Building envelope and method for setting the temperature in a building
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulation in building envelopes is static and inefficient, leading to high energy consumption due to poor management of heating and cooling requirements, particularly in climate zones where the decoupling between indoor and outdoor climates is not optimal, resulting in increased cooling demands and reduced heating needs.
Innovation Solution
A building shell with a dynamically controllable heat transfer system, utilizing a two- or multi-layer construction with a porous, open-pored material-filled cavity, allowing for variable decoupling and heat management through active heat exchange, where the heat transfer can be controlled by introducing a heat-conducting liquid and exploiting temperature gradients and phase transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling systems are used to manage internal heat loads in highly insulated buildings, then indoor temperature is controlled, but primary energy input increases significantly compared to heating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The building envelope provides passive cooling functionality through thermally conductive intermediate spaces that enable natural heat dissipation to the outdoor environment. This eliminates or reduces the need for active mechanical cooling systems, thereby significantly reducing primary energy input while maintaining indoor temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate spaces act as thermal mediators between the indoor and outdoor environments. When filled with thermally conductive materials or heat transfer fluids, these spaces facilitate passive heat transfer from internal heat sources to the outdoor environment, serving as a natural heat exchanger that reduces reliance on energy-intensive cooling equipment.
2Reliability
If conventional prevention and decoupling philosophy is applied to building physics challenges, then indoor climate is protected from external influences, but energy efficiency decreases due to inability to utilize external climate for passive cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The building envelope dynamically adjusts its coupling degree with the external climate based on thermal conditions. During cooling periods, the envelope can establish thermal pathways to the outdoor environment for passive heat dissipation. During heating periods, it maintains strong decoupling to protect the indoor climate, thus achieving both climate stability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter of the building envelope is made variable through the intermediate space configuration. By changing the thermal state of the intermediate spaces, the overall heat transfer coefficient can be adjusted to enable passive cooling when external conditions are favorable, while maintaining protection from external influences when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces heating and cooling energy requirements by optimizing the heat balance within the building, allowing for direct heat exchange with the environment and minimizing the need for complex external heating and cooling systems, while also providing enhanced sound insulation and energy-saving options.
Implementation Method 1
for heat, these are the heat transfer coefficient and the heat capacity
Implementation Method 2
for heat, these are the heat transfer coefficient and the heat capacity
Implementation Method 3
exploiting temperature gradients and phase transitions
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
Disclosed is a building envelope, in particular a building wall, floor, or roof, comprising at least two spaced-apart shells that enclose an intermediate space therebetween, said intermediate space being essentially empty except for weight-bearing and/or construction engineering elements or being filled in at least some sections with porous, open-cell material and being sealed from the exterior and interior of the building. Controllable sealing means are provided for sealing the intermediate space against the exterior and interior and sealing optionally separated building envelope sections against each other.