Building tile having phase change material, and systems implementing the same

Abstract

A building tile for storing thermal energy and a system incorporating the same. The building tile may include a tile body having a top surface and a bottom surface and a phase change material. The tile body may include an upper panel and a lower panel that, when coupled together, define a sealed chamber. The phase change material may be stored within the sealed chamber. The tile body may include first and second reinforcement ribs that extend diagonally across the tile body. A system may include grid support members arranged in an intersecting pattern to form grid openings. One or more acoustic panels and one or more of the building tiles may be supported by the grid support members within the grid openings.

Description

BUILDING TILE HAVING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL, AND SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTING THE SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a PCT International Application that claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 606227, filed on December 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Ceiling systems that include a suspended support grid that defines grid openings and ceiling panels positioned within the grid openings are often used in buildings and homes to separate an interior space into a plenum above the ceiling system and a room environment below the ceiling system. Other types of ceiling systems may include plank ceiling systems, canopy type ceiling systems and baffle type ceiling systems. In an effort to conserve energy, a phase change material may be incorporated into the ceiling system to absorb or expel heat into the room environment below the ceiling system. By storing thermal energy in the phase change material and expelling it back into the room at the appropriate time, energy costs can be reduced. Ceiling systems using phase change material can be heavy, requiring many extra hangers to support the panels. Ceiling systems using phase change material may exhibit little acoustic absorption, be inflexible in size and format, be fixed in storage capacity, be incapable of being cut or modified on the job site, be visually unattractive, and may not be optimized to enhance convective heat transfer. Many of these same problems exist in wall systems. Accordingly, an improved building tile for storing thermal energy and related systems and methods is desired.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] A building tile for storing thermal energy and a system incorporating the same. The building tile may include a tile body having a top surface and a bottom surface and a phase change material. The tile body may include an upper panel and a lower panel that, when coupled together, define a sealed chamber. The phase changed material may be stored within the sealed chamber. The tile body may include first and second reinforcement ribs that extend diagonally across the tile body. A system may include grid support members arranged in an intersecting pattern to formgrid openings. One or more acoustic panels and one or more of the building tiles may be supported by the grid support members within the grid openings.

[0004] In one aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a rectangular tile body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; the rectangular tile body comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween; a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third comer of the rectangular tile body; and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third corner of the rectangular tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; a reflective layer coupled to the top surface of the tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

[0006] In another aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; and a scrim coupled to the bottom surface of the tile body.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber, the at least one sealed chamber configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

[0008] In still another aspect, the invention may be a ceiling system comprising: a support structure suspended within an interior space of a building; and a plurality of acoustical tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the plurality of acoustical tiles comprising an acoustic tile body and a first scrim, the first scrim facing a room space; and a plurality of thermal energy storage tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the thermal energy storage tiles comprising a tile body containing a phase change material and a second scrim, the second scrim facing the room space.

[0009] In a further aspect, the invention may be a ceiling system comprising: an acoustic tile; and a thermal energy storage tile positioned adjacent a rear surface of the acoustic panel, the thermalenergy storage tile formed by a plurality of interlocking components that are detachably coupled together, each of the plurality of components comprising an independently scaled chamber containing a phase change material.

[0010] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a building tile for storing thermal energy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a first cut-away top perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 1 ;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a second cut-away top perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 4A is an exploded top perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4B is an exploded bottom perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 1 ;

[0017] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIGS. 4D and 4E are cross-sectional views illustrating alternative rib structure configurations for the building tile;

[0019] FIG. 5A is an exploded top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 5A with the building tile assembled;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a building tile in accordance with a first alternative embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a building tile in accordance with a second alternative embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a building tile in accordance with a third alternative embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 9, further illustrating a cutting device preparing to cut a hole in the building tile;

[0026] FIG. 10B is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A after a hole has been cut in the building tile;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a ceiling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the building tiles of FIG. 1 being positioned atop of acoustic panels that are positioned within openings in a support grid;

[0028] FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 11 illustrating the relationship between the building tiles of FIG. 1 and the acoustic panels and further illustrating the support grid supported to a building structure;

[0029] FIG. 12B is a close-up view of area XII of FIG. 12B;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interior building space with a suspended ceiling system;

[0031] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIVA-XIVA of FIG. 13;

[0032] FIG. 14B is a close-up view of area XIVB of FIG. 14A;

[0033] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the ceiling system of FIG. 11 in accordance with one alternative embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the ceiling system of FIG. 11 in accordance with another alternative embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an interior building space with a suspended ceiling system;

[0036] FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIIIA-XVIIIA of FIG. 17;

[0037] FIG. 18B is a close-up view of area XVIIIB of FIG. 18A;

[0038] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a building tile in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a building tile in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a composite building tile in an assembled state, the composite tile including an acoustical tile and a thermal energy storage tile;

[0041] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the composite tile of FIG. 21 in an exploded state;

[0042] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 21.

[0043] FIG. 24 is a plan view of the acoustical tile or the thermal energy storage tile of FIG. 21 illustrating an adhesive pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044] FIG. 25 is a plan view of the acoustical tile or the thermal energy storage tile of FIG. 21 illustrating an adhesive pattern in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0046] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0047] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material.

[0048] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such.

[0049] Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible nonlimiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0050] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material. According to the present application, the term “about” means + / - 5% of the reference value. According to the present application, the term “substantially free” means less than about 0.1 wt. % based on the total of the referenced value.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1-4C, a building tile 100 will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 100 may comprise a structural body formed of one or more pails and a phase change material that is capable of storing thermal energy. A phase change material is a substance which releases / absorbs energy at phase transition to provide useful heating and / or cooling. Thus, incorporating a phase change material into a building tile (which may be used in a ceiling system, a wall system, a floor system, or the like) may render the building tile capable of assisting in heating or cooling an interior space. In some embodiments a phase change material may change from a solid to a liquid as it absorbs heat. In some embodiments, the phase transition may be between two non-classical states of matter, such as conformity of crystals, where the material goes from conforming to one crystalline structure to conforming to another crystalline structure, which may be a higher or lower energy state.

[0052] Phase change materials (PCM) may be organic phase change materials such as hydrocarbons like paraffins and lipids and sugar alcohols. Phase change materials may be inorganic phase change materials such as salt hydrates. In some embodiments, the phase change material may comprise a salt hydrate material. An example of a phase change material is a salt hydrate phase change material comprising water mixed with calcium chloride and a nucleating agent. Non-limiting examples of appropriate nucleating agents include silica dust, quartz, or combinations thereof. Examples of other phase change materials are paraffin and other salt hydrates. However, other types of phase change material can also be used. Phase change materials may be solid-liquid phase change materials. Other phase change materials now known or later discovered may be used.

[0053] PCM used for thermal mass in thermal comfort (such as HVAC) applications can be organic or inorganic in composition. PCM can be in a micro-encapsulated form (small particles that contain the PCM material) or in a macro-encapsulated form (PCM in larger scale containers, pouches, packets having a wide range of geometries and made of a range of materials). Micro- encapsulated PCM particles can be incorporated within another material or structure. For example,the small particles can be included in open and closed cell foams, fibrous mats and boards, pressed or cast cementitious material, other liquids, etc. Macro-cncapsulatcd PCM can be in containers that are generally “flat” planar shapes with bounding sides that can be circular, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, or completely irregular in shape. The inventive concepts disclosed herein may be applicable to all types of PCM, in micro-encapsulated and macro-encapsulated types of containment, incorporated in secondary materials or structures, in any generally planer format.

[0001] In one embodiment, the PCM is selected that has melting and freezing temperature within a range of 15 °C to 45 °C. In another embodiment, the PCM is selected that has melting and freezing temperature within a range of 20°C to 30°C. In a further embodiment, the PCM is selected that has melting and freezing temperature within a range of 22°C to 27°C. However, any suitable PCM (or plurality of different PCMs) can be utilized without limitation of any specific melting and / or freezing temperature being specified.

[0054] The building tile 100 may comprise a tile body 110 and a phase change material 190. The tile body 110 may comprise a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112. When the building tile 100 is used in a suspended ceiling system, the bottom surface 112 may face downwardly towards the room or interior space and the top surface 111 may face upwardly towards the plenum space (i.e., the space between the suspended ceiling and the overhead structural support of the building). The tile body 110 may comprise four corners and four sides, including a first corner 113a, a second comer 113b, a third corner 113c, and a fourth corner 113d, and a first side 114a, a second side 114b, a third side 114c, and a fourth side 114d. The first, second, third, and fourth corners 113a- d may be located sequentially adjacent to one another moving in a counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the first and third corners 113a, 113c may be located diagonally across from one another (i.e., not adjacent corners) and the second and fourth corners 113b, 113d may be located diagonally across from one another (i.e., not adjacent corners).

[0055] As used herein, the term “vertex” may be used to describe the point where two adjacent sides meet. Thus, the first and fourth sides 114a, 114d may meet at a first vertex 115a, the first and second sides 114a, 114b may meet at a second vertex 115b, the second and third sides 114b, 114c may meet at a third vertex 115c, and the third and fourth sides 114c, 114d may meet at a fourth vertex 115d. As used herein, the term “corner” may include the specific vertex where two of the sides intersect, as well as a portion of the sides that intersect at that vertex. Thus, for example, the term “corner” as used herein may include the exact corner (i.e., vertex) where twosides meet, as well as up to about 20% of the length of each of the two sides that intersect at that vertex. The first corner 113a may comprise the first vertex 115a where the first and fourth sides 114a, 114d intersect as well as up to about 20% of the portions of the first and fourth sides 114a, 114d that are located closest to the first vertex 115a. The second corner 113b may comprise the second vertex 115b where the first and second sides 114a, 114b meet, as well as up to about 20% of the portions of the first and second sides 114a, 114b that are located closest to the second vertex 115b. The third corner 113c may comprise the third vertex 115c where the second and third sides 114b, 114c meet, as well as up to about 20% of the portions of the second and third sides 114b, 114c that are located closest to the third vertex 115c. The fourth comer 113d may comprise the fourth vertex 115d where the third and fourth sides 114c, 114d meet, as well as up to about 20% of the portions of the third and fourth sides 114c, 114d that arc located closest to the fourth vertex 115d.

[0056] The first, second, third, and fourth sides 114a-d may form a peripheral edge of the tile body 110 that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 111, 112 of the tile body 110. The peripheral edge of the tile body 110 defined by the first through fourth sides 114a-d may lie within a horizontal plane when the tile body 110 is properly oriented within a ceiling system. The tile body 110 may be rectangular in shape or square in shape. In some embodiments, the tile body 110 may have a different shape, including a circular shape or a hexagonal shape or an octagonal shape or some other polygonal shape. Thus, the number of sides and corners may differ in some embodiments. However, rectangular or square panels or tiles are the shape most commonly used in suspended ceiling systems.

[0057] The tile body 110 may comprise an upper panel 120 and a lower panel 130. The upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be coupled together to form at least one sealed chamber 150 therebetween. In some embodiments as described herein, the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be coupled together to form a plurality of sealed chambers 150 therebetween. The upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be coupled together using various techniques, including adhesives, epoxies, thermal welding, mechanical connection features, fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, and rivets, or the like. The phase change material 190 may be located within the at least one sealed chamber 150. In embodiments that include a plurality of the sealed chambers 150, the phase change material 190 may be located within at least one of the plurality of sealed chambers 150, or within any number of the plurality of sealed chambers 150, including in some embodiments beinglocated in each of the plurality of sealed chambers 150. In one embodiment, the tile body 110 may comprise four of the scaled chambers 150.

[0058] The upper panel 120 may be a thermoformed structure. Similarly, the lower panel 130 may be a thermoformed structure. That is, the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be formed from a plastic sheet that is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and then trimmed to create the finished product. Alternatively, one or both of the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be formed in an injection molding process.

[0059] The upper and lower panels 120, 130 may each be formed from one or more polymers. The upper and lower panels 120, 130 may each be formed from one or more of polyethylene, high- density polyethylene, and polypropylene. In an embodiment, each of the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be formed from a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate (“MVTR”) of 3 [g mm / 100 in2-24 hours], or less. In some embodiments, the MVTR may be selected so that when the phase change material 190 comprises salt hydrates, the MVTR ensure that the concentration of the salt hydrates in the phase change material does not change over time. In particular, maintaining the MVTR at 3 [g mm / 100 in2-24 hours], or less may prevent the water concentration in the salt hydrate mixture from changing over time, which may improve product longevity and long-term cycling performance compared to panels made from other materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for example. One reason to avoid forming the upper and lower panels 120, 130 from PVC may be because it is frequently listed as a chemical of concern and is increasingly undesirable in building products.

[0060] In the exemplified embodiment, the upper panel 120 comprises a plurality of cavities 151 that are capable of receiving the phase change material 190, and the lower panel 130 closes the cavities 151 when the upper and lower panels 120, 130 are couped together to define the plurality of sealed chambers 150. Specifically, the upper panel 120 comprises an upper surface 121 that forms the top surface 111 of the tile body 110 and a lower surface 122. The plurality of cavities 151 are formed into the lower surface 122 and are defined by a floor 123 and a sidewall 124. The cavities 151 may be separated from one another by a divider wall 125. The number of cavities 151 (and hence also the number of sealed chambers 150) may be modified. The cavities 151 may be open at the lower surface 122 of the upper panel 120, and the open ends of the cavities 151 may be closed by the lower panel 130 when the upper and lower panels 120, 130 are coupled together, thereby forming the sealed chambers between the upper and lower panels 120, 130.

[0061] In the exemplified embodiment, the lower panel 130 is a flat panel or sheet having an upper surface 131 and a lower surface 132, with the lower surface 132 forming the bottom surface 112 of the tile body 110. The upper and lower surfaces 131, 132 of the lower panel 130 may be planar and parallel to one another, although some contours, added ribs features, or the like may be included on the lower panel 130 in other embodiments. The upper surface 131 of the lower panel 130 may at least partially abut against the lower surface 122 of the upper panel 120 when the upper and lower panels 120, 130 are coupled together. As noted, when the upper and lower panels 120, 130 are coupled together, the lower panel 130 may close an open end of the cavities 151 of the upper panel 120 to form the sealed chambers 150. In an alternative embodiment, the lower panel 130 may define the cavities and the upper panel 120 may close the open top ends of the cavities to form the sealed chambers 150. Thus, essentially the positioning of the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be reversed by rotating the tile body 110 one-hundred eighty degrees so that the top surface 111 of the tile body 110 faces downwardly towards an interior space and the bottom surface 112 of the tile body 110 faces upwardly towards a plenum space.

[0062] The upper panel 120 may comprise a first reinforcement rib 140 and a second reinforcement rib 141. In an alternative embodiment, the lower panel 130 may comprise the first and second reinforcement ribs. In an embodiment, the upper and lower panels 120, 130 may be swapped for one another. In some embodiments, the upper and / or lower panels 120, 130 may also include a perimeter rib, which is a rib that extends along a perimeter of the panel (i.e., adjacent to the edge). A benefit to including a perimeter rib is that it may help to stiffen the panel and also reduce the risk of crushing the phase change material containing pockets due to load distribution. The perimeters ribs may also make the building tile easy to carry and install since the perimeter ribs may form a sort of handle that allows a user to grip with the fingers while holding the bulk of the building tile in the palm of the hand.

[0063] The first reinforcement rib 140 may extend diagonally from the first vertex 115a of the tile body 110 to the third vertex 115c of the tile body 110. The first and third vertices 115a, 115c may be non-adjacent vertices such that they are located diagonally across from one another. In the exemplified embodiment, the first reinforcement rib 140 extends diagonally across the upper panel 120 from the first vertex 115a to the third vertex 115c while extending through the center of the upper panel 120. In other embodiments, the first reinforcement rib 140 may extend diagonally across the upper panel 120 from the first corner 113a to the third corner 113c. Thus, for example,the first reinforcement rib 140 may extend from a portion of the first side 114a that is adjacent to the first vertex 115a (and therefore forms part of the first corner 113a) to a portion of the third side 114c that is adjacent to the third vertex 115c (and therefore forms part of the third corner 113c). Similarly, the first reinforcement rib 140 may extend from a portion of the fourth side 114d that is adjacent to the first vertex 115a (and therefore forms part of the first corner 113a) to a portion of the second side 114b that is adjacent to the third vertex 115c (and therefore forms part of the third comer 113c).

[0064] The second reinforcement rib 141 may extend diagonally from the second vertex 115b of the tile body 110 to the fourth vertex 115d of the tile body 110. The second and fourth vertices 115b, 115d may be non-adjacent vertices such that they are located diagonally across from one another. In the exemplified embodiment, the second reinforcement rib 141 extends diagonally across the upper panel 120 from the second vertex 115b to the fourth vertex 115d while extending through the center of the upper panel 120. In other embodiments, the second reinforcement rib 141 may extend diagonally across the upper panel 120 from the second corner 113b to the fourth comer 113d. Thus, for example, the second reinforcement rib 141 may extend from a portion of the first side 114a that is adjacent to the first vertex 115a (and therefore forms part of the first comer 113a) to a portion of the third side 114c that is adjacent to the third vertex 115c (and therefore forms part of the third corner 113c). Similarly, the first reinforcement rib 140 may extend from a portion of the fourth side 114d that is adjacent to the first vertex 115a (and therefore forms part of the first corner 113a) to a portion of the second side 114b that is adjacent to the third vertex 115c (and therefore forms part of the third corner 113c).

[0065] The first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may intersect one another to form an X shape along the top surface 111 of the tile body. The first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be configured to prevent sag of the tile body 110 out of the horizontal plane in which the peripheral edge lies when the building tile 100 is supported about the peripheral edge. Thus, for example, if the building tile 100 were supported on grid supports of a suspended ceiling system (described below), the building tile 100 will not sag despite the fact that the building tile 100 may carry added weight due to the phase change material 190 located in the sealed chamber(s) 150. The X-shape formed by the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may help to prevent the tile body 110 from sagging in the scenario described above.

[0066] In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be integrally formed portions of the upper panel 120. In other embodiments, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be integrally formed portions of the lower panel 130. The first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be formed by stamping the shape of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 out of the material after the upper panel 120 (or lower panel 130) is formed. The first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be formed in the mold during the thermoforming process. In other embodiments, the upper panel 120 (or the lower panel 130) may be formed by injection molding in which case the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be formed due to the shape of the mold cavity. The first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be solid (i.e., non-hollow) as shown. Alternatively, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may be formed by two walls that are connected at the distal end but spaced apart along their length. In such an embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may have a U-shaped cross-sectional area.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 4D and 4E, two examples of alternative structures for the reinforcement ribs are shown. Specifically, while the rib structure in the previous figures is depicted as being solid, in other embodiments the rib structure may be a U-shaped structure that is hollow or partially hollow. When the rib structures are formed by a stamping process, the rib structures will likely have a shape akin to what is shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E. Rib structures with the shapes shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E will still provide added rigidity to the tiles and panels to prevent or reduce sagging.

[0068] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4C, in the exemplified embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 arc located on and protrude outwardly from the top surface 111 of the tile body 100. In other embodiments, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140,1 41 may be located on and protrude outwardly from the bottom surface 112 of the tile body 100. In the exemplified embodiment, the first reinforcement rib 140 extends vertically from the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120. The first reinforcement rib 140 may comprise a rib base 142 that is connected to the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120 and a rib tip 143 that forms a distal end of the first reinforcement rib 140. The second reinforcement rib 141 extends vertically from the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120. The second reinforcement rib 141 may comprise a rib base 144 that is connected to the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120 and a rib tip 145 that forms a distal end of the second reinforcement rib 141. The first and second reinforcement ribs140, 141 may have a constant width from the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 1 0 to the rib tip 143, 145. Alternatively, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may taper so that the width decreases from the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120 to the rib tip 143, 145.

[0069] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4C, in the exemplified embodiment the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 protrude from the top surface 111 of the tile body 110 and are also located within an interior of the tile body 110. In some embodiments, the first and second rectangular ribs 140, 141 may be located within the interior of the tile body 110 only and may not also protrude from the top surface 111 of the tile body 110. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 comprise an upper portion 148 that protrudes from the top surface 111 of the tile body 110 (and more specifically, from the upper surface 121 of the upper panel 120) and a lower portion 149 that protrudes from the floor 123 of the cavity 151 in a direction towards the lower surface 122 of the upper panel 120.

[0070] The lower portions 149 of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may form the divider walls 125 that divide the cavity 151 into a plurality of cavities 151 and a plurality of sealed chambers 150. That is, the lower portions 149 of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 separate adjacent ones of the sealed chambers 150 that are formed when the upper and lower panels 120, 130 are coupled together. The lower portions 149 of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may also extend diagonally similar to the upper portions 148 of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141. The lower portions 149 of the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may form an X-shape. Each of the cavities 151 and sealed chambers 150 may be in the shape of a triangle, and more specifically an isosceles triangle. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140, 141 may include only the upper portions 148 such that they may not protrude from the floor 123 of the cavity 151. In such an embodiment, the upper panel 120 may comprise a single cavity 151 and the tile body 110 may comprise a single sealed chamber 150.

[0071] FIGS. 5 A and 5B illustrate an alternative embodiment of a building tile 100a comprising a tile body 110a and a phase change material 190a. The tile body 110a comprises a top surface I lla and a bottom surface 112a. The tile body 110a comprises a top panel 120a and a bottom panel 130a. The top panel 120a comprises an upper surface 121a that forms the top surface I l la of the tile body 110a and a lower surface 122a opposite the upper surface 121a. The bottom panel 130 comprises an upper surface 131a and a lower surface 132a that forms the bottom surface 112a ofthe tile body 1 10a. In this embodiment, the top panel 120a is flat sheet-like panel and the upper and lower surfaces 121a, 121b arc flat / planar upper. In this embodiment, the bottom panel 130a comprises one or more cavities (four cavities in the exemplified embodiment) 151a in the upper surface 131a.

[0072] The bottom panel 130a comprises a first reinforcement rib 140a and a second reinforcement rib 141a that protrude from a floor 133a of the cavity 151a and divide the cavity 151a into the plurality of cavities 151a. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 141a, 141a each extend diagonally across the bottom panel 130a so that the first and second reinforcement ribs 140a, 141a form an X-shape. Thus, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140a, 141a may divide the cavity 151a into a plurality of triangular shaped cavities. In this embodiment, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140a, 141a protrude only from the floor 133a of the cavity 151a and not also from the lower surface 132a of the bottom panel 130a. In other embodiments, the first and second reinforcement ribs 140a, 141a may also protrude from the lower surface 132a of the bottom panel 130a (in which case the lower panel 130a would be identical to the upper panel 120 from the embodiment of FIGS 1-4C). When the top and bottom panels 120a, 130a are coupled together, the top panel 120a closes the open ends of the cavities 151a to define one or more sealed chambers 150a within which the phase change material 190a is located. By forming the first and second reinforcement ribs 140a, 141a into the X-shape, the building tile 100a may be prevented from sagging or sagging may be minimized when the building tile 100a is supported in a suspended ceiling system as described herein.

[0073] In some embodiments, the panels may include ribs (i.e., reinforcing features) that may nest together back to back or face to face to help with packaging. That is, the ribs may form a protrusion on one surface of the panel and a channel on the opposite surface of the panel (see, for example, FIG. 4E). The panels / tiles may then be stacked for packaging with the ribs of one panel nesting within the channel of the panel above it in the stack.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 6, a building tile 200 is illustrated in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The building tile 200 may comprise a tile body 201 comprising a top panel 202 and a bottom panel 203. The top and bottom panels 202, 203 may be identical to the top and bottom panels 120, 130 or the top and bottom panels 120a, 130a described above. Thus, the top and bottom panels 202, 203 will not be described in detail herein, it being understood that thedescription above is applicable. The top and bottom panels 202, 203 may have reinforcement ribs as described previously, or they may include no reinforcement ribs as shown.

[0075] The top panel 202 may comprise an upper surface 204 and a lower surface 205. The lower surface 205 may define a cavity 206. A sealed chamber 218 may be formed when the top and bottom panels 202, 203 are coupled together. There may be one cavity 206 or more than one cavity 206 in various different embodiments. A phase change material 209 may be located within the sealed chamber 218. The bottom panel 203 may comprise an upper surface 207 and a lower surface 208. In this embodiment, a reflective layer 210 may be coupled to the tile body 201. Specifically, the reflective layer 210 may be coupled to the upper surface 204 of the top panel 202 of the tile body 201 (which is the surface that faces the plenum space as mentioned above). Thus, a top surface 211 of the reflective layer 210 may form an exposed top surface of the building tile 200.

[0076] The top surface 211 of the reflective layer 210 may have an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5. The top surface 211 of the reflective layer 210 may have an emissivity value in a range of 0.05 to 0.5, or more specifically in a range of 0.05 to 0.2. The reflective layer 210 may be a metallic film. The reflective layer 210 may be a metallic film having an emissivity value in a range of 0.05 to 0.2. The metallic film may be an aluminum film or an aluminum foil. In another embodiment, the reflective layer 210 may be a coating. In such embodiments, the top surface 211 of the reflective layer 210 may have an emissivity layer of 0.3 to 0.5. The coating may be a paint or paint-like coating. The coating may be a low emissivity coating that closely mimics the optical and thermal properties of aluminum foil. For example, Lo-MIT™ paint. By adding the reflective layer 210 onto the upper surface 204 of the top panel 202 (which faces the plenum), the possible wasteful release of stored thermal capacity in the phase change material 209 due to radiant heat from the floor slab or roof deck above may be reduced or mitigated. The reflective layer 210 may reflect radiant energy away from the phase change material 209.

[0077] In FIG. 6, the building tile 200 also comprises a scrim 212 coupled to the lower surface 208 of the bottom panel 203. The scrim 212 may be a decorative layer added to the lower surface 208 of the bottom panel 203 in instances in which the lower surface 208 of the bottom panel 203 would otherwise be exposed to people within an interior space. The scrim 212 may be formed from a fabric, cloth, metal, wood, or any other material as may be desired. The scrim 212 may be an optional layer and may therefore be omitted in some embodiments. In some embodiments the building tile 200 may define the sealed chamber 218 and may comprise the scrim 212 on its bottomsurface. In some embodiments the building tile 200 with the scrim 212 may include the reflective layer 210 or other layers, and in other embodiments the building tile 200 with the scrim 212 may not include any reflective or other layers. Thus, the features described herein may be combined together in various ways to form different combinations of types of building tiles using the techniques, structures, and concepts described herein.

[0078] In one embodiment, the top and bottom panels 202, 203 may be formed from a thin metallic film that is coated with a polymer such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The polyethylene / polypropylene would face the interior and define the sealed chamber within which the phase change material is stored to prevent direct contact between the phase change material and the metallic surfaces. The thin metallic film would face the exterior to enhance heat transfer. The polyethylene or polypropylene would thereby protect the metal of the thin metallic film from long term corrosion that may otherwise occur due to contact between a salt hydrate and metal.

[0079] FIG. 7 illustrates the building tile 200 with an additional layer in between the reflective layer 210 and the upper surface 204 of the top panel 202. Specifically, in FIG. 7 an insulating layer 215 is located between the reflective layer 210 and the upper surface 204 of the top panel 202. The insulating layer 215 may be positioned on the upper surface of the top panel 202 and may be coupled thereto. The reflective layer 210 may be positioned on the upper surface of the insulating layer 215 and may be coupled thereto. The insulating layer 215 may have an R- value in a range between 1 to 5. The insulating layer 215 may be formed from a material selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool. In some embodiments, the insulating layer 215 may be located atop the upper surface 204 of the top panel 202, and the reflective layer 210 may be omitted. In other embodiments, both the insulating layer 215 and the reflective layer 210 may be included as shown in FIG. 7. The insulation layer 215 may be beneficial in low-rise, single story buildings and mid-rise buildings where the roof to total floor plate area is near one (i.e., there is a lot of floor area directly under a roof that is exposed to the outside climate).

[0080] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the building tile 200 includes the tile body 201 and the phase change material 209, with the tile body 201 comprising the upper panel 202 and the lower panel 203. Furthermore, in this embodiment a reflective layer 216 is included, but the reflective layer is not coupled directly to the tile body 201. Rather, the reflective layer 216 is maintained in a position that is spaced apart from the top surfaceof the building tile 200. While FIG. 8 does not illustrate how the reflective layer 216 is held in position because FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration, it should be appreciated that the reflective layer 216 could be supported by the overhead structural support of the building, by the grid members of the suspended ceiling system, or the like. The reflective layer 216 may be a film or foil, such as one formed from a metallic material, and it may be maintained spaced from the building tile 200 by a gap. As such, two low emissivity layers are created (an air gap and the reflective layer 216). In another embodiment, another low emissivity layer (such as a coating or another metallic film or foil) may be positioned on the top of the building tile 200, much like shown in FIG. 6. In such an embodiment, there may be three radiant barriers, including the metallic layer positioned atop the building tile 200, the air gap, and the metallic layer maintained in spaced relation to the building tile 200.

[0081] In some embodiments, there may be multiple reflective layers that are separated from one another with air gaps. For example, a first reflective layer may be coupled to the top surface of the tile body, and another reflective layer may be positioned above the first reflective layer and spaced apart therefrom by a gap. As many different reflective layers as desired may be used, either stacked directly atop of one another, maintained spaced apart by a gap, or a combination.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 9-10B, a building tile 300 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 300 may comprise a tile body 301 and a phase change material 390. The tile body 301 may comprise a top panel 310 and a bottom panel 320 that are coupled together to define at least one sealed chamber 350 within which the phase change material 390 may be stored and held. In this embodiment, much like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4C, the bottom panel 320 is a flat sheet and the top panel 310 comprises one or more cavities 351 that define the at least one sealed chamber 350 when the top and bottom panels 310, 320 are coupled together. More specifically, the top panel 310 may comprise an upper surface 311 and a lower surface 312. The upper surface 311 may form an exposed top surface of the tile body 301. The lower surface 312 may comprise the one or more cavities 351. The one or more cavities 351 may be defined by a cavity floor 352 and a cavity sidewall 353 that extends from the cavity floor 352 to the lower surface 312.

[0083] In this embodiment, the tile body 301 comprises a central zone 305 that is located in a center region of the tile body 301 and that is surrounded by a perimeter zone 306. The central zone 305 may be a circular shaped region in the center of the tile body 301 that is spaced apartfrom the edges of the tile body 301. In the exemplified embodiment the central zone 305 is circular, but the central zone 305 may have other shapes in other embodiments (square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, irregular). The central zone 305 may be defined by an annular rib 307 (also referred to herein as an inner rib). The annular or inner rib 307 may circumscribe the central zone 305. The annular rib 307 need not be circular, but may instead take on any closed shape to define the central zone 305. The central zone 305 is the region located on the interior of the annular rib 307. The annular rib 307 may be integral with the top panel 310. The annular rib 307 may comprise a top rib portion 308 that protrudes from the upper surface 311 of the top panel 310 and a lower rib portion 309 that protrudes from the floor 352 of the one or more cavities 351. Furthermore, the central zone 305 may comprise a central plate portion 316 that forms a portion of the lower surface 312 of the top panel 310 and closes the space between the annular rib 307. Thus, the top panel 310 may comprise a central cavity 317 that is defined by the inner surfaces of the annular rib 307 and the surface of the central plate portion 316 that is opposite the lower surface 312.

[0084] The top panel 310 may further comprise a first reinforcement rib 340, a second reinforcement rib 341, a third reinforcement rib 342, and a fourth reinforcement rib 343. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement ribs 340-343 may be referred to herein as an outer rib. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement ribs 340, 341, 342, 343 may extend diagonally along the top panel 310 and protrude from the upper surface 311 of the top panel 310. However, the first and second reinforcement ribs 340, 341 may extend only along the perimeter zone 306 and not along the central zone 305. Thus, each of the first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement ribs 340, 341, 342, 343 may extend diagonally from the annular rib 307 to one of the corners or corner portions (or vertices) of the tile body 301 (or, more specifically of the top panel 310). In other embodiments, the reinforcement ribs 340-343 may be omitted or may be positioned at other locations along the top panel 310, although the diagonal positioning may be beneficial to prevent sag as discussed above.

[0085] The at least one sealed chamber 350 may be located outside of the central zone 305 between the central zone 305 and the periphery of the tile body 301. The reinforcement ribs 340-343 may divide the sealed chamber 350 into a plurality of sealed chambers. In the exemplified embodiment, the reinforcement ribs 340-343 may divide the sealed chamber 350 into four of the sealedchambers. In other embodiments, the reinforcement ribs 340-343 may extend only from the upper surface 311 of the top panel 310 and there may be one continuous scaled chamber 350.

[0086] In the exemplified embodiment, the at least one sealed chamber 350 is filled with the phase change material 390, and the central zone 305 remains free of the phase change material 390. Basically, the central zone 305 does not have a cavity 351 and as such there is no sealed chamber formed along the central zone 305 when the top and bottom panels 310, 320 are coupled together. Thus, the at least one sealed chamber 350 exists only along the perimeter zone 306 and does not extend to the central zone 305. In the exemplified embodiment, there are a plurality (specifically four) of the sealed chambers 350 located outside of the central zone 305.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, because the central zone 305 does not define any part of the sealed chamber 350, the central zone 305 may be cut or penetrated without causing release of the phase change material from the central zone 305. Thus, FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a cutting tool, such as a drill bit or hole saw 330, being used to cut a hole in the tile body 301. Any size hole may be cut into the central zone 305 and such hole will not penetrate the sealed chamber 350. Holes may be cut into the central zone 305 to accommodate light fixtures, sensors, fire protection sprinklers, and the like. A hole may be cut into the central zone 305 through the full thickness of the tile body 301 from a top surface 302 to a bottom surface 303. FIG. 10A illustrates the building panel 300 after a hole 331 has been cut in the central zone 305. The hole 331 is not aligned with the cavities 351 so that the sealed chambers 350 remain sealed and unaffected by the creation of the hole 331. This may allow an installer to add holes to the building tiles when needed during installation. In some embodiments, the building tile 300 may be formed with the hole 331 already in place so that drilling on-site is not needed.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a ceiling system 400 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ceiling system 400 comprises a grid assembly 410, a plurality of ceiling panels 430, and a plurality of the building tiles 100 described previously. The grid assembly 410 may comprise a plurality of first grid members 411 that are arranged parallel to one another and a plurality of second grid members 412 that are arranged parallel to one another. The plurality of second grid members 412 may be orthogonal to the plurality of first grid members 411 to define grid openings 413. While the numeral 100 is used for the building tiles, it should be appreciated that any of the building tiles described throughout this application could be used for one or more of the building tiles 100. Thus, all of the concepts disclosed herein related to thebuilding tiles 100 may or may not be included in the building tile used as part of the ceiling system 400, and many variations and permutations arc possible, some of which arc described herein.

[0089] The ceiling panels 430 and / or the building tiles 100 may be positioned in alignment with the grid openings 413. In some of the grid openings 413, the ceiling panels 430 may be supported directly by the first and second grid members 411, 412 and the building tiles 100 may rest atop of and be supported by the ceiling panels 430. In other embodiments, the ceiling panels 430 may be supported by the first and second grid members 411, 412 in some of the grid openings 413 and the building tiles 100 may be supported by the first and second grid members 411, 412 in others of the grid openings 413. In other embodiments, one of the ceiling panels 430 may be located in each of the grid openings 413 and supported by the grid members 411, 412, and there may be building tiles 100 supported either by the ceiling panels 430 or the grid members 411, 412 or both in some, but not all, of the grid openings 413. Thus, variations to the arrangement and use of the ceiling panels 430 and the building tiles 100 may be used in accordance with the disclosure set forth herein.

[0090] The grid assembly 410 comprises a plurality of first grid members 411 and a plurality of second grid members 412 that are in an intersecting arrangement to define grid openings 413. The first and second grid members 411, 412 may be arranged in a rectilinear configuration to form the grid openings 413. Specifically, the first grid members 411 are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart. The second grid members 412 are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart. The first grid members 411 are oriented perpendicular to the second grid members 412 to define the grid openings 413, which in the exemplified embodiment are square or rectangular, although other shaped openings are possible. The first and second grid members 411, 412 may be coupled directly to an overhead support structure 415 (also referred to herein as a roof deck of the building). Alternatively, the first and second grid members 411, 412 may be coupled to the overhead support structure 415 with hanging elements 414, such as wires or the like.

[0091] As best shown in FIG. 12A, each of the first and second grid members 411, 412 comprises a vertical portion 416 having a bottom end and a horizontal flange 417 extending from two opposing sides of the vertical portion 416 at the bottom end of the vertical portion 416. In some embodiments, the first and second grid members 411, 412 may also include a bulb portion at the top. The exact structure of the first and second grid members 411, 412 is not to be limiting of the invention in all embodiments.

[0092] Referring again to FIGS. 11 and 12 concurrently, the first and second grid members 411 , 12 arc configured to support the ceiling panels 430 and / or the building tiles 100 within the grid openings 413. In the exemplified embodiment, one of the ceiling panels 430 is supported by the horizontal flanges 417 of two of the first grid members 411 and two of the second grid members 412 within each of the grid openings 413. The ceiling panels 430 have a lower surface 431 that is exposed to the interior room environment 10 and an upper surface 432 that faces a plenum space 20 located between the ceiling panel 430 and the overhead support structure 415 Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment one of the building tiles 100 is positioned on top of the upper surface 432 of each of the ceiling panels 430. While the exemplified embodiment illustrates one of the building tiles 100 located atop of each of the ceiling panels 430, the invention is not to be so limited and in some embodiments there may be building tiles 100 located on some, but not all, of the ceiling panels 430. This may be determined based on need, and more specifically based on the temperature requirements of the interior room environment 10 or on the temperature expectations for the exterior environment.

[0093] The ceiling panels 430 may be of varying types, such as for example without limitation acoustical panels or tiles, wood, metal, and plastics. In the case of acoustical panels, the panels may comprise fiberglass, mineral wool (such as rock wool, slag wool, or a combination thereof), synthetic polymers (such as melamine foam, polyurethane foam, or a combination thereof), mineral cotton, silicate cotton, gypsum, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ceiling panel 430 may provide a sound attenuation function and preferred materials for providing the sound attenuation function may include mineral wool. Such a panel can provide a CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class) rating of at least 35, preferably at least 40.

[0094] As noted, any of the building tiles described herein may be used as the building tiles 100. Generally, however, the building tiles 100 should define a sealed chamber within which the phase change material 190 is located. As such, the building tiles 100 used in the ceiling system 400 should be capable of storing thermal energy.

[0095] FIG. 12B illustrates a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 12A, illustrating how the ceiling panels 430 are supported on the horizontal flanges 417 of the grid members 411, 412 and the building tiles 100 are positioned atop of the upper surfaces 432 of the ceiling panels 430. The building tiles 100 may be placed loose atop of the upper surfaces 432 of the ceiling panels 430 without the use of any attachment means, like adhesives, fasteners, or the like. Leaving thebuilding tiles 100 loosely placed atop of the ceiling panels 430 allows modifications to the location and number of building tiles 100 to be made as needed, and also allows for easy replacement of the building tiles 100 as necessary. Alternatively, the building panels 100 may be affixed to the ceiling panels 430 using adhesive, fasteners, or the like. The building panels 100 may rest in direct surface contact with the upper surfaces 432 of the ceiling panels 430. Specifically, the bottom surface 112 of the tile body 110 may be in direct surface contact with the upper surface 432 of the ceiling panel 430 on which it is positioned.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 13-14B, a ceiling system 450 will be described in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrates an interior space having the ceiling system 450 that divides the interior space into an interior room environment 30 and a plenum space 40. The plenum space 40 exists between the ceiling system 450 and the overhead support structure 440. The ceiling system 450 may include grid members 451 that define grid openings 452. Ceiling panels 430 and building tiles 100 may be positioned within the grid openings 452 and supported by the grid members 451 in the same manner as described above, although the arrangement of the building tiles 100 differs in this embodiment from the one previously described. Specifically, in this embodiment there is one of the ceiling panels 430 supported by the grid members 451 within each of the grid openings 452. However, there are only building tiles 100 located on some, but not all, of the ceiling panels 430. As shown in FIG. 14A, there may be building tiles 100 (with the phase change material 190) located on every other one of the ceiling panels 430. Of course, the exact number and arrangement of the building tiles 100 comprising the phase change material 190 may be adjusted based on need.

[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view (looking down from above) of a ceiling system 460 in accordance with another embodiment. The ceiling system 460 is the same as the ceiling system 400 of FIG. 11, except with regard to the arrangement of the building tiles 100. In this embodiment, there are ceiling panels 430 located within each of the grid openings 413, but there are only building tiles 100 located on every other one of the ceiling panels 430.

[0098] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view (looking down from above) of a ceiling system 470 in accordance with another embodiment. The ceiling system 470 is the same as the ceiling system 400 of FIG. 11 and the ceiling system 460 of FIG. 15, except with regard to the arrangement of the building tiles 100. In this embodiment, there are ceiling panels 430 located within each of the grid openings 413, but the building tiles 100 are somewhat randomly arranged atop of some, butnot all, of the ceiling panels 430. It should be appreciated that any number of the building tiles 100 may be used and positioned in any desired or preferred arrangement. For example, perhaps it is known that one area of a space has a higher volatility in temperature differentials during a given day. It may be beneficial to include more of the building tiles 100 in that area, and another area may not require as many building tiles 100. Thus, while FIGS. 11, 15, and 16 illustrate three different arrangements for the building tiles 100 to be positioned atop the ceiling panels 430, many other arrangements may be used.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 17-18B, a ceiling system 500 will be described in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 illustrates an interior space having the ceiling system 500 that divides the interior space into an interior room environment 50 and a plenum space 60. The plenum space 60 exists between the ceiling system 500 and the overhead support structure 501. The ceiling system 500 may include grid members 501 that define grid openings 502.

[0100] In this embodiment, there are ceiling panels 510 positioned in some of the grid openings 502 and there are building tiles 520 positioned in other ones of the grid openings 502. The building tiles 520 in this embodiment are not positioned atop the ceiling panels 510. Rather, the building tiles 520 are directly supported by the grid members 501 in some of the grid openings 502 while the ceiling panels 510 are directly supported by the grid members 501 in other ones of the grid openings 502. Of course, in other embodiments there could be additional building tiles 520 positioned atop of the ceiling panels 510 to further enhance the thermal energy storage capabilities of the ceiling system 500.

[0101] Each of the ceiling panels 510 comprises an acoustic body portion 511 and a first scrim 514. The acoustic body portion 511 comprises an upper surface 512 and a lower surface 513. The first scrim 514 may be coupled to the lower surface 513 of the acoustic body portion 511. The first scrim 514 may be coupled to the lower surface 513 of the acoustic body portion 511 with adhesive, glue, fasteners, nails, screws, or the like. The acoustic body portion 511 of the ceiling panels 510 may comprise, or be formed from, fiberglass, mineral wool (such as rock wool, slag wool, or a combination thereof), synthetic polymers (such as melamine foam, polyurethane foam, or a combination thereof), mineral cotton, silicate cotton, gypsum, mineral fiber, or combinations thereof. Other materials having known acoustic properties for use in a ceiling system may be used. The acoustic body portion 511 of the ceiling panels 510 may have sound attenuation and soundabsorption properties to enhance the sound acoustics in the interior room environment 50. The first scrim 514 may be formed from fabric, cloth, metal, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or the like. The first scrim 514 may form an aesthetic part that is coupled to the lower surface 513 of the acoustic body portion 511. The first scrim 514 may form a decorative part of the ceiling panel 510. The first scrim 514 may form the lower exposed surface 515 of the ceiling panel 510 which is visible to a user in the interior room environment 50.

[0102] Each of the building tiles 520 may comprise a tile body 521 defining a sealed chamber 522 and a phase change material 523 located within the sealed chamber 522. Any of the building tiles described herein may be used as the building tile 520. Thus, any of one or more of the concepts, characteristics, features, structures, or the like associated with any of the building tiles 520 described herein may be used with the building tile 520. The tile body 521 may comprise an upper panel 524 and a lower panel 525 that are coupled together to define the sealed chamber 522 within which the phase change material 523 is located. The tile body 521 may have a top surface 526 and a bottom surface 527. The upper panel 524 may comprise the top surface 526 of the tile body 521 and the lower panel 525 may comprise the bottom surface 527 of the tile body 521.

[0103] The building tiles 520 may further comprise a second scrim 528 coupled to the tile body 521. The second scrim 528 may be coupled to the bottom surface 527 of the tile body 521. The second scrim 528 may be formed from fabric, cloth, metal, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or the like. The second scrim 528 may be coupled to the tile body 521 with adhesive or fasteners as described herein. The second scrim 528 may form an aesthetic part that is coupled to the bottom surface 527 of the tile body 521. Thus, the second scrim 528 may form a decorative part of the building tiles 520. Because the second scrim 528 is coupled to the bottom surface 527 of the tile body 521, the second scrim 528 may form a lower exposed surface 529 of the building tiles 520 that is visible to a user in the interior room environment 50. In an embodiment, the second scrim 528 may be a painted scrim.

[0104] The first and second scrims 514, 528 may be the same type of scrim. The first scrim 514 and the second scrim 528 may have the same decorative appearance on the lower exposed surfaces 515, 529 thereof. Thus, referring to FIG. 17, even though there are ceiling panels 510 and building tiles 520 positioned in the grid openings in an alternating arrangement, this is unknown to a person viewing from below because only the first and second scrims 514, 528 are visible to the person, and the first and second scrims 514, 528 may have an identical visual appearance. Thus, the visibleexposed portion of the building tiles 520 and the ceiling panels 510 creates a visually uniform and consistent (i.c., seamless) ornamental appearance, despite the fact that the building tiles 520 with the phase change material and the ceiling panels 510 with the acoustic properties are both visible. While an alternating arrangement of the ceiling panels 510 and the building tiles 520 is shown, any arrangement including a random arrangement of the ceiling panels 510 and the building tiles 520 may be used.

[0105] Referring now to FIG. 19, a ceiling panel 600 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The ceiling panel 600 may comprise an acoustic body portion 610 and a thermal energy storage container 620. In this embodiment, the acoustic body portion 610 is a flat panel. The acoustic body portion 610 may be formed from an acoustic material such as the materials described above in the prior embodiments. The thermal energy storage container 620 may be formed from a polymer such as those described above and may define a sealed chamber within which a phase change material is located. The thermal energy storage container 620 may have a similar structure and construction to any of one or more of the building tiles described above, except with regard to the specific shape of the thermal energy container 620, as shown and described herein.

[0106] Furthermore, the thermal energy storage container 620 has a perimeter portion 621, a central portion 622, and a plurality of strut portions 623 extending between the perimeter portion 621 and the central portion 622. The perimeter portion 621, the central portion 622 and the strut portions 623 may be formed as a unitary construction. As noted above, the thermal energy storage container 620 may contain a phase change material similar to the building tiles described above. In this embodiment, the thermal energy storage container 620 has through-holes 624 located in several regions between the perimeter portion 621 and the central portion 622. Furthermore, a central through-hole 625 is located within and is surrounded by the central portion 621. As such, penetrations can be made through the ceiling panel 600 is areas that are aligned with the through- holes 624 and / or the central through-hole 625 to accommodate light fixtures, sensors, fire protection sprinklers, and the like.

[0107] In some embodiments, instead of having the acoustic body portion 610, there could be an acoustic material disposed within the through-holes 624 and the central through-hole 625. That is, the through-holes 624 and the central through-hole 625 could be filled with an acoustic material having acoustic properties (sound attenuation, sound absorption, etc.). If a penetration or hole isneeded to accommodate fixtures like lights, sprinklers, and the like, the penetration can be made into the acoustic material and not through the thermal energy storage container 620.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 20, a ceiling panel 700 is illustrated in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The ceiling panel 700 may comprise an acoustic body portion 710 and a plurality of thermal storage containers 720. The acoustic body portion 710 may be formed from any of the materials described above for the acoustic panels and other acoustic body portions. The thermal storage containers 720 may comprise a body portion that defines a sealed chamber within which a phase change material is stored. The body portion of the thermal storage containers 720 may be formed from two parts that are coupled together as described above or the body portion may be a unitary structure with an opening for introducing the phase change material into the sealed chamber and a cap for closing the opening.

[0109] In this embodiment, the thermal storage containers 720 comprise connection portions that fit together with one another in a manner similar to puzzle pieces. Thus, for example, the thermal storage containers 720 may have a cruciform shape with the ends of each arm having either a recess or a protuberance. The recesses of one thermal storage container 720 may receive the protuberances of other ones of the thermal storage container 720 to couple the thermal storage container 720 together. In an embodiment, the thermal storage containers 720 may have a cruciform shape in which opposite distal ends of the cruciform shape have geometries that are configured to mate with one another. The thermal storage containers 720 may have shapes other than cruciform, including irregular shapes or polygonal shapes or mixtures of different shapes. The various thermal storage containers 720 may fit together with interlocking protuberances / recesses or other interlocking / interconnecting structures. Thus, a user or installer can determine how many of the thermal storage containers 720 to use for a given project. The user or installed can also make sure to leave spaces open where a hole may be required for a sprinkler, sensor, light fixture, or the like. An advantage of this concept is that the thermal capacity of the ceiling panel 700 can be adjusted in the field by connecting and / or stacking more of the thermal storage containers 720. The thermal storage containers 720 may therefore be interlocking components that are detachably coupled together to form a thermal energy storage tile of varying shape and size, with each of the thermal storage containers 720 comprising an independently sealed chamber that contains a phase change material. The thermal storage containers 720 may be able to be separated from one another without compromising the sealed chambers thereof.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 21-23, a composite building tile 800 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The composite building tile 800 generally comprises an acoustical tile 810 and a thermal energy storage tile 820. The acoustical tile 810 may be made from an acoustical material, such as fiberglass, mineral wool (such as rock wool, slag wool, or a combination thereof), mineral fiber, synthetic polymers (such as melamine foam, polyurethane foam, or a combination thereof), mineral cotton, silicate cotton, gypsum, or combinations thereof. The acoustical tile 810 may have acoustical absorption properties to enhance acoustics in a room environment. The acoustical tile 810 may comprise a top surface 811 and a bottom surface 812 that is opposite the top surface 811. The acoustical tile 810 may be square as shown, or it may be any other shape including rectangular, circular, hexagonal, irregular, etc.

[0111] The thermal energy storage tile 820 may comprise a tile body 821 that defines at least one sealed chamber 822 within which a phase change material 823 is located. In the exemplified embodiment, the tile body 821 may define four sealed chambers 823, depicted as square or rectangular shaped chambers in FIG. 22. Other shapes and designs of the tile body 821 including other shapes and designs for the sealed chambers 823 may be used in other embodiments. The sealed chambers 823 may be separated from one another by various ribs and flattened portions of the tile body 821 as shown. The tile body 821 may comprise an upper panel 824 and a lower panel 825 that are coupled together to define the at least one sealed chamber 822. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiment and the tile body 821 may be formed from a one-piece structure or using other techniques in other embodiments. The description of the various building tiles above that define sealed chambers within which a phase change material is disposed may be applicable to the thermal energy storage tile 820. That is, the thermal energy storage tile 820 may be and include the features of one or more of the various building tiles that contain a phase change material as discussed above and throughout this document.

[0112] The thermal energy storage tile 820 may comprise a top surface 826 and a bottom surface 827 opposite the top surface 821. The thermal energy storage tile 820 may be positioned atop of the top surface of the acoustical tile 810. The thermal energy storage tile 820 may be positioned so that the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 faces and / or interfaces with the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810. The bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 may be coupled to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 23, an adhesive 850 may be used to couple the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810. The adhesive 850 may be applied onto the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820, onto the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810, or both. Rather than covering the entirety of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 and / or the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile810 with the adhesive 850, in some embodiments the adhesive 850 may be applied in a discontinuous pattern. In doing so, select portions 828 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 may be adhered to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810 while remaining portions 829 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 may not be adhered to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the select portions 828 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 are aligned with the adhesive 850 and are therefore coupled directly to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810. The remaining portions 829 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 are not aligned with the adhesive 850 and arc therefore not directly coupled to the top surface811 of the acoustical tile 810.

[0114] Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there may exist a gap (or space) 830 between the remaining portions 829 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 and the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810. In FIG. 3, the adhesive 850 and the gaps / spaces 830 are exaggerated in size. In practice, the adhesive 850 may flatten and spread out and the gaps 830 may be quite small, on the order of 1mm or less. It is theorized that the gaps 830 may assist in trapping sound between the acoustical tile 810 and the thermal energy storage tile 820, thereby further enhancing room acoustics and sound absorption with the composite building tile 800. The gap 830 may be maintained by the thickness of the adhesive 850. Thus, the thicker the adhesive 850, the larger the gap 830.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the pattern of the adhesive 850 will be described in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As noted, the adhesive 850 may be located on the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820, on the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810, or both. Thus, FIGS. 24 and 25 may be an illustration of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 or an illustration of the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810, or both. Rather than illustrating the same thing twice, it should be appreciated that FIGS.24 and 25 may be illustrating the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820, the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810, or both, and the figures arc numbered accordingly.

[0116] In FIGS. 24 and 25, the adhesive 850 is in a discontinuous pattern that includes a perimeter adhesive portion 851 adjacent to a perimeter 801 of the acoustical tile 810 or the thermal energy storage tile 820 (collectively, the composite building tile 800) and a central adhesive portion 852 located at a central zone 802 of the acoustical tile 810 or the thermal energy storage tile 820 (collectively, the composite building tile 800). The central zone may be 802 may be located inwardly of and at least partially surrounded by the perimeter adhesion portion 851. In FIG. 24, the perimeter adhesive portion 851 comprises four separate linear strips of adhesive that are spaced apart from one another. In FIG. 25, the perimeter adhesive portion 851 comprises a single annular strip of adhesive located adjacent to and inward of the perimeter 801. Various modifications may be made to this, including the perimeter adhesive portion 851 comprising multiple aligned strips adjacent to each edge of the perimeter 801, a dashed strip with multiple breaks, and the like.

[0117] Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the central adhesive portion 852 may comprise a first diagonal adhesive portion 853 and a second diagonal adhesive portion 853 that form an X-shape across the surface on which they are located. The first and second diagonal adhesive portions 853, 854 may curl at one or both ends as shown in FIG. 25, although this is not required as shown in FIG. 25.

[0118] Referring again to FIG. 23, due to the pattern of the adhesive 850 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the select portions 828 of the bottom surface 827 of the thermal energy storage tile 820 that are adhered to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile 810 may include a perimeter adhesion portion 840 adjacent to a perimeter 802 of the composite building tile 800 and a central adhesion portion 841 located at a central zone of the composite building tile 800. The select portion s828 may also include first and second diagonal adhesion portions (not visible in FIG. 23, but understood from the pattern shown in FIGS. 24 and 25) that intersect at the central adhesion portion 841. The diagonal adhesion portions ensure that the thermal energy storage tile 820 and the acoustical tile 810 are directly coupled along an X-shaped region which may help to prevent sagging when the composite building tile 800 is installed in a ceiling system.

[0119] The adhesive 850 described herein may be selected to achieve the desired adhesive results. The adhesive 850 may be silicone, such as silicone caulk. The adhesive 850 may be an epoxy, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, or various other types of adhesive 850 to achievethe desired result of coupling the thermal energy storage tile 820 to the acoustical tile 810 while maximizing acoustical and temperature control benefits of the composite building tile 800.

[0120] While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods / processes described herein may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the embodiments may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles described herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents.EXEMPLARY CLAIM SET

[0121] Exemplary Claim 1. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a rectangular tile body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; the rectangular tile body comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween; a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third corner of the rectangular tile body; and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second comer to a fourth comer of the rectangular tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

[0122] Exemplary Claim 2. The building tile according to exemplary claim 1 wherein the rectangular tile body further comprises a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the peripheral edge lying within a horizontal plane; and each of the first and second reinforcement ribs extending vertically from a rib base to a rib tip.

[0123] Exemplary Claim 3. The building tile according to exemplary claim 2 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs arc configured to prevent sag of the rectangular tile body out of the horizontal plane when the building tile is supported about the peripheral edge.

[0124] Exemplary Claim 4. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 2 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs intersect one another to form an X-shape.

[0125] Exemplary Claim 5. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are integrally formed portions of either the upper panel or the lower panel.

[0126] Exemplary Claim 6. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 5 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are located on and protrude outward from either the top surface or the bottom surface of the rectangular tile body.

[0127] Exemplary Claim 7. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 5 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are located in an interior of the rectangular tile body.

[0128] Exemplary Claim 8. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 7 further comprising: the at least one sealed chamber comprising a plurality of sealed chambers; and the first and second reinforcement ribs forming divider walls that separate adjacent ones of the plurality of sealed chambers.

[0129] Exemplary Claim 9. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 8 wherein each of the upper and lower panels are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

[0130] Exemplary Claim 10. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 9 wherein each of the upper and lower panels is a thermoformed structure.

[0131] Exemplary Claim 11. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 10 wherein each of the upper and lower panels are formed of a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate (“MVTR)” of 3 [g mm / 100 in2-24 hours] or less to maintain a concentration of salt hydrates of the phase change material.

[0132] Exemplary Claim 12. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 11 further comprising a reflective layer coupled to the rectangular tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

[0133] Exemplary Claim 13. The building tile according to exemplary claim 12 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5.

[0134] Exemplary Claim 14. The building tile according to exemplary claim 13 wherein the emissivity value of is in a range of 0.05 to 0.5.

[0135] Exemplary Claim 15. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 12 to 14 wherein the reflective layer is a metallic film.

[0136] Exemplary Claim 16. The building tile according to exemplary claim 15 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.05 to 0.2.

[0137] Exemplary Claim 17. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 15 to 16 wherein the metallic film is an aluminum film.

[0138] Exemplary Claim 18. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 12 to 14 wherein the reflective layer is a coating.

[0139] Exemplary Claim 19. The building tile according to exemplary claim 15 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.3 to 0.5.

[0140] Exemplary Claim 20. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 18 to 19 wherein the coating is a low emissivity radiant barrier paint.

[0141] Exemplary Claim 21. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 20 further comprising an insulating layer coupled to the top surface of the rectangular tile body.

[0142] Exemplary Claim 22. The building tile according to exemplary claim 21 wherein the insulating layer has an R-value in range between 1 to 5.

[0143] Exemplary Claim 23. The building tile according to exemplary claim 21 wherein a material of the insulating layer is selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool.

[0144] Exemplary Claim 24. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 11 further comprising: an insulating layer positioned atop the top surface of the rectangular tile body; and a reflective layer positioned atop the insulating layer, the insulating material located between the upper panel of the rectangular tile body and the reflective layer.

[0145] Exemplary Claim 25. The building tile according to exemplary claim 24 further comprising: the insulating layer formed of a material selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool; the rectangular tile body formed of a polymer material; and the reflective layer formed of a metallic foil or metallic coating.

[0146] Exemplary Claim 26. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 25 wherein the at least one sealed chamber configured so that the at least one sealed chamber docs not occupy a central zone of the rectangular tile body.

[0147] Exemplary Claim 27. The building tile according to exemplary claim 26 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

[0148] Exemplary Claim 28. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 26 to 27 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

[0149] Exemplary Claim 29. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; a reflective layer coupled to the top surface of the tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

[0150] Exemplary Claim 30. The building tile according to exemplary claim 29 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5.

[0151] Exemplary Claim 31. The building tile according to exemplary claim 30 wherein the emissivity value of is in a range of 0.05 to 0.5.

[0152] Exemplary Claim 32. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 29 to 31 wherein the reflective layer is a metallic film.

[0153] Exemplary Claim 33. The building tile according to exemplary claim 32 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.05 to 0.2.

[0154] Exemplary Claim 34. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 32 to 33 wherein the metallic film is an aluminum film.

[0155] Exemplary Claim 35. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 29 to 31 wherein the reflective layer is a coating.

[0156] Exemplary Claim 36. The building tile according to exemplary claim 35 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.3 to 0.5.

[0157] Exemplary Claim 37. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 35 to36 wherein the coating is a low emissivity radiant barrier paint.

[0158] Exemplary Claim 38. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 29 to37 further comprising an insulating layer coupled to the top surface of the rectangular tile body.

[0159] Exemplary Claim 39. The building tile according to exemplary claim 38 wherein the insulating layer has an R- value in range between 1 to 5.

[0160] Exemplary Claim 40. The building tile according to any one of claim 38 to 39 wherein a material of the insulating layer is selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool.

[0161] Exemplary Claim 41. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 38 to 40 wherein the insulating material is located between the tile body and the reflective layer.

[0162] Exemplary Claim 42. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 41 wherein the tile body is formed of a polymer material.

[0163] Exemplary Claim 43. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 42 further comprising a scrim coupled to a bottom surface of the tile body.

[0164] Exemplary Claim 44. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 43 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers, each of the sealed chambers comprising the phase change material therein.

[0165] Exemplary Claim 45. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 44 wherein the at least one sealed chamber is configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the rectangular tile body.

[0166] Exemplary Claim 46. The building tile according to exemplary claim 45 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

[0167] Exemplary Claim 47. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 45 to 46 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

[0168] Exemplary Claim 48. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; and a scrim coupled to the bottom surface of the tile body.

[0169] Exemplary Claim 49. The building tile according to exemplary claim 48 further comprising a reflective layer coupled to the top surface of the tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

[0170] Exemplary Claim 50. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 48 to 49 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers.

[0171] Exemplary Claim 51. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 48 to50 wherein the scrim is adhered to the bottom surface of the tile body.

[0172] Exemplary Claim 52. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 48 to51 wherein the tile body is a rectangular tile body comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween; a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third comer of the rectangular tile body; and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second corner to a fourth comer of the rectangular tile body.

[0173] Exemplary Claim 53. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber, the at least one sealed chamber configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

[0174] Exemplary Claim 54. The building tile according to exemplary claim 53 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

[0175] Exemplary Claim 55. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 53 to54 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

[0176] Exemplary Claim 56. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 53 to55 wherein the tile body further comprises: an inner rib circumscribing the central zone; and a plurality of outer ribs extending from the inner rib to an edge portion of the tile body.

[0177] Exemplary Claim 57. The building tile according to exemplary claim 56 wherein the tile body is a rectangular tile body comprising first, second, third and fourth corners; and wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a first outer rib extending from the inner rib to the first corner, a second outer rib extending from the inner rib to the third corner, a third outer rib extending from the inner rib to the second comer, and a fourth outer rib extending from the inner rib to the fourth comer.

[0178] Exemplary Claim 58. The building tile according to exemplary claim 56 wherein the first and second outer ribs are arranged along a first diagonal of the rectangular tile body and the third and fourth outer ribs are arranged along a second diagonal of the rectangular tile body.

[0179] Exemplary Claim 59. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 56 to 58 wherein the inner rib is circular in shape.

[0180] Exemplary Claim 60. The building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 56 to 59 wherein the at least one scaled chamber comprises a plurality of scaled chambers, each of the plurality of sealed chambers containing phase change material; and wherein the inner rib and the plurality of outer ribs define divider walls that separate adjacent ones of the plurality of sealed chambers.

[0181] Exemplary Claim 61. A composite building tile comprising: an acoustical tile; and the building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 60 coupled to a top surface of the acoustic tile.

[0182] Exemplary Claim 62. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 61 wherein a bottom surface of the building tile is adhered to the top surface of the acoustical tile.

[0183] Exemplary Claim 63. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 62 further comprising: an adhesive coupling the bottom surface of the building tile to the top surface of the acoustic tile; and the adhesive applied in a discontinuous pattern so that select portions of the bottom surface of the building tile are adhered to the top surface of the acoustic tile while remaining portions of the bottom surface of the building tile are not adhered to the top surface of the acoustic tile.

[0184] Exemplary Claim 64. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 63 wherein the select portions comprises a perimeter adhesion portion adjacent a perimeter of the composite building tile and a central adhesion portion located at a central zone of the composite building tile.

[0185] Exemplary Claim 65. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 64 wherein the select portions comprises first and second diagonal adhesion portions that intersect at the central adhesion portion.

[0186] Exemplary Claim 66. A ceiling system comprising: a support structure suspended within an interior space of a building; and a plurality of the building tiles according to any one of exemplary claims 1 to 60 supported by the support structure.

[0187] Exemplary Claim 67. The ceiling system according to exemplary claim 66 wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of grid members arranged in a rectilinear configuration to form a plurality of grid openings; and wherein the plurality of the building tiles are positioned in alignment with the plurality of grid openings.

[0188] Exemplary Claim 68. The ceiling system according to exemplary claim 67 wherein a plenum is formed between the support structure and a roof deck of the building; and wherein an exposed top surface of the tile body faces the roof deck.

[0189] Exemplary Claim 69. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 67 to 68 wherein for each of the plurality of building tiles, a peripheral edge portion of the building tile overlies a horizontal flange portion of the grid members.

[0190] Exemplary Claim 70. A ceiling system comprising: a support structure suspended within an interior space of a building; and a plurality of acoustical tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the plurality of acoustical tiles comprising an acoustic tile body and a first scrim, the first scrim facing a room space; and a plurality of thermal energy storage tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the thermal energy storage tiles comprising a tile body containing a phase change material and a second scrim, the second scrim facing the room space.

[0191] Exemplary Claim 71. The ceiling system according to exemplary claim 70 further comprising: the support structure comprises a plurality of grid members arranged in an intersecting configuration to form a grid having a plurality of grid openings; each of the plurality of acoustical tiles positioned within one of the plurality of grid openings; and each of the plurality of thermal energy storage tiles positioned within one of the plurality of grid openings.

[0192] Exemplary Claim 72. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to71 wherein the first and second scrims are the same type of scrim.

[0193] Exemplary Claim 73. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to72 wherein the second scrim is a painted scrim.

[0194] Exemplary Claim 74. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to73 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body is formed of a polymer material forming at least one sealed chamber that contains the phase change material.

[0195] Exemplary Claim 75. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to74 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body comprises an upper shell and a lower shell coupled together to form the at least one sealed chamber.

[0196] Exemplary Claim 76. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to75 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body is rectangular and comprises a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first comer to a third comer of the tile bodyand a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second corner to a fourth corner of the tile body.

[0197] Exemplary Claim 77. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 70 to 76 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, a peripheral edge portion of the tile body overlies a horizontal flange portion of the grid members.

[0198] Exemplary Claim 78. A ceiling system comprising: an acoustic tile; and a thermal energy storage tile positioned adjacent a rear surface of the acoustic panel, the thermal energy storage tile formed by a plurality of interlocking components that are detachably coupled together, each of the plurality of components comprising an independently sealed chamber containing a phase change material.

[0199] Exemplary Claim 79. The ceiling system according to exemplary claim 78 wherein the plurality of interlocking components can be separated from one another without compromising the sealed chamber.

[0200] Exemplary Claim 80. The ceiling system according to any one of exemplary claims 78 to 79 wherein each of the plurality of components has a cruciform shape in which opposite distal ends of the cruciform shape have geometries configured to mate with one another.

[0201] Exemplary Claim 81. A composite building tile comprising: an acoustical tile comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; and a thermal energy storage tile having a bottom surface coupled to the top surface of the acoustical tile, the thermal energy storage tile comprising a phase change material.

[0202] Exemplary Claim 82. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 81 wherein the acoustical tile comprises an acoustic tile body formed of fiberglass, mineral wool, mineral fiber, or combinations thereof.

[0203] Exemplary Claim 83. The composite building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 81 to 82 wherein the thermal energy storage tile comprises a tile body comprising an upper panel and a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween, the phase change material located within the at least one sealed chamber.

[0204] Exemplary Claim 84. The composite building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 81 to 83 further comprising: an adhesive coupling the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile to the top surface of the acoustical tile; and the adhesive applied in a discontinuous pattern so that select portions of the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile are adheredto the top surface of the acoustical tile while remaining portions of the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile arc not adhered to the top surface of the acoustical tile.

[0205] Exemplary Claim 85. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 84 wherein a gap exists between the remaining portions of the thermal energy storage tile and the top surface of the acoustical tile.

[0206] Exemplary Claim 86. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 85 wherein the gap is maintained by a thickness of the adhesive.

[0207] Exemplary Claim 87. The composite building tile according to any one of exemplary claims 84 to 86 wherein the select portions comprises a perimeter adhesion portion adjacent a perimeter of the composite building tile and a central adhesion portion located at a central zone of the composite building tile.

[0208] Exemplary Claim 88. The composite building tile according to exemplary claim 87 wherein the select portions comprises first and second diagonal adhesion portions that intersect at the central adhesion portion.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a rectangular tile body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; the rectangular tile body comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween; a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third comer of the rectangular tile body; and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second corner to a fourth corner of the rectangular tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

2. The building tile according to claim 1 wherein the rectangular tile body further comprises a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the peripheral edge lying within a horizontal plane; and each of the first and second reinforcement ribs extending vertically from a rib base to a rib tip.

3. The building tile according to claim 2 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are configured to prevent sag of the rectangular tile body out of the horizontal plane when the building tile is supported about the peripheral edge.

4. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs intersect one another to form an X-shape.

5. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are integrally formed portions of either the upper panel or the lower panel.

6. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs arc located on and protrude outward from either the top surface or the bottom surface of the rectangular tile body.

7. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first and second reinforcement ribs are located in an interior of the rectangular tile body.

8. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: the at least one sealed chamber comprising a plurality of sealed chambers; and the first and second reinforcement ribs forming divider walls that separate adjacent ones of the plurality of sealed chambers.

9. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each of the upper and lower panels are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

10. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each of the upper and lower panels is a thermoformed structure.

11. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein each of the upper and lower panels are formed of a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate (“MVTR)” of 3 [g mm / 100 in2-24 hours] or less to maintain a concentration of salt hydrates of the phase change material.

12. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising a reflective layer coupled to the rectangular tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

13. The building tile according to claim 12 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5.

14. The building tile according to claim 13 wherein the emissivity value of is in a range of 0.05 to 0.5.

15. The building tile according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the reflective layer is a metallic film.

16. The building tile according to claim 15 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.05 to 0.2.

17. The building tile according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein the metallic film is an aluminum film.

18. The building tile according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the reflective layer is a coating.

19. The building tile according to claim 15 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.3 to 0.5.

20. The building tile according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein the coating is a low emissivity radiant barrier paint.

21. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 20 further comprising an insulating layer coupled to the top surface of the rectangular tile body.

22. The building tile according to claim 21 wherein the insulating layer has an R-value in range between 1 to 5.

23. The building tile according to claim 21 wherein a material of the insulating layer is selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool.

24. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising: an insulating layer positioned atop the top surface of the rectangular tile body; and a reflective layer positioned atop the insulating layer, the insulating material located between the upper panel of the rectangular tile body and the reflective layer.

25. The building tile according to claim 24 further comprising:the insulating layer formed of a material selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool; the rectangular tile body formed of a polymer material; and the reflective layer formed of a metallic foil or metallic coating.

26. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein the at least one sealed chamber configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the rectangular tile body.

27. The building tile according to claim 26 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

28. The building tile according to any one of claims 26 to 27 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

29. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; a reflective layer coupled to the top surface of the tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

30. The building tile according to claim 29 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5.

31. The building tile according to claim 30 wherein the emissivity value of is in a range of 0.05 to 0.5.

32. The building tile according to any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the reflective layer is a metallic film.

33. The building tile according to claim 32 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.05 to 0.2.

34. The building tile according to any one of claims 32 to 33 wherein the metallic film is an aluminum film.

35. The building tile according to any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the reflective layer is a coating.

36. The building tile according to claim 35 wherein the top surface of the reflective layer has an emissivity value of 0.3 to 0.5.

37. The building tile according to any one of claims 35 to 36 wherein the coating is a low emissivity radiant barrier paint.

38. The building tile according to any one of claims 29 to 37 further comprising an insulating layer coupled to the top surface of the rectangular tile body.

39. The building tile according to claim 38 wherein the insulating layer has an R- value in range between 1 to 5.

40. The building tile according to any one of claim 38 to 39 wherein a material of the insulating layer is selected from a group consisting of mineral wool, foam, fiberglass, slag wool, or rock wool.

41. The building tile according to any one of claims 38 to 40 wherein the insulating material is located between the tile body and the reflective layer.

42. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 41 wherein the tile body is formed of a polymer material.

43. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 42 further comprising a scrim coupled to a bottom surface of the tile body.

44. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 43 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of scaled chambers, each of the sealed chambers comprising the phase change material therein.

45. The building tile according to any one of claim 29 to 44 wherein the at least one sealed chamber is configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the rectangular tile body.

46. The building tile according to claim 45 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

47. The building tile according to any one of claims 45 to 46 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

48. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber; a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber; and a scrim coupled to the bottom surface of the tile body.

49. The building tile according to claim 48 further comprising a reflective layer coupled to the top surface of the tile body, a top surface of the reflective layer forming an exposed top surface of the building tile.

50. The building tile according to any one of claims 48 to 49 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers.

51. The building tile according to any one of claims 48 to 50 wherein the scrim is adhered to the bottom surface of the tile body.

52. The building tile according to any one of claims 48 to 51 wherein the tile body is a rectangular tile body comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween;a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third corner of the rectangular tile body; and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second comer to a fourth corner of the rectangular tile body.

53. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sealed chamber, the at least one sealed chamber configured so that the at least one sealed chamber does not occupy a central zone of the tile body; and a phase change material within the at least one sealed chamber.

54. The building tile according to claim 53 wherein the central zone is free of phase change material.

55. The building tile according to any one of claims 53 to 54 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers arranged outside of the central zone.

56. The building tile according to any one of claims 53 to 55 wherein the tile body further comprises: an inner rib circumscribing the central zone; and a plurality of outer ribs extending from the inner rib to an edge portion of the tile body.

57. The building tile according to claim 56 wherein the tile body is a rectangular tile body comprising first, second, third and fourth corners; and wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a first outer rib extending from the inner rib to the first corner, a second outer rib extending from the inner rib to the third comer, a third outer rib extending from the inner rib to the second comer, and a fourth outer rib extending from the inner rib to the fourth corner.

58. The building tile according to claim 56 wherein the first and second outer ribs are arranged along a first diagonal of the rectangular tile body and the third and fourth outer ribs are arranged along a second diagonal of the rectangular tile body.

59. The building tile according to any one of claims 56 to 58 wherein the inner rib is circular in shape.

60. The building tile according to any one of claims 56 to 59 wherein the at least one sealed chamber comprises a plurality of sealed chambers, each of the plurality of sealed chambers containing phase change material; and wherein the inner rib and the plurality of outer ribs define divider walls that separate adjacent ones of the plurality of sealed chambers.

61. A composite building tile comprising: an acoustical tile; and the building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 60 coupled to a top surface of the acoustic tile.

62. The composite building tile according to claim 61 wherein a bottom surface of the building tile is adhered to the top surface of the acoustical tile.

63. The composite building tile according to claim 62 further comprising: an adhesive coupling the bottom surface of the building tile to the top surface of the acoustic tile; and the adhesive applied in a discontinuous pattern so that select portions of the bottom surface of the building tile are adhered to the top surface of the acoustic tile while remaining portions of the bottom surface of the building tile are not adhered to the top surface of the acoustic tile.

64. The composite building tile according to claim 63 wherein the select portions comprises a perimeter adhesion portion adjacent a perimeter of the composite building tile and a central adhesion portion located at a central zone of the composite building tile.

65. The composite building tile according to claim 64 wherein the select portions comprises first and second diagonal adhesion portions that intersect at the central adhesion portion.

66. A ceiling system comprising: a support structure suspended within an interior space of a building; anda plurality of the building tiles according to any one of claims 1 to 60 supported by the support structure.

67. The ceiling system according to claim 66 wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of grid members arranged in a rectilinear configuration to form a plurality of grid openings; and wherein the plurality of the building tiles are positioned in alignment with the plurality of grid openings.

68. The ceiling system according to claim 67 wherein a plenum is formed between the support structure and a roof deck of the building; and wherein an exposed top surface of the tile body faces the roof deck.

69. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 67 to 68 wherein for each of the plurality of building tiles, a peripheral edge portion of the building tile overlies a horizontal flange portion of the grid members.

70. A ceiling system comprising: a support structure suspended within an interior space of a building; and a plurality of acoustical tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the plurality of acoustical tiles comprising an acoustic tile body and a first scrim, the first scrim facing a room space; and a plurality of thermal energy storage tiles mounted within the support structure, each of the thermal energy storage tiles comprising a tile body containing a phase change material and a second scrim, the second scrim facing the room space.

71. The ceiling system according to claim 70 further comprising: the support structure comprises a plurality of grid members arranged in an intersecting configuration to form a grid having a plurality of grid openings; each of the plurality of acoustical tiles positioned within one of the plurality of grid openings; and each of the plurality of thermal energy storage tiles positioned within one of the plurality of grid openings.

72. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 71 wherein the first and second scrims are the same type of scrim.

73. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 72 wherein the second scrim is a painted scrim.

74. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 73 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body is formed of a polymer material forming at least one sealed chamber that contains the phase change material.

75. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 74 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body comprises an upper shell and a lower shell coupled together to form the at least one sealed chamber.

76. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 75 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, the tile body is rectangular and comprises a first reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a first corner to a third corner of the tile body and a second reinforcement rib extending diagonally from a second comer to a fourth comer of the tile body.

77. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 70 to 76 wherein for each of the thermal energy storage tiles, a peripheral edge portion of the tile body overlies a horizontal flange portion of the grid members.

78. A ceiling system comprising: an acoustic tile; and a thermal energy storage tile positioned adjacent a rear surface of the acoustic panel, the thermal energy storage tile formed by a plurality of interlocking components that are detachably coupled together, each of the plurality of components comprising an independently sealed chamber containing a phase change material.

79. The ceiling system according to claim 78 wherein the plurality of interlocking components can be separated from one another without compromising the scaled chamber.

80. The ceiling system according to any one of claims 78 to 79 wherein each of the plurality of components has a cruciform shape in which opposite distal ends of the cruciform shape have geometries configured to mate with one another.

81. A composite building tile comprising: an acoustical tile comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; and a thermal energy storage tile having a bottom surface coupled to the top surface of the acoustical tile, the thermal energy storage tile comprising a phase change material.

82. The composite building tile according to claim 81 wherein the acoustical tile comprises an acoustic tile body formed of fiberglass, mineral wool, mineral fiber, or combinations thereof.

83. The composite building tile according to any one of claims 81 to 82 wherein the thermal energy storage tile comprises a tile body comprising an upper panel and a lower panel coupled to the upper panel to form at least one sealed chamber therebetween, the phase change material located within the at least one sealed chamber.

84. The composite building tile according to any one of claims 81 to 83 further comprising: an adhesive coupling the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile to the top surface of the acoustical tile; and the adhesive applied in a discontinuous pattern so that select portions of the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile are adhered to the top surface of the acoustical tile while remaining portions of the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage tile are not adhered to the top surface of the acoustical tile.

85. The composite building tile according to claim 84 wherein a gap exists between the remaining portions of the thermal energy storage tile and the top surface of the acoustical tile.

86. The composite building tile according to claim 85 wherein the gap is maintained by a thickness of the adhesive.

87. The composite building tile according to any one of claims 84 to 86 wherein the select portions comprises a perimeter adhesion portion adjacent a perimeter of the composite building tile and a central adhesion portion located at a central zone of the composite building tile.

88. The composite building tile according to claim 87 wherein the select portions comprises first and second diagonal adhesion portions that intersect at the central adhesion portion.

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