The present technology relates to heating and cooling systems. More particularly, the present technology relates to a hydronic system for heating and cooling the rooms of a building.
Building sectors are currently responsible for consuming close to 40% of total U.S. primary energy use and are therefore a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Both residential and commercial buildings' energy use is dominated by space heating and cooling, which was 38% of the residential energy use and 29% of the commercial energy use in 2018 in the U.S. The building envelope is the largest single contributor to heating and cooling energy use. On average, about 50% of the thermal load comes directly through the building envelope, and the opaque building envelope—exterior walls, roof, and foundation—affects 25% of total building energy use, which is 10% of total U.S. primary energy use. Therefore, opaque envelope technologies can play a significant role in reducing energy use in buildings.
In order to mitigate undesirable heat exchange between the exterior and interior environment through a building envelope, an ideal envelope is considered to be one that offsets all heat transfer regardless of the interior space usage and fluctuating weather conditions to minimize the energy used for heating and cooling. Based on this ideal, the conventional model for building thermoregulation requires technology that maximizes the building's insulation, while all heating and cooling occurs internally through a thermo-electrical system. However, the conventional model has the disadvantages of being somewhat inefficient in that it fails to effectively utilize available hot sources and cold sinks.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved heating and cooling system that addresses at least the problems described above.
Some embodiments of the present technology provide hydronic heating and cooling systems, which take a different approach from the conventional model. In hydronic systems according to some embodiments of the present technology, opaque building elements (e.g., floors, internal partitions, or external envelopes) have a dynamic behavior, increasing or decreasing their insulation value on demand, based on heating exchange demands and available resources. More specifically, in some embodiments, an integrated heating and cooling module is applied to various opaque building components (e.g., a slab, interior partition, or exterior envelope). In some embodiments, as hardware, the system is a climate adaptive building technology designed to actively manage thermal resistance and store thermal energy. In some embodiments, the system includes a double-sided microcapillary hydronic heating and cooling layer embedded in a composite structural insulation panel. Some embodiments of the invention include any container (e.g., a pipe, a thin panel, etc.) capable of holding a fluid (e.g., water) close to the interior and/or exterior surfaces of a building panel.
In some embodiments, the system is a cyber-physical system. In some embodiments, an integrated computational module regulates the dynamic thermal behaviors of the double-sided heating and cooling layer according to changes in environmental conditions, available renewable energy sources, and building thermal demands. In some embodiments, the system utilizes ambient renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal energy, or low-temperature waste heat). In some embodiments, both the integrated micro-capillary hydronic layer in the inner layer and the integrated microcapillary hydronic layer in the outer layer of a structural element of a building dynamically receives and intelligently distributes available ambient energy via an optimal path through the entire opaque building elements. In some embodiments, the system is constructed by integrating thermal elements into prefabricated modular panels (e.g., structural insulated panels) In other embodiments, the double layer technology is used in other applications (e.g., in a building independently of modular construction).
According to an embodiment of the present technology, a hydronic system for heating and cooling the rooms of a building is provided. The hydronic system includes a partition, a first conduit embedded in a first side of the partition, a second conduit embedded in a second side of the partition, and at least one valve and at least one pump. The at least one valve and at least one pump are configured to control a flow of a fluid inside the first conduit and the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in an isolating mode, the fluid flows in a first closed loop through the first conduit and the fluid flows in a second closed loop through the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in a heat exchange mode, the fluid flows between the first conduit and the second conduit in a third closed loop.
In some embodiments, the hydronic system includes a first sensor that is configured to detect a first temperature on the first side of the partition, a second sensor that is configured to detect a second temperature on the second side of the partition, and a processor that is configured to select between the isolating mode and the heat exchange mode based on the detected first temperature and the detected second temperature and to control the at least one valve and the at least one pump according to the selected mode.
In some embodiments, the partition includes an insulation core, and an effective insulation value of the insulation core changes depending on whether the hydronic system is operating in the isolating mode or the heat exchange mode.
In some embodiments, the insulation core includes a rigid foam material.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit includes a microcapillary layer. In some embodiments, the microcapillary layer includes a plurality of pipes in a parallel arrangement. In some embodiments, the microcapillary layer includes a plurality of pipes in a honeycomb-shaped arrangement. In some embodiments, the microcapillary layer includes a continuous pipe that has a plurality of bends.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit includes a bladder.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first conduit and the second conduit includes a plurality of polycarbonate sheets.
In some embodiments, a first sheet of finishing material covers the first conduit, and a second sheet of finishing material covers the second conduit.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first sheet of finishing material and the second sheet of finishing material includes a fiber-reinforced polymer panel.
In some embodiments, a fluid collector is in fluid communication with the at least one pump.
In some embodiments, heat enters the hydronic system through a solar thermal energy collector.
In some embodiments, heat enters the hydronic system through a geothermal vertical loop.
In some embodiments, heat leaves the hydronic system through a geothermal horizontal loop.
In some embodiments, the partition, the first conduit, and the second conduit are provided as a prefabricated panel.
In some embodiments, the partition, the first conduit, the second conduit, the first sheet of finishing material, and the second sheet of finishing material are provided as a prefabricated panel.
In some embodiments, the partition, the first conduit, and the second conduit are installed in wet construction.
According to another embodiment of the present technology, a hydronic network for controlling the temperature within the room of a building is provided. The hydronic network includes a plurality of hydronic systems for heating and cooling the rooms of the building. Each of the plurality of hydronic systems is integrated into a floor, a ceiling, or a wall of the building. Each of the plurality of hydronic systems includes a partition, a first conduit embedded in a first side of the partition, a second conduit embedded in a second side of the partition, a first sheet of finishing material covering the first conduit, a second sheet of finishing material covering the second conduit, at least one valve and at least one system pump, a first sensor that is configured to detect a first temperature on the first side of the partition, and a second sensor that is configured to detect a second temperature on the second side of the partition. The at least one valve and at least one system pump are configured to control a flow of a fluid inside the first conduit and the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in an isolating mode, the fluid flows in a first closed loop through the first conduit and the fluid flows in a second closed loop through the second conduit. When the hydronic system is operating in a heat exchange mode, the fluid flows between the first conduit and the second conduit in a third closed loop. A network pump is configured to supply the fluid to the plurality of hydronic systems. A fluid collector is in fluid communication with the network pump. A processor is configured, for each of the plurality of hydronic systems, to select between the isolating mode and the heat exchange mode based on the detected first temperature and the detected second temperature and to control the at least one valve and the at least one system pump according to the selected mode.
In some embodiments, a solar thermal energy collector is configured to supply heat to the hydronic network.
In some embodiments, a geothermal vertical loop is configured to supply heat to the hydronic network, and a geothermal horizontal loop is configured to remove heat from the hydronic network.
Further objects, aspects, features, and embodiments of the present technology will be apparent from the drawing Figures and below description.
Some embodiments of the present technology are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.
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As shown in the figures, a first sheet of finishing material 16 covers the first conduit 14, and a second sheet of finishing material 16 covers the second conduit 14. In some embodiments, the sheets of finishing material 16 are formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer (“FRP”) material. In some embodiments, the partition 12 is a prefabricated panel (e.g., a structural insulated panel (“SIP”)) and the sheets of finishing material 16 are the equivalent of the skin of the SIP. In some embodiments, sheets of finishing material 16 are formed of wood, metal, thermoplastic, thermoset, etc. In some embodiments involving wet construction, the sheets of finishing material 16 are formed of a plaster or other wall finishing material. In some embodiments involving wet construction, the sheets of finishing material 16 are formed of shingles.
In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 includes at least one heat sensor 24 on opposite sides 12A, 12B of the partition 12. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 includes a processor (or a computer system) that is connected to the heat sensors 24, the valves 18, and the pumps 20. In some embodiments, the processor calculates the temperature difference between the two sides 12A, 12B of the partition 12 using input from the heat sensors 24, and the processor sends a signal to the valves 18 and the pumps 20 to configure the flow of the fluid within the hydronic system 10. In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 operates between two modes: a heat exchange mode and an isolating (e.g., insulating) mode. In some embodiments, the processor evaluates (e.g., at a constant rate) the temperatures on both sides 12A, 12B of the partition 12 and decides whether to operate the hydronic system 10 according to the heat exchange mode or the isolating mode. In some embodiments, depending on the amount of hot or cold fluid available from the external fluid sources 22, the processor chooses the most energy-efficient external fluid source 22 to achieve the predetermined ideal temperatures in the interiors of the building.
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One example of the isolating mode is shown in
In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 is part of a hydronic network (as discussed in detail below) that is connected to a source of cold water. In those embodiments, liquid in at least one of the conduits 14 (i.e., liquid in the loop on the interior of the wall or liquid in the loop on the exterior of the wall) flows through or from the source of cold water. In one example, flow through the cold source is from the conduit 14 on the interior of the partition 12 (i.e., the interior layer or the interior loop), and heat is removed from the interior, thus cooling the space.
Another example of the insulating mode is shown in
In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 is part of a hydronic network (as discussed in detail below) that is connected to a source of hot water. In those embodiments, liquid in at least one of the two conduits 14 (i.e., the liquid in the loop on the interior of the wall or the liquid in the loop on the exterior of the wall) flows through or from the source of hot water. In one example, flow from the hot water source occurs through the conduit 14 on the interior of the partition 12 (i.e., the interior layer or the interior loop), and heat is released into the interior, thus heating the space. Although in
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The hydronic system 10 discussed herein can be provided as a prefabricated construction unit or added in wet construction. In the case of the prefabricated unit, in some embodiments, the partition 12 is an SIP panel that is embedded with the conduits 14 and encapsulated with the sheets of finishing material 16 (e.g., skin) to become a complete plug-and-play system. In some embodiments, the valves 18 and pumps 20 are embedded in the partition 12. In other embodiments, the valves 18 and pumps 20 are added on the construction site as separate elements during construction. In the case of wet construction, the conduits 14, valves 18, pumps 20, etc., are embedded within construction systems and finished with the sheets of finishing material 16 (e.g., a plaster-like material).
The hydronic system 10 discussed herein can be provided as an exterior wall, a floor/ceiling, an interior partition, a roof, or any combination thereof. When the hydronic system 10 is provided as an exterior wall or roof, the hydronic system 10 controls the exchange of heat between the inside and outside of the building. When the hydronic system 10 is provided as an interior partition, the hydronic system 10 controls the exchange of heat between two rooms that are on opposite side of the partition 12. When the hydronic system 10 is provided as a floor/ceiling, the hydronic system 10 controls heat exchange between the two building floors on opposite sides of the partition 12.
In some embodiments, the hydronic system 10 takes the form of an opaque building surface. The opaque building surface can be of any size. In some embodiments, multiple hydronic systems 10 are combined to form a hydronic network, as discussed in detail below. The hydronic network includes additional valves 18 and/or pumps 20 that enable more complex heat exchange from any part of the building to any other part of the building. In some embodiments, the hydronic network partially covers a building. In other embodiments, the hydronic network entirely covers a building.
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In some embodiments, the hydronic network 100 uses geothermal energy, solar energy, and/or wind cooling. For example,
In an exemplary embodiment, a hydronic system 10 having an partition 12 with an insulation core 13 formed of a rigid foam material, conduits 14 formed of microcapillary channels, and sheets of finishing material 16 formed of fiber-reinforced polymer (“FRP”) panels was operated under two isolating mode and one heat exchange mode scenarios to examine the energy benefits achieved by the hydronic system 10 for various climate conditions. Table 1 below shows the dimensions and material properties of the exemplary hydronic system 10 and the microcapillary channels of the conduits 14. Table 2 below shows the material properties of the other layers of the hydronic system 10.
The hydronic system 10 in these scenarios used geothermal energy for heating and cooling in the isolating mode scenarios. Outdoor wind velocity was included in the scenarios for natural convective heat transfer on the exterior surface. In the first scenario, the base case result shows that the heat flows from the outdoor to the indoor space due to a temperature difference and a solar incident on the surface. However, when the outer microcapillary layer is activated with Tinlet from 16° C. (60.8° F.) to 24° C. (75.2° F.), the outer microcapillary layer offsets the thermal load from the solar energy and even provides a cooling impact to the indoor space because the system lowers the wall temperature relative to the indoor air temperature. In the second scenario, the indoor space loses heat as the outdoor temperature is 18° C. (64.4° F.) lower than that of the indoor space. A geothermal loop can provide low-temperature heated water to the inner microcapillary layer for heating, and the results show that even 22° C. (71.6° F.) inlet water temperature, which is close to 18° C. (64.4° F.) indoor air temperature, can provide 28.07 W/m2 (8.89 Btu/ft2 hr) heat flux to the indoor space. The third scenario shows the heat exchange performance between the indoor and outdoor spaces. This scenario can be seen on summer nights. The activation of the hydronic system 10 dramatically accelerates heat transfer from the indoor to the outdoor space for cooling through the use of temperature differences between distinct environments solely without the consumption of any energy sources.
Accordingly, the exemplary hydronic system 10 operating results for various climate conditions shows that hydronic system 10 is dynamically adaptable to the fluctuating exterior and interior environments and occupant comfort need in real-time. The hydronic system 10 is also more energy efficient than conventional building systems because it enables maximizing the direct use of ambient low-grade renewable energy resources to thermoregulate a building.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations, and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the technology claimed herein. The various features and elements of the technology described herein may be combined in a manner different than the specific examples described or claimed herein without departing from the scope of the technology. In other words, any element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility between the two, or it is specifically excluded.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a plant” includes a plurality of such plants. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely,” “only,” and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition, or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the technology.
The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.
Each numerical or measured value in this specification is modified by the term “about.” The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50” percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.
As used herein, unless context indicates otherwise, the terms “interior” and “inside” refer to inside of a particular room or space of a building. As used herein, unless context indicates otherwise, the terms “exterior” and “outside” refer to outside of a particular room or space of a building, which may be outside of the building or inside of another room or space within the building. The terms “interior,” “inside,” “exterior,” and “outside” are not meant to be limiting to any one location or positioning of the technology or any element or feature of the technology.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range (e.g., weight percents of carbon groups) includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third, and upper third, etc.
As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “more than,” “or more,” and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio. Accordingly, specific values recited for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for radicals and substituents.
One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where members are grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, the technology encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of the main group. Additionally, for all purposes, the technology encompasses not only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more of the group members. The technology therefore envisages the explicit exclusion of any one or more of members of a recited group. Accordingly, provisos may apply to any of the disclosed categories or embodiments whereby any one or more of the recited elements, species, or embodiments, may be excluded from such categories or embodiments, for example, as used in an explicit negative limitation.
This application is a continuation application and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/879,234, filed Aug. 2, 2022, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/228,233, filed Aug. 2, 2021, which are incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63228233 | Aug 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17879234 | Aug 2022 | US |
Child | 18678041 | US |