Structural wall panels and methods and systems for controlling interior climates

Abstract

Structural wall panels and methods and systems for controlling the interior temperature of a building are provided. The structural wall panels advantageously include a fluid conduit disposed within an interior concrete layer of the structural wall panel where the conduit is adapted to convey a thermal transfer fluid through the interior concrete layer. A thermal insulation layer is provided between the first concrete layer and a second concrete layer, which can be disposed on an exterior surface of the wall. The thermal transfer fluid can be heated and / or cooled to regulate the temperature of the interior concrete layer and thereby control the temperature of the interior of the building. The first concrete layer can have a high thermal mass to increase the efficiency of the system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to structural wall panels useful for the fabrication of building structures, and to systems and methods for controlling the climate within building structures. More particularly, the present invention relates to insulated concrete structural wall panels that are temperature-regulated by passing a thermal transfer fluid such as water through the panels. The present invention also relates to methods for regulating the interior temperature of a building structure using temperature-regulated interior walls.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]One of the most significant uses of energy is directed to maintaining a comfortable climate within residential or commercial buildings. Rising energy costs have necessitated the development of low-energy solutions for climate control within the interior of a building. Further, the environmental hazards associated with modern energy production, such as ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a structural panel for building construction that includes a thermal insulation layer with mutually opposed major surfaces, and a fluid conduit for conveying a thermal transfer liquid through the panel to provide heating or cooling of the interior of a building. The panel can be a concrete panel with an inner concrete layer and an outer concrete layer separated by an insulative layer, or a unitary structural panel with a thermal insulation layer and concrete layers. The panel can also include a metallic layer to increase thermal efficiency. Additionally, the invention provides a temperature regulating system for the interior of a building that includes means for adjusting the temperature of a thermal transfer fluid and moving it through a conduit that is disposed solely within the interior portion of the concrete walls to control the temperature of the interior portion of the building."

Problems solved by technology

Further, the environmental hazards associated with modern energy production, such as the generation of greenhouse gases, has led to the desire to fabricate buildings having a reduced carbon footprint, i.e., one that consumes less energy for construction and less energy for day-to-day living.

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