GB2426984A

GB2426984A - Solar heating system comprising a heat transfer fluid flowing through bricks including apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2426984A
Application number: GB0607861A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonios Sagkionis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-20
Filing date: 2006-04-20
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Also published as: GB0607861D0

Abstract

A heating system for bricks comprising means for utilising solar energy to heat a fluid, preferably water, either by direct heating or by utilising a solar cell 6 to provide electricity to heat the fluid. The heated fluid is transmitted to one or more bricks (9) so as to heat the bricks; the fluid can be circulated in apertures (21-23, 25-27) extending through the bricks. In an alternative use of the invention, a fluid heating system comprises means whereby the heat from the sun is absorbed by the bricks and is transferred from the bricks to the heat transfer fluid. In this way, heat in the bricks is used to heat fluid passing through the apertures (21-23, 25-27) that may be utilised to provide heated fluid (water) for use in a building. The bricks may include slots (53-55) to receive parts of door or window frames.

Description

HEATING SYSTEMS AND BRICKS FOR USE THEREIN

The present invention relates to bricks and in particular a wall heating system including such bricks. A fluid heating system which uses the bricks is also disclosed herein.

A method of constructing a building and corresponding building bricks are disclosed in GB2O 16058. The bricks are manufactured with pre-configured apertures extending longitudinally andlor vertically through the brick, for receiving service conductor elements such as electrical cables and water pipes.

The present invention provides a heating system for bricks comprising means for utilising solar energy to heat a fluid, the heated fluid in use being transmitted to one or more bricks to heat the bricks, at least some of the bricks including an aperture extending therethrough to allow flow of the heated fluid through the brick.

Advantageously, by using solar energy, the invention removes or at least reduces the need to use conventional (eg gas or electricity) central heating systems to heat a building. The environmental advantage of such a system is clear. By transmitting heated fluid through the bricks, the bricks themselves are heated directly and there is thus no need for radiator units to be installed in the building. The invention could though be used in conjunction with a conventional system including radiator units, whereby the conventional system need only be switched on at times when it is particularly cold or there is a lack of sunlight.

A thermostat is preferably provided to control the temperature of the heated fluid.

Preferably, the means for utilising solar energy comprises a solar cell to power an electrical heater. This is a convenient way to harness the sun's energy and also allows the option of storing excess electrical energy in a battery, which can be used at times of increased demand for heat. Energy can also be stored as heat in the fluid.

A pump can be used to circulate fluid around the system and alternatively/additionally convection currents can be utilised. By means of using convection there is advantageously no need for a pump, thereby saving electrical energy and the system can also be simplified in this way. The pump can be powered by the solar cell.

Preferably, the heated fluid is arranged to flow through an indoors side of the bricks whereby radiation of heat to the outdoors is discouraged by virtue of the insulation provided by the other side of the brick, or by virtue of other bricks constructed on the outdoors side of the wall. Further, insulation material, eg lagging, may be provided in a cavity running through the brick.

The present invention also provides a fluid heating system comprising bricks including an aperture extending therethrough to allow a flow of fluid through the bricks, whereby in use heat from the sun is absorbed by the bricks and is transferred from the bricks to the fluid.

In use, the bricks absorb heat from the sun, which in turn heats the fluid, preferably water. Advantageously, the fluid heating system can provide heated water for use inside the building.

The present invention also provides bricks for use in the above mentioned heating systems, each brick having an aperture extending through it to transmit a fluid through the brick whereby heat is transmitted from the fluid to the brick or from the brick to the fluid.

Advantageously, the bricks according to the invention can be used in both types of heating system without need for significant modification.

There follows a detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Fig I shows a heating system for bricks in an assembled state; Fig 1 A shows a variation on the embodiment shown in Fig 1; Fig 2A shows a brick for use with the construction shown in Fig I or 1A; Fig 2B shows another brick; Fig 3 is an enlarged view of another brick; Fig 4A shows an assembled wall with sanitation pipe channel; Figs 4B and 4C show bricks for use in the construction shown in Fig 4A; Fig 5A shows a doorframe assembly; Figs 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E show bricks for use in the construction shown in Fig5A; Fig 6 shows a wall including a recess; Fig 7 shows in perspective a brick for use in the construction shown in Fig 6; Fig 8 shows in perspective another brick for use in the construction shown in Fig 6; Fig 9 is a perspective view of a wall; Fig 10 is a perspective view of another wall; Fig 11 shows a brick with a hole in its upper surface; Fig 12 shows a brick including insulation; Fig 13 shows a pair of bricks which in use define a vertical channel; Fig 14 shows a pair of bricks which in use define a horizontal channel; and Fig 15 shows a brick with a cover.

Fig I shows schematically a wall 1 incorporating a heating system according to the invention. The system is in the assembled state.

The heating system comprises a solar cell 6 which converts sunlight into electricity, and which is connected by a cable to an electric heater (not shown) in a tank 5. Thereby, fluid eg water in the tank 5 can be heated. As an alternative to the solar cell 6 it is possible, particularly in hot countries, to utilise a heat absorber whereby heat from the sun directly heats the water, without the need for an electric heater. A circulator 4 is provided in or next to the tank 5 to circulate heated water through a conduit 7. The circulator 4 can he a pump, eg an electric pump, but alternatively, a convectional flow can be used to circulate the water through the system. At some point along the conduit 7 is located a thermostat 3 used to regulate the temperature of the circulating water.

In this respect, the thermostat 3 is connected to the solar cell 6 andlor the electric heater to provide feedback.

The conduit 7 enters a brick 9 at a convenient location, where it is continued as a plastic pipe 2 extending through apertures in the bricks 9. Figs 2A and 2B show the bricks including longitudinal apertures, 21 to 27, extending completely through the brick as well as a vertical recess or channel 28. Not all the bricks through, as shown in Fig 1, have such a recess or channel 28. The pipe 2 can extend through any of the apertures 21 to 27, and a plurality of pipes 2 can be used, extending through a plurality of the apertures 21 to 27, thus increasing heat transfer to the brick. As an alternative to plastic piping 2, metallic piping can be used, which again tends to increase heat transfer from the water to the brick.

Advantageously, insulation material may be provided in the larger central aperture 24, to help prevent heat escaping from the building. Further advantageously, the pipes 2 may be provided in the apertures 21 to 23 or 25 to 27 which are situated at the interior or indoors side relative to the insulation material, in this way, heat is encouraged to radiate into the building and discouraged from leaking to the outside.

As shown towards the right hand side of the wall in Fig 1, the pipe 2 curves around on itself and enters the brick below (or above) it, this being repeated at each level at the ends of the wall thereby to define a circuit which leads back ultimately to the tank 5.

The channels 8 shown in Fig I are provided to contain service conductor elements such as drainpipes. A cover plate 10 is to he fitted over each channel 8. As an alternative to housing drainpipes, the channels 8 can be used to inspect piping 2 running through the apertures 21 to 23 and 25 to 27. As shown by Figs 2A and 2B the bricks with a channel 8 can be rotated so as to define the channel at either end of the brick, or the bricks can be designed as mirror images of one another.

The heating system can be used not only to heat the walls, but also to provide heated water for use by the occupants of the building. Excess energy from the solar cell can be stored in a battery.

Fig I A shows a variation on the embodiment of Fig. I, wherein the pipe 2 for heated water runs back and forth along the apertures provided in the bricks, and the channels 8 are used as turning points for the pipe 2. This avoids the need for dedicated passages through the bricks for the pipe 2, the channel 8 being usable for a number of different purposes. Also shown in Fig. 1A, by a dashed line, is a return pipe 11 that conveys water back to the tank 5, after it has passed through the wall. In the case where a heat absorber as opposed to a solar cell is used to heat the water, the return pipe 11 conveys water back to the heat absorber.

Fig 3 shows a brick according to Fig 2A or 2B in more detail. Running along its top face, the brick has a protrusion 31, for engaging into a corresponding recess 32 of another brick.

The cover plate 10 comprises two attachment elements 34,35 in the form of resilient clips. The cover plate 10 can be attached in place by sliding the plate 10 up or down with the clips 34,35 located in the channel 8. The plate 10 abuts against a pair of lateral flanges 33 of the channel 8, to provide a seal against the elements.

Fig 4A shows a wall constructed using bricks as shown in Fig 4B and 4C, which includes a channel 41 for a sanitation pipe (not shown). In this respect, the bricks which define the channel 41 include a curved face 42 for example, a semicircular recess 42, sized and shaped to receive a sanitation pipe.

The face 42 is curved about a vertical axis. A lip 43 is provided at a longitudinal end of the brick next to the curved surface 42, for contact with a corresponding lip 43 in an adjacent brick. Adjacent the curved surface 42, the brick has a flat surface 44. A cover plate 46 is provided to cover in part the channel 41. At the top of the wall shown in Fig 4A, a series of bricks is arranged to define a channel 45 having a rectangular cross-section. The channel 45 can be used to convey various service conductor elements. A cover plate 47 is provided to cover in part the channel 45.

Fig SA shows a wall including a door assembly 51, in which the doorframe 52 is built into the surrounding wall. This advantageously provides a strong door assembly 51. The bricks surrounding the door include a slot in which the doorframe 52 is embedded. This concept can also be used for window frames.

Fig 5B shows a brick specifically for the vertical parts of the door or window frame, including a vertical slot 53.

Fig 5C shows a brick including a horizontal slot 54 specifically for the horizontal upper section of the door or window frame.

Fig 5D shows a brick for the bottom parts of the door or window frame including a slot 55 to receive those parts. Preferably, the brick shown in Fig. 5D is used the other way up to how it is shown in the drawing, whereby the slot is able to receive the lower part of the door or window frame. However, the brick can be used in the orientation shown in Fig. SD, and the ridge shown along the top of the brick can provide support to the door or window frame.

Fig 5E shows a wall brick without any slots for a door or window frame, which can be used with the bricks of Figs SB to 5D to construct the rest of the wall.

In Fig 6, there is shown a wall including a recess 61 for housing an electric panel. The bricks 62,63 defining the sides of the recess 61 have a special shape discussed below. The recess 61 can be used to house many types of electrical item, for instance computers, sound systems and audiovisual systems etc. It can also house a fuse box panel.

Fig 7 shows the brick 62 comprising a stepped formation 66. The brick 62 thereby defines a cuboidal recess between a pair of faces 64,65. Bricks directly above and below the recess 61 for housing an electric panel do not include the stepped formation. The brick 62 also has apertures 67 which may be used to transmit electrical cable through the wall and into the recess 61, thus keeping the cable out of sight, which is convenient and tidy for the user. The brick 62 also includes an aperture 68 having a considerably larger vertical extension than the other apertures 67. The aperture 68 can have a height nearly the same as that of the brick 62. The brick 63 is essentially a mirror image of the brick 62, and defines the opposite side walls of the recess 61.

Fig 8 shows a brick 81 whose front face 82 is used to define a back face 69 of the recess 61. As can be seen, the width of the brick 81 is approximately half that of the bricks used for the rest of the wall. It only has one set of three apertures 67.

Fig 9 shows a wall including an electrical socket 92 and a light switch 93. Vertical apertures 94 are provided in some of the bricks for receiving electrical cable associated with these items 92,93. There is also shown a pair of water pipes 95, with a branching connection therebetween. A large diameter opening 96 is defined between bricks for example for a sewage pipe. It will be understood that many other different forms of brick with alternative passage and opening arrangements are possible. The apertures described above may also take many other shapes and sizes.

Fig 10 shows a wall including bricks 101 with a large channel 104 for electric cable 105. The brick 104 has a removable cover 103 can which extend the whole length and height of the brick 101. The cover 103 has an electric socket 92 disposed thereon. insulation material 102 is provided in a central aperture of the brick, which aperture has a height nearly the same as that of the brick.

in Fig 11 there is shown a brick, including a hole 111 on its top surface, for electric cable for example to pass through, thereby allowing transition of cable between different vertical levels in a wall, insulation is to be provided in a central aperture 112, whilst the lateral passages 113 are for electrical conductors. The bricks can have a hole 111 on both top and bottom surfaces.

Fig 12 shows the brick of Fig 11 with insulation 121 material included therein. An aperture 122 is provided on the side of the brick, e.g. for receiving an electric switch.

In Fig 13 there is shown a pair of bricks defining a passage 131 therebetween. In the assembled state of the bricks, the passage 131 runs vertically through the wall.

Fig 14 shows a pair of bricks defining a passage 141 therebetween, wherein in the assembled state the passage 141 is horizontal.

Fig 15 shows a brick 101 as shown in Fig 10 with the cover 103 removed.

The various types of brick described are all combinable in a single wall or a single building. The bricks are manufactured by baking the brick material e.g. clay in pre-formed moulds. Preferentially, especially pure refmed clay is used, to ensure structural integrity of the bricks, and to avoid surface irregularities.

The construction of the wall and pipes shown in Figs I and 1A can also be used in the converse way to that described above. Particularly, in hot countries, the walls of a building tend to get rather hot. Thus, it is possible to put in cold water to the pipes 2 and get out warm water. Under this use, the solar cell 6 can be dispensed with. The water tank 5 and circulator 4 will advantageously he retained, to store and circulate the heated water for use in the building.

Conventional building practices can be applied in constructing buildings which utilise the present invention, with a basic difference that the points through which the heating pipes will pass, the points where door and window frames will be fitted and the location of the electrical panel will be decided and planned from the beginning.

Service entry points, not shown in the drawings, can be provided at convenient junctures along the wall, for example every 3 metres, to allow access to the pipe work or cabling etc. that may lie within the bricks. The channels 8 for instance, as shown in Fig. 1, also allow access to the interior of the wall and/or bricks. By these means, there is no need to damage the bricks in order to effect repairs of pipes and/or cables, or to carry out maintenance and improvement works. Jo

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A heating system for bricks comprising: means for utilising

solar energy to heat a fluid, the heated fluid in use being transmitted to one or more bricks to heat the bricks, at least some of the bricks including an aperture extending therethrough to allow flow of the heated fluid through the brick.
2. A heating system according to claim I, wherein a thermostat is provided to control the temperature of the heated fluid.
3. A heating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for utilising solar energy to heat the fluid comprise a solar cell to power an electric heater.
4. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for utilising solar energy to heat the fluid comprise a heat absorber.
5. A heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein to circulate the fluid around the system, a pump is provided.
6. A heating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein convection is used to circulate fluid around the system.
7. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein heated fluid is arranged to flow through an indoors side of the brick, whereby radiation of heat to the outdoors is discouraged.
8. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bricks have a cavity for receiving insulation.
9. A fluid heating system comprising bricks including an aperture extending therethrough to allow a flow of fluid through the bricks, whereby in use heat from the sun is absorbed by the bricks and is transferred from the bricks to the fluid.
1 0. A fluid heating system according to claim 9, further including a tank for storing heated fluid.
11. A fluid heating system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in use fluid flows through an outdoors side of the bricks.
12. Bricks for use in the heating systems according to any one of claims I to 11, each brick having an aperture extending through it to transmit a fluid through the brick whereby heat is transmitted from the fluid to the brick or from the brick to the fluid.
13. Bricks according to claim 12, wherein the aperture extends between longitudinal end faces of the brick.
14. Bricks according to claim 12, wherein the aperture extends between a longitudinal end face of the brick and an upper or lower side face of the brick.
15. Bricks according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the aperture follows a non-linear path through the bricks.
16. Bricks according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the aperture follows a linear path through the brick.
1 7. Bricks according to any one of claims 12 to 16, further including a hole through a top or bottom surface to allow a cable or pipe to pass between different vertical levels.
18. Bricks according to any one of claims 12 to 17, further including a slot to receive at least a part of a doorframe or a window frame.
19. A heating system for bricks substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A fluid heating system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. Bricks substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.