Building tile for storing thermal energy, and systems implementing the same

Abstract

A building tile for storing thermal energy and a system incorporating the same. The building tile may include an acoustical tile body and a thermal energy storage unit. The acoustical tile body may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a through-hole or recess therein. The thermal energy storage unit may be at least partially embedded within the acoustical tile body in the through-hole or recess. A scrim may be coupled to the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body.

Description

BUILDING TILE FOR STORING THERMAL ENERGY, AND SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTING THE SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a PCT International Application claiming priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 606230 filed on December 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.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 an acoustical tile body and a thermal energy storage unit. The acoustical tile body may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a through-hole or recess therein. The thermal energy storage unit may be at least partially embedded within the acoustical tile body in the through-hole or recess. A scrim may be coupled to the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body.

[0004] In one aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: an acoustical tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one through-hole extending from a first opening in the top surface of the acoustical tile body to a second opening in the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body; a thermal energy storage unit comprising a phase change material, the thermal energy storage unit in a loaded state in which the thermal energy storage unit is positioned within the at least one through-hole and at least partially embedded in the acoustical tile body; and a scrim coupled to the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body, the scrim covering the through-hole and the thermal energy storage unit.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention may be a building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a rectangular acoustical tile body comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surface; a perimeter portion comprising the peripheral edge; a first diagonal portion extending from a first comer portion of the perimeter portion to a third comer of the perimeter portion; a second diagonal portion extending from a second comer portion of the perimeter portion to a fourth corner of the perimeter portion, the first and second diagonal portions intersecting one another to form first, second, third, and fourth thermal energy storage zones between the first and second diagonal portions and the perimeter portion; at least one first recess formed in the top surface in the first thermal energy storage zone; at least one second recess formed in the top surface in the second thermal energy storage zone; at least one third recess formed in the top surface in the third thermal energy storage zone; and at least one fourth recess formed in the top surface in the fourth thermal energy storage zone; a first thermal energy storage unit comprising a first phase change material positioned within the at least one first recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body; a second thermal energy storage unit comprising a second phase change material positioned within the at least one second recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body; a third thermal energy storage unit comprising a third phase change material positioned within the at least one third recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body; and a fourth thermal energy storage unit comprising a fourth phase change material positioned within the at least one fourth recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body.

[0006] 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 andspecific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and arc not intended to limit the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a ceiling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 while also illustrating an overhead support structure that the ceiling system is attached to;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of area III of FIG. 2;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the building tile of FIG. 4, illustrating an acoustic tile body and a plurality of thermal energy storage units;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI- VI of FIG. 5;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vll-Vll of FIG. 5

[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII- VIII of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 9A is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 in accordance with a first alternative embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 9B is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 in accordance with a second alternative embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 9C is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 in accordance with a third alternative embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9D is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 in accordance with a fourth alternative embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 11 A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XLXI of FIG. 10;

[0022] FIG. 11B is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 in accordance with a second alternative embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 12A is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a plurality of thermal energy storage units and an acoustic tile body with channels that are configured to receive the thermal energy storage units;

[0024] FIG. 12B is a top perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 12A with the thermal energy storage units located within he channels of the acoustic tile body;

[0025] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a building tile including an acoustic tile body and a plurality of thermal energy storage units in accordance with another embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a building tile including an acoustic tile body and a plurality of thermal energy storage units in accordance with yet another embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 16 is an exploded top perspective view of the building tile of FIG. 15 illustrating an acoustic tile body and a plurality of thermal energy storage units;

[0029] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

[0030] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15 in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20;

[0034] FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a building tile in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a building tile in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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. Inaddition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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” less than about 0.1 wt. % based on the total of the referenced value.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a ceiling system 10 will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The ceiling system 10 may comprise a grid assembly 20and a plurality of building tiles 100. The grid assembly 20 may comprise a plurality of first grid members 21 that arc arranged parallel to one another and a plurality of second grid members 22 that are arranged parallel to one another. The plurality of second grid members 22 may be orthogonal to the plurality of first grid members 21 so that grid openings 23 are defined in the spaces between the first and second grid members 21, 22. In the exemplified embodiment, the grid openings 23 are square or rectangular, although the invention is not to be so limited and other shapes may be used by modifying the relative angle between the first and second grid members 21, 22. The grid assembly 20 may be coupled to and supported by an overhead support structure30 by hangers 25. In some embodiments, each of the first and second grid members 21, 22 may be coupled to the overhead support structure 30 by the hangers 25. In other embodiments, the first grid members 21 may be coupled to the overhead support structure 30 by the hangers 25 and the second grid members 22 may be supported by the first grid members 22.

[0044] Each of the first and second grid members 21, 22 may comprise a vertical portion 26, a bulb portion 27 at a top end of the vertical portion 26, and a horizontal flange 28 at a bottom end of the vertical portion 26. The horizontal flange 28 may extend perpendicularly from two opposing sides of the vertical portion 26 to form a support ledge upon which the building tile 100 may rest. The hanger 25 may be coupled to the bulb portion 27 to facilitate the attachment of the grid members 21 , 22 to the overhead support structure 30. While one type of grid members is illustrated and described, other types of grid members which are commonly used to support building tiles such as ceiling panels may be used in other embodiments.

[0045] One of the building tiles 100 may be positioned within each of the grid openings 23 and supported by the horizontal flange 28 of the first and second grid members 21, 22. While FIGS. 1-3 illustrates identical building tiles 100 being positioned within each of the grid openings 23, in other embodiments there may be two or more different types of building tiles 100 positioned in the different grid openings 23. For example, the building tiles 100 may be acoustical panels, phase change material (PCM) panels, or hybrid panels which comprise an acoustical body portion and phase change material. Thus, purely acoustical panels may be located in some of the grid openings 23 while PCM panels and / or hybrid panels are located in some of the other grid openings 23.

[0046] When the building tiles 100 are supported by the first and second grid members 21, 22 within the grid openings 23, the ceiling system 10 divides the interior space into a plenum space31 that is located above the ceiling system 10 (between the ceiling system 10 and the overheadsupport structure 30) and a room environment 32 located below the ceiling system 10. The plenum space 31 may be where mechanical systems such as plumbing, HVAC, electrical cables, and the like. The room environment 32 may be where people live and work and where furniture and other items are located.

[0047] In FIGS. 1-3, the building tiles 100 are illustrated being supported by the first and second grid members 21, 22 within the grid openings 23. However, any of the other building tiles as described herein may be used in place of or in addition to the building tiles 100. Specifically, different types of building tiles are described herein with different structures and features. Any of one or more of the building tiles may be used in the ceiling system 10. Furthermore, any of one or more of the building tiles described herein may be used in the ceiling system 10 along with conventional acoustical ceiling tiles and / or other types of ceiling tiles commonly used in ceiling applications.

[0048] The building tile 100 may comprise an acoustical tile body 110 and a thermal energy storage unit 150. The acoustical tile body 110 and the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be coupled together. The acoustical tile body 110 and the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be detachably coupled together so that the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be separated from the acoustical tile body 110 as desired or needed. Alternatively, in some embodiments the acoustical tile body 110 and the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be fixedly coupled together. For example, the acoustical tile body 110 and the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be coupled together with adhesive, mechanical interlock, fasteners, or the like, so that the thermal energy storage unit 150 cannot be detached or separated from the acoustical tile body 110 without damaging the integrity of the acoustical tile body 110 and / or the thermal energy storage unit 150.

[0049] The acoustical tile body 110 may be designed to improve the acoustics of the room environment 32 below the ceiling system 10. The acoustical tile body 110 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, mineral fiber, or combinations thereof. Other materials having known acoustic properties for use in a ceiling system may be used. The acoustical tile body 110 may have sound attenuation and sound absorption properties to enhance the sound acoustics in the room environment 32. In some embodiments, the building tile 100 may provide a sound attenuation function and preferred materials for providing the sound attenuation function may include mineralwool. Tn some embodiments, the building tile 100 may provide a CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class) rating of at least 35, preferably at least 40.

[0050] The thermal energy storage unit 150 may be coupled to or positioned on the acoustical tile body 110. The thermal energy storage unit 150 may comprise a container body 151 that defines a sealed chamber 152 and a phase change material 160 that is held within the chamber 152 of the container body 151. Further details about the container body 151 will be provided below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0051] The phase change material 160 is a substance which releases / absorbs energy at phase transition to provide useful heating and / or cooling. Thus, incorporating the phase change material 160 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 the phase change material 160 may change from a solid to a liquid as it absorbs heat. In some embodiments, the phase change material 160 may change from a liquid to a gas 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 160 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 or solid to solid 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-encapsulated 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 macroencapsulated types of containment, incorporated in secondary materials or structures, in any generally planer format.

[0054] 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.

[0055] In some embodiments, the phase change material 160 may be microencapsulated in the thermal energy storage unit 150. In some embodiments, the thermal energy storage unit 150 may comprise a carrier material with the phase change material 160 being microencapsulated into the carrier material. The carrier material may be selected from the group consisting of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a fibrous mat, a fibrous board, a porous body, and a pressed or cast cementitious material.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, the building tile 100 is illustrated in an assembled state whereby a plurality of the thermal energy storage units 150 are in a loaded state, as described further below. Referring to FIG. 5, the building tile 100 is illustrated in an unassembled state whereby the thermal energy storage units 150 are in an unloaded state, as described further below.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the acoustical tile body 110 will be described in detail. The acoustical tile body 110 may comprise a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112 that is opposite the top surface 111. The bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 may form a bottom surface (or a portion thereof) of the building tile 100 that is exposed to the room environment 32 when the building tile 100 is supported by the grid assembly 20 as described herein. The top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110 may form a top surface (or a portion thereof) of the building tile 100 that is exposed to the plenum space 31. Thus, the bottom surface 112 of theacoustical tile body 110 may be visible to people in the room environment 32 while the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 111 may be hidden from view to people in the room environment 32. The acoustical tile body 110 may further comprise an edge 113 that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 111, 112. The acoustical tile body 110 is illustrated with a square or rectangular shape, but the acoustical tile body 110 may have other shapes. The shape of the acoustical tile body 110 may correspond to the shape of the grid openings 23 of the grid assembly 20 as described above. The top and bottom surfaces 111, 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 may be flat and planar in some embodiments, although various contours, topographies, and textures may be used in other embodiments.

[0058] The acoustical tile body 110 may comprise at least one through-hole 115 that extends from a first opening 116 in the top surface 111 to a second opening 117 in the bottom surface 112. In the exemplified embodiment, the acoustical tile body 110 comprises a plurality of the through- holes 115. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the acoustical tile body 110 comprises four of the through-holes 115. The exact number of the through-holes 115 may be adjusted in accordance with the specific properties and characteristics of the building tile 100 desired to achieve various acoustical and heating / cooling scenarios for the room environment 32 below the ceiling system 10. The through-hole 115 may comprise a hole axis A-A that is perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 111, 112 of the acoustical tile body 110.

[0059] The through-hole 115 may have a conical shape such that a cross-sectional area of the through-hole 115 increases moving from the bottom surface 112 towards the top surface 111. The through-hole 115 may therefore be tapered moving from the top surface 111 to the bottom surface 112. The through-hole 115 may be in the shape of a truncated cone. Thus, each of the through- holes 115 may be bounded by a sidewall 114. The sidewall 114 may be an annular sidewall. The sidewall 114 may be angled so as to diverge from the hole axis A-A moving in a direction from the bottom surface 112 towards the top surface 111. The sidewall 114 in the exemplified embodiment has an oblique orientation, meaning it is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the top and bottom surfaces 111, 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. This angle of the sidewall 114 helps to retain the thermal energy storage unit 150 within the through-hole 115 as described further below. Other configurations for the sidewall 114 and the exterior of the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be used in alternative embodiments to facilitate the mechanical interferencetherebetween to retain the thermal energy storage unit 150 within the through-hole 1 15, examples of which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, the thermal energy storage unit 150 will be further described. As noted previously, the thermal energy storage unit 150 comprises a container body 151 that defines a sealed chamber 152 and a phase change material 153 that is disposed within the sealed chamber 152. The container body 151 may be formed from various polymer materials such as including without limitation polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or the like. Other materials that are compatible with the phase change material 153 stored in the sealed chamber 152 may be used to form the container body 151 in other embodiments. The container body 151 may comprise multiple panels that are coupled together to define the sealed chamber 152. Thus, for example, the container body 151 may comprise a first panel that defines the shape of the chamber with an open end and a second panel that is flat and is coupled to the first panel to close the open end of the chamber and define the sealed chamber. Of course, other techniques for forming the container body 151 may be used, including forming the container body 151 with an opening through which the phase change material 153 may be introduced into the sealed chamber 152 and a cap or cover that can close the opening. Regardless of the manner in which the container body 151 is manufactured, the sealed chamber 152 may be sealed so that the phase change material 153 disposed therein is held therein and unable to escape therefrom absent the sealed chamber 152 being punctured or a cap / cover being removed to provide access thereto.

[0061] In the exemplified embodiment, the container body 151 comprises a top surface 154, a bottom surface 155, and a side surface 156 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 154, 155. The container body 151 may be in the shape of a cone or a truncated cone. Thus, the top surface 154 may have a greater surface area than the bottom surface 155, and the side surface 156 may be oriented oblique to the top and bottom surfaces 154, 155. The side surface 156 may be angled outwardly as it extends from the bottom surface 154 to the top surface 155. The angle of the side surface 156 may be configured to match or correspond with the angle of the sidewall 114 of the through-hole 115 in the acoustical tile body 110, as described further below. The container body 151 may therefore be tapered in width moving from the top surface 154 to the bottom surface 155.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view to the building tile 100 is illustrated showing two of the thermal energy storage units 150 in the loaded state. When the thermal energy storageunits 150 are in the loaded state, the thermal energy storage units 150 are positioned within one of the through-holes 115 in the acoustical tile body 110. That is, one of the thermal energy storage units 150 is positioned within each one of the through-holes 115. The number of the thermal energy storage units 150 may match the number of the through-holes 115 in some embodiments. The thermal energy storage units 150 may be at least partially embedded in the acoustical tile body110 when in the loaded state. The thermal energy storage units 150 may be at least partially embedded as distinct regions in the acoustical tile body 110. The thermal energy storage units 150 may be fully embedded in the acoustical tile body 110 in some embodiments. The exposed top and bottom surfaces 154, 155 of the thermal energy storage units 150 may be exposed on the visible or non-visible sides of the building tile 100.

[0063] Due to the conical shape of the through-holes 115 in the acoustical tile body 110 and the container bodies 151 of the thermal energy storage units 150, the thermal energy storage units 150 are able to be inserted into the through-holes 115 through the first opening 116 in the top surface111 of the acoustical tile body 110 while being prevented from passing through the second opening 117 in the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. That is, when the thermal energy storage units 150 are in the loaded state as shown in FIG. 8, a mechanical interference exists between the thermal energy storage units 150 and the acoustical tile body 110. The mechanical interference between the thermal energy storage units 150 and the acoustical tile body 110 prevents the thermal energy storage units 150 from passing through the second opening 117 in the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. The through-holes 115 also help with heat transfer as the PCM is in direct convective connection with both the room side and the plenum side of the tile 100. Additionally, through-holes 115 may be beneficial for easier manufacturing than having cavities with bottoms, requiring further routing.

[0064] Specifically, the thermal energy storage units 150 are configured to be moved in a first direction Z-Z through the first opening 116 in the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110 and towards the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 until the side surface 156 of the container body 151 contacts the sidewall 114 of the through-hole 115 of the acoustical tile body 110. The first direction Z-Z is a direction from the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110 towards the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. Because the container body 151 and the through-hole 115 are both conical, the contact between the side surface 156 of the container body 151 and the sidewall 114 of the through-hole 115 prevents the thermal energy storage unit150 from continuing to be moved in the first direction Z-Z through the second opening 117 in the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. In some embodiments, the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be affixed to the acoustical tile body 110, such as with the use of an adhesive or the like. In other embodiments, the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be disposed within the through-hole 115 without being affixed to the acoustical tile body 110. In such an embodiment, the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be altered from the loaded state shown in FIG. 8 to an unloaded state by moving the thermal energy storage unit 150 in a second direction Y-Y that is opposite to the first direction Z-Z. That is, the second direction Y-Y may be a direction from the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 towards the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110. The thermal energy storage unit 150 may be retracted from the through-hole 115 by moving the thermal energy storage unit 150 in the second direction Y-Y.

[0065] In the exemplified embodiment, when the thermal energy storage unit 150 is in the loaded state, the top surface 154 of the container body 151 is flush with the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110. In other embodiments, the top surface 154 of the container body 151 may protrude from the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110. In still other embodiments, the top surface 154 of the container body 151 may be recessed relative to the top surface 111 of the acoustical tile body 110. In the exemplified embodiment, when the thermal energy storage unit 150 is in the loaded state, the bottom surface 155 of the container body 151 is flush with the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 155 of the container body 151 may be recessed relative to the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. In the exemplified embodiment, the thermal energy storage unit 150 does not protrude from the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110. This may be desirable because the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 is visible to people in the room environment, as described above. Thus, in order to maintain a pleasing aesthetic, the thermal energy storage unit 150 may be configured to not protrude from the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body 110 when loaded therein.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 9A, an alternative embodiment of a building tile 100a is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Features and components of the building tile 100a that are similar to features and components of the building tile 100 will be similarly numbered except that the suffix “a” will be used to distinguish between the embodiments. Thus,the details provided above for the building tile 100 are generally applicable to the building tile 100a unless a conflicting disclosure is provided with reference to the building tile 100a.

[0067] The building tile 100a generally comprises an acoustical tile body 110a and a thermal energy storage unit 150a. The acoustical tile body 110a comprises a top surface I l la and a bottom surface 112a opposite the top surface I lla. The acoustical tile body 110a comprises at least one recess or blind hole 115a that extends from a first opening 116a in the top surface I l la towards the bottom surface 112a. However, the recess or blind hole (or depression) 115a does not extend fully through the acoustical tile body 110a to the bottom surface 112a, but instead terminates at a floor 119a that is positioned between the bottom surface 112a and the top surface I l la. The blind hole 115a may be defined by an annular sidewall 114a. In the exemplified embodiment, the annular sidewall 114a may extend vertically between the top surface I l la and the floor 119a. In other embodiments, the annular sidewall 114a may be oriented oblique to the top surface I l la and the floor 119a like the sidewall 114 of the prior embodiment. However, because the blind hole 115a does not extend through to the bottom surface 112a of the acoustical tile body 110a, the conical shape of the blind hole 115a may not be necessary to retain the thermal energy storage unit 150a therein as with the prior described embodiment.

[0068] The thermal energy storage unit 150a may comprise a container body 151a having a top surface 154a, a bottom surface 155a, and a side surface 156a. A phase change material 153a may be stored within a sealed chamber 152a of the container body 151a. The thermal energy storage unit 150a may be positioned in a loaded state whereby the thermal energy storage unit 150a is disposed within the blind hole 115a of the acoustical tile body 110a. In the loaded state, the bottom surface 155a of the container body 151a may rest atop of (and possibly in contact with) the floor 119a of the blind hole 115a while the side surface 156a of the container body 151a interfaces with (possibly in contact with) the annular sidewall 114a of the blind hole 115a. In the exemplified embodiment, the top surface 154a of the container body 15 la is flush with the top surface 11 la of the acoustical panel body 110a. However, in other embodiments the top surface 154a of the container body 151a may protrude from or be recessed relative to the top surface I lla of the acoustical panel body 110a.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 9B, an alternative embodiment of a building tile 100b is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Features and components of the building tile 100b that are similar to features and components of the building tile 100 will be similarlynumbered except that the suffix “a” will be used to distinguish between the embodiments. Thus, the details provided above for the building tile 100 arc generally applicable to the building tile 100b unless a conflicting disclosure is provided with reference to the building tile 100b.

[0070] The building tile 100b comprises an acoustical tile body 110b and a thermal energy storage unit 150b. The acoustical tile body 110b comprises a top surface 111b, a bottom surface 112b, and at least one through-hole 115b extending from the top surface 11 lb to the bottom surface 112b. The through-hole 115b is defined or bounded by a sidewall 114b. In this embodiment, the sidewall 114b has a stepped profile. The thermal energy storage unit 150b comprises a container body 151b having a top surface 154b, a bottom surface 155b, and a side surface 156b extending between the top and bottom surface 154b, 155b. A phase change material 153b may be stored within a sealed chamber 152b of the container body 151b. In this embodiment, the side surface 156b has a stepped profile that corresponds to the stepped profile of the sidewall 114b of the through-hole 115b. As such, the side surface 156b of the container body 151b of the thermal energy storage unit 150b and the sidewall 114b of the through-hole 115b form a mechanical interference that retains the thermal energy storage unit 150b in place within the through-hole 115b. Thus, the difference between this embodiment and the building tile 100 is that the mating surfaces are stepped rather than oblique, but the same result is achieved that prevents the thermal energy storage unit 150b from passing through the opening in the bottom surface 112b of the acoustical tile body 110b. In another embodiment, the through-hole 115b may be covered with a flexible material, such as a polymeric film, then filled with PCM and sealed off at the top with a second flexible material or film.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 9C, an alternative embodiment of a building tile 100c is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Features and components of the building tile 100c that are similar to features and components of the building tile 100 will be similarly numbered except that the suffix “a” will be used to distinguish between the embodiments. Thus, the details provided above for the building tile 100 are generally applicable to the building tile 100c unless a conflicting disclosure is provided with reference to the building tile 100b.

[0072] The building tile 100c generally comprises an acoustical tile body 110c and a thermal energy storage unit 150c. The acoustical tile body 110c comprises a top surface 111c, a bottom surface 112c, and a through-hole 115c extending from the top surface 111c to the bottom surface 112c. The through hole 115c is bounded or defined by a sidewall 114c, which may be an annularsidewall. The sidewall 114c comprises a retaining bead 118c. The retaining bead 1 18c may be a ridge or protrusion that protrudes from the sidewall 114c into the through-hole 115c.

[0073] The thermal energy storage unit 150c may comprise a container body 151c having a top surface 154c, a bottom surface 155c, and a side surface 156c. A phase change material 153c may be stored within a sealed chamber 152c of the container body 151c. The side surface 156c may comprise a notch or recess 157c that is configured to receive the retaining bead 118c when the thermal energy storage unit 150c is loaded within the through-hole 115c of the acoustical tile body 110c. The engagement between the retaining bead 118c of the acoustical tile body 110a and the recess 157c of the thermal energy storage unit 150c may lock the thermal energy storage unit 150c in the loaded state within he through-hole 115c. Application of a force may disengage the retaining bead 118c from the recess 157c to retract the thermal energy storage unit 150c from the through- hole 115c. While the exemplified embodiment illustrates the retaining bead 118c as part of the acoustical tile body 110c and the recess 157c as part of the thermal energy storage unit 150c, in other embodiments the thermal energy storage unit 150c may comprise a retaining bead or protrusion that nests within a notch or recess formed into the sidewall 114c of the acoustical tile body 110c. The retaining bead and the recess may be continuous or may comprise several discontinuous retaining beads / recesses.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 9D, an alternative embodiment of a building tile lOOd is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Features and components of the building tile lOOd that are similar to features and components of the building tile 100 will be similarly numbered except that the suffix “a” will be used to distinguish between the embodiments. Thus, the details provided above for the building tile 100 are generally applicable to the building tile lOOd unless a conflicting disclosure is provided with reference to the building tile lOOd.

[0075] The building tile lOOd generally comprises an acoustical tile body l lOd and a thermal energy storage unit 150d. The acoustical tile body 1 lOd may comprise a top surface 11 Id, a bottom surface 112d, and a through-hole 115d extending from the top surface 11 Id to the bottom surface 112d. The through-hole 115d may be a blind hole in other embodiments, while still including the additional features described below. The thermal energy storage unit 150d may comprise a container body 151d comprising a sealed chamber 152d within which a phase change material 153d is disposed. The thermal energy storage unit 150d may be in a loaded state when positioned within the through-hole 115d of the acoustical tile body l lOd. In the exemplified embodiment,the through-hole 1 15d is cylindrical in shape, hut the through-hole 115d may he conical or stepped or other shapes in other embodiments. The container body 15 Id of the thermal energy storage unit 150d may comprise a top surface 154d, a bottom surface 155d, and a side surface 156d.

[0076] In the exemplified embodiment, a scrim 170d is coupled to the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body llOd. The scrim 170d may be coupled to the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body l lOd with an adhesive, fasteners, staples, nails, screws, or the like in various different embodiments. The scrim 170d may be a decorative layer attached to the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd. The scrim 170d may be formed from a fabric, cloth, metal, wood, or any other material as may be desired. The scrim 170d may be a film, fabric, veil, or the like. The scrim 170d may be an acoustically transparent covering in some embodiments so that the acoustically absorbing behavior of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd is retained and not affected by the scrim 170d. The scrim 170d may be an optional layer and may therefore be omitted in some embodiments.

[0077] The scrim 170d may cover the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd so that the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd is hidden from view to people within the room environment. Furthermore, the scrim 170d may cover the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body l lOd and the bottom surface 155d of the container body 1 Id of the thermal energy storage unit 150d. Thus, in some embodiments only the scrim 170d may be visible to a person in the room environment, such that the scrim 170d may cover the otherwise exposed surfaces of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd and the thermal energy storage unit 150d. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment there is no mechanical interference between the thermal energy storage unit 150d and the acoustical tile body l lOd which would maintain the thermal energy storage unit 150d in the loaded state and prevent the thermal energy storage unit 150d from passing through the opening in the bottom surface 112 of the acoustical tile body l lOd. Thus, the scrim 170d may form a barrier that retains the thermal energy storage unit 150d in the through-hole 115d and prevents the thermal energy storage unit 150d from passing through the opening in the bottom surface 112d of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd.

[0078] The building tile lOOd may comprise an insulating layer 17 Id coupled to the top surface 11 Id of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd. The building tile lOOd may comprise a reflective layer 172d coupled to an upper surface of the insulating layer 17 Id. Thus, the insulating layer 17 Id may be located between the reflective layer 172d and the acoustical tile body 1 lOd. In some embodiments,the insulating layer 17 Id may be omitted and the reflective layer 172d may be coupled directly to the top surface 11 Id of the acoustical tile body l lOd. The insulating layer 17 Id or the reflective layer 172d may be coupled to the top surface 11 Id of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd with adhesive, fasteners such as staples, nails, screws or the like.

[0079] The insulating layer 17 Id may have an R-value in a range between 1 to 5. The insulating layer 17 Id 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 17 Id may be located atop the top surface 11 Id of the acoustical tile body l lOd, and the reflective layer 172d may be omitted. In other embodiments, both the insulating layer 17 Id and the reflective layer 172d may be included as shown in FIG. 9D. The insulation layer 17 Id 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] A top surface of the reflective layer 172d may have an emissivity value of less than or equal to 0.5. The top surface of the reflective layer 172d 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 172d may be a metallic film. The reflective layer 172d 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 172d may be a coating. In such embodiments, the top surface of the reflective layer 172d may have an emissivity layer of 0.3 to 0.5. The coating may be a Lo- MIT paint. By adding the reflective layer 172d onto the top surface 11 Id of the acoustical tile body 1 lOd or onto the insulating layer 17 Id (which faces the plenum), the possible wasteful release of stored thermal capacity in the phase change material 153d due to radiant heat from the floor slab or roof deck above may be reduced or mitigated. The reflective layer 172d may reflect radiant energy away from the phase change material 153d.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a building tile 200 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 200 comprises an acoustical tile body 210 and at least one thermal energy storage unit 250. In the exemplified embodiment, there are four of the thermal energy storage units 250, although more or less of the thermal energy storage units 250 may be used in other embodiments. The acoustical tile body 210 may comprise a top surface 211, a bottom surface 212, and at least one through-hole 215 extending from a first opening 216 in the top surface 211 to a second opening 217 in the bottom surface 212. The at least one through-hole 215 may be a blind hole rather than a through-hole in other embodiments, as discussed herein for example with reference to FIG. 9A. In the exemplified embodiment, the acoustical tile body 210 comprises four of the through-holes 215, although greater or fewer than four through-holes215 may be used in other embodiments.

[0082] The thermal energy storage unit 250 comprises a container body 251 that defines a sealed chamber 252. A phase change material 253 may be stored within the sealed chamber 252 of the container body 251. The container body 251 may comprise a top surface 254, a bottom surface 255, and a side surface 256 that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 254, 255. The container body 251 may further comprise a flange 257 that extends radially outward from the side surface 256 adjacent to the top surface 254. In the exemplified embodiment, the flange 257 is an annular flange. In alternative embodiments, the flange 257 may comprise two or more distinct flange portions that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another rather than being a continuous annular flange.

[0083] The thermal energy storage unit 250 may be in a loaded state such that the thermal energy storage unit 250 is disposed within the through-hole 215 of the acoustical panel body 210. When so positioned, the thermal energy storage unit 250 is located within the through-hole 215 and the flange 257 abuts and rests atop of the top surface 211 of the acoustical tile body 210. The flange 257 may have a cross-sectional area that does not fit through the cross-sectional area of the opening216 in the top surface 211 of the acoustical tile body 210. Thus, the thermal energy storage unit 250 may be supported within the through-hole 215 due to the engagement between the flange 257 and the top surface 211 of the acoustical tile body 210. In the exemplified embodiment, the bottom surface 255 of the thermal energy storage unit 250 may be flush with the bottom surface 212 of the acoustical tile body 210 when supported in the through-hole 215 by the flange 257. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 255 of the thermal energy storage unit 250 may be recessed relative to the bottom surface 212 of the acoustical tile body 210. In some embodiments, an adhesive or the like may be used to affix the flange 257 to the top surface 211 of the acoustical tile body 210. In other embodiments, the thermal energy storage unit 250 may be removable from the through-hole 215 by retracting the thermal energy storage unit 250 upwardly through the through- hole 215.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 11B, in another embodiment, the building tile 200 comprises an acoustical tile body 210 and at least one thermal energy storage unit 250. In the embodiment, thereare four of the thermal energy storage units 250, although more or less of the thermal energy storage units 250 may be used in other embodiments. The acoustical tile body 210 may comprise a top surface 211, a bottom surface 212, and at least one through-hole 215 extending from a first opening 216 in the top surface 211 to a second opening 217 in the bottom surface 212. The at least one through-hole 215 may be a blind hole rather than a through-hole in other embodiments, as discussed herein for example with reference to FIG. 9A. In the exemplified embodiment, the acoustical tile body 210 comprises four of the through-holes 215, although greater or fewer than four through-holes 215 may be used in other embodiments.

[0085] The thermal energy storage unit 250 comprises a first sheet 258a that defines bottom and side walls and a second sheet 258b that defines a top surface 254a of a sealed cavity 252a. In one example, the first sheet 258a is a continuous sheet that covers the entire top surface 211 and lines every through-hole 215 in the building tile 200 and the second sheet 258b is a continuous sheet that covers the entire top surface 211 over the first sheet 258a and defines a top surface 254a of each through-hole 215 of the building tile 200. A phase change material 253 may be stored within the sealed cavity 252a. The sealed cavity 252a may comprise a top surface 254a defined by the second sheet 258b, a bottom surface 255a defined by the first sheet 258a, and a side surface 256a defined by the first sheet 258a that extends between the top and bottom surfaces 254a, 255a.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a building tile 300 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 300 comprises an acoustical tile body 310 and at least one thermal energy storage unit 350. The acoustical tile body 310 may comprise a top surface 311, a bottom surface 312, and at least one channel 315 formed into the top surface 311. Each of the channels 315 may extend across the acoustical tile body 310 from a first side thereof to an opposite second side thereof. Thus, each of the channels 315 may be open at the first and second sides. Each of the channels 315 may be defined by a floor 316, a first wall 317 extending from the floor 316 to the top surface 311, and a second wall 318 extending from the floor 316 to the top surface 311.

[0087] The thermal energy storage unit 350 may comprise a container body 351. The container body 351 may define a sealed chamber (refer to previous embodiments). A phase change material may be stored within the sealed chamber of the container body 351. Each of the thermal energy storage units 350 may be configured to be slid into one of the channels 315 in the acoustical tile body 310, as shown in FIG. 12A, to load the thermal energy storage units 350 into the channels315. Once the thermal energy storage units 350 are loaded into the channels 315, top surfaces 354 of the container body 350 of the thermal energy storage units 350 may be flush with the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 13, lower portions 365 of the thermal energy storage units 350 may nest within the channels 315 and upper portions 366 of the thermal energy storage units 350 may protrude from the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310. This may expose a greater surface area of the thermal energy storage units 350 to the ambient air for a more effective temperature control. In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the acoustical tile body 310 may not have any channels, and the thermal energy storage units 350 may be positioned atop of the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310. The thermal energy storage units 350 may be positioned in a spaced apart manner along the acoustical tile body 310. Thus, in this embodiment all surfaces of the thermal energy storage unit 350 with the exception of the bottom surface that is in contact with the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310 are exposed to the ambient air environment. In this embodiment, the thermal energy storage units 350 may be coupled / affixed to the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310 with an adhesive or the like. However, in other embodiments the thermal energy storage units 350 may simply rest atop the top surface 311 of the acoustical tile body 310 without being affixed thereto to allow for easy removal / replacement.

[0089] In some of the embodiments described herein, the thermal energy storage unit 150, 250, 350 may be coupled to the underlying acoustical tile body 110, 210, 310. In some embodiments, this coupling may be accomplished with spots of an adhesive, such as silicone caulk, which secures the non-acoustic absorbing thermal energy storage unit 150, 250, 350 to the acoustic absorbing acoustical panel body 110, 210, 310. This may achieve a somewhat loose bond between the thermal energy storage unit 150, 250, 350 and the acoustical tile body 110, 210, 310 which may contribute to the acoustical tile body 110, 210, 310 maintaining its acoustic performance as compared to acoustical tile bodies without a thermal energy storage unit coupled thereto. That is, there may be gaps or spaces between the interfacing surfaces of the thermal energy storage unit and the acoustical tile body where sound may become trapped, which may increase the acoustical properties of the building tiles described herein. Thus, the disclosed connection allows maintaining a higher level of acoustic absorption based on area coverage of non-absorbing material.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 15-17, a building tile 400 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 400 may be configured to store thermal energy. As such, the building tile 400 may comprise an acoustical tile body 410 and a plurality of thermal energy storage units 499a-d. Each of the thermal energy storage units 499a-d may define a sealed chamber 498 within which a phase change material 497 is stored. The thermal energy storage units 499 may be coupled to, affixed to, laid atop of, or embedded within the acoustical tile body 410 as described below. Many of the details described above are applicable to the acoustical tile body 410 and the thermal energy storage units 499. The main difference between this embodiment and the one previously described relates to the shape and structure of the components. The details of the various materials as described above may be applicable to this embodiment.

[0091] The acoustical tile body 410 may be rectangular or square, and may therefore be referred to herein as a rectangular acoustical tile body. The acoustical tile body 410 may comprise a top surface 411, a bottom surface 412, and a peripheral edge 413 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 411, 412. The acoustical tile body 410 may comprise a perimeter portion 414 that comprises the peripheral edge 413, a perimeter region of the top surface 411, and a perimeter region of the bottom surface 412. The acoustical tile body 410 may further comprise a plurality of comer portions and a plurality of side portions. Specifically, the acoustical tile body 410 may comprise a first corner portion 415, a second comer portion 416, a third corner portion 417, and a fourth corner portion 418. The first and third corner portions 415, 417 may be opposite one another, and the second and fourth comer portions 416, 418 may be opposite one another. The acoustical tile body 410 may further comprise a first side portion 419, a second side portion 420, a third side portion 421, and a fourth side portion 422. The first side portion 419 may extend between the first and second comer portions 415, 416, the second side portion 420 may extend between the second and third corner portions 416, 417, the third side portion 421 may extend between the third and fourth corner portions 417, 418, and the fourth side portion 422 may extend between the first and fourth corner portions 415, 418. The first, second, third, and fourth corner portions 415, 416, 417, 418 may include the comer where two of the adjacent side portions meet as well as an end portion of the two adjacent side portions.

[0092] The perimeter portion 414 may comprise a plurality of interior comer portions that are each aligned with one of the corner portions 415-418. Specifically, the perimeter portion 414 maycomprise a first corner portion 423, a second comer portion 424, a third corner portion 425, and a fourth comer portion 426. The acoustical tile body 410 may comprise a first diagonal portion 427 extending from the first comer portion 423 of the perimeter portion 414 to the third corner portion 425 of the perimeter portion 414. The acoustical tile body 410 may further comprise a second diagonal portion 428 extending from the second comer portion 424 of the perimeter portion 414 to the fourth corner portion 426 of the perimeter portion 414. The first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may intersect one another to form an “X” shape along the acoustical tile body 410.

[0093] The first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may comprise a portion of the top surface 411 and a portion of the bottom surface 412 of the acoustical tile body 410. The first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may have a constant thickness. The perimeter portion 414 may also comprise a portion of the top surface 411 and a portion of the bottom surface 412 of the acoustical tile body 410. The perimeter portion 414 may have a constant thickness. The perimeter portion 414 and the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may have the same thickness. The perimeter portion 414 and the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may be free of recesses or channels or the like thereon. The top and bottom surfaces 411, 412 of the acoustical tile body 410 may be flat and planar, and the perimeter portion 414 and the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 may each form a portion of the top and bottom surfaces 411, 412 of the acoustical tile body 410.

[0094] The acoustical tile body 410 may comprise a first thermal energy storage zone 430, a second thermal energy storage zone 431 , a third thermal energy storage zone 432, and a fourth thermal energy storage zone 433. The first thermal energy storage zone 430 may be defined between portions of the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 and a portion of the perimeter portion 414 located along the first side 419. The second thermal energy storage zone 431 may be defined between portions of the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 and a portion of the perimeter portion 414 located along the second side 420. The third thermal energy storage zone 432 may be defined between portions of the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 and a portion of the perimeter portion 414 located along the third side 421. The fourth thermal energy storage zone 433 may be defined between portions of the first and second diagonal portions 427, 428 and a portion of the perimeter portion 414 located along the fourth side 422. In the exemplified embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth thermal energy zones 430-433 may be triangularin shape. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the various thermal energy zones 430- 433 may have other shapes in other embodiments, including circular as shown and described below with reference to FIG. 19.

[0095] The first and second thermal energy storage zones 430, 431 may be separated from another by a first section 445 of the first diagonal portion 427. The second and third thermal energy storage zones 431, 432 may be separated from another by a first section 436 of the second diagonal portion 428. The third and fourth thermal energy storage zones 432, 433 may be separated from another by a second section 447 of the first diagonal portion 427. The fourth and first thermal energy storage zones 430, 433 may be separated from another by a second section 448 of the second diagonal portion 428.

[0096] The acoustical tile body 410 comprises at least one first recess 440 formed into the top surface 411 in or along the first thermal energy zone 430. The acoustical tile body 410 comprises at least one second recess 441 formed into the top surface 411 in or along the second thermal energy zone 431. The acoustical tile body 410 comprises at least one third recess 442 formed into the top surface 411 in or along the third thermal energy zone 432. The acoustical tile body 410 comprises at least one fourth recess 443 formed into the top surface 411 in or along the fourth thermal energy zone 433. In the exemplified embodiment, there is exactly one recess formed in or along each of the thermal energy zones 430-433, although more than one recess may be formed into any of one or more of the thermal energy zone 430-433 in other embodiments. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment, each of the recesses 440-443 extends from the top surface 411 to a floor 444. Thus, the recesses 440-443 may be depressions or blind holes that do not extend fully through the acoustical tile body 410 from the top surface 411 to the bottom surface 412. In other embodiments, one or more of the recesses 440-443 may be a through-hole that extends through the acoustical tile body 410 from the top surface 411 to the bottom surface 412, as described above with reference to the previously described embodiments. FIG. 18 further illustrates an exemplary embodiment whereby the recesses (only the second and fourth recesses 431, 433 are visible) are through-holes.

[0097] The first thermal energy storage unit 499a may be positioned within the at least one first recess 430. The second thermal energy storage unit 499b may be positioned within the at least one second recess 431. The third thermal energy storage unit 499c may be positioned within the at least one third recess 432. The fourth thermal energy storage unit 499d may be positioned withinthe at least one fourth recess 433. The first, second, third, and fourth thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be at least partially embedded within the acoustical tile body 410. In some embodiments, the top surfaces of the thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be flush with the top surface 411 of the acoustical tile body 410. In other embodiments, the top surfaces of the thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be recessed relative to, or may protrude from, the top surface 411 of the acoustical tile body 410. In some embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 18), the recesses 430-433 may be through-holes and the top and bottom surfaces of the thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be flush with the top and bottom surfaces 411, 412 of the acoustical tile body 410, respectively.

[0098] The first, second, third, and fourth thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be coupled to the acoustical tile body 410 with an adhesive, clamp, cover member, or the like, although a physical coupling may not be required in all embodiments. In the exemplified embodiments, the recesses 430-433 are blind holes that have the floor 444, and thus the thermal energy storage units 499a-d nest within the respective recesses 430-433 and rest atop the floor 444. In other embodiments, the recesses 430-433 may be through-holes. In such embodiments, the through-holes may be conical, stepped, or the like and the thermal energy storage units 499a-d may be similarly conical, stopped, or the like to achieve a mechanical interference to hold the thermal energy storage units 499a-d within the through-holes, as described above. Alternatively, or additionally, with brief reference to FIG. 18, a scrim 480 may be coupled to the bottom surface 412 of the acoustical tile body 410 to hold the thermal energy storage units 499a-d within the through-hole. The scrim 480 may cover the through-hole(s), and therefore also the thermal energy storage units 499a-d.

[0099] FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a building tile 500 that is similar to the building tile 400. Specifically, the building tile 500 comprises an acoustical tile body 510 and a plurality of thermal energy storage units 520a-d. In this embodiment, the thermal energy storage units 520a-d are circular rather than triangular. However, due to the arrangement of the thermal energy storage units 520a-d (within recesses such as depressions, blind holes, or through-holes in the acoustical tile body 510), there is similarity with the prior embodiment. In particular, the acoustical tile body 510 comprises a top surface 511, a bottom surface 512, a peripheral edge 513 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 511, 512, a perimeter portion 514 that comprises the peripheral edge 513, a first diagonal portion 515 extending from a first corner portion of the perimeter portion 514 to a third comer portion of the perimeter portion 514, and a second diagonalportion 516 extending from a second corner portion of the perimeter portion 51 to a fourth corner portion of the perimeter portion 514. Thus, FIG. 19 illustrates that the recesses within which the thermal energy storage units 520a-d are located as well as the thermal energy storage units 520a- d themselves may not be triangular in all embodiments, while the acoustical tile body 510 may still have perimeter portions and diagonal portions as shown and described.

[0100] Embedding the thermal energy storage units within the acoustical tile body as described herein may add weight to the building tiles and reduce the bending stiffness of the acoustical tile body. The inventive concepts described above may position the thermal energy storage units in a way that minimizes the loss of bending stiffness of the building tile. A generally flat panel that is configured to be supported on a ceiling grid along four edges may benefit from maintaining the strength from one corner, diagonally to the opposite comer, generally in the shape of an X. As noted above, this can be achieved with thermal energy storage units that are circular or triangular, or have other polygonal and irregular shapes. In some embodiments, the shape of the thermal energy storage units may be optimized to match the stress patterns in the building tile so that the thermal energy storage units are embedded in regions of known low bending stress.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a building tile 600 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 600 may comprise an acoustical tile body 610 and a thermal energy storage unit 620. The acoustical tile body 610 may comprise a top surface 611 and a bottom surface 612 opposite the top surface 611. The acoustical tile body 610 may be formed from any of the materials described above for the previously described acoustical tile bodies.

[0102] The thermal energy storage unit 620 may comprise a tile body 629 comprising a top surface 621, a bottom surface 622, and a plurality of sealed chambers 623. A phase change material 624 may be located within each of the plurality of sealed chambers 623. The thermal energy storage unit 620 (and more specifically, the tile body 629 thereof) may comprise a base portion 670 and a plurality of protruding portions 671 , each of the protruding portions 671 defining one of the sealed chambers 623. The base portion 670 may comprise an upper surface 672. The protruding portions 671 may protrude from the upper surface 672 of the base portion 670 to a distal surface 673. The protruding portions 671 may comprise a sidewall 674 that protrudes from the upper surface 672 of the base portion 670 and a top wall 675 that forms the distal surface 673. The sidewall 674 may include multiple sidewalls or a singular annular sidewall, depending on the shape of the sealedchambers 623. For example, in the exemplified embodiment the sealed chambers 623 are square and thus the sidewall 674 includes four sidewalls that form the square shape. In other embodiments, the sealed chambers 623 may be circular and a single annular sidewall may be used. In still other embodiments, the sealed chambers 623 may have other polygonal or irregular shapes and the side wall 674 will be modified accordingly.

[0103] Each of the sealed chambers 623 may be defined by the sidewalls 674, the top wall 674, and the base portion 670. The sidewall(s) 674 and the top wall 675 may all be exposed, which increases the surface area that is available for heat transfer with the phase change material 624 stored in the sealed chambers 623. That is, the sidewall(s) 674 of each of the sealed chambers 623 may be spaced apart from the sidewall(s) 674 of each other sealed chamber 623 which subjects a large surface area of the exterior of each of the sealed chambers 623 to the ambient environment. Other geometries and textures may be used to further increase the heat transfer surface area, such as by creating ripples, bumps, and fins along the protruding portions 671 of the thermal energy storage unit 620.

[0104] In some embodiments, the phase change material 624 may be located in some of the sealed chambers 623 while others of the sealed chambers 623 may remain empty. The tile body 629 may be formed from upper and lower panels as described in the prior embodiments so that the sealed chambers 623 are formed between the upper and lower panels. That is, the tile body 629 shown in FIG. 21 may form the upper panel, and an additional lower panel may be coupled to the lower surface thereof to close the sealed chambers 623. Alternatively, the tile body 629 may be formed from a monolithic structure that includes openings for introducing the phase change material 624 into the various sealed chambers 623.

[0105] In this embodiment, the thermal energy storage unit 620 may comprise an array of the sealed chambers 623 comprising a plurality of rows 625 and a plurality of columns 626. While each of the sealed chambers 623 is square shaped in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited and the sealed chambers 623 may have other polygonal shapes or circular shapes or irregular shapes in other embodiments. The sealed chambers 623 within each row may be aligned with one another and the sealed chambers 623 within each column may be aligned with one another. In the exemplified embodiment, the array includes eight rows and eight columns, although any other number of rows and columns may be used in other embodiments depending onthe desired spacing between the sealed chambers 623, the size of the sealed chambers 623, and the size of the thermal energy storage unit 620.

[0106] Each pair of adjacent rows 625 of the sealed chambers 623 is spaced apart by a first linear portion 6 1 of the tile body 629. Each pair of adjacent columns 626 of the sealed chambers 623 is spaced apart by a second linear portion 628 of the tile body 629. The thermal energy storage unit 620 may comprise a first side edge 651, a second side edge 652, a third side edge 653 that is opposite the first side edge 651, and a fourth side edge 653 that is opposite the second side edge652. The first lineal' portion 627 may extend from the first side edge 651 to the third side edge653. The second linear portion 628 may extend from the second side edge 652 to the fourth side edge 654. The first and second linear portions 627, 628 may be free of sealed chambers therealong. Along the top surface 621 of the thermal energy storage unit 620, the first and second linear portions 627, 628 may be recessed relative to the sealed chambers 623 due to the sealed chambers 623 being formed by the protruding portions 670 and the first and second linear portions 627, 628 being formed by the regions of the base portion 670 that are free of the protrusions / sealed chambers.

[0107] The thermal energy storage unit 620 may comprise a first pre-weakened area 660 along one or more of the first linear portions 627 between the adjacent rows 625 and a second preweakened area 661 along one or more of the second linear portions 628 between the adjacent columns 626. While only one of the first pre- weakened areas 660 is illustrated (with dashed lines) and only one of the second pre-weakened areas 661 is illustrated (with dashed lines), it should be appreciated that there may be one of the first pre-weakened areas 660 located along each of the first linear' portions 627 and there may be one of the second pre-weakened areas 661 located along each of the second linear portions 628. Alternatively, there may be first and second pre- weakened areas 660, 661 located along some, but not all, of the first and second linear portions 627, 628, respectively.

[0108] The first and second pre- weakened areas 660, 661 may comprise perforations, a reduction in thickness, an elongated channel, or the like that makes it easier to tea' the thermal energy storage unit 620 therealong. The thermal energy storage unit 620 may be configured to break or tear along the first and second pre- weakened areas 660, 661 upon a tearing force being applied thereon. This may allow an installer to reduce the size of the thermal energy storage unit 620 to conform to thesize of the acoustical tile body 610 by removing portions of the thermal energy storage unit 620 by tearing along the first and / or second prc-wcakcncd areas 660, 661.

[0109] The thermal energy storage unit 620 may be positioned on the top surface 611 of the acoustical tile body 610. The thermal energy storage unit 620 may be coupled to the top surface 611 of the acoustical tile body 610, such as by adhesives, mechanical interference, fasteners, or the like.

[0110] FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of a building tile 700 that is similar to the building tile 600. The building tile 700 comprises an acoustical tile body 710 and a thermal energy storage unit 720. The details of the previously described acoustical tile bodies are applicable to the acoustical tile body 710, which will therefore not be described in detail here in the interest of brevity. Furthermore, the thermal energy storage unit 720 is similar to the thermal energy storage unit 620 of the previously described embodiment, and thus many of the details of the thermal energy storage unit 620 described above are applicable to the thermal energy storage unit 720.

[0111] The thermal energy storage unit 720 comprises an array of sealed chambers 723 that are at least partially spaced apart from one another. However, the sealed chambers 723 are spaced closer together than the sealed chambers 623 of the prior embodiment. Furthermore, the sealed chambers 723 have a somewhat trapezoidal cross-sectional shape rather than being square. Otherwise, the thermal energy storage unit 720 is identical to the thermal energy storage unit 623 previously described. The thermal energy storage unit 720 may include pre- weakened areas to allow separating one or more of the sealed chambers 723 from the remainder of the thermal energy storage unit 720 to meet required sizing requirements and / or thermal requirements for a particular space.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, a building tile 800 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The building tile 800 comprises an acoustical tile body 810 and a thermal energy storage unit 820. The acoustical tile body 810 may be formed from an acoustical material, such as described above. The acoustical tile body 810 may comprise a top surface 811 , a bottom surface 812, and a peripheral edge 813 extending between the top and bottom surfaces 811, 812. Additional details of the acoustical tile body 810 will not be described herein in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description of the acoustical tile bodies of the previously described embodiments is applicable.

[0113] The thermal energy storage unit 820 may comprise a tile body 821 that defines one or more sealed chambers 822. The tile body 821 may be formed as a monolithic structure with openings into the sealed chambers 822 that can be closed by a closure member. Alternatively, the tile body 821 may be formed from upper and lower panels that are coupled together to define the sealed chambers 822. A phase change material 823 may be contained within the sealed chambers 822 of the tile body 821 of the thermal energy storage unit 820. The thermal energy storage unit 820 may comprise a bottom surface 825 and a top surface 826. A detailed discussion of the thermal energy storage unit 820 will not be provided herein in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description(s) of the previously described embodiments of the thermal energy storage units is applicable.

[0114] In this embodiment, the thermal energy storage unit 820 is coupled to the acoustical tile body 810 with one or more standoffs 830. In the exemplified embodiment, there are two of the standoffs 830 used to couple the thermal energy storage unit 820 to the acoustical tile body 810. In other embodiments, a single standoff 830 or more than two standoffs 830 may be used. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the standoffs 830 is a cylindrical post. However, the standoffs 830 may have other shapes so long as the standoffs 830 are configured to be coupled to each of the thermal energy storage unit 820 and to the acoustical body 810 in a manner which maintains a space between the thermal energy storage unit 820 and the acoustical body 810. The standoffs 830 may be elongated from a first end 831 to a second end 832. The standoffs 830 may comprise a first end portion 833 that comprises the first end 831, a second end portion 834 that comprises the second end 832, and a central portion 835 that extends between the first and second end portions 833, 834.

[0115] Each of the standoffs 830 may be coupled to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body810 and to the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820. In the exemplified embodiment, the first end portion 833 of the standoffs 830 nests within a recess in the top surface811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the second end portion 834 of the standoffs 830 nests within a recess in the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820. The standoffs 830 may be coupled to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and to the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820 with adhesives or using other techniques including welding, threaded coupling, friction fit, or the like. In some embodiments, the first end 831 of the standoffs 830 may be coupled to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the second end 832of the standoffs 830 may be coupled to the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820 without nesting within a recess. Rather, in such an embodiment the end faces of the standoffs 830 may abut against the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820 and be coupled thereto using adhesives, welding, or other techniques as described herein. The standoffs 830 may comprise flanges at or along their ends to enhance the connection to the acoustical tile body 810 and the thermal energy storage unit 820. The standoffs 830 may include recesses or protrusions that mate with protrusions or recesses of the acoustical tile body 810 and the thermal energy storage unit 820 to enhance the connection therebetween. In other embodiments, the standoffs 830 may extend fully through openings that extend through the acoustical tile body 810 from the top surface 811 to the bottom surface 812 and / or through the thermal energy storage unit 820 from the bottom surface 825 to the top surface 826.

[0116] When the first end portion 833 of the standoffs 830 is coupled to the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the second end portion 834 of the standoffs is coupled to the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820, the central portion 830 of the standoffs 830 extends between the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820. Thus, the standoff 830 maintains a gap or space between the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 and the bottom surface 825 of the thermal energy storage unit 820. The building tile 800 may then be supported on a ceiling grid as described with the bottom surface 812 of the acoustical tile body 810 facing downwardly into the room environment and the top surface 811 of the acoustical tile body 810 facing upwardly into the plenum. The thermal energy storage unit 820 will extend into the plenum. Because the thermal energy storage unit 820 is maintained spaced apart from the acoustical tile body 810 (rather than lying directly thereatop), both of the top and bottom surfaces 825, 826 of the thermal energy storage unit 820 remain exposed to the ambient environment. This allows a greater surface area of the exterior of the thermal energy storage unit 820 to be available for heat transfer between the ambient air and the phase change material 823 stored in the sealed chambers 822. Thus, this allows convective heat transfer from both opposing sides (i.e., the top and bottom surfaces 825, 826) of the thermal energy storage unit 820. This feature may be repeated for multiple layers for providing increased thermal storage in a given area of ceiling footprint.

[0117] 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.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: an acoustical tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one through- hole extending from a first opening in the top surface of the acoustical tile body to a second opening in the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body; a thermal energy storage unit comprising a phase change material, the thermal energy storage unit in a loaded state in which the thermal energy storage unit is positioned within the at least one through-hole and at least partially embedded in the acoustical tile body; and a scrim coupled to the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body, the scrim covering the through-hole and the thermal energy storage unit.

2. The building tile according to claim 1 wherein, in the loaded state, a mechanical interference exists between the thermal energy storage unit and the acoustical tile body.

3. The building tile according to claim 2 wherein the mechanical interference prevents the thermal energy storage unit from being moved in a first direction through the at least one through-hole past the loaded state, the first direction being a direction moving from the top surface of the acoustical tile body toward the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body.

4. The building tile according to any one of claims 2 to 3 wherein the mechanical interference allows the thermal energy storage unit to be retracted in a second direction from the at least one through-hole, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

5. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the thermal energy storage unit does not protrude from the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body.

6. The building tile according to claim 5 wherein the bottom surface of the thermal energy storage unit is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the acoustical tile body.

7. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the at least one through-hole is defined by a sidewall of the acoustical tile body, the sidewall comprising at least one of a stepped profile, a retaining bead, or an oblique orientation.

8. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a top surface of the thermal energy storage unit is substantially flush with the top surface of the acoustic tile body.

9. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a reflective layer positioned atop the top surface of the acoustic tile body and covering the thermal energy storage unit.

10. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising an insulating layer positioned between the reflective layer and the acoustic tile body.11 . The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the thermal energy storage unit comprises a container body, the phase change material disposed within the container body.

12. The building tile according to claim 11 wherein the container body comprises a sealed chamber in which the phase change material is disposed; and wherein the container body is formed of a polymer.

13. The building tile according to any one of claims 11 to 12 wherein the container body comprises a flange that contacts the acoustic tile body.

14. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the phase change material is microencapsulated in the thermal energy storage unit.

15. The building tile according to claim 14 wherein the thermal energy storage unit comprises a carrier material selected from a group consisting of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a fibrous mat, a fibrous board, a porous body, and a pressed or cast cementitious material; and wherein the phase change material is microencapsulated into the carrier material.

16. The building tile according to any one of claims 1 to 15 further comprising:the at least one through-hole comprising a plurality of the through-holes; and a plurality of the thermal energy storage units, each of the plurality of the thermal energy storage units positioned within one of the plurality of the through-holes in the loaded state.

17. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: a rectangular acoustical tile body comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surface; a perimeter portion comprising the peripheral edge; a first diagonal portion extending from a first corner portion of the perimeter portion to a third comer of the perimeter portion; a second diagonal portion extending from a second comer portion of the perimeter portion to a fourth comer of the perimeter portion, the first and second diagonal portions intersecting one another to form first, second, third, and fourth thermal energy storage zones between the first and second diagonal portions and the perimeter portion; at least one first recess formed in the top surface in the first thermal energy storage zone; at least one second recess formed in the top surface in the second thermal energy storage zone; at least one third recess formed in the top surface in the third thermal energy storage zone; and at least one fourth recess formed in the top surface in the fourth thermal energy storage zone; a first thermal energy storage unit comprising a first phase change material positioned within the at least one first recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular' acoustical tile body; a second thermal energy storage unit comprising a second phase change material positioned within the at least one second recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body;a third thermal energy storage unit comprising a third phase change material positioned within the at least one third recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body; and a fourth thermal energy storage unit comprising a fourth phase change material positioned within the at least one fourth recess so as to be at least partially embedded in the rectangular acoustical tile body.

18. The building tile according to claim 17 wherein each of the first diagonal portion, the second diagonal portion, and the perimeter portion have a constant thickness.

19. The building tile according to any one of claims 17 to 18 wherein each of the first diagonal portion, the second diagonal portion, and the perimeter portion is free of recesses.

20. The building tile according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the first and second thermal energy storage zones are separated from another by a first section of the first diagonal portion, the second and third thermal energy storage zones are separated from another by a first section of the second diagonal portion, the third and fourth thermal energy storage zones are separated from another by a second section of the first diagonal portion, and the fourth and first thermal energy storage zones are separated from another by a second section of the second diagonal portion.

21. The building tile according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein each of the at least one first recess, the at least one second recess, the at least one third recess, and the at least one fourth recess is a through-hole extending from a first opening in the top surface of the rectangular acoustical tile body to a second opening in the bottom surface of the rectangular acoustical tile body.

22. The building tile according to claim 21 wherein each of the first thermal energy storage unit, the second thermal energy storage unit, the third thermal energy storage unit, and the fourth thermal energy storage unit has a top surface that is substantially flush with the top surface of the rectangular acoustical tile body and a bottom surface that is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the rectangular acoustical tile body.

23. The building tile according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein each of the at least one first recess, the at least one second recess, the at least one third recess, and the at least one fourth recess is a blind-hole extending from a first opening in the top surface of the rectangular acoustical tile body and terminating in a floor.

24. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising: an acoustical tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of channels formed in the top surface; and a plurality of thermal energy storage units comprising a phase change material nesting within the plurality of channels so as to be at least partially embedded in the acoustical body.

25. The building tile according to claim 24 wherein each of the plurality of channels is a linear channel extending from a first side of the acoustical tile body to a second side of the acoustical tile body that is opposite the first side.

26. The building tile according to any one of claims 24 to 25 wherein the plurality of thermal energy storage units are slidably nested in the plurality of channels.

27. A building tile for storing thermal energy comprising a thermal energy storage unit comprising a tile body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an array of sealed chambers containing a phase change material.

28. The building tile according to claim 27 wherein the array of sealed chambers comprises X number of rows and Y number of columns, wherein X > 3 and Y > 3.

29. The building tile according to any one of claims 27 to 28 wherein the tile body comprises a pre-weakened feature circumscribing each of the sealed chambers so that each of the sealed chambers can be selectively removed from adjacent ones of the sealed chambers without compromising the sealed nature of the sealed chambers.

Images