BE1030564B1 - CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The current announcement concerns a system for regulating the indoor climate of a building. The system comprises a solar heat collector panel (1) that is in thermal heat exchange with at least one heating buffer for accumulating heat from solar radiation and for releasing at least part of the accumulated heat within the building. The system further comprises a heat emitter panel (2) that is in thermal heat exchange with a cooling buffer (25) and one or more heat exchangers for extracting heat from within the building and dissipating extracted heat to the environment. The solar heat collector panel and the heat emitter panel are orientable relative to each other and relative to the zenith such that, in a dissipation mode, a portion of a radiant component of heat discharged from the heat emitter panel is directed towards the sky via reflection on the solar heat collector panel .

Description

1 BE2022/5408

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING

TECHNICAL DOMAIN AND BACKGROUND

The current disclosure relates to a system for regulating an indoor climate of a building, a method for operating such a system, a building comprising such a system and a method for renewing a building for regulating an indoor climate. off the building.

In both residential and commercial buildings, energetic properties have become of great importance due to increased awareness of energy waste and its effects on the environment, as well as financial aspects. This has resulted in many technical evolutions, both in improving the energetic properties of existing buildings and in the design of optimized systems for energy distribution in new buildings.

The energetic properties of a building are significantly determined by heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems within the building.

By using photovoltaic cells, solar heat collectors, wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, electricity can be generated and heat captured without being dependent on the grid. Furthermore, it reduces dependence on non-renewable energy sources, e.g. from a coal-fired power station, which often have a negative impact on the environment. Consequently, renewable energy sources have become a standard in the design of energy systems within buildings.

Furthermore, many schemes and devices have been devised to improve heat distribution within buildings to minimize heat waste. For example, EP2917650A1 discloses a passive ventilation system that includes a solar collector.

9 BE2022/5408

RESUME

The invention aims to provide a climate regulation system, including heating and cooling, that optimizes energy aspects within a building and at the same time incorporates renewable energy sources, such as solar collectors, into the system. As will be explained below, the system can cost-effectively meet both heating and cooling needs of various receivers within the building. Cooling needs as well as heating needs can be based on automatic detection of the number of people present in the building. Advantageously, the system allows these needs to be met through adequate capture, emission and storage of heat from renewable sources. Thus, the system essentially reduces or eliminates a general dependence on non-renewable energy sources (such as gas or electricity from a city energy grid) for regulating an indoor climate of the building.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for regulating an indoor climate of a building, a building comprising a system for regulating an indoor climate of a building, a method for operating a system for regulating an indoor climate of a building and a method for renovating a building for regulating the indoor climate of a building.

The invention provides a system for regulating an indoor climate of a building. The system includes at least one solar heat collector panel and at least one heat emitter panel positioned along a roof of the building. The system further comprises a heating system that comprises at least a heating buffer that is in thermal heat exchange with the at least one solar heat collector panel for accumulating heat from solar radiation incident on the at least one solar heat collector panel,

3 BE2022/5408 e.g. during the day. The heating buffer also undergoes thermal heat exchange with one or more radiators located within the building to release at least part of the accumulated heat within the building, e.g. during the night or a cold period, to heat up spaces within the building to to meet heating needs of recipients within the building. The system also includes a cooling system that includes at least a cooling buffer for extracting heat from within the building (e.g. through one or more heat exchangers) and that is in thermal heat exchange with the at least one heat emitter panel for removing at least part of the extracted heat to the environment. The at least one solar heat collector panel and the at least one heat emitter panel are orientable relative to each other and relative to the zenith such that, in a dissipation mode, at least a portion of a radiant component of heat is removed from the at least one heat source. emitter panel is directed towards the sky or the zenith via reflection on the at least one solar heat collector panel by a reflective effect on the at least one solar heat collector panel.

By using solar heat collectors, the system increases independence from external energy sources, e.g. via the grid, and from non-renewable energy sources.

By providing heat emitters, cooling of the building can be carried out more efficiently and the climate within the building can be regulated with fewer variations, e.g. temperature variations.

Splitting the system into two systems, namely a heating system and a cooling system, results in a more flexible system that can quickly respond to changing outdoor climate conditions and receiver needs. The two systems are at different temperatures, including the temperature during use

4 BE2022/5408 of the heating system is generally higher than the temperature of the cooling system.

By providing a heating buffer and a cooling buffer, the system is able to better manage temperature changes and furthermore contribute to the flexibility and efficiency of the system. The heating system can be arranged as a centrally organized heating system comprising a relatively large heating buffer at its core to provide a reliable heating system.

By providing solar heat collector panels and heat emitter panels that are orientable relative to each other and relative to the zenith, the efficiency of the system can be increased during use by orientating the panels in an optimal manner, e.g. depending on weather conditions. and/or seasonal variations or needs of recipients within the building. For example during a discharge mode, where heat must be removed from the building. The drain mode may occur during the night or a warm period, generally in warm climate zones or during other times when cooling may be required.

Inventors have found that by orienting a heat emitter panel and a heat collector panel toward each other at an angle such that at least a portion of a radiant component of heat dissipated from the heat emitter panel is directed toward the sky via reflection on the solar heat collector panel, more heat can be are discharged from the heat emitter panel than if it were arranged directly towards the zenith. It was found that the upward arrangement of the emitter panels enhances a convective component of heat dissipation. By using the heat collector panels via reflection, the total radiant component of heat dissipation from the heat emitter panels towards the sky is increased. Positioning the emitter panel and collector panel opposite each other at an angle <180° effectively allows the emitter panel to emit more heat towards the sky (zenith).

If the emitter panel were positioned at an angle without a collector panel opposite, heat dissipated in a sideways direction would result in less effective emission. During a heat collection mode, the emitter panel can be advantageously placed outside a direct path between the sun and the solar collector, for example the emitter panel can be arranged horizontally, flat on the roof. Thus, the heat collector panels and emitter panels work in synergy to optimally capture and dissipate heat, with the heat collector panels advantageously providing a dual functionality that, in addition to capturing heat, includes providing a reflective surface for redirecting dissipated heat. from a nearby heat emitter panel to the sky to increase the overall heat dissipation of the system's heat emitter panels. As such, the heat dissipation capabilities of the system as a whole are improved and the overall efficiency of the system is increased. Increased system efficiency can be particularly beneficial for regulating indoor climates of buildings in relatively warm regions (e.g. the subtropics) or for buildings that have a relatively small sky-facing exterior surface, e.g. roof, relative to an interior volume (e.g. high-rise buildings).

To further improve heat dissipation, the emitter panels can be provided with a coating, e.g. a black coating provided by anodization, having a high emissivity, e.g. preferably greater than 0.95, resembling a black radiator as much as possible.

Buildings, in particular high-rise buildings such as a skyscraper, are known to comprise a mainly centrally and vertically arranged shaft, a ventilation shaft, where ventilation takes place based on draft (or the chimney effect). Draft can be described as the movement of air into and out of openings in a building, driven by differences in air properties, e.g. air temperature or

6 BE2022/5408 humidity, inside and outside the building. Generally, one or more ventilation inlets are provided, e.g. at a lower part of the building (e.g. at ground floor level), from which fresh air (ambient air) can enter the ventilation shaft, and one or more outlets, preferably at a upper part of the building (e.g. near the roof) from which air within the building is led outside from the shaft.

The one or more radiators of the climate control system according to the invention preferably comprise one or more radiators that are positioned along the ventilation shaft, for example a side or bottom wall thereof. Most preferably, the radiators are located at a lower part of a ventilation shaft within the building to maximize their contribution to the convection along the ventilation shaft as explained below.

Providing a radiator to the ventilation shaft, preferably at a lower part, advantageously contributes to generating, increasing, or maintaining an upward airflow within the shaft in accordance with the draft explained above by increasing driven convection due to the supplied added heat from the radiator. As such, passive airflow within the shaft is created by providing additional heat at a lower part of the shaft, and the need for energy-consuming fans is reduced. In addition, residual heat can be recovered, further increasing the efficiency of the system. Inventors have found that providing additional heat to the ventilation shaft as described unexpectedly provides more efficient cooling. The increased convection contributes to the air flow within the shaft to such an extent that more heat from inside the building (e.g. living or office spaces at mezzanine floors) can be brought outside the building through the ventilation shaft than the heat is added to the building through the ventilation shaft. at least one radiator. The heat from the radiator

7 BE2022/5408 increases the convection current within the shaft that transports heat outside the building.

The system may further comprise a heat recovery element. The element 1s is preferably provided at an upper part of the ventilation shaft, e.g. just downstream of an outlet. The heat recovery element is in thermal heat exchange with the heating buffer to recover at least part of the heat carried by the air flow for storage in the heating buffer. Positioning the heat recovery element near the top end of the shaft, e.g. immediately downstream of an exhaust, is preferred because the air temperature is generally increased towards the top end of the shaft.

One or more side panels can be provided that are adapted to laterally define a volume between the solar heat collector and the heat emitter when oriented in the discharge mode. These side panel(s) provide a 'fairing', or semi-enclosed volume, between the emitter and collector panels that reduces cold air flow and directs the air in a downward direction past the emitter panel, thus eliminating the convective component of heat dissipation improves compared to a free-standing panel. Inventors have discovered that trapping the air can result in an effective drop in air temperature at an emitter panel of approximately 8°C compared to an open configuration. In warm climates it can be particularly beneficial to provide such a 'cup' to increase a dissipation component of heat dissipation.

Depending on the climate zone, the heat collector panels and heat emitter panels can be placed further or closer together. In warmer climate zones, where cooling the building is a greater concern than providing heat to the building, it may be advantageous to place a heat emitter panel closer to the building.

8 BE2022/5408 heat collector panel in such a way that heat emission is increased by more reflection on the heat collector panel. In colder climate zones, on the other hand, the collector and emitter panels can be positioned further away from each other to allow the heat collector panels to be less hindered during heat accumulation from the sun's heat and/or to allow release for additional elements, such as solar heat collector panels, and/or photovoltaic panels.

Alternatively, or in addition, the cooling system may include a plurality of heating and/or cooling buffers. The buffers are preferably arranged in a cascading manner from the heating and/or cooling buffer towards lower and lower floors of the building. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature (and/or heat capacity) of cooling buffers decreases and the temperature (and/or heat capacity) of heating buffers decreases in a direction towards the top of the building.

Due to the increase in heat within buildings, there is an increasingly greater need for cooling at higher floors and a lower need for heating at higher floors. By cascading the multitude of buffers towards lower floors, the efficiency of the system is further increased as this configuration supplements the natural need for cooling/heating within a building.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the cooling buffers are designed to maintain a medium, e.g. water, at a temperature that includes a solid-liquid phase transition of said medium, e.g. ice water. Due to the phase transition, a high heat storage capacity can be achieved for the buffer tanks.

Advantageously, an emissive surface of the at least one heat emitter panel may comprise a plurality of first and second surfaces arranged in a stair configuration. The first and second surfaces can be arranged to face different directions. By the multitude of first and second

9 BE2022/5408 surfaces arranged in a staircase configuration increases the cooling surface, which further increases the efficiency of the system. The first surfaces can be arranged vertically to emit toward a nearby solar heat collector(s) to take advantage of the reflective effect to more efficiently emit heat as discussed above. The second surfaces can be arranged horizontally to emit towards the sky (zenith).

Furthermore, at least one solar heat collector panel can be provided with a surface finish having an emissivity <0.2, preferably an emissivity <0.1, at least under the radiation angle of installation, to achieve high heat absorption to capture as much heat as possible by the heat collector panels.

At least one solar heat collector panel can advantageously be provided with a retractable reflective cover, e.g. a glass plate or a roller shutter, which can be extended over the solar heat collector panel(s) during heat dissipation mode. As such, the reflection of heat from the at least one heat emitter panel onto the at least one solar heat collector panel can be increased, further contributing to the efficiency of the system.

The system may further comprise at least one heat emitter panel of a second type that is in thermal heat exchange with the cooling buffer arranged along a facade of the building, wherein the at least one heat emitter of the second type is orientable with respect to the facade and the zenith. By providing heat emitter panels of the second type along an outer side wall of the building, more heat can be emitted, which contributes to the efficiency and flexibility of the system. The at least one heat emitter panel of the second type can be arranged rotatably around a fixed point on the facade, such that the at least one heat emitter panel of the second type

10 BE2022/5408 can be positioned varying between a retracted position, where the heat emitter panel of the second type is aligned with the facade of the building, and an extended position, where the heat emitter panel of the second type is at an angle >0° with the facade of the building. In the retracted position, maintenance and cleaning can be carried out on the panels. The heat emitter panels of the second type can also be automatically set to the retracted position in case of extreme weather conditions, e.g. during a storm.

An emitting surface of the at least one heat emitter panel of the second type may include a plurality of first and second surfaces arranged in a stair configuration, similar to the heat emitter panels described above.

In addition, a rear of the heat emitter panels of the second type, which faces the building, can be provided with a sound-absorbing element, e.g. an acoustic insulating mat, such as

Acusticab, to provide sound absorption and noise reduction to provide quieter space within the building. This feature can, for example, be particularly interesting if the building contains one or more wind turbines, e.g. also arranged along the facade or at an upper part of the building, to reduce the acoustic noise of the wind turbine.

It is also possible to further provide a solar heat collector panel of a second type that is in thermal heat exchange with the heating buffer that is arranged along a facade of the building, e.g. a south-oriented facade of the building, whereby the at least one solar heat collector of the building second type can be oriented with respect to the facade and the zenith, and can optionally be arranged to follow the sun during the day, e.g. arranged in accordance with a sun-following orbit.

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Advantageously, the at least one solar heat collector panel can be orientable, during an accumulation mode, in accordance with a sun-tracking path.

The heat emitter panels and/or the heat emitter panels of the second type can be advantageously integrated with a thermally conductive element made with a material that has a high thermal conductivity, e.g. copper, which has a thermal conductivity of approximately 400 W/(mK ). Copper may be preferable to materials that include lower thermal conductivity, e.g. steel, which has a thermal conductivity of about 40 W/(mK) depending on which alloy it includes.

The at least one heat emitter panel can advantageously comprise a layer of a composition having a thermal conductivity coefficient >200 W/m/K, preferably >300W/m/K at 20°C and 1 bar. Possible materials to be used for the layer can be Al (approximately 240 W/m/K), Cu (approximately 400 W/m/K) and/or Ag (approximately 420

W/m/K) and/or mixtures comprising one or more of these metals.

The invention further provides a method for operating the system for regulating an indoor climate of a building.

The method includes orienting the at least one heat emitter panel such that a normal vector of the at least one heat emitter panel has a horizontal component oriented toward the at least one solar heat collector panel and a vertical component oriented toward the zenith preceding on and/or during a heat dissipation cycle. The method also includes orienting the at least one solar heat collector panel such that a normal vector of the at least one solar heat collector panel has a horizontal component oriented 1s towards the at least one heat emitter panel component, and a vertical component oriented

12 BE2022/5408 is oriented towards the zenith prior to and/or during a heat dissipation cycle.

The method further comprises orienting at least one heat emitter panel towards the zenith and orienting at least one solar heat collector panel towards the sun prior to and/or during a heat accumulation mode.

The invention further provides a method for renovating a building for regulating an indoor climate of the building, wherein the method comprises installing the system for regulating an indoor climate of a building as disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1A provides a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heat collector panel and a heat emitter panel positioned along a roof of a building;

Fig. 1B provides a perspective view of heat collector panels and heat emitter panels;

Fig. 2 provides a modeled view of a high-rise building comprising a climate control system;

Fig. 3 provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a skyscraper including a climate control system;

Fig. 4 provides a schematic cross-sectional view of an upper part of a skyscraper including a climate control system;

13 BE2022/5408

Fig. 5 provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a lower part of a skyscraper including a climate control system;

Fig. GA provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat collector panel;

Fig. GB provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat emitter panel;

Fig. 6C provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat emitter panel including a plurality of first and second surfaces arranged in a stair configuration;

Fig. 6D provides a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat emitter panel of a second type.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Terminology used to describe particular embodiments is not intended to imitate the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "the" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. It will further be understood that when referring to a particular step of a method as sequential to another step, it may follow said other step directly or one or more intermediate steps may be performed before performing the particular step, unless otherwise specified. . It will also be understood that when a connection between structures or components is described, this

14 BE2022/5408 connection can be established directly or through intermediate structures or components unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the term zenith can be understood as relating to a point above a certain location (the heat emitter panel 2), on the imaginary celestial sphere. As such, the term zenith is used to specify the orientation of those specific portions in a general direction toward the night sky.

The invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the absolute and relative sizes of systems, components, layers, and areas may be exaggerated for clarity. Embodiments may be described with reference to schematic and/or sectional illustrations of possible idealized embodiments and intermediate structures of the invention. In the description and drawings, similar numbers always refer to similar elements. Both relative terms and derivatives thereof should be interpreted to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing discussed. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require the system to be constructed or operated in any particular orientation unless otherwise stated.

Fig. 1A shows a schematic front view of a heat collector panel 1 and a heat emitter panel 2 positioned along a roof 3 of a building.

As explained in more detail with reference to Fig GA, the heat collector panel 1 includes heat collecting elements for collecting heat and may include an optionally retractable heat reflective surface 1f for reflecting heat. The heat-collecting elements are connected to the climate regulation system. To allow the heat collector panel

BE2022/5408 1 is adaptable, e.g. rotatable about heat collector axis A, a heat collector positioning part, e.g. a piston 13, is adapted to control a movement of the heat collector panel 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1A, the heat collector positioning member 13 allows a rotational movement of the heat collector panel 1, characterized by the center axis A and a heat collector panel angle 62. The heat collector panel 1 may be arranged between a flat position, e.g. where the heat collector panel angle 62 is 0 degrees or parallel to the mounting surface (e.g. roof 2) and a more upright position, e.g. where the heat collector panel angle 02 is more upright, e.g. approximately 45 degrees.

Other values for the heat collector panel angle 62 in both positions may be possible. The heat collector panel 1 can be arranged to adjust its position in accordance with a sun-tracking functionality, whereby the heat collector panel angle 02 can vary with the position of the sun during the day. In other embodiments, other axes of rotation are also contemplated. Translational movements or a combination of a rotational and a translational movement are also possible. The heat collector panel positioning element 13 may comprise a hydraulic piston, or may be another type of actuator. The heat collector panel positioning element 13 can be a motorized positioning element.

The heat emitter panel 2 includes heat emitting elements 21 for emitting heat with a heat emitting surface 22 for emitting heat outward. In a preferred embodiment, e.g. as shown, the heat emitting surface 22 includes a plurality of first 22-1 and second surfaces 22-2 arranged in a stair configuration. The heat-emitting elements 21 are connected to the climate regulation system. The stair configuration is preferably arranged such that a normal vector (v) of the heat emitter panel 2 is a

16 BE2022/5408 includes a horizontal component (along hvz) and a vertical component (along hv1) in a standing position. As indicated, heat radiation (hv1, hv2 ) radiating from the heat emitter panel (2) will be radiated along a normal direction from a plane (1f) of the solar heat collector panel (1) towards the zenith (direction z in drawing).

To allow the heat emitter panel 2 to be adaptable, e.g. pivotable about heat emitter axis B, a heat emitter positioning part, e.g. heat emitter panel piston 23, is arranged to control a position (orientation) of the heat emitter panel 2.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1A, the heat emitter positioning member 23 allows rotational movement of the heat emitter panel 2, characterized by the axis B and the heat emitter panel angle 91. The heat emitter panel 2 may be arranged in a flat position, e.g. emitter panel angle 61 is 0 degrees, and a standing position, e.g. where the heat emitter panel angle 601 is more upright 1s, e.g. about 45 degrees. Other values of the heat emitter panel angle 61 in both positions may be possible, (e.g. in accordance with a slope of the roof. In other embodiments, other axes of rotation are also envisaged. Translational movements or a combination of a rotational and a translational movement are also possible .

The heat collector panel positioning element 13 may comprise a hydraulic piston, or may be another type of actuator. The heat collector panel positioning element 13 can be a motorized positioning element.

In a heat accumulation mode, the heat emitter panel 2 can be positioned out of sight (e.g. close to the roof) between the solar heat collector panel 1 and the sun. Further details regarding the solar heat collector panel 1 and 2 will be explained below.

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It will be understood that the slope (tilt angle) and/or inclination ranges of the panels can be suitably adjusted for buildings having sloping/pitched roofs.

By adjusting the corners 6; and 02, an angle 63 between the heat collector panel 1 and the heat emitter panel 2 can be adjusted. Such that in a heat emitter mode (as shown) the heat emitter panel 2 can emit towards the zenith and at the same time is in an upright position to advantageously take advantage of an increased convective heat dissipation component. Inventors have surprisingly found that positioning the heat emitter panel 2 upright (> about 30°, e.g. 30-60°) can reduce a temperature of a heat carrier after passage through the panel by as much as 8°C compared to a conventional horizontal oriented heat emitter. Without wishing to be bound by this theory, inventors find that this advantage is related to increasing a convective heat loss component from the panel (e.g. by transfer to outside air) while maintaining a comparable or essentially equal radiation loss component (blackbody radiation) towards the sky . Note that the emitters having the stage configuration disclosed herein effectively increase (e.g., double) heat loss areas compared to conventional emitters. In addition, it is considered that the inclined arrangement (e.g. at 45°) improves a rate of heat transfer (by convection) within the heat carrier panel towards the radiant heat emission. The fact that the buffers are kept cascading (e.g. with three temperature levels) also allows heat to be removed from a buffer with the highest temperature.

Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of a roof comprising a plurality of heat collector panels 1,1-n and heat emitter panels 2,2-n.

The panels are arranged in a plurality of rows comprising opposing emitter and collector panels, e.g. as shown in Fig. 1A.

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In some embodiments, e.g. as shown in Fig 2b, the system further comprises one or more side panels 31 (only one shown for clarity). The side panel 31 is positioned laterally along the solar heat collector panel and the heat emitter panel to define a volume between the solar heat collector and the heat emitter when oriented in the exhaust mode. The panel thus provides a volume that retains cold air which was found to further increase heat dissipation by convective components.

Fig. 2 shows a 3D view of a high-rise building 100, e.g. a skyscraper, including the climate control system. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the skyscraper of Fig. 2. An upper part of the skyscraper is illustrated in further detail in Fig. 4. A lower part of the skyscraper is illustrated in further detail in Fig. 5.

The climate regulation system, e.g. as shown in Fig. 1-5, can be provided during or as part of building construction. Alternatively, a building may be retrofitted with the system disclosed herein, also referred to as a renewal.

The system comprises a heating system 14 that comprises at least a heating buffer 15 that is in thermal heat exchange with the heat collector panel 1 for accumulating heat from solar radiation incident on the heat collector panel 1 and with one or more radiator within the building for releasing at least part of it. of the accumulated heat within the building. For example, the radiator may include one or more space heating systems (e.g. underfloor heating, wall heating, and/or space heating such as ventilation systems) to heat respective floors of the building. The climate control system also includes a cooling system 14 comprising at least a cooling buffer 25 for extracting heat from within the building. The climate regulation system includes

19 BE2022/5408 typically one or more heat exchangers. For example, the heat exchanger may include one or more space coolers (e.g., a floor cooler, wall cooler, and/or space cooler such as a ventilation system) to cool respective floors of the building.

It will be understood that the heating and cooling system generally each comprises further components as known in the art. This includes circuits, pump(s), and/or heat exchangers, to circulate heat transfer media (e.g. cooling or heating medium) and/or transfer heat between various elements of the system.

The heating buffers 16, 16-1,16-n and the cooling buffers 25,25-1,25-n are preferably distributed vertically over the building. As is known, the respective buffers can be mutually connected by one or more hydraulic circulation circuits 14c, 20c. The buffers can advantageously provide heat/cooling at a temperature close to a need on a respective floor. For example, in one embodiment, a temperature of the heat carrier in the cooling buffers (25) can drop from approximately 23°C at the ground floor to approximately 13°C at an upper level (e.g. very highest occupied level). Advantageously, the heat carrier can be cooled water. Further need for cooling storage can be met by one or more strategically positioned buffer tanks. In one embodiment, e.g. as shown, the system cooling buffers include a buffer tank 26-1 operating at a temperature <0°C (e.g. ice water).

Connecting pipework is not shown for the sake of clarity. The system can advantageously comprise one or more further cooling buffer tanks 26-2,26-3,26-4. In some embodiments, one or more of these buffers may be located in a lower part of the building, for example near the basement. The temperature of these further cooling buffer tanks can be maintained at various relevant levels, typically between approximately 7°C and 18°C. For example, during a

20 BE2022/5408 cold period (e.g. a clear night), additional heat can be removed from one or more of the buffers for subsequent use to cool the building.

Compressors and/or heat pumps may be provided to further maintain/control/regulate the temperature of the respective buffers. In some embodiments, e.g. as shown in Figs 3 and 4, the system includes one or more of an air-liquid (e.g. air/water) operational heat pump 18-1, a liquid/liquid (e.g. water/water) operational heat pump 18-2, and a compressor 19. These elements are preferably located at or near an upper part of the building.

In some embodiments, the system advantageously comprises one or more wind turbines 71 or PV panels. The wind turbines and/or PV panels can power one or more of the components of the system, e.g. electrically. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises one or more compressed air stores 72 and/or electric motors 73 operating on compressed air to supply the various components.

In a preferred embodiment, the building 100 comprises one or more ventilation shafts 50a, 50b, e.g. a central ventilation shaft as shown. The shaft typically extends from a lower part at a lower part of the building (e.g. ground floor or at the basement) towards an upper part at an upper part of the building (e.g. roof or a maintenance level). The shaft 50 typically includes one or more inlet(s) 51, preferably at the lower portion and one or more outlet(s) at the upper portion. As is known, the ventilation shaft can provide air circulation to cool the inside of the building, e.g. by drawing warm air from ducts extending across the respective floors. In a further preferred embodiment, e.g. as shown, the system comprises one or more radiator 17 positioned at a lower part, e.g. along a side wall, of the ventilation shaft 50. The radiator(s) 17 extract heat from the

91 BE2022/5408 heating system 14, e.g. of one of the cascading heat buffers. The extracted heat supports an upward flow of air within the shaft.

In the embodiments shown, an upward airflow in shaft 50a (also referred to as exhaust shaft) draws warm air from the respective streams towards outlet 52. Fresh air from inlets 51 is distributed to the respective floors via shaft 50b (inlet shaft). Depending on a current heat requirement, the fresh air can be additionally cooled or heated by the heating/cooling system in accordance with a predetermined comfort setting (e.g. by exchanging heat with one or more of the buffers included in the heating cascade). /cooling buffers). The upward flow can draw air from a respective floor, which can optionally be supported by one or more impellers (not shown). In one embodiment, e.g. as shown, a heat recovery element 60 is provided to recover heat from the upward airflow within the shaft. The heat recovery involves thermal heat exchange with the heating system 14 comprising buffer 16 to store recovered heat. The heat recovery element 60 is preferably provided just upstream of outlet 52.

In another or further embodiment, e.g. as indicated in

Fig 5, 1s provides a heat recovery element 61 to recover heat from a ventilation flow drawn into the shaft 50.

Heat recovery element 61 is preferably provided just downstream of the inlet 51, e.g. at a lower part of the ventilation shaft 50.

In other or further preferred embodiments, e.g. as indicated in Fig 5, the system comprises a humidifier 63 to humidify air admitted into the ventilation shaft 50. Advantageously, the humidifier can be operationally connected to a hot water storage, e.g. via heat exchanger 64. Alternatively, or as

29 BE2022/5408 addition, the humidifier can be driven by compressed air (e.g. from storage 72).

In another or further embodiment, e.g. as indicated in

Figs. 3 and 4, the system further includes one or more heat emitter panels of a second type 40 (also referred to as wall-mounted panel).

Such panel is similar to the heat emitter panel 2 in that it is in thermal heat exchange with the cooling system and cooling buffer 25. These additional panels further increase an overall capacity to radiate excess heat. Addition of side panels can be particularly beneficial for buildings in relatively warm climate zones, and/or for buildings with a relatively small fraction of external roof area, such as skyscrapers. The panel of the second type is typically mounted along an exterior wall or facade 101 of the building and not positioned along a solar heat collector panel 1 but. The orientation of the second type 40 heat emitter panel can be adjusted relative to the facade and zenith to maximize heat dissipation, e.g. towards the night sky. As shown in more detail, the panel 40 can be repositioned between an emissive mode (see inset) and a position where the panel is oriented along the facade of the building to provide access to portions of the facade (e.g. for maintenance and/or or cleaning windows 70). Repositioning is provided by a heat collector positioning member 13b, which in some embodiments (e.g. as shown) may include a pulley and/or spring mechanism.

Figs. GA provides a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary heat collector panel 1. The heat collector panel 1 comprises a heat collector panel housing 1c (casing). The solar heat collector panel 1 comprises one or more channels 1c (e.g. heat pipes) for collecting heat. The casing encloses the heat pipes from below and/or on a side that faces the heater

93 BE2022/5408 heat collector panel 1 is oriented. The housing may include insulating material to reduce heat loss to the environment. The casing is covered, sealed, by a cover 1t. The cover may include a heat-reflective top surface 1s to reflect radiation from the heat emitter panel 2. To this end, the cover may comprise glass or be provided with a glass-based surface finish. During a heat collection mode, the top surface (1t) of the panel faces the sun. Incident light passing through the cover heats a heat carrier passing through pipe 1p.

In a preferred embodiment, the solar heat collector panel 1s includes a retractable reflective cover 11. In some embodiments, e.g. as shown, the retractable reflective cover 11 includes a cassette 12 housing a retractable reflective flexible sheet, e.g. a metal-coated plastic foil.

Fig. GB shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat emitter panel 2. The heat emitter panel 2 includes a heat emitter panel housing 2c, (casing). The heat emitter panel 2 comprises one or more channels 1c (e.g. heat pipes) to dissipate heat. The casing encloses the heat pipes from below and/or on a side that faces the heat emitter panel 2. The housing may include insulating material and/or a reflective surface finish to reduce heat intake. The casing 2c is covered, sealed, by a cover 2t. The top cover defines the surface 2s from which heat is emitted. In some embodiments, the top cover includes a top layer configured as a metal, e.g. Cu. A finishing layer can preferably be decorated in black (e.g. anodized aluminum).

Fig. 6C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat emitter panel 2. The embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG GB in that the top cover 2t is arranged in

24 BE2022/5408 shows a stair configuration 22 comprising a plurality of first and second surfaces 22-1,22-2 (as also indicated in Fig. 1). It will be appreciated that first and second surfaces 22-1, 22-2 do not necessarily have to be provided in a regular stair configuration as shown. For example, a relative length of planes 22-1 and 22-2 or an angle included between planes 22-1 and 22-2 can be appropriately adjusted depending on a target angle of inclination.

Fig. 6D shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a heat emitter panel of the second type 40, e.g. for installation along a side wall of the skyscraper. The top surface 40t The first surfaces 22-1 (which should be oriented towards the zenith in an extended position) are preferably decorated in black. Similar to roof mounting panels, the 4t cover is preferably formed or finished with a metal-based compound.

Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG 6C, the second surfaces 22-2 (which are arranged to be oriented approximately horizontally in an extended position) are preferably arranged as a heat-reflective surface 12, to prevent heat collection from neighboring buildings.

For purposes of clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the described features. Of course, it should be understood that any of the above embodiments or processes can be combined with one or more other embodiments or processes to provide even further improvements in finding and linking designs and benefits.

In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of

95 BE2022/5408 other elements or actions than those mentioned in a given conclusion; the word "a" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements; any reference marks in the claims do not limit their scope; multiple “resources” may be represented by the same or different item(s) or implemented structure or function; any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or divided into further portions unless expressly stated otherwise.

When one conclusion points to another conclusion, it may indicate synergistic benefit achieved by the combination of their respective characteristics.

But the mere fact that certain measures are mentioned in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot also be used to advantage.

The present embodiments may thus include all operative combinations of the claims where each claim may in principle refer to any previous claim unless clearly excluded by context.

Claims (15)

26 BE2022/5408 CONCLUSIONS A system for regulating an indoor climate of a building (100), the system comprising: at least one solar heat collector panel (1) and at least one heat emitter panel (2) positioned along a roof (3) of the building; a heating system (14) comprising at least a heat buffer (16) that is in thermal heat exchange with the at least one solar heat collector panel for accumulating heat from solar radiation incident on the at least one solar heat collector panel and with one or more radiator (17,18) inside the building for releasing at least part of the accumulated heat within the building, a cooling system (20), comprising at least a cooling buffer (25), for extracting heat from within the building and which is in thermal heat exchange with the at least at least one heat emitter panel (2) for dissipating at least part of the extracted heat to the environment, wherein the at least one solar heat collector panel (1) and the at least one heat emitter panel (2) are orientable relative to each other and relative to the zenith such that, in a dissipation mode, at least a portion of a radiant component of heat dissipated from the at least one heat emitter panel is directed towards the sky via reflection on the at least one solar heat collector panel. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a heat recovery element (60) provided at an upper part of the ventilation shaft (50), wherein the heat recovery element is in thermal heat exchange with the heating buffer. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one or more side panels (31) positioned to 27 BE2022/5408 laterally define a volume between the solar heat collector and the heat emitter when oriented in discharge mode. 4. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling system comprises a plurality of buffers that are arranged in a cascading manner from the cooling buffer towards increasingly lower floors of the building. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling buffer is designed to maintain a medium at a temperature that includes a solid-liquid phase transition of said medium. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an emissive surface of the at least one heat emitter panel includes a plurality of first and second surfaces (22-1, 22-2) arranged in a stair configuration. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one solar heat collector panel is provided with a surface finish having an emissivity <0.2, preferably an emissivity <0.1. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one solar heat collector panel is provided with a retractable reflective cover (11). The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a heat emitter panel of a second type (40) that is in thermal heat exchange with the cooling buffer arranged along a facade (100f) of the building, wherein the at least one heat emitter of the second type is orientable relative to the facade and the zenith. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one solar heat collector panel is orientable, 98 BE2022/5408 during an accumulation mode, consistent with a sun-following orbit. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one heat emitter panel comprises a layer of a composition having a thermal conductivity coefficient >200, preferably >300W/m/K at 20°C and 1 bar. 12. A building comprising the system according to any of the preceding claims 1-11. A method of operating the system according to any of the preceding claims 1-11, the method comprising: orienting the at least one heat emitter panel such that a normal vector of the at least one heat emitter panel is a horizontal component oriented toward the at least one solar heat collector panel and having a vertical component oriented toward the zenith, and orienting the at least one solar heat collector panel such that a normal vector of the at least one solar heat collector panel has a horizontal component oriented toward it has at least one heat emitter panel component, and a vertical component oriented toward the zenith. The method of claim 13, further comprising orienting at least one heat emitter panel toward the zenith; and orienting at least one solar heat collector panel towards the sun. 15. A method for renovating a building for regulating an indoor climate of the building, the method comprising: installing the system according to any of claims 1-11.