Thermal insulation system for a building with air circulation and its control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building (1) comprising a wall (2), a thermal insulation layer (3), a compartment (4) between the wall (2) and the thermal insulation layer (3), means for supplying air (5) to the compartment (4) and means for exhausting air (6) from the compartment (4), as well as means for controlling the airflow in the compartment (4). Figure 1 to be published

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal insulation system for a building with air circulation and its control method. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal insulation of a building, in particular the insulation of building walls from the outside.

[0002] A significant portion of energy consumption in the residential and commercial sectors is due to heating. To limit this consumption, several policies encourage and mandate improvements in the thermal performance of buildings. This improvement is generally achieved through better thermal insulation of buildings.

[0003] This thermal insulation allows for significant energy savings for heating in winter. However, in summer, particularly during heat waves, this insulation limits the dissipation of heat produced inside the building. This results in periods when the indoor temperature can remain high for extended periods.

[0004] External thermal insulation provides a positive short-term benefit. In this case, the building benefits from the thermal inertia of the interior walls to limit the temperature rise. However, with this type of insulation, once the walls are hot, this benefit disappears. It also takes longer for the walls to cool down.

[0005] The RE2020 environmental regulation aims to limit the environmental impact of buildings, particularly by limiting their energy consumption. Thermal insulation helps to reduce consumption in winter. However, the RE2020 regulation also requires consideration of heatwave periods by limiting the temperature in buildings with limited consumption, i.e., without the use of air conditioning.

[0006] This awareness is all the more important given that, with global warming, more frequent and longer heat waves are predicted. It is therefore important to have energy-efficient building cooling solutions available. Previous technique

[0007] Active wall solutions exist to improve the heating performance of a building.

[0008] For example, the Trombe wall (sometimes called the Trombe-Michel wall) is a so-called "passive" solar heating system. Implemented and tested by Professor Félix Trombe and the architect Jacques Michel in the 1950s-1970s, this device It takes advantage of the sun's free energy through the greenhouse effect. However, this system focuses on heating, not cooling.

[0009] Furthermore, CMEG & THERMACOME offers the "Active P2P" technology, which integrates a heating system with a network of hot water pipes and wall-mounted dynamic ventilation (preheating of the building's renewal air) into the facades. However, this system focuses on heating, not cooling.

[0010] US patent application US2013081786 proposes variable insulation by sliding two layers and replacing gas with liquid to vary the thermal resistance of the walls. This approach addresses cooling needs by reducing the thermal resistance of the walls at night. This allows for partial heat loss from the building. However, the system's impact is localized in time: cooling occurs only during periods of low thermal resistance. Furthermore, implementation on all the facades of a building appears complex due to the need to slide the layers and the replacement of gas with liquid.

[0011] Patent applications WO2014 / 0732384, WO2014 / 0732385 and WO2014 / 0732386 describe the insulation of a building wall with a space between two wall sections, which can be filled with a vacuum or a heat-conducting fluid. However, this system focuses on heating, not cooling. Summary of the invention

[0012] The invention aims to improve the heating and cooling of a building in a simple and efficient manner. To this end, the present invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building comprising a wall, a layer of thermal insulation, a compartment between the wall and the thermal insulation layer, means for supplying air to the compartment and means for exhausting air from the compartment, as well as means for controlling the airflow within the compartment. The insulation layer provides insulation, and the airflow within the compartment allows for the cooling of the building, in a simple and efficient manner.

[0013] In addition, the invention relates to a method for controlling such a thermal insulation system.

[0014] The invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building comprising at least one wall of said building, a layer of thermal insulation arranged on said at least one wall on the exterior of said building, at least one compartment being formed between each wall and said layer of thermal insulation, and each wall being made of a material whose thermal inertia is greater than the thermal inertia of the material of said thermal insulation layer. Said thermal insulation system further includes means of supplying air to supply each compartment with air from outside said building, means of exhausting air to exhaust air from each compartment to outside said building, and means of controlling said means of supplying air and said means of exhausting air between a closed position obstructing the passage of air and an open position allowing the circulation of air in each compartment.

[0015] According to one embodiment, at least one compartment has the shape of a thin blade or a channel.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one channel is formed by a groove arranged in said thermal insulation layer and / or a groove arranged in said wall, and / or by a rib formed in said thermal insulation layer, and / or a rib formed in said wall.

[0017] According to one implementation, said thermal insulation system includes at least one temperature sensor outside and / or inside said building and / or inside said compartment, said control means being configured to control the opening and closing of said air supply means and said air exhaust means according to the measured temperature.

[0018] According to one aspect, said thermal insulation system further includes means for forced air circulation in each compartment, in particular at least one fan, pump or turbine, said forced circulation means being arranged within said air supply means.

[0019] According to one configuration, said thermal insulation system further includes a Canadian well or a hydraulic Canadian well, said air supply means being connected to said Canadian well or said hydraulic Canadian well.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for controlling a thermal insulation system for a building, said thermal insulation system comprising at least one wall of said building, a layer of thermal insulation arranged on said at least one wall on the exterior of said building, at least one compartment being formed between said at least one wall and said layer of thermal insulation, means for supplying air to each compartment with air from the exterior of said building, means for exhausting air from each compartment to the exterior of said building, and said wall being made of a material whose thermal inertia is greater than the thermal inertia of the material of said layer of thermal insulation. For this method, the following steps are carried out: a. The said air supply and air exhaust means are controlled to maintain the temperature in the said building; and b. The said air supply means and the said air exhaust means are controlled in the open position to circulate air in each compartment to cool the temperature in the said building.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the temperature in said building is cooled when the outside temperature of the building is lower than the inside temperature of the building, and as long as the inside temperature of the building remains above a predefined threshold.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the temperature in said building is cooled during the night in summer.

[0023] Advantageously, to cool the temperature in said building, forced air circulation means are ordered to equip the thermal insulation system.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the system and method according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting examples of embodiments, with reference to the figures attached and described below. List of figures

[0025] [Fig.1]

[0026] Fig. 1 illustrates a thermal insulation system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2]

[0028] Figure [Fig.2] illustrates a thermal insulation system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0029] [Fig.3]

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates, for example, temperature curves as a function of time, respectively of the outside temperature, the inside temperature of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to the prior art, and the inside temperature of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0031] The present invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building, the purpose of which is to improve the building's thermal insulation, thereby enhancing its thermal performance. The invention also aims to provide a means of cooling the building when the temperature inside is high. The building can be of any type: house, apartment building, office building, warehouses, commercial building, factory, leisure building, etc.

[0032] In this application, the term "interior" refers to the space formed within the building, while the term "exterior" refers to what surrounds the building.

[0033] The thermal insulation system according to the invention comprises: - At least one wall of the building, limiting the volume of the building (in other words, it is an external wall: one side of the wall is directed towards the interior of the building, and the other side of the wall is directed towards the exterior of the building), for example a wall, or a roof of the building, - A layer of thermal insulation arranged on the wall of the building on the exterior side of the building, the thermal insulation layer is made of a material which has a thermal inertia lower than the thermal inertia of the material of the wall of the building (The thermal inertia of a material is its resistance to temperature change when a disturbance occurs in its thermal equilibrium), - At least one compartment (empty space containing no material except for structural support elements) between each wall and the thermal insulation layer, - Means of supplying air to supply each compartment with air from outside the building, for example, but not limited to, an opening fitted with a grille and a shutter, - Means of air evacuation to remove air from each compartment to the outside of the building, for example, but not limited to, a chimney equipped with a grille and a damper, - Means of controlling the means of supplying air and the means of exhausting air between a closed position obstructing the passage of air and an open position allowing the circulation of air in each compartment.

[0034] The thermal insulation layer forms an envelope around the wall, limiting heat transfer between the inside and outside of the building. Due to the difference in thermal inertia between the wall materials and the thermal insulation layer, the wall can store heat or coolness.

[0035] Each compartment delimits a volume which: - Either it stores still air, when the air supply and exhaust systems are closed; in this case, the air contributes to the thermal insulation of the building by limiting heat transfer between the inside and outside of the building, - Either it is traversed by an air circulation from the outside from the means of air supply to the means of air evacuation, when these means of supply and the means of evacuation are open, in this case, the air circulation contributes to the cooling of the wall, and a fortiori to the cooling of the interior of the building.

[0036] Thus, the system according to the invention plays a role of insulation and cooling according to the needs, in a simple way, in particular without complex equipment (for example without moving part or without water or liquid circuit which imposes in particular sealing constraints and construction constraints), and efficiently (with limited energy consumption).

[0037] Advantageously, the control means can be configured to simultaneously open the air supply means and the air exhaust means, to generate air circulation in each compartment.

[0038] Advantageously, the control means can be configured to simultaneously close the air supply means and the air exhaust means, for the storage of stationary air.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wall can be made of concrete or cinder block, bricks, or any similar material.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the material of the thermal insulation layer can in particular be chosen from synthetic (plastic) insulators, natural insulators (plant or animal products, such as sheep's wool) and mineral insulators (such as glass wool), or any similar material.

[0041] Furthermore, depending on the relative arrangement of these components, the thermal insulation system may include airflow transport ducts to transport air from one component to another.

[0042] According to one embodiment, at least one compartment may be in the form of a thin sheet. In other words, at least one compartment may be formed by a narrow gap (for example, on the order of a few mm to a few cm) between the wall and the thermal insulation layer. By way of a non-limiting example, this gap may be achieved by means of at least one spacer arranged between the wall and the thermal insulation layer.

[0043] Alternatively, at least one compartment may have the shape of a channel, preferably a substantially vertical channel. For this purpose, the wall and the thermal insulation layer may include protruding or recessed shapes creating voids between them. By way of non-limiting examples, at least one channel may be formed by a groove in the thermal insulation layer, and / or a groove in the wall, and / or a rib in the thermal insulation layer, and / or a rib in the wall.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system may include at least one temperature sensor outside and / or inside the building and / or inside the compartment. The control means can then be configured to open or close the air supply and air exhaust means depending on the measured temperature. For example, if the indoor temperature of the building is higher than the outdoor temperature, but remains above a predefined threshold (for the comfort of the building's occupants, for example, 19°C), then the control means are configured to allow air circulation in each compartment by opening the air supply and air exhaust means.

[0045] In one embodiment, the thermal insulation system may include a Canadian well or a hydraulic Canadian well. A Canadian well, also called a ground-source heat exchanger or Provençal well, supplies a building with air by first circulating it through an underground pipe, which, depending on climatic conditions, cools or preheats it using the thermal inertia of the ground. The air acts as the heat transfer fluid, while the pipe acts as a heat exchanger while channeling the air into the building. A hydraulic Canadian well, also called a water-source Canadian well, is an improvement on the Canadian well in which water circulates through an underground pipe to cool or heat the air in the building. In this embodiment, the air outlet of the Canadian well or hydraulic Canadian well is connected to the air supply means of the thermal insulation system.Thus, the air circulates successively through the earth-air heat exchanger, the supply system, the compartment, and then the exhaust system. In this way, it is possible to supply each compartment with air at a controlled temperature, particularly at a low temperature when outside temperatures are high.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the air supply means may be located in the lower part of the wall (for example, at floor level). This configuration promotes air circulation in each compartment.

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the air exhaust means may be located in the upper part of the wall (for example, at the ceiling level). This configuration promotes air circulation in each compartment, since hot air rises.

[0048] Alternatively, depending on construction constraints, and / or in the event of the presence of a Canadian well or a hydraulic Canadian well, the means of supplying air and the means of evacuating air can be arranged at different levels.

[0049] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation system may include means for forced air circulation in the compartment, of in order to generate air movement within the compartment. For example, the means for forced air circulation may include at least one fan, a vacuum pump, a suction turbine, or a compressor, the means for forced air circulation being arranged within the means for air supply. For example, the fan may be a tangential fan or a centrifugal fan.

[0050] To ensure their opening and closing, the supply and discharge means may include valves, for example solenoid valves, pilot valves, or any similar system.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the control means may include computer means, such as a computer or a calculator, to ensure the opening and closing of the supply and discharge means. Alternatively, the control means may include a thermostat that automatically opens or closes the supply and discharge means depending on the temperature.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the control means can be connected to a weather forecasting service, in particular via an online service, and can adapt the opening and closing of the supply and evacuation means according to the weather forecast. This embodiment makes it possible to limit the instrumentation required and / or to compensate for sensor failures.

[0053] The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a thermal insulation system according to any one of the variants or combinations of variants described above. The following steps can be implemented for this control method: - The air supply and exhaust systems are controlled to maintain the temperature in the building, thus keeping the air still in each compartment; and - The air supply and air exhaust means are controlled in the open position to circulate air in each compartment to cool the temperature in said building.

[0054] The temperature maintenance phase in the building can be implemented in at least one of the following situations: - When the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature, and the inside temperature is higher than a first predefined threshold (in particular for the comfort of the building's users, for example 19°C), to avoid bringing outside heat into the building which is already at a desired temperature; - When the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature, and the inside temperature is below a predefined threshold, to avoid cooling a building that is not at a desired temperature.

[0055] By way of non-limiting example, this temperature maintenance phase can be ensured during the winter, and during the day in summer.

[0056] The temperature cooling phase in the building can be implemented at least when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature, and the inside temperature is higher than a predefined threshold.

[0057] By way of non-limiting example, this cooling phase can be ensured during the night in summer.

[0058] For the embodiment in which the thermal insulation system includes a ground-source heat exchanger or a hydraulic ground-source heat exchanger, the cooling phase can be carried out when the indoor temperature is above a predefined threshold, regardless of the outdoor temperature. Indeed, the ground-source heat exchanger or hydraulic ground-source heat exchanger ensures a substantially constant air temperature, for example between 12 and 16°C, which can be used to cool the wall and therefore the building.

[0059] By way of non-limiting example, this cooling phase for this embodiment can be ensured during the summer day and night.

[0060] Figure 1 illustrates, schematically and without limitation, a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view. The building 1 comprises two vertical walls 2. The thermal insulation system further comprises a thermal insulation layer 3 and a compartment 4 arranged between the wall 2 and the thermal insulation layer 3. The compartment 4 may be in the form of a thin sheet between the wall 2 and the thermal insulation layer 3. In addition, the thermal insulation system comprises air supply means 5, arranged in the illustrated embodiment at ground level. Furthermore, the thermal insulation system comprises air exhaust means 6, arranged, in the illustrated embodiment, at the roof level of the building.In this figure, the arrows indicate the airflow when the supply means 5 and the exhaust means 6 are opened by the control means (not shown). In this case, the air flows successively through the supply means 5, each compartment 4, and the exhaust means 6.

[0061] Figure 2 illustrates, schematically and without limitation, a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view. Elements identical to those in Figure 1 are not detailed again. The thermal insulation system comprises In addition to a Canadian well 7, which has a chimney 8 and a buried pipe 9, the outlet of which is connected to the air supply means 5. In this figure, the arrows indicate the airflow when the supply means 5 and the exhaust means 6 are opened by the control means (not shown). In this case, the air flows successively through the chimney 8 of the Canadian well, the pipe 9 of the Canadian well, the supply means 5, each compartment 4, and the exhaust means 6. Examples

[0062] The characteristics and advantages of the method according to the invention will become clearer upon reading the application example below.

[0063] The case study is a 36m² apartment, consisting of one room, whose walls shared with neighboring apartments are considered adiabatic. This assumes identical thermal behavior of the neighboring apartments, implying an absence of heat transfer. The air volume is 90 m³. The following configuration is considered: - The exterior walls, with a surface area of ​​25 m2, consist of an 18 cm thick concrete wall, insulated externally with 4 cm of polystyrene, the insulation being spaced away from the wall to form a compartment in the form of a thin sheet, - The party walls (walls, floor and ceiling) with a surface area of ​​102 m2 are made of 9 cm thick concrete, - Windows with a surface area of ​​6 m2 have a heat loss coefficient of 2 W / m2, corresponding to moderately efficient double-glazed windows. - Continuous ventilation of the room at 20 m3 / h, - The apartment is occupied by two people between 6pm and 8am, i.e. a thermal power of 150 W.

[0064] The indoor temperature in the apartment is then simulated for two situations, for temperatures recorded in Paris during the summer of 2022 (between June 21 and August 30): - The first situation according to prior art: with only passive insulation from the outside (without controlled air circulation), - The second situation according to an embodiment of the invention (with controlled air circulation): the insulated wall receives an airflow (at the outside temperature) between the structural part and the thermal insulation layer so as to cool it when the outside temperature is lower than that of the room. When the circulation of this airflow is controlled, the heat transfer coefficient is h = 10 W / m² / K.

[0065] Figure 3 is a graph of the temperature T in °C as a function of day J. The Text curve illustrates the variation in the outside temperature. The Taa curve illustrates the inside temperature of the apartment for the situation according to the prior art. The T1NV curve illustrates the inside temperature of the apartment for the embodiment of the invention.

[0066] It can be observed that when the insulation is passive (according to the prior art), the interior temperature is relatively independent of variations in the exterior temperature. During the heat wave (between the 20th and 30th day), the interior temperature eventually rises and hardly falls again due to the heat stored in the concrete walls and trapped behind the thermal insulation layer or in the party walls.

[0067] In the second configuration according to the invention, where the insulation is active (controlled air circulation), the short nighttime periods are sufficient to dissipate the heat stored during the day. During a heatwave, when air circulation in each compartment is not activated because the outside temperature is too high, the room heats up. However, the temperature is controlled, as it was initially lower and drops again with the slightest decrease in temperature.

[0068] Finally, active insulation ensures that the temperature never exceeds 23°C (T^y curve) ) inside the apartment where passive insulation approaches 29°C at the end of summer (Taa curve) inside the apartment.

[0069] Therefore, the invention allows the insulation and cooling of the air in the apartment according to needs, in a simple and efficient manner.

Claims

Demands

1. Thermal insulation system for a building (1) comprising at least one wall (2) for said building, a thermal insulation layer (3) arranged on said at least one wall (2) on the outside of said building, at least one compartment (4) being formed between each wall (2) and said thermal insulation layer (3), and each wall being made of a material having a thermal inertia greater than the thermal inertia of the material of said thermal insulation layer, characterized in that said thermal insulation system further comprises means for supplying air (5) to supply each compartment (4) with air from outside of said building, means for exhausting air (6) to exhaust the air from each compartment (4) to the outside of said building (1),and control means for said air supply means (5) and said air exhaust means (6) between a closed position obstructing the passage of air and an open position allowing air circulation in each compartment (4), said thermal insulation system having at least one compartment (4) in the form of a channel formed by a groove arranged in said thermal insulation layer (3) and / or a groove arranged in said wall (2), and / or by a rib formed in said thermal insulation layer (3), and / or a rib formed in said wall (2).

2. Thermal insulation system according to the preceding claim, wherein said thermal insulation system comprises at least one temperature sensor outside and / or inside said building (1) and / or inside said compartment (4), said control means being configured to control the opening and closing of said air supply means (5) and said air exhaust means (6) as a function of the measured temperature.

3. Thermal insulation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thermal insulation system further comprises means for forced air circulation in each compartment (4), in particular at least one fan, pump or turbine, said forced circulation means being arranged within said air supply means (5).

4. Thermal insulation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said thermal insulation system further comprises a Canadian well (7) or a hydraulic Canadian well, said air supply means (5) being connected to said Canadian well (7) or said hydraulic Canadian well.

5. Method of controlling a thermal insulation system for a building (1), said thermal insulation system comprising at least one wall (2) of said building, a thermal insulation layer (3) arranged on said at least one wall (2) on the outside of said building (1), at least one compartment (4) being formed between said at least one wall (2) and said thermal insulation layer (3), means for supplying air (5) to supply each compartment (4) with air from outside said building (1), means for exhausting air (6) to exhaust air from each compartment (4) to the outside of said building (1), and said wall (2) being made of a material having a thermal inertia greater than the thermal inertia of the material of said thermal insulation layer (3), characterized in that the following steps are carried out: a.a. The air supply means (5) and the air exhaust means (6) are controlled in the closed position to maintain the temperature in the building (1); and b. The air supply means (5) and the air exhaust means (6) are controlled in the open position to circulate air in each compartment (4) to cool the temperature in the building (1), a process in which the temperature in the building (1) is cooled when the outside temperature of the building (1) is lower than the inside temperature of the building (1), and as long as the inside temperature of the building (1) remains above a predefined threshold.

6. Method of controlling a thermal insulation system according to claim 5, wherein the temperature in said building (1) is cooled during the night in summer.

7. A method for controlling a thermal insulation system according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein forced air circulation means equipping the thermal insulation system are controlled to cool the temperature in said building (1).

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