Hydronic Ceiling Plate Adhesion for Attic-Mounted Radiant Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydronic heating and cooling systems require labor-intensive and costly installation methods, particularly for lower and mid-income households, as they necessitate mounting plates and tubing under subfloors or through existing sheetrock, which is prohibitive in terms of time and materials.

Innovation Solution

Hydronic Heating/Cooling Ceiling Plates are designed to be mounted directly to ceiling sheathing via attic or interstitial spaces, using innovative mounting technology that adheres securely to sheet rock, allowing for zoned control and reducing noise and BTU transfer inefficiencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If Hydronic Heating/Cooling Plates are mounted directly to subfloor or wall using traditional methods, then secure mounting is achieved, but installation becomes labor-intensive and costly requiring disassembly of existing structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting plates from below the subfloor or through walls as in traditional methods, this invention inverts the approach by mounting ceiling plates from above through the attic or interstitial spaces. The plates are installed by accessing spaces that are already open during normal construction or renovation, eliminating the need to disassemble finished floors or walls. This inversion of the mounting direction resolves the contradiction by making installation straightforward while avoiding labor-intensive demolition and reassembly work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional forced air HVAC systems are used, then heating and cooling distribution is achieved, but toxins are transferred through ducting and installation costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoxin transferVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

This invention extracts and eliminates the ductwork component entirely from the HVAC system. By using ceiling-mounted radiant plates that transfer heat directly through conduction and radiation, the system removes the need for extensive ducting that would otherwise distribute toxins throughout the building. The extraction of this harmful element resolves the contradiction by eliminating toxin transfer while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture without complex duct networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling plates serve as an intermediary device that transfers thermal energy directly from the hydronic tubing to the building structure and occupants, bypassing the need for air movement through ducts. This intermediary approach allows heat transfer without requiring a forced air distribution system, thereby eliminating the toxin transfer issue while keeping the system simpler than traditional forced air HVAC with extensive ductwork.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If Hydronic PEX tubing is installed through living spaces, then zoned control is achieved, but noise is generated and BTU transfer efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoned control capabilityVSAvoidBTU transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

This invention moves the hydronic tubing installation to a different spatial dimension - from through-living-space to attic or interstitial spaces above. By relocating the tubing to this upper dimension, the system maintains zoned control capability through strategic plate placement while eliminating noise generation in occupied areas. The dimensional shift also improves BTU transfer efficiency by allowing plates to be positioned optimally for heat conduction to the ceiling structure without interference from living space constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces installation costs and noise, enhances BTU transfer, and enables zoned control through indoor thermostats, providing an economic alternative to traditional HVAC systems while eliminating toxin transfer via ducting.

Implementation Method 1

Hydronic Heating/Cooling Ceiling plates are designed to transfer heated or chilled water circulated through PEX tubing installed in ceilings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

innovative mounting technology that adheres securely to sheet rock

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20250327535A1Hydronic Heating/ Cooling Ceiling Plates

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 GARZA RUBEN

AI summary

Adhering Hydronic Heating/Cooling Ceiling Plates directly to Sheet Rock and installing the system in an attic is new because of location and adhesion technology. Antiquated systems could not be mounted directly to sheathing due to the lack of an attachment method. Installation of plates in the attic was problematic due to inefficient mounting and noise.Major accomplishments include a custom holes design at strategic intervals in each apparatus allowing construction cement to rise above the plate surface when applied directly to sheetrock in attic side of ceilings and pressed from top of plate apparatus. Inherently forming a flexible bond to the Sheet Rock at tactical locations reducing or eliminating noise plaguing older designs.