
(panels).
[0097] The container 15 used for roofs have to be mentioned as
well. These are made with similar structure with the ones
introduced above, these are also self-supporting containers 15, but
in case of structural load of precipitation also has to be taken
into account. The load-bearing frame this case is normally made as
a conventional structure, like steel or wooden frame.
[0098] The containers 15--either simple or self-supporting--are
normally made by steel-wood or plastic sheets, i.e. they are
opaque. In addition to that the containers 15 can also be made in a
way that at least one of its sides is made by transparent or
translucent material. The transparent or translucent material is
generally plastic but also glass can be used. The latter is
primarily applicable for containers 15 used for roofs.
[0099] As it could be seen on the built example introduced earlier,
one container 15 is laid on the floor 7. This one has to have
load-bearing capacity. Because of different reasons, the container
15 may have to have structural strength in other cases as well.
Basically there are two options to make a load-bearing
container.
[0100] One solution is that the thickness of the containers' 15
sides 16 and edges 17 is increased. This possibility is simpler
structurally but its disadvantage is, that because of thicker
sheets less heat can reach the water. Also the efficiency during
heating and cooling drops as well.
[0101] Another option is if the container 15 is surrounded by
load-bearing frame 28 (as shown in FIGS. 8a-8c) and between the
sides 16 a there is a bracing 29 inbuilt (similar to the version
mentioned earlier, like a frame of longitudinal 30 and cross 31
spacers made by steel). Both load-bearing frame 28 and bracing
frame 29 are made similar to the self-supporting version introduced
above, but they are made by stronger materials or design. So the
load-bearing frame 28 can also be made by U beams, these can also
give the edges 17 of the container 15. The spacers 30 and 31 are
placed in a way so they do not disturb the water flow--like made
with perforations 27 for example--. This solution results less
material use and structural weight but its disadvantage is that the
flow can be influenced by the spacers 30 and 31.
[0102] The containers 15 made this way can bear more weight in
addition to their own. This solution allows also to have no need
for bracing or load bearing elements for the building (like beams
and columns) between the containers 15. The container 15 in FIGS.
9a-9b is made in this fashion and only differs from the others by a
load-bearing frame 32 in which the U beams are turned inside of the
container.
[0103] In case of this design generally opaque materials are used,
because this way the thick steel sheets 16 can also participate in
load-bearing, but also transparent design is possible, which can be
made mainly by glass. This latter design is primarily for roofs,
because the structural load for roofs is generally lower than in
case of walls.
[0104] The structure of load-bearing containers 15 for floors is
very similar to the general load-bearing containers 15 and its
materials are generally opaque. Because the nature of structural
load is obviously different for this case, and because the support
has to be done for the whole surface this one can only be done by
frame of inner spacers 30 and 31), with a freely chosen overlay 19
which consist of a load-bearing layer and a walkable finish. The
spacers 30 and 31 transmit the structural load from the overlay 19
to the slab below the container 15. This case a load-bearing layer
has to be made below the container 15 as an additional structural
layer.
[0105] The load-bearing containers 15 used as floor can also be
made with increased structural capacity, so theoretically it can
also replace slabs, if it fulfills the structural demands.
[0106] To sum up, the load-bearing containers' 15 material is
generally steel sheets, but also transparent/translucent design is
possible, which normally can be made by glass. Containers used for
floors and ceilings are exception, which generally made opaque. The
design depends on the architectural concept in the end.
[0107] As the description above implies, the containers 15 can be
used in different ways depending on their design.
[0108] The simplest way is the method introduced earlier, when the
simple containers 15 are built to the walls of the room from
inside. The water circuit becomes an inner core and each side of it
is an interior structure. This case the water circuits function is
only cooling/heating and energy distribution. Because it has a
large active surface, it can already drop the necessary energy
consumption already in this case.
[0109] Although in the example the building with several rooms is
equipped with the system according to the invention in one space
only, in reality this is only typical for buildings with one space
(like halls or open plan office with one main room). If the
building has more spaces on one floor, then normally more water
circuits are required. They could be ones without any facade
surface or on the contrary, they could be connected to the exterior
with one or two maybe even with three (including roof) perimeter
surfaces.
[0110] Naturally the variations for building containers 15 are
unlimited. In FIGS. 10a-10e some schematic versions for container
arrangement can be seen, which can be made by using the containers
introduced earlier, with some special solutions for each
respectively (to show the differences more clearly for the most of
these Figures the same building is shown as in the first
example).
[0111] In the version in FIG. 10a the system according to the
invention is made on both floors and also in the roof. The
containers 15--similarly to the earlier example--are internal and
placed everywhere along the planes of facade walls 3 and the roof
33. In the two spaces on the lower floor the containers 15 make one
independent fluid circuit on both sides of the separating wall 34.
On the second level there are three spaces included in one water
circuit in a way that--looking parallel to the main axis of the
horizontal containers 15--two vertical containers are placed next
to the most external walls of these rooms, this case the two facing
perimeter walls 3 and the lower and upper horizontal containers 15
run through all rooms included in the system and the separating
walls 34 between the spaces are between the horizontal containers
15.
[0112] The containers 15 can also be placed on the external surface
of the facade expressly to use solar energy. FIG. 10b shows an
arrangement for that. The containers are not only placed outside
the facade walls but also outside the roof 33. FIG. 10b also shows
that there could be rooms, namely this case on the lower floor,
which all have facade wall and the two facade surface have opposite
orientation, or if there are more rooms and each of them has
independent water circuit, there could be a space like this case
the middle room on second level which case it is surrounded by
another spaces on both sides.
[0113] The container 15 can be built instead of a conventional
facade wall 3 or roof 33 as it can be seen in FIG. 10c.
[0114] Finally, using the containers 1 even independent buildings
can be built. Floor and two perimeter walls and the roof of the
pavilion in FIG. 10d are made by containers 15. Similarly all
perimeter surface of the hall in FIG. 10e is made by containers 15
only, but because its size the containers 15 are supported by a
load-bearing structure 36.
[0115] It has to be noted here, that until now there have been
examples mentioned only where the space was surrounded by four
containers 15 in total, in reality in case of larger surfaces it
would be difficult to use one large container only, therefore the
system can be made by more independent smaller containers also.
[0116] Although normally it is not necessary, in these cases it
could happen, that the water circuits next to each other have to be
connected. There are two possibilities to do this. One option is,
that the joint elements 20 of the containers 15 to be connected
have a joint elbow fitting 21A or 21F, which has check valves 23 on
both sides. Through these using a short pipe the two neighboring
check valves 21A or 21F and by that the two water circuits can be
connected. Another possibility is when the neighboring edges 17 of
the containers have themselves joint check valves inbuilt which
also can be joined by a hose.
[0117] Also it has to be mentioned here, that in case of some
building design it may be unavoidable to place the container on or
next to a wall which has openings. In such cases as a technical
compromise a thinner container compared to the other containers
used in the room can be utilized.
[0118] In addition to that another important point has to be taken
into account, because water obviously cannot let through these
elements, therefore these parts cannot be included in the water
circuit. There are several possibilities to assure water flow.
[0119] The simplest case shown in FIG. 11a when the opening 37 is
as high as the ceiling height or with additional structure it
reached from floor to ceiling (like parapet wall and window). This
case in the area of the opening 37 the water circuit can be
omitted, namely there is no container in that zone. In place of the
missing containers there are expletive elements 38--naturally also
on the wall facing the opening 37, which cannot be shown on the
drawing--. These can be completely solid but also containers
identical to the other containers but they are closed. In sense of
thermal energy the water in them is still useful. [0120] If the
opening is as high as the ceiling height but its width is less than
the general width of the containers 15 then--as shown in FIG.
11b--then the other containers 15 can be still placed in the zone
of the opening 37 and the water can pass along the sides of the
opening 37 trough pipes 39 and reach the next horizontal container
15. This option can be made also, when the opening is wider but
between the openings 37 dividing frames can be placed which inhabit
the pipes 39. [0121] Finally--as shown in FIG. 11c--the other
containers can be still placed in the zone of the opening 37 and
the containers 15 can be connected to the neighboring water
circuits through the joint elbow fittings 21A and 21F or through
joint fittings built in the sides 17 of the containers 15.
[0122] If the opening 37 is not as high as the ceiling height (like
parapet wall and window for example) then below or above the
openings 37 containers 15 with reasonable size can be built and in
the zone of the opening the water circuit can be made along the
sides of the opening the same way like in the earlier cases, but as
an extreme solution the water circuit can also let in the
neighboring circuit also.
[0123] As FIG. 10b shows and also can be seen in FIGS. 12a-12b the
containers 15 can also be placed as a front wall to profit from
solar energy. This case between the joint elbow fitting 21 of the
joint elements 20 of the container 15 placed as a front wall and
joint elements of the lower and upper horizontal containers 15
there are pipes 40 passing through holes in the perimeter wall 3.
This joint method of course can be used everywhere when vertical
and horizontal containers 15 placed on two sides of a wall have to
be connected. The containers 15 can also be placed outside the roof
33 when also the method mentioned above is applicable.
[0124] The container 15 increases thermal insulation and lowers the
heat load (the front wall practically acts as a solar panel).
[0125] The container 15 can be built instead of a conventional wall
as a perimeter self-supporting structure. This can be seen in FIG.
10c and more detailed in FIGS. 13a-13b. This case the load-bearing
structure is a column grid 45 inside and/or along the perimeter of
the building. The container 15 is built in the conventional
load-bearing structure 45 as a structural infill or as a curtain
wall on the facade. The self-supporting containers 15 serve this
purpose.
[0126] The container 15 can be transparent (glass or plastic) or
opaque (typically plastic or steel but it can be made by other
materials also). Depending on the architectural concept internal
side of the container 15 has a transparent or translucent
protecting finish 18 but also other materials can be used.
[0127] Similarly, instead of conventional roof covering (tiles or
slates, etc.) self-supporting containers 15 can be built on the
roof 33. Naturally the load-bearing structure of the roof 33 is
still necessary. As it was mentioned earlier, in case of these
containers 15 the structural load of precipitation also has to be
taken into account.
[0128] Load-bearing containers 15 as shown in FIGS. 9a and
9b--similarly to panel buildings--can give the structure of the
building also. This case the facade wall 3 and the container 15 are
built as one structure. This is also possible in case of an
internal separating wall and the container 15 next to it. The
geometry of the containers 15 load-bearing frame 32 results
vertical columns 50 and beams 51 between the containers 15 as shown
in FIG. 14. The structural load is taken by the columns 50 and
beams 51 between the containers 15 which are connected to make a
water circuit as structural infill elements between the columns 50
and beams 51).
[0129] The materials used for container 15 can be
transparent/translucent (glass or plastic) or opaque (typically
plastic, steel or other material). For the containers design it is
important, that external heat gain should be able to reach the
water volume. Because of that the external side of the container 15
is typically made by a heat and light conducting material. If that
is not possible because of any reason, the container 15 can also be
made by opaque material. This case the container 15 is made with an
absorber surface finish similarly to solar panels.
[0130] As it was mentioned before, depending on their function
thermal insulation for the containers 15 may be necessary.
[0131] If the container 15 is built inside the building (simple
internal, internal structural infill or internal load-bearing type)
thermal insulation is normally not required unless a special task
or demand does not make it reasonable to use. Because the
load-bearing containers 15 used for floor 7 is laid on the slab as
an interior structure thermal insulation is also not made this
case.
[0132] If the container is built as a perimeter wall then depending
on outside temperature conditions thermal insulation of the
container 15 might be necessary which is placed on the external
side.
[0133] The containers 15 operation is ideal if the heating effect
of solar gain reaches the containers 15. Therefore if thermal
insulation is used then ideally it is made as
transparent/translucent so sunlight can get to the water. If the
container 15 is made by opaque materials the thermal insulation
ideally is still a transparent system.
[0134] Thermal insulation can be typically two- or more glass or
plastic sheets with voids in between. This can be done by
prefabricated closed gas cells for example like thermal insulation
41 in FIGS. 12a and 12b, or it can be made by layers of glass or
plastic insulation sheets 48 with air cavities 49 between them and
air-tight proof sealing along their perimeter as it can be seen in
FIGS. 13a and 13b.
[0135] The thermal insulation can also be placed during
construction when the containers 15 are positioned, but the
container 15 generally is applicable for panel building technology,
therefore the thermal insulation 41 can be placed on the container
15 already during fabrication. Similarly to the thermal insulation
41 other layers can be placed on the container 15 like the walkable
finish 19 on load-bearing containers 15 used for floors. On the
internal surface of the container a light-transmitting
transparent/translucent plastic finish 18 can be made or also
another material can be used depending on the architectural
concept.
[0136] Generally it is necessary to use thermal insulation on
containers 15 for the roof 33, this can be made similarly to the
containers 15 built as a wall typically with transparent
design.
[0137] As it can be seen, the water circuit can utilize also the
solar heat gain in case the containers 15 were built outside or
instead the perimeter wall 3. The efficiency of the system compared
to conventional solar panels is lower because some part of the
solar energy is absorbed by the insulation 41 but the heat loss
also decreases and the utilized surface area is larger
considerably.
[0138] Another important factor is, that inside the building the
perimeter wall 3 is not the only heat absorber surface, therefore
what the wall cannot take is utilized by the other elements of the
water circuit (typically the floor). Therefore although one
element's efficiency is lower than solar panels, together they
still are capable to absorb and use heat effectively.
[0139] Naturally the containers not only collect solar heat gain
but they are also capable to radiate it back during the night.
[0140] The building example introduced earlier shows the simplest
case, when the containers 15 are transparent and are fixed to
opaque structures. Another case when the containers 15 are on the
external side of the perimeter wall 3 therefore the system has
external effects: it heats up because solar gain or cools down
during the night. This case the systems design is identical to the
earlier example, the difference is how it works: during daytime at
the perimeter wall 3 the floor 7 and partially the walls 5 and 6
warms up and the heat is transmitted by the water to the colder
areas. In the night when outside temperature is lower the direction
of heat flow turns to opposite. The temperature of the external
container's 15 surface drops and the stored heat from daytime flows
here. The external container's 15 surface radiates the stored heat
back to the environment.
[0141] The operation becomes more complex if the facing walls
included in the system are both perimeter walls as it can be seen
on second level of the building in FIG. 10a. This case the
direction of the heat flow can change several times during the day
depending on which side is reached by sunlight or what are the
temperature conditions indoors.
[0142] It can happen that the heat storage capacity of the closed
circuit is not enough and more heat arose then it is necessary to
maintain ideal temperature, namely heat surplus appears. This can
occur because of internal heat sources (like for example
concentrated mechanical systems, server room, or audience of a
lecture hall as mentioned earlier) or because of external heat gain
(solar heating effect). One solution for this is if the thermal
storage capacity is designed according to the maximal heat load of
a certain operation period (like for a day) and until the next
period the water circuit can give the heat gain back.
[0143] There are several ways to increase the heat return during
nighttime.
[0144] In FIGS. 12a and 12b the container 15 placed before
perimeter wall 3 has thermal insulation 41. Between the container's
15 side 16 and thermal insulation 41 there is air cavity 44. In the
thermal insulation 41 there are rows of ventilation holes 42 near
to the container's 15 top and bottom. When outside air cools down,
it flows from the lower ventilation holes 42 through the air cavity
44 and leaves through the upper ventilation holes 42). During the
flow the air warms up and the water in the container 15 cools down.
The process can be intensified by increasing the speed of flowing
air in the cavity 44 by an airflow producing appliance 43 (like a
ventilator) shown on the Figure schematically.
[0145] Night cooling can be increased also by ventilation. In FIGS.
13a and 13b the container 15 has ventilation pipes 46 inbuilt, in
the middle of the container 15 and next to each other. The
ventilation pipes 46 are made in pairs and in a way that they are
in direct contact with each other on the largest surface area
possible. The ventilation pipes 46 are connected to the outside and
to the interior by a conduct 47 on each side at the top and at the
bottom. At the external side the conduct 47 also penetrates the
thermal insulation 41 naturally. On both sides of the container 15
each conduct 47 is connected to an airflow producing appliance 43
in a way that in case of both lower and upper conducts 47 the
airflow producing applications are placed in pairs and work in the
opposite direction.
[0146] Ventilation takes place as following.
[0147] In winter--as it can be seen in FIG. 13c--the airflow
producing appliance 47 takes fresh air in from outdoors through the
lower conducts 47 which enters the interiors through the upper
conducts 47, meanwhile the other airflow producing appliance 43
removes used air through the upper conducts 47 which leaves to
outside through the lower conducts 47. In the air ventilation pipes
46 placed in pairs heat exchange takes place between the fresh and
used air with oppositional air flow--through the shared surface of
ventilation pipes 46 in contact--and also between the fresh air and
the water in the container 15, so the fresh air intake warms up
before it reaches the interior.
[0148] During summer--as it can be seen in FIG. 13d--the flows
direction is opposite. The airflow producing appliances 47 take
fresh air from the upper conducts 47 to the interior through the
lower conducts 47, while also push used air from lower conducts 47
through upper conducts 47 to outside. Because of the heat exchange
between fresh air intake and leaving air and also between fresh air
and the water in the container 15 the air cools down before it
enters the interior.
[0149] The radiant night cooling of the system can also be
intensified to a lesser extent by a simpler solution also. In FIG.
15 a building 52 can be seen with flat roof and with containers 15
inbuilt. On the roof 53 of the building 52 there are skylights
which below the containers 15 are simply made by
transparent/translucent materials. During night this skylight
openings 54 also contribute to the radiant cooling.
[0150] The disadvantage of this methods introduced is, that the
heat gain is not utilized, energy savings are limited to cooling
only.
[0151] The other option is when the heat surplus of the system is
stored by another appliance. This can be done the easiest way if a
heat exchange unit 55 is connected to the water circuit of the
containers 15--as it can be seen in FIG. 16. To achieve that in one
of each two containers' 15 connection there is a joint elbow
fitting 21A and 21F with check valve 23 through which the water
circuit can be connected to one circuit of the heat exchanger 55.
The other circuit of heat exchanger 55 has a heat storage appliance
56. Thereby the water circuit of the containers 15 can remain
independent because between the two circuits there is only heat
transfer and no fluid exchange.
[0152] The heat exchanger 55 collects warm water from the upper
area of the containers' 15 placed next to the walls and warm water
is replaced with cold one. Thereby not only one but two water
circuits appear in the system: one vertical which makes water flow
from container 15 at the floor 7 to container 15 at the wall 4 and
slab 8 and a horizontal which flows warm water from the connected
water circuits to the heat exchanger 55 from which the returned
cold water cools the upper side of the containers 15 at the slab 8.
Both circuits are closed so continuously the same water runs in the
circuits. The system after this stores the heat, this can be a heat
storage unit used with solar panels or also underground heat
storage.
[0153] The heat exchanger 55 works as a heater during the winter
and heat flows back to the containers 15. Warm water flows upwards
therefore the heat exchanger 55 is not connected in the upper area
of the containers 15 but in the lower one. Warm water flows in the
containers 15 from which cold water leaves the system. The heat can
be stored heat from earlier or another solution, like gas heating
or eventually both at the same time. Connection between heat
exchanger 55 and containers 15 can be switched from summer to
winter mode by valves 57.
[0154] The solution of the invention cannot meet all the energy
demand of the building in itself so the conventional energy system
of the building is also necessary. This conventional energy system
can consist of any conventional appliances. The conventional energy
system shown in FIG. 17 has for example a furnace 59 a solar panel
60 a heat storage appliance 61 a geothermal heat pump 61 a cooling
appliance 63 and heaters 64 or floor heating, and hot water supply
unit 65. The conventional system and fluid circuits of containers
have to be harmonized for ideal operation and control.
[0155] The conventional energy system 58 and the water circuit of
containers 15 cannot be connected directly because--as it was
mentioned before--it is essential to keep the water always in
closed circuit so only heat will be transferred from one circuit to
the other.
[0156] There is another reason for separated operation of the two
systems. The conventional system always consists of an energy
source and an active surface (heat transmitter) like a radiator.
The active surface compared to the room is relatively small.
Because of that the heater has to have higher temperature then the
desired temperature of the room, like for example a typical
radiator operates with 60-90 degrees Celsius hot water. In case of
the containers 15 this surface is significantly higher since all
container surfaces are also cooler/heater surfaces. Because of that
water with much lower temperature is sufficient for heating. This
results significant energy savings and also allows that geothermal
energy itself to be enough without uniting it with gas heating.
[0157] Accordingly the water circuit of the containers 15 and the
conventional energy system defines independent circuits and the
connection between them is made by the heat exchanger 55.
[0158] There could be several variations for heat exchanger.
[0159] In case of the simplest and classical solution the heat
exchanger 55 is an appliance with two water circuits as shown in
FIG. 16. The water circuit of the heat exchanger 55 is connected to
the water circuit of the containers 15 while its other circuit is
connected to the conventional energy system 58 of the building.
[0160] The heat exchanger 55 can be made in a way also that between
horizontal containers 15 and their finish surface below or above
them there is a counter flow serpentine piping 66 placed as it can
be seen in FIGS. 18a and 18b (for simpler presentation only the
upper container 15 and counter flow serpentine piping 66 is shown,
in case of the lower container 15 the design is naturally the
opposite). The counter flow serpentine piping 66 is connected
directly to the conventional energy system 58. The container's 15
horizontal side 16 and the counter flow piping 66 create a large
active contact surface where the heat exchange takes place. This
contact surface makes connection between the two circuits so one
circle of the heat exchanger 55 is the container itself and the
other is the counter flow serpentine piping 66.
[0161] The efficiency of the heat exchanger 55 can be increased
further by the solution shown in FIG. 18c. One side 16 of the
container 15 is made with channels 67 in which the counter flow
serpentine piping 66 can be placed. This maximizes the contact
surface area between serpentine piping 66 and the side 16.
[0162] The highest efficiency can be reached if the counter flow
serpentine piping 66 is built in the container 15 as it can be seen
in FIG. 18d.
[0163] (The dimensions for valves in FIGS. 18c and 18d are the same
as on 18a and 18b. Therefore both layouts can be understood without
repeating the drawing in FIG. 18a for all Figures.)
[0164] Also the large active surface of container's 15 side 16 can
be used for to make a heat exchanger 55 as shown in FIG. 19. This
case there is another container 68 attached to the external side 16
of the container 15 in a way that the containers' 16 and 68 side 16
are in contact for the whole surface. This second container 68 can
be also thinner then the first one 15 and is connected to the
conventional energy system of the building 58. Because the two
containers 15 and 68 are only separated by a thin wall and they are
in contact on a large surface, thermal interaction takes place
between them. Conversely, the heat exchange occurs on a large
surface rapidly. Therefore the two circuits of the heat exchanger
is made by two containers 15 and 68.
[0165] The second container's 68 design is similar to the simplest
version of the containers for water circuit 15 but naturally is
made with two joint elements 20 only. Through these the container
68 can be connected to the conventional energy system 58. The joint
elements 20 can be built in a conventional way according the actual
demands.
[0166] The second container 68 can also be made inside of the first
container 15 itself in a way that it is divided by an internal
dividing plate 59 which is parallel to the sides 16 and one part
gives the water circuit of the containers 15 and the other the heat
exchangers 55. The plate 59 built between containers 15 and 68 is
only one sheet and ideally is made by heat conducting material so
the heat transfer can take place rapidly. On both ends of the
container 15 the joint elements 20 are made as introduced earlier,
but also this case for the container 68 there are only two joint
elements 20 positioned to connect to the conventional energy system
58. The double container 15/68 can also be made as self-supporting
or load-bearing this depends on naturally where it will be
placed.
[0167] In the second container 68 with separating walls a counter
flow serpentine layout can also be made.
[0168] As it can be seen in FIGS. 10a-10c, if there are many rooms
in the building their relation to each other and to the buildings
perimeter can be different in many ways. If they are equipped with
independent water circuit, then it can happen that connecting these
different water circuits becomes reasonable, so the heat gains of
the rooms can be balanced between each other.
[0169] Such layout of rooms can be seen for example in FIG. 10b,
where two rooms on the ground floor have independent water circuit,
the two circuits are next to each other and in both circuits there
is a container 15 placed on the facade but with opposite
orientation (this can be for example east and west facades). This
case if between the two water circuits have heat exchange
connection, then both water circuits have heat gain to be
transferred to the other in the morning or afternoon, when Sun
shines from east or west.
[0170] The same goes for rooms with south and north orientation,
when the heat exchange connection uses the south gain and can heat
the north side as well. Similar case, when if we try to supply an
internal rooms heat demand at least partially by the heat surplus
of a water circuit with a container 15 on the facade.
[0171] The process can also work for water circuits above each
other, like when the heat surplus of south facing water circuits'
above each other is transmitted upwards where on higher floor in a
machinery area a heat exchanger can take it. This way there is no
need for heat exchanger on every floor.
[0172] Finally it can be also necessary--like on second floor of
the building shown in FIG. 10b--when in one room--this case in the
middle rooms water circuit--there is an intensive heat producer
appliance 56 which heat can be used to heat the neighboring room
and thereby the room with intensive heat producing appliance 35 can
also be cooled.
[0173] The heat exchanging connection between neighboring rooms
(next to or above each other) can be made with second containers as
introduced earlier.
[0174] A practical solution for this can be seen in FIG. 41. On
each side of the shared wall 34 (or slab) of the neighboring rooms
there are second containers 68 placed between the containers 15 and
the wall 34. On both side of the separating wall 34 the second
containers have joint elbow fittings 21 placed in joint elements 20
and these are connected to each other by tubes 70 which penetrate
the wall 34 through holes. Because this case the second containers
68 are connected to each other, they have to be made with more
joint elements 20 just like in case of the containers 15.
[0175] As it can be seen, the two containers 68 and the connecting
tubes 70 make a water circuit just like the containers 15. Heat
surplus in one room is transmitted from container 15 placed at the
separating wall 34 to the secondary container 68 next to it. The
warmed up water runs through the tubes 70 in the wall 34 to the
other container 68 which also transmits the heat to the container
15 next to it. The water circuit made by containers 68 carries the
heat surplus to the room with heat demand.
[0176] This introduced layout naturally can be made with counter
flow/serpentine piping 66 or with containers 15 divided into two as
shown in FIG. 20.
[0177] If in the building the separating walls 34 are only made by
panels and there is need for heat exchange between two rooms, then
it is practical to use the container 15 divided into two parts as
shown in FIG. 20. This case the heat exchange connection can be
made without a heat exchanger in one simple element.
[0178] As the connection between the containers' fluid circuit and
the other energy system--conventional energy system 58, heat
storage unit 56 or another water circuit--is optional and not
static, these joints have to be controlled. Because of that there
are pumps and valves built in between the connection of the fluid
circuit and the heat energy system, which are controlled by an
applicable monitoring system, in harmony with the conventional
energy system of the building as well. This kind of monitoring
system is not part of the invention, and it is conventional
technology known well by professionals, therefore its detailed
introduction is not necessary.
[0179] Accordingly the complete energy system consists of several
types of elements: for one part the containers' water circuits are
built 101 which work as a heat gaining and also heat losing
(radiating) surfaces and also as heat balancing units.
[0180] The water circuits radiate heat surplus directly back to
environment (like with night flush cooling for example) or forward
it to the heat exchanger 102 units which takes it with another
water circuit. The heat exchanger let this energy to be stored in a
way, like by a heat storage unit or underground container 103.
[0181] Ideally the system can store as much heat during the year
then necessary for heating period. In case when this is not
possible, then some other heat source is also required: ideally
geothermal or CHP (Combined Heat and Power) is used 104 which can
provide heating water with lower temperature effectively, but also
it can be gas or electric technology 105. The stored or produced
heat energy warms the containers' water circled through the heat
exchanger.
[0182] In addition to that the system can be extended with
conventional solar panels 106 to increase the stored heat, and also
in case there is not enough container surface in all the rooms,
then radiator or underfloor heating 107 is also needed.
[0183] If the containers' surface is not enough or when the climate
conditions require then also conventional cooling solutions may be
necessary 108.
[0184] Photovoltaic panels or wind turbines and naturally any other
technology can be used to cover the energy demand, but also the
energy produced by CHP 109 can be utilized.
[0185] The system is operated by a central control unit 110, which
monitors the temperature of air and surfaces and controls the
system accordingly. This central control unit is not part of the
invention and it is well known by professionals, therefore is not
necessary to introduce it here in detail.
[0186] The combined systems control works in the following way.
[0187] The control unit of the circulation network is a thermostat
which works the same way as control units utilized for floor
heating or hot water supply technology. The thermostat monitors the
temperature of the containers, and when the actual value is out of
the predefined margin (generally set by the user), the
heating/cooling system turns on. The control is primarily based on
temperature, the heat relations of fluid volume is assured by the
heat balance property of the fluid itself.
[0188] The system has 0+3 performance levels.
[0189] In "phase 0" the heating/cooling is not in operation, solar
and other heat gains can balance the losses. This state is much
longer compared to conventional buildings, because heat gains do
not appear locally (in conventional buildings the north side is
always cold for instance).
[0190] In case of heating, it is always the heat stored in thermal
mass that covers the demands first (heat flows to areas where it is
required). When this is not enough, heating starts to warm up
perimeter walls, because these walls cool down first anyway (phase
1). Heat reaches the wall directly through the heat exchange unit
attached to the container. Naturally, from there it spreads to the
other elements, however, it is the perimeter wall area that remains
the main heating source.
[0191] If this gets insufficient, in addition to the perimeter wall
the floor areas join the heating process (phase 2), assured by the
same heat exchange unit.
[0192] In phase 3, besides the floor and the perimeter wall, the
interior walls also join in the heating process. This is rarely
necessary, though, only in case of peak demands.
[0193] In case of cooling, phase 0 relies on the whole thermal mass
of the fluid circuit (obviously it works the opposite way, heat is
taken by the cooler areas of the fluid volume).
[0194] In phase 1 the perimeter wall is turned on. The cooling
takes place by the heat exchange unit, which takes heat from the
structure along the upper line of the wall and from the ceiling in
the same area. This hot water is placed in a heat storage unit,
which can be hot water supplies (like baths/showers) or other heat
storage applications (like underground heat storage). The heat
exchange units connect two circuits: one is the fluid circuit of
containers, the other is between the heat storage and the heat
exchange unit.
[0195] In phase 2 the ceiling works together with the perimeter
wall.
[0196] In phase 3 in addition to the ceiling and the perimeter
wall, the interior wall joins the cooling process. Phase 3 is only
needed in case of peak loads, when climatic conditions or function
requires it. In Hungary for example, generally phases 0+1+2 for
heating and phase 0+1 for cooling are sufficient, but naturally the
system is applicable for other climates also.
[0197] The multi-phase operation naturally requires the control and
the division of the system into sectors.
[0198] The system allows the heating and cooling of the rooftop as
well, similar to the other spaces introduced above. The difference
is that "night flush cooling" or radiant cooling (when stored heat
is radiated back to the environment during the night) can have more
importance.
[0199] In conclusion, generally 2 systems can be made depending on
what we intend to do with the stored heat, and what the climatic
conditions are (the two are naturally related). The two solutions
can also be mixed, and in case of extreme climatic conditions this
actually might be even necessary.
[0200] In the first solution the structure only stores the heat
until the night, in this case the amount of fluid inbuilt is
sufficient to store the heat gain of one day, which is
given/ventilated/radiated back to the environment during the night.
In case of the second solution the heat is utilized in any way
(like for hot water supply or stored for later use for
heating).
[0201] In addition to architectural-aesthetic limitations for the
maximum size of space and air volume incorporated in the fluid
circuit of containers, there can also be limits of structural and
mechanical engineering to define where and when to set the limits
of an actual panel circuit dimensions.
[0202] With respect to the structure, the limit can be the weight
of the fluid and its hydrostatic pressure. Above 3-4 m considerable
weight can appear, which can naturally be solved but is unlikely to
be economic.
[0203] This also goes for mechanical engineering, because of floor
heating theoretically the space can be built with any indoor height
without compromising thermal comfort, but because of cooling low
ceiling height is preferable, the mentioned 3-4 m is ideal. In this
case larger sizes can also be applicable, but not necessary
economic.
[0204] The main essence of the invention is that wall elements
(panels) can be made where--unlike in case of conventional and
known panel systems--the main weight of the structure is given by
some kind of fluid, while the solid constituents in conventional
terms play the role of a container only, and mainly any other task
(insulation, heat storage, noise resistance, etc.) is given by
union of fluid and air/gas.
[0205] The importance of such a building method lies not only at
its cost-efficiency, but it also gives the possibility of a
completely new model in building physics, which solves
heating-cooling-ventilation tasks much more effectively. It also
decreases the amount of demolition waste considerably. The utilized
materials are ideally reuseable/recyclable to a great extent, or
can enter the natural material circulation without pollution.
[0206] The system according to the invention consists of many
elements, among them there is a container for perimeter and
internal use, also others applicable for the ceiling, and the roof
or the floor, therefore in ideal case using the system a complete
building can be constructed. The system can be used for various
scales of construction from a detached house or secondary buildings
to apartment housings, from high-rise buildings and industrial
buildings to halls. Naturally the system can be combined, so it can
be united with other technologies when only a part of the building
is built by the system, therefore it is applicable for building
renovation as well.
[0207] Interior use only is also possible if the goal is to
emphasize the new kind of aesthetics of the system, or to benefit
from its energetic and mechanical engineering advantages.
[0208] Finally, mechanical engineering system renovation is also
possible if the system is built in an existing new building because
of its advantages in mechanical engineering.
[0209] The system can be created in solid and also in
transparent/translucent versions, therefore it shows similarity
with known glass curtain wall and panel technology at the same
time:
[0210] Compared to transparent glass curtain walls the most
important difference is the material use, namely the presence of a
relatively large amount of fluid. Because of that the system works
in a completely different way from glass wall technologies, it not
only utilizes the thermal mass of the fluid but also its
fire-resistance capacity increases considerably. With its thermal
mass overheating during the summer and sudden cooling in winter can
be avoided, and the panel is applicable for wall heating/cooling,
which is not possible in case of glass curtain walls.
[0211] Compared to solid panels the material use is also crucial,
the main weight, heating/cooling and also air-conditioning can be
given by the fluid, which is also mainly responsible for the heat
resistance capacity. This is not conventional for the known systems
today, because the solid materials have importance even if heating
appears in the panels, because solid materials refer for acoustics,
thermal insulation or fire protection demands.
[0212] It is important to emphasize that the system works in
completely different way in terms of building physics from the
examples known or mentioned above. This is because the fluid masses
are not separated in the system but connected continuously: from
the perimeter the container fluid can flow towards the floor or the
ceiling. This is important because this way heat can flow from
warmed up parts to the colder areas. This is one of the most
important novelties of the structure, which is not known in other
buildings, and has a serious effect on energy savings and indoor
thermal comfort.
[0213] All the elements of the invention system are prefabricated,
during construction it is only the assembly that takes place on the
building site. Fluid enters in the last step, in the factory there
is only an infill check to make sure of the water proof capacity.
Containers can be made in different size, the sizes depend on the
actual architectural plan as well, but if possible, ideally it is
necessary to design in module sizes, otherwise fabrication with
special sizes will be required.
[0214] Containers for the perimeter wall and the roof can be
attached with insulation already in the factory, parallel sheets
with closed air layers between (they can be air layers or vacuum
cells, or occasionally gas cells, separated with
transparent/translucent plastic or glass sheets to allow solar gain
to reach the fluid volume), and with an external finish (ideally
made of a glass or plastic layer).
[0215] During fabrication the containers can also be made with
final interior finish (ideally not a heat insulating material like
wallpaper, ceramic or stone tiles). The smaller elements have a
role in heating and cooling while the bigger ones take part in
conditioning due to their heat storing capacity. The interior
containers have this thermal volume only.
[0216] Containers belonging to the floor have to be made with an
inbuilt structural support and a final floor finish.
[0217] After fabrication, transportation and site assembly takes
place. If possible, the containers are joined with connections
everywhere which later allows disassembly, this can be made with
bolted and screw joints. The joint elements in the fluid flow are
built in a similar way to conventional pipe joining.
[0218] The invention is applicable for building glass curtain
walls, in this case even its appearance is a novelty. Its
advantages in energetics and fire resistance can be important.
[0219] In case of existing buildings the system can also appear as
a transparent and solid wall, it can be independent or an attached
layer joined to the existing structure. In both cases it can
greatly improve the thermal insulation of the building and can
decrease the energy consumption.
[0220] The waste production of the system is minimal, because both
fluid and solid constituents are re-useable, therefore it is ideal
for temporary buildings or pavilions.
[0221] One of the most important advantages of the system is that
by connecting the fluid volumes the thermal storage capacities will
be united, because the system with fluid flow balances temperature
differences in the whole mass. This way summer overheating and
winter cooling can be avoided, which is typical for transparent
structures.
[0222] The system needs a lower temperature for heating/cooling
unlike in case of conventional systems, so combined with renewable
energy sources (like geothermal or solar heat) considerable energy
savings can be achieved, even compared to current systems.
[0223] In case it is made from a transparent material (like glass
or plastic), the insulation ideally made of air/gas cells results
in an economic transparent structure, which together with the fluid
volume increases fire-resistance capacity compared to conventional
glass structures.
[0224] The material use of the system is cost-effective, and in
case the solid panels are also made from re-usable/recyclable
materials (like plastic/aluminum/glass/copper for shell), the
system becomes completely re-usable/recyclable. This causes energy
savings, because the air layers and the fluid volume gives the main
weight, which can be recycled/reused with a modest energy
investment.
[0225] The system according to the invention has a special
application possibility: it can work as a fire-boarder structure as
well. The separation between spaces made by the container is an
internal wall structure built with double fluid circuits. The
material of the container is not necessarily fire resistant, but
with fluid infill its fire resistance increases significantly. The
fire resistance can be helped with the fluid flow: the heat load
caused by the fire starts the flow, which transports the heat to
the colder areas, while the warmed up fluid will be replaced by a
colder one. This way the fluid flow increases fire resistance. This
increase can only be assured together with the fluid circuit, that
is why the system is built ideally with two circuits (one fluid
circuit for each side), this way the fire load can reach the
structure from any side, it can flow to the other one.
[0226] 1. A heat energy system which can be used to heat or
maintain thermal balance in the interiors of buildings or buildings
parts, characterized in that the system consists of closed
containers (15) built near and/or instead of surrounding surfaces
of a room: of upper and lower surrounding surfaces (13 and 14) to
at least certain extent, and at least two parts of opposite side
surrounding surfaces (9-12); and the neighboring containers (15)
are connected, and all containers define one closed fluid volume
which is filled with heat transporting fluid.
[0227] 2. The heat energy system according to claim 1 characterized
in that the closed fluid circuit made by containers (15) is
connected by heat exchangers (55) to conventional energy system
(58) of a building and/or additional closed circuit fluid volume
made by containers (15) and/or with a heat storage unit (56).
[0228] 3. The heat energy system according to claim 1 or 2
characterized in that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a counter
flow/serpentine piping (66) placed next to the side (16) of the
container (15)
[0229] 4. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 3
characterized in that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine
piping (66) is sunk in the side (16) of the container (15).
[0230] 5. The heat energy system according to claim 1 or 2
characterized in that the heat exchanger counter flow/serpentine
piping (66) is built inside the container (15).
[0231] 6. The heat energy system according to claim 1 or 2
characterized in that the heat exchanger (55) is made by a second
container (68) built next to the container (15) and parallel to its
side (16).
[0232] 7. The heat energy system according to claim 1 or 2
characterized in that the container (15) is divided into two parts
by a separating plate (69) which is parallel to the side (16) of
the container (15) and one part is connected to the fluid circuit
and other is the space for the heat exchanger (55)
[0233] 8. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 7
characterized in that the container (15) built at the building's
facade has a thermal insulation (41) in front of it and between the
container (15) and the thermal insulation (41) there is a thin air
cavity (44) which is connected to the exterior through ventilation
holes (42) made at the bottom and at the top of the container
(15).
[0234] 9. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 8
characterized in that the ventilation holes (42) are connected to
an airflow producing appliance (43).
[0235] 10. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 7
characterized in that the container (15) placed vertically and
ideally at the building facade has vertical ventilation pipes (46)
inbuilt which are connected to the two sides of the container (15)
through one conduct (47) at both near to its lower and upper
end.
[0236] 11. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 7
characterized in that in the container (15) the vertical pipes (46)
are connected with airflow producing appliance (43).
[0237] 12. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to 7
characterized in that the vertical container (15) placed in front
of perimeter wall (3) is connected to the lower and upper
horizontal containers (15) through pipes (40) inside openings in
the perimeter wall (3).
[0238] 13. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to
12 characterized in that the heat exchangers (55) which connect two
neighboring closed fluid circuits made by panels (15) are made at
the vertical containers (15) next to the two sides of the
separating wall (34) between the two closed fluid circuits and the
heat exchangers (55) placed at the two sides of the separating wall
(34) are connected by pipes (70) penetrating the wall.
[0239] 14. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to
12 characterized in that the separating wall between two
neighboring closed fluid circuits made by containers (15) is a heat
exchanger (55) which makes heat transfer connection between the two
circuits as a container (15) which has another container (68) next
to it and parallel to its sides (16) or it is divided into two by a
separating plate (69) which is parallel to the side (16) and one
container (15) is connected to the other containers (15) of the
closed circuit, the other container (68) or other part of container
is connected to the other closed circuit containers (15).
[0240] 15. The heat energy system according to any of claims 1 to
14 characterized in that the closed fluid circuit made by
containers (15) includes several neighboring rooms of the building
and the vertical containers (15) are only at the two end perimeter
of the rooms and the lower and upper containers (15) run through
all the rooms and the separating walls (34) are built between the
lower and upper horizontal containers (15).
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0241] 1 building [0242] 2 room [0243] 3 perimeter wall [0244] 4
wall [0245] 5 wall [0246] 6 wall [0247] 7 floor [0248] 8 slab
[0249] 9 surrounding surface [0250] 10 surrounding surface [0251]
11 surrounding surface [0252] 12 surrounding surface [0253] 13
surrounding surface [0254] 14 surrounding surface [0255] 15
container [0256] 16 side [0257] 17 edge [0258] 18 finish cover
[0259] 19 overlay walkable finish [0260] 20 joint element [0261] 21
joint elbow fitting [0262] 21A joint elbow fitting (lower) [0263]
21F joint elbow fitting (upper) [0264] 22 joint valve [0265] 23
check valve [0266] 24 air lock [0267] 25 structural frame [0268] 26
spacers [0269] 27 perforations [0270] 28 load-bearing frame [0271]
29 bracing frame [0272] 30 spacers [0273] 31 spacers [0274] 32
load-bearing frame [0275] 33 roof [0276] 34 separating wall [0277]
35 intensive heat producing appliance [0278] 36 load-bearing
structure [0279] 37 opening [0280] 38 structural infill [0281] 39
pipe [0282] 40 pipe [0283] 41 thermal insulation [0284] 42
ventilation hole [0285] 43 airflow producing appliance [0286] 44
cavity [0287] 45 column grid [0288] 46 ventilation pipe [0289] 47
conduct [0290] 48 heat insulation sheet [0291] 49 cavity [0292] 50
column [0293] 51 beam [0294] 52 building [0295] 53 roof [0296] 54
skylight [0297] 55 heat exchanger [0298] 56 heat storage unit
[0299] 57 valve [0300] 58 conventional energy system [0301] 59
furnace [0302] 60 solar panel [0303] 61 heat storage unit [0304] 62
geothermal heat pump [0305] 63 cooling appliance [0306] 64 radiator
[0307] 65 hot water supply unit [0308] 66 counter flow/serpentine
piping [0309] 67 channel [0310] 68 container [0311] 69 dividing
plate [0312] 70 pipe [0313] 101 water circuits [0314] 102 heat
exchanger [0315] 103 heat storage [0316] 104 sustainable energy
saving heat sources [0317] 105 additional heat sources [0318] 106
solar panels [0319] 107 conventional radiators [0320] 108
conventional cooling [0321] 109 electric power supply [0322] 110
central control unit
* * * * *