U.S. patent application number 15/118131 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for device for thermally insulating a building wall from the outside, and method for implementing such a device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jacques PIGERRE, Albert VANDEBROECK. Invention is credited to Jacques PIGERRE, Albert VANDEBROECK.
Application Number | 20170247889 15/118131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47844035 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170247889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PIGERRE; Jacques ; et
al. |
August 31, 2017 |
DEVICE FOR THERMALLY INSULATING A BUILDING WALL FROM THE OUTSIDE,
AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A DEVICE
Abstract
A device (2) for thermally insulating a building wall (1) from
the outside, being applicable in particular to walls and roofs,
includes, starting from the wall, a layer (3) of impermeable rigid
insulation, spacers (4) and a perforated rigid facing sheet (6) at
a distance from the layer (3) of rigid insulation so as to form an
air gap (7) between the facing sheet and the layer (3) of rigid
insulation. A layer (8) of granular insulation (9) in divided form
is contained in synthetic textile bags (10) placed in the air gap
(7). A method for implementing such a device is also described.
Inventors: |
PIGERRE; Jacques; (Cayenne,
FR) ; VANDEBROECK; Albert; (Antwerpen, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PIGERRE; Jacques
VANDEBROECK; Albert |
Cayenne
Antwerpen |
|
FR
BE |
|
|
Family ID: |
47844035 |
Appl. No.: |
15/118131 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 30, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/051983 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0803 20130101;
E04F 13/0875 20130101; E04B 1/7645 20130101; E04D 3/3608 20130101;
E04D 13/17 20130101; E04D 13/165 20130101; E04F 13/12 20130101;
E04F 13/0862 20130101; E04B 2001/748 20130101; E04D 13/1662
20130101; E04B 1/7608 20130101; E04B 1/806 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08; E04D 3/36 20060101 E04D003/36; E04B 1/80 20060101
E04B001/80; E04D 13/17 20060101 E04D013/17; E04B 1/76 20060101
E04B001/76; E04F 13/12 20060101 E04F013/12; E04D 13/16 20060101
E04D013/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2014 |
EP |
14155071.5 |
Claims
1. Device (2) for thermal insulation from the outside of a building
partition (1), in particular applicable to walls and to roofs,
comprising: A rigid and impermeable insulation layer (3) comprising
a first surface, a so-called contact surface (31), suitable for
being attached to said partition, and a second surface, a so-called
outer surface (32), opposite to the contact surface, A rigid and
perforated cladding plate (6), Spacers (4) attached to said outer
surface and adapted to hold said cladding plate at a distance from
the outer surface and to form an air gap (7) between said cladding
plate (6) and the outer surface (32) of the rigid insulation layer
(3), A layer (8) of granular insulation between the rigid
insulation layer (3) and the cladding plate (6), wherein the
granular insulation (9) is in divided form and contained in at
least one synthetic textile bag (10).
2. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic
textile is a non-woven synthetic textile, in particular a
needle-bonded geotextile.
3. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the granular
insulation (9) is a porous granular insulation.
4. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein each bag (10)
has an essentially cylindrical shape, with a diameter that is less
than or equal to the distance between the outer surface (32) of the
rigid insulation layer (3) and the cladding plate (6).
5. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein each bag (10)
has an essentially parallelepiped shape and comprises partitions,
so-called separation partitions (11) that are rectangular,
parallel, and uniformly spaced and whose long edges are attached to
the main surfaces (14a, 14b) of each bag so as to keep a distance
that is less than or equal to the distance between the outer
surface (32) of the rigid insulation layer (3) and the cladding
plate (6) between said main surfaces.
6. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one
part of the textile partitions of each bag (10) is perforated.
7. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid
insulation layer (3) comprises an anti-sink coating (34) on its
outer surface (32), to which coating the spacers (4) are
attached.
8. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the spacers (4)
are attached to the rigid insulation layer (3) with a predetermined
span (P) along parallel lines.
9. Insulation device according to claim 8, wherein the spacers are
offset by a half-step between two adjacent lines.
10. Insulation device according to claim 8, wherein the spacers (4)
of the same line are connected to one another by small U-shaped
beams (5) that cover said spacers.
11. Insulation device according to claim 10, wherein the cladding
plate (6) is attached to the small U-shaped beams (5).
12. Insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the cladding
plate (6) is adapted to receive cover accessories (17) that are
adapted to be attached to said cladding plate.
13. Method for thermal insulation of a building partition (1) from
the outside, according to which: A first surface, a so-called
contact surface (31), of a rigid and impermeable insulation layer
(3), is attached to said partition (1), Spacers (4) are attached to
a second surface, a so-called outer surface (32), of the rigid
insulation layer (3) opposite to the contact surface, with a
predetermined span (P) along lines that are parallel and orthogonal
to a greater pitch line of the partition, The spacers (4) of the
same line are connected to one another by small U-shaped beams (5),
in such a way that said small beams cover the spacers, and A rigid
and perforated cladding plate (6) is attached to said small beams
(5) in such a way as to form an air gap (7) between said cladding
plate (6) and the outer surface (32) of the rigid insulation layer
(3), wherein before attaching the cladding plate (6), bags (10) of
granular insulation (9) in divided form are attached between each
line of spacers (4) to the outer surface (32) of the rigid
insulation layer (3).
14. Insulation method according to claim 13, wherein the spacers
(4) are offset by a half-step between two adjacent lines.
15. Insulation method according to claim 13, wherein each bag (10)
is placed in such a way that the largest dimension of the cavity or
cavities that form(s) it is parallel to the lines of spacers.
16. Insulation device according to claim 2, wherein the granular
insulation (9) is a porous granular insulation.
17. Insulation device according to claim 2, wherein each bag (10)
has an essentially cylindrical shape, with a diameter that is less
than or equal to the distance between the outer surface (32) of the
rigid insulation layer (3) and the cladding plate (6).
18. Insulation device according to claim 2, wherein each bag (10)
has an essentially parallelepiped shape and comprises partitions,
so-called separation partitions (11) that are rectangular,
parallel, and uniformly spaced and whose long edges are attached to
the main surfaces (14a, 14b) of each bag so as to keep a distance
that is less than or equal to the distance between the outer
surface (32) of the rigid insulation layer (3) and the cladding
plate (6) between said main surfaces.
19. Insulation device according to claim 3, wherein each bag (10)
has an essentially parallelepiped shape and comprises partitions,
so-called separation partitions (11) that are rectangular,
parallel, and uniformly spaced and whose long edges are attached to
the main surfaces (14a, 14b) of each bag so as to keep a distance
that is less than or equal to the distance between the outer
surface (32) of the rigid insulation layer (3) and the cladding
plate (6) between said main surfaces.
20. Insulation method according to claim 14, wherein each bag (10)
is placed in such a way that the largest dimension of the cavity or
cavities that form(s) it is parallel to the lines of spacers.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a device for thermally insulating a
building partition from the outside, in particular applicable to
walls and to roofs, and more particularly such a device making it
possible in addition to protect the partition and the insulation
against deterioration by climatic assaults such as the sun, wind,
snow, rain, etc. The invention also relates to a method for
producing and implementing such a thermal insulation device.
[0002] There are two main techniques for ensuring the thermal
insulation of a building. The first consists in providing--on the
inner surface of the walls or the roof of the building--the
placement of insulation materials such as glass wool, with a more
or less significant thickness with regard to the desired thermal
insulation coefficient. It is advisable, however, to leave an air
gap between the inner surface of the wall or the roof and the
insulation layer, and to cover this insulation layer, on its
surface oriented toward the interior of the room to be insulated,
by a covering such as plaster plates to maintain the insulation and
to ensure correct finishing of the partition. In this case, the
thickness of the insulation device impinges upon the living space
of the rooms to be insulated.
[0003] The second technique consists in insulating the partitions
of the building from the outside, i.e., to apply and attach a layer
of insulation material to the outside of the walls and roofs.
However, in this case, the insulation is subjected to climatic
assaults that can make it deteriorate quickly.
[0004] This invention therefore has as its object to propose a
device for insulating the partitions of a building from the outside
that has an improved resistance to climatic assaults.
[0005] The invention also has as its object to provide such a
thermal insulation device that is suitable for insulating walls or
roofs without major modification of the device.
[0006] The invention also has as its object to provide such a
thermal insulation device that can be installed above or instead of
an existing roof.
[0007] In addition, the invention has as its object to provide such
a thermal insulation device that has high thermal inertia.
[0008] The invention also has as its object to provide such a
thermal insulation device that has an improved ecological
impact.
[0009] To do this, the invention relates to a device for thermally
insulating a building partition from the outside comprising: [0010]
A rigid and impermeable insulation layer comprising a first
surface, a so-called contact surface, suitable for being attached
to said partition, and a second surface, a so-called outer surface,
opposite to the contact surface, [0011] A rigid and perforated
cladding plate, [0012] Spacers attached to said outer surface and
adapted to hold said cladding plate at a distance from the outer
surface and to form an air gap between said cladding plate and the
outer surface of the rigid insulation layer, [0013] A layer of
granular insulation between the rigid insulation layer and the
cladding plate, characterized in that the granular insulation is in
divided form and contained in at least one synthetic textile
bag.
[0014] The insulation device according to the invention uses a
rigid and impermeable insulation layer formed by, for example,
sheets of polystyrene or expanded polyurethane, with a thickness
calculated based on the desired thermal resistance, which in turn
is dependent upon the location of the structure. This insulation
layer can be produced in one or more thicknesses made integral by
bonding, for example, when the partition to be covered comprises
rough spots where the first insulating thickness makes it possible
to level out the surface and the second to produce a continuous
cover. The insulation layer is attached by its contact surface to
the partition to be insulated, directly or after a vapor-barrier
screen is inserted depending on the nature of the partition to be
insulated, if necessary attached to battens that are nailed onto,
bonded to, or screwed into this partition. The installation of a
rigid and perforated cladding plate, for example one or more plates
of sheet metal that is perforated at a distance from the outer
surface of the insulation layer, makes it possible to protect the
former from the main climatic assaults. A perforated sheet-metal
plate makes it possible for the air that surrounds both sides of
the plate and preserves a surface temperature that is much lower
than that of a solid plate to circulate when it is exposed to full
sunlight. In addition, by selecting a sheet having a suitable
number and dimensions of perforations, the insulation layer is
shaded and removed from the influence of direct exposure to solar
rays. For example, a perforation level on the order of 20% allows
adequate air circulation while keeping 80% of the surface of the
insulation in the shade. In addition, based on the latitude of the
location of the structure and the exposure of the partition to be
insulated, it is possible to calculate the optimal distance between
the perforated cladding plate and the insulation in such a way as
to limit the continuous exposure time of each point of the surface
of the insulation layer. By way of example, a cladding plate
comprising perforations of 5 mm and placed at 150 mm from the outer
surface of the insulation layer makes it possible to limit to 7
minutes the continuous exposure of the insulation for a horizontal
partition at the equator.
[0015] Thus, a rigid and perforated cladding plate makes it
possible to limit the degradation of the insulation layer under the
effect of exposure to sunlight. In addition, it makes it possible,
thanks to its rigidity, to protect the insulation layer against the
energy of the wind and the direct impact of rain or hail. The
perforated cladding plate constitutes a protective layer in the
case of snow by making it possible to support the weight of the
snow layer, to minimize the risks of the layer sliding while making
it possible to evacuate melt waters.
[0016] According to the invention, the thermal insulation device in
addition comprises a granular insulation layer, in divided form,
between the insulation layer and the cladding plate.
[0017] According to an advantageous characteristic, the granular
insulation is a porous granular insulation, constituted by, for
example, expanded clay balls or pumice stone gravel. By adding a
layer of granular insulation in divided form between the insulation
layer and the perforated cladding plate, the path of the water
penetrating through the perforations of the cladding plate is
modified. Direct streaming onto the insulation layer is minimized,
and the time it takes for the water to rejoin the rain drainage
circuit is lengthened, making it possible to minimize the clogging
risks of the former and the risks of overflowing and flooding that
could result therefrom. Thanks to this granular insulation layer in
divided form, and particularly when it involves porous granular
insulation, the thermal insulation device according to the
invention makes it possible to adjust liquid flow rates by
promoting water retention in the granular insulation layer without
having an unfavorable impact on the performance of the rigid and
impermeable insulation layer that supports it. In addition, the
delayed release of the amount of water retained in the granular
insulation layer, whether this be by streaming or evaporation,
contributes to maintaining a moderate temperature on the outside
partitions of a thus equipped structure and, particularly in
tropical climates having rapid alternation of precipitation and
strong sunlight, makes possible a natural climate control of the
structure's environment. The granular insulation layer also
contributes, depending on its nature, to fixing on certain
pollutants contained in the rainwater and makes it possible to
improve the quality of wastewater. Even by use in dry climates, the
granular insulation layer makes it possible to increase the overall
thermal inertia of the insulation device according to the invention
and therefore to improve its performance. Preferably, the granular
insulation in divided form that is used comprises expanded clay
balls that can have, depending on their finishing, either good
porosity or an impermeable surface. In addition, the density of the
expanded clay balls is relatively low, on the order of 500
kg/m.sup.3, which makes it possible to use them on roofing without
excessively weighing down the cover and makes it unnecessary, under
certain conditions, to consolidate or modify the existing carrying
structure. Alternatively, volcanic materials such as pumice stone
or pozzolan can be used, in the form of grains or gravel.
[0018] Advantageously and according to the invention, the granular
insulation is contained in at least one synthetic textile bag. The
synthetic textile has the advantage of being non-porous and
therefore able to stand the test of time and face the elements
(rain, snow, etc.) and therefore to prevent the granular insulation
in divided form from expanding.
[0019] Advantageously and according to the invention, the synthetic
textile is a non-woven synthetic textile, in particular a
needle-bonded geotextile. So as to be able to keep the granular
insulation layer in position, in particular on vertical partitions
such as walls or structures having a non-zero slope such as roof
sections, the insulation device according to the invention calls
for using non-porous synthetic textile bags, woven or non-woven,
for example made of polypropylene needle-bonded geotextile felt,
which offer the advantage of being naturally porous and of being
able to be easily made in numerous dimensions by folding and
heat-sealing the edges between them. Of course, any other textile
that is woven or not can be used, provided that it can be closed by
sewing, bonding, heat-sealing, etc. Likewise, if it is preferable
that the textile used be naturally porous, an impermeable textile
can be used by producing--on its surface--perforations making it
possible for water to enter toward the granular insulation.
[0020] Advantageously and according to the invention, each bag has
an essentially cylindrical shape, with an axis defining an
installation orientation and a diameter that is smaller than or
equal to the distance between the outer surface of the insulation
layer and the cladding plate. The simplest shape for the bags
containing the granular insulation layer is in the shape of
essentially cylindrical flanges that are obtained by folding a
textile rectangle along its length and sealing its long edges to
one another. One of the short edges is then closed by heat-sealing,
and the bag is then filled by granular insulation. Preferably, the
bag is filled to only 80% to allow its flattening against the rigid
insulation layer during the installation.
[0021] Advantageously and according to the invention, each bag has
an essentially parallelepiped shape and comprises partitions,
so-called separation partitions that are rectangular, parallel, and
uniformly-spaced and whose long edges define an installation
orientation and are attached to the main surfaces of each bag so as
to keep between said main surfaces a distance that is less than or
equal to the distance between the outer surface of the insulation
layer and the cladding plate. In this embodiment, the bags come in
the form of rectangular cushions whose thickness is kept
essentially constant by intermediate partitions. The bags are made
from two rectangles between which the separation partitions that
form parallel cavities are sealed and whose edges parallel to the
partitions are sealed between them and one of the perpendicular
edges. The bags are then filled by the edge that is perpendicular
to the partitions and that is not yet sealed in such a way as to
distribute essentially equally the granular insulation in the
cavities, and then the bag is closed by heat-sealing of the last
edge.
[0022] Advantageously and according to the invention, at least a
part of the textile partitions of each bag is perforated. Even if
the geotextile felt used for producing the bags is naturally
porous, it is preferable to make additional perforations so as to
promote the intake of rainwater into the granular insulation layer.
Preferably, it is the surface of the bag opposite the cladding
plate that is perforated in the case of a parallelepiped bag.
[0023] Advantageously and according to the invention, each bag is
attached to the rigid insulation layer in such a way that its
installation orientation is orthogonal to a greater pitch line of
the insulation layer. So as to prevent excessive packing of the
granules of the insulation under the action of gravity, the bags
are attached to the rigid insulation layer in such a way that their
largest dimension is orthogonal to the pitch line of the partition.
Thus, for a wall or a roof, the axis of the cylindrical bags or the
direction of the partitions for separation of the parallelepiped
bags is in general horizontal to keep the granular insulation from
being packed down at one end of the bag.
[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, the rigid
insulation layer comprises on its outer surface an anti-sink
coating to which the spacers are attached. So as to prevent a
perforation of the rigid insulation layer, either by the weight
transmitted by the spacers or by the actions and movements of the
workers during the installation of the insulation device according
to the invention, it is preferable to provide an anti-sink coating
to the surface of the insulation of the rigid insulation layer.
Such a coating is often integrated upon the manufacturing of the
insulation that is delivered bonded to a surface with a rigid plate
ensuring the rigidity and the anti-sink protection of the
insulation. In the case where the anti-sink coating is not part of
the rigid insulation layer from the outset, it can be added in the
form of a sheet-metal plate, preferably solid, or laminated bonded
to the insulation to form the rigid insulation layer.
[0025] Advantageously and according to the invention, the spacers
are attached to the rigid insulation layer with a predetermined
span along parallel lines. The spacers are attached along lines
that are orthogonal to a greater pitch line of the insulation
layer. The spacers are preferably made in the form of rectangular
parallelepipeds made of folded perforated sheet metal, comprising,
if necessary, a main surface that is partly open. The spacers are
placed in a uniformly-spaced manner, in parallel lines, orthogonal
to the greater pitch line of the partition to which the rigid
insulation layer is attached. In general, for vertical walls or
roof sections, the spacers are aligned horizontally.
[0026] Advantageously and according to the invention, on each line,
the spacers are offset by a half-step between two adjacent lines.
They are attached by their longest lateral surface to the anti-sink
coating of the rigid insulation layer by any suitable means, for
example by bonding, screwing, riveting, or any combination of these
means.
[0027] Advantageously and according to the invention, the spacers
of the same line are connected to one another by small U-shaped
beams that cover said spacers. According to an advantageous
characteristic, the cladding plate is attached to the small
U-shaped beams. So as to keep the cladding plate at a distance from
the rigid insulation layer and to reinforce the resistance of the
insulation device according to the invention, the spacers are made
integral with one another by small U-shaped beams, preferably made
of folded perforated sheet metal and comprising two wings that are
separated by a core with a suitable inside width to allow the two
wings of the U to cover each spacer. The minimum length of the
small beams is adapted so that each small beam can cover at least
partially a spacer at each end of the small beam. The mounting of
the small beams is preferably carried out without overlapping in
such a way that the outside surface of the core of each small beam
is in a plane that is common for each partition. It is thus
possible to place perforated cladding plates on the small beams and
to attach them in a simple manner, for example by means of blind
rivets passing through the perforations of the cladding plate and
of the small beam.
[0028] Advantageously and according to the invention, the cladding
plate is adapted for receiving cover accessories that are adapted
to be attached to said cladding plate. The rigid and perforated
cladding plates make it possible to attach devices such as
photovoltaic solar panels or fluid circulation panels directly onto
the roof sections and/or onto the walls and to guide their cables
or connecting lines. Likewise, fluid circulation coils can be
simply hooked onto the perforated cladding plates, for example by
means of clamps, in such a way as to constitute a heating network
for the purpose of accelerating the melting of a layer of snow
deposited on the cladding. Other accessories, for example networks
of light points, can thus be placed on vertical walls for forming
display and/or lighting elements.
[0029] The object of the invention is also a method for thermal
insulation of a partition using the device. According to this
method: [0030] A first surface, a so-called contact surface, of a
rigid and impermeable insulation layer, is attached to said
partition, [0031] Spacers are attached to a second surface, a
so-called outer surface, of the rigid insulation layer opposite to
the contact surface, with a predetermined span along lines that are
parallel and orthogonal to a greater pitch line of the partition,
[0032] The spacers of the same line are connected to one another by
small U-shaped beams, in such a way that said small beams cover the
spacers, and [0033] A rigid and perforated cladding plate is
attached to said small beams in such a way as to form an air gap
between said cladding plate and the outer surface of the rigid
insulation layer, characterized in that before attaching the
cladding plate, bags of granular insulation in divided form are
attached between each line of spacers to the outer surface of the
rigid insulation layer.
[0034] Advantageously and according to the invention, the spacers
are offset by a half-step between two adjacent lines. Thanks to
this offset, the circulation of air in the roof is improved.
[0035] Advantageously and according to the invention, each bag is
placed in such a way that its largest dimension is parallel to the
lines of spacers.
[0036] The invention also relates to a method and a thermal
insulation device characterized, in combination, by all or part of
the characteristics mentioned above or below.
[0037] Other objects, characteristics, and advantages of the
invention will emerge based on the following description and
accompanying drawings in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the insulation device according
to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the placement of the
spacers and small beams of an insulation device according to the
invention;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the placement of bags
of granular insulation according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of a granular
insulation bag according to one of the variants of the
invention.
[0042] The thermal insulation device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is designed
to insulate one partition 1 of a building (wall, sloped roof, or
flat roof, etc.) by an attachment applied to the surface of this
partition rotated toward the outside of the building. The device 2
comprises a rigid and impermeable insulation layer 3 that is
attached to the partition 1 by a contact surface 31. In its
thickness, the rigid and impermeable insulation layer 3 consists
of, for example, at least one stratum 33 of insulation material
such as expanded polystyrene or expanded polyurethane. These
materials are in general in the form of foam with closed cavities
making them impermeable to water. They also have good inherent
rigidity, even if they are sometimes fragile. Based on the desired
heat resistance and/or, as described below, on the nature of the
partition 1, the thickness of the insulation material is variable
and can be formed by multiple strata of insulating material bonded
to one another.
[0043] The rigid insulation layer 3 also comprises an anti-sink
coating 34 in the form of a laminated plate or a sheet-metal plate,
preferably solid. This coating 34 is generally bonded at the
factory onto a surface of the thickness of the insulation material
to make it possible for it to have additional resistance to bending
and to prevent the insulation material from deteriorating during
construction site handling. In the contrary case, the coating 34
can be bonded to the insulation material strata on the construction
site. For this purpose, it is possible to use a pre-painted steel
sheet with a thickness of 0.75 to 1 mm or a laminated sheet with a
thickness of 8 to 12 mm. The rigid insulation layer 3 can consist
of a number of rectangular plates that are juxtaposed for covering
the surface of the partition 1. On their edges, these plates can
comprise assembly means such as a tongue.
[0044] Based on the partition to be insulated, three main cases can
be considered: the thermal insulation device 2 is attached to a
vertical partition such as an outside wall, or to a sloped
partition such as a roof section. In this latter case, it is
possible to use the insulation device according to the invention
right on the frame or on a roof that is already made when the
latter is made of sheet metal, for example formed by steel
compartments.
[0045] In the case of an attachment to a vertical wall, the rigid
insulation layer 3 is preferably bonded to the wall by glue beads,
for example expanding foam if necessary aided by attachment plugs.
Other attachment methods, known by one skilled in the art, for
insulation from the outside can also be used provided that they
make possible an adequate hold of the insulation on the wall. When
the insulation device according to the invention is placed on the
roof, it is advisable to remove the cover if the former does not
make it possible to position the device on a flat surface (tiles,
corrugated sheet metal, etc.). In this case, it is preferable to
place a vapor-barrier screen directly on the existing frame and,
for example, to hold it there by nailed battens. The insulation
layer 3 is then bonded to the battens. In some cases, it is
possible to preserve the existing roof, for example when the former
consists of flat sheets comprising stiffeners of trapezoidal
cross-section (steel compartments) at regular intervals. In this
case, it is possible to bond between the stiffeners a first stratum
of insulation material, with a thickness that is approximately
equal to the height of the former for forming a flat surface. The
placing of the rigid insulation layer 3 is then completed by
bonding on this stratum a second stratum of insulation material
comprising the anti-perforation coating 34.
[0046] Once the rigid insulation layer 3 is attached to the
partition 1, spacers 4 of a generally parallelepiped shape
(rectangular parallelepiped) are attached to its outer surface 32
(which is also the outer surface of the anti-perforation coating
34). These spacers 4 are made of, for example, perforated sheet
metal that is painted and formed by folding and riveting. These
spacers 4 are attached by, for example, bonding and/or riveting
and/or screwing to the anti-perforation coating 34 by inserting, if
necessary, a reinforcement plate 13 (FIG. 2).
[0047] The spacers 4 are attached on their surfaces corresponding
to the thickness and to the length of the parallelepiped, in a
uniformly-spaced manner along a span P, in alignment according to
the length of the spacer along lines that are orthogonal to the
slope of the partition 1. Thus, for straight walls or uniform roof
sections, the spacers 4 are aligned according to the horizontal
lines that are themselves uniformly spaced between them.
[0048] By way of example, the spacers 4 measure 250 mm long, 150 mm
wide, and 70 mm thick. They are placed along a span of 600 mm on a
horizontal line and offset by a half-step on the adjacent lines.
The spacing between lines of spacers is also on the order of 600
mm, although this is not absolutely necessary; these dimensions can
vary based on calculations of resistance and regulations regarding
snow and wind that are applicable to the building.
[0049] The spacers 4 are made integral along lines of spacers by
small beams 5 comprising a core 5a and two wings 5b retracted
orthogonally to the core for forming a U-shaped profile. The width
of the core 5a of each small beam is adapted so that the former can
cover the surface of the spacers opposite to the surface for
attachment of the former and so that the wings 5b of the small beam
extend toward the attachment surface by framing the spacer. The
length of the small beams 5 is preferably equal to an integer of
span P, in general two or three, with a lower-value tolerance in
such a way as to prevent any overlapping of one small beam on the
adjacent small beam. The length of the small beams is also to be
enough so that each end overlaps the spacer that it covers over at
least 50 mm. The small beams are attached to the spacers by blind
rivets placed through the wings of the small beams and main
surfaces of the spacers that they cover in such a way as not to
create rough spots on the surface of the cores of the small beams
so as to be able to attach a rigid and perforated cladding plate 6
there at a predetermined distance from the rigid insulation layer 3
corresponding to the width of the spacers 4.
[0050] The cladding plate 6 is preferably made by means of painted
perforated sheet-metal plates placed supported on the small beams 5
and attached to the former by means of blind rivets. Preferably,
there is a rivet on each spacer and a rivet on the core of the
small beam between each spacer pair. The cladding plate 6 is rigid
enough to withstand forces exerted by a possible layer of snow
(essentially on the roof) or by the wind (particularly on the
walls). The cladding plate 6 is also perforated in such a way as to
allow air to pass through perforations so as to prevent heating
such as can be found on solid sheets.
[0051] In addition, the use of a rigid and perforated cladding
plate 6 makes possible the flow of rainwater at least in part
through the plate and also makes it possible to use perforations to
simply attach accessories 17 to this plate. By way of example of
accessories that can thus be easily attached, it is possible to
cite photovoltaic or hot-water (solar water-heating) solar panels
as well as their cables or connecting lines. In cold climates where
the plates 6 are likely to be covered with snow, it is possible to
attach snow guards to prevent snow slides around roofs or else
coils for circulation of a heat transfer fluid to accelerate snow
melt. Other accessories can also be easily installed, such as, for
example, light strings or light-emitting diodes forming an
advertising display screen.
[0052] According to an advantageous characteristic of the thermal
insulation device according to the invention, a layer 8 of granular
insulation material 9 in divided form, for example in the form of
balls, grains, gravel, not connected to one another, is inserted
between the outer surface 32 of the rigid insulation layer 3 and
the cladding plate 6. Preferably, the thickness of this granular
insulation layer 8 is limited to two-thirds of the spacing existing
between the outer surface 32 of the rigid insulation and the
cladding plate 6 so as to leave a free space making it possible to
maintain an air gap 7 under the cladding plate 6.
[0053] The granular insulation 9 can preferably consist of expanded
clay balls, which may or may not be porous, or else granules of
pumice stone or pozzolan. So as to keep this granular insulation in
place, it is placed in preferably parallelepiped bags 10 made of a
non-woven synthetic textile, for example polypropylene geotextile
needle-bonded felt. Such a textile has the advantage of being
naturally porous and of being able to be assembled by heat-sealing.
Of course, any other textile--whether it be woven or not--can be
used, provided that it can be closed by sewing, bonding,
heat-sealing, etc. Likewise, if it is preferable that the textile
used be naturally porous, an impermeable textile can be used by
producing--on its surface--perforations making it possible for
water to enter toward the granular insulation.
[0054] Such a bag 10 is illustrated in perspective intersected by a
median plane as in FIG. 4 and comprises two main rectangular
surfaces 14a and 14b placed opposite one another and whose
respective edges are heat-sealed to one another for forming a
closed bag. The main surface 14a is in addition perforated in such
a way as to make possible a direct intake of rainwater. Between the
main surfaces 14a and 14b, rectangular separation partitions 11 are
placed parallel to one another and sealed to the two main surfaces
by a flap 15 formed on their long edge so as to define cavities 16.
The width of the separation partitions 11 is provided to keep the
thickness of the layer 8 of granular insulation 9 essentially
constant. The filling of the cavities 16 of the bag 10 is carried
out by one of the edges that are orthogonal to the separation
partitions, and then the edge is closed by heat-sealing edges
opposite the main surfaces.
[0055] The dimensions of the bags 10 are provided to be multiples
of the span P for the length so as to place them parallel to the
lines of spacers 4 supported on at least two spacers and for
corresponding to the spacing between two lines of spacers for the
width. The bags 10 are attached to the outer surface of the rigid
insulation layer 3 by glue beads 12, parallel to the lines of
spacers. The bags 10 are arranged in such a way that the direction
of the separation partitions 11, which also defines the largest
dimension of the cavities 16, is parallel to the lines of spacers 4
(and therefore perpendicular to the greater pitch line of the
partition on which the insulation device is placed) in such a way
that the length of the cavities 16 is also orthogonal to this
greater pitch line (see FIG. 3).
[0056] By way of example, the dimensions of a bag 10 adapted to the
thermal insulation device whose dimensions were given above are on
the order of 600, 1200 or 1800 mm long, 600 mm wide, and the
constant thickness maintained by the separation partitions 11 is on
the order of 100 mm.
[0057] As a variant, the bags 10 can be made of a single cavity
formed by a cylindrical casing obtained by folding a geotextile
felt sheet on itself and sealing its edges in such a way as to form
a cylinder with a length of one, two, or three spans P and a
diameter that is approximately equal to the distance existing
between the outside surface 32 of the rigid insulation layer 3 and
the cladding plate 6. So as to form the air gap 7 below the former,
the cylindrical bag is filled to only 80% of its capacity, making
possible its flattening on at least two glue beads 12 to obtain an
oblong cross-section whose small diameter corresponds to the
desired thickness of the granular insulation layer 8. In this
variant embodiment, the cylindrical bags are arranged in such a way
that the axis of the cylinder (which corresponds to the largest
dimension of the single cavity) is parallel to the lines of spacers
4, with multiple bags being used to fill the spacing between two
lines of spacers. Of course, the bags 10 can be arranged in
parallel rows or staggered, each bag resting on two other bags.
[0058] Thanks to the presence of this granular insulation layer,
the thermal inertia of the insulation device and therefore of the
building that is insulated with this thermal insulation device is
improved. In addition, the rainwater reaching the cladding plate 6
passes through it at least in part owing to its perforations and
reaches the granular insulation layer 8 in which it is temporarily
trapped. The streaming of the rainwater is thus slowed, minimizing
the risks of clogging from rain drainage. In addition, in the event
of fast alternation of precipitation and sunlight, the evaporation
of trapped water creates a phenomenon of local climate control.
[0059] Of course, this description is provided by way of
illustrative example only, and one skilled in the art could provide
numerous modifications thereto without exceeding the scope of the
invention, such as, for example, modifying the dimensions and the
arrangement of the spacers and bags of granular insulation to adapt
to the geometry of the building to be insulated. Likewise, the
accessories that can be attached to the cladding plate 6 are not
limited to the devices described above, with the perforations of
the cladding plate also able to make it possible to attach a
thatched roof covering, for example.
* * * * *