Ground-Coupled Subfloor Heating and Cooling for Lower Energy Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building heating and cooling systems are energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental, with rising costs and significant environmental impacts, necessitating a more efficient and sustainable solution for temperature regulation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a building construction system featuring subfloor conduits for fluid distribution and a control system that couples interior and exterior conduits to regulate building temperature by exchanging heat with the ground, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heating and cooling systems are used, then buildings can be maintained at comfortable temperatures, but energy consumption increases and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding temperature controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary thermal energy storage system consisting of a storage tank and ground-coupled heat exchanger. This intermediary system mediates between the building's heating/cooling needs and the external environment, allowing thermal energy to be stored and transferred efficiently. The fluid circulation system acts as a mediator to transfer thermal energy between the ground, storage tank, and building, reducing direct energy consumption from traditional HVAC systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal parameters of the fluid circulating through the conduits based on seasonal and daily temperature variations. By adjusting the fluid temperature and flow rate through the ground-coupled heat exchanger and storage tank, the system optimizes heat transfer efficiency. The control system monitors and adjusts these parameters to maximize energy recovery and minimize energy consumption while maintaining comfortable building temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If traditional heating and cooling systems are used, then buildings can be maintained at comfortable temperatures, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding temperature controlVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously wasted thermal energy in HVAC exhaust and cooling water into a beneficial resource. The thermal energy recovery system captures this waste heat or cold and redirects it through the storage tank and ground-coupled heat exchanger to pre-condition incoming air or water. This converts harmful waste thermal energy into a useful resource, reducing the overall environmental impact and energy consumption of the building's heating and cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If subfloor conduits and control systems are implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thermal energy management system into distinct functional modules: ground-coupled heat exchanger, thermal storage tank, fluid circulation system with pumps and valves, and control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The modular approach reduces overall system complexity by making each component relatively simple while achieving high energy efficiency through their coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces energy usage by up to 60% compared to traditional systems, minimizes environmental impact, and meets stringent health and energy efficiency standards, with potential for zero carbon emissions and long-lasting, low-maintenance infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

distributing fluid from within a building to grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building and returning the fluid to the building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

exposing the fluid to a subfloor of the building to regulate a temperature of the subfloor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9964338B2Building designs and heating and cooling systems

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 RACOOL L L C

AI summary

Building constructions, building heating and/or cooling methods, and/or heating and/or cooling systems are provided that can include interior conduits configured to convey a fluid coupled with exterior conduits extending through the grounds surrounding the building.