WO1990014477A1

WO1990014477A1 - A building structure apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1990014477A1
Application number: PCT/NO1990/000088
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trond Kanstad
Original assignee: Trond Kanstad
Priority date: 1989-05-23
Filing date: 1990-05-23
Publication date: 1990-11-29
Also published as: NO892045L; AU5666990A; NO892045D0

Abstract

A building structure apparatus combining techniques for solar energy collection, heat storage and fresh air supply as an integral part of the actual structure, together with improved insulating value for the structure that makes possible the saving of energy also without solar radiation. Solar rays pass through an exterior covering layer (1), e.g., a glass plate, and air situated in an intermediate space (3) between said layer (1) and a heat absorbent/heat storing body (2) is heated, also by stored heat in the body (2) when the air is transported through the air-exposed body (2) with the aid of negative pressure in an inner building space (4). To improve the heat collection capability of the body (2), this may be provided with an air penetrable solar heat absorbent stratum (12) on the side facing the intermediate space (3) and an air penetrable insulating body (15) which is positioned between the heat storing body (2) and the building space (4). Utilization in buildings, vessels or installations associated with industry. The apparatus may be employed vertically or at a slant and may advantageously be combined with other energy saving techniques.

Description

A BUILDING STRUCTURE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a building structure apparatus which combines a plurality of techniques for solar energy collection and saving of energy, where a layer through which solar rays may pass, e.g., a glass plate, forms part of the facade or exterior surface of the structure, and a heat absorbent body is disposed in spaced relation behind said layer, and where air may pass in the intermediate space between the layer and the body, said layer having a thickness that is less than that of the intermediate space, and the intermediate space having a thickness that is substantially less than the thickness of the body, and where the solar radiation through said layer causes the heating of said body.

Such an apparatus is described in "Solar energy and building" by S.V. Szokolay, published in 1975 by the Architectural Press Limited. In this solution the heat absorbent unit is non-porous and therefore does not provide for any dynamic insulation (or heat exchange through the unit) nor preheated fresh air supply. The dimensions of the known structure with respect to the air gap and heat absorbent body make its integration into a normal building structure quite difficult and uneconomical, and therefore very impractical.

From the earlier German patent DE-PS 2735487 there is also known a solar collector (sun trap) device consisting of a translucent or transparent screen in the form of glass or similar substance, and having gas or air as a transport medium, together with a porous absorber. The absorber according to the German patent is not designed as a struc¬ tural element for storing thermal energy on a a 24-hour basis, for example, but is described as a "plate-like, net¬ like or grid-like" element. Such an element, however, is not capable of combining the effects that the present invention is designed to achieve, i.e., heat storage, integration into the building structure, and ability to function as both conventional and dynamic insulator, i.e., providing for heat exchange through the structure. The device according to the German patent lacks possibilities for venting of unwanted thermal energy, and the air flow takes place along the surface, with a distinct inlet and outlet. The solution according to the German patent represents an improvement on solar energy collectors, in that the "bee-hive" formed radiation trap allows infrared light to pass through for Increased effectiveness. Consequently the known solution is dependent on this particular configuration in order to function as intended.

The aim of the present Invention is to overcome the dis¬ advantages associated with the known structures; and In this connection an apparatus is proposed of the type mentioned in the introduction, where the heat absorbent body constitutes a part of the supporting building structure, said body is porous and allows air to pass through and has heat storage capacity, and it is made up of a homogeneous construction material, e.g. light weight concrete blocks or in sandwich/ laminated structure, optionally filled upright and transom construction, with arrangement for fresh air to be introduced into the intermediate space from a preferably lower part thereof, and directly to the heat absorbent body and through said body to a building space situated at the rear, said fresh air being heated on its passage through the inter¬ mediate space and the heat absorbent body, thereby achieving, via the flow-through of air, a transport of energy and Improved insulation through the structure; and if solar radiation is insufficient, achieving a transport of stored heat to the rear building space; and in the case of insuf¬ ficient heat, a heat-exchange taking place through the apparatus for improvement of its insulating value. The present invention makes possfble solar energy collection, storage of heat, preheated fresh air supply and improved insulation value in buildings, without the need for any special extra devices for this purpose. Since the invention is based on the premise that the building structure itself shall function as a solar energy collector, absorber, heat storage means and energy distributor, simultaneously with a preheated fresh air supply and improved insulation throughout the structure even without solar radiation, there is achieved a significant savings in energy in connection with construc¬ tion.

The system is quite simple in its basic form and would therefore be economically feasible. The previously known energy saving techniques either involve very special devices or comprise complicated, space-demanding structures.

The system's simplicity renders it highly adaptable in various types of facades and roofs, as well as in pure architectural design. In a eontruction context the apparatus can function, for example, both as an exterior covering and as supporting walls.

Since the thermal energy is airborne, the system affords good possibilities for combination with known recovery techniques, further contributing to the energy savings provided by the apparatus according to the present invention.

The idea for the present invention is based on how to achieve advantages by means of a construction principle, either through assembly of components or the use of pre-fab units_* The heat absorbent body may be of a homogeneous material , e.g. light weight concrete, or in a sandwich or laminated structure, optionally filled upright and transom construc¬ tion. In a sandwich/laminated structure, it may form part of a frame construction if the selection of materials calls for this. It will also be immediately understood that the principles on vhich the present Invention Is based may be applied both to new constructions and to building rehabilitation.

According to additional features of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, the intermediate space is provided with a vent opening at the top, particularly useful during periods of extremely warm weather, when the need to supply heat to the rear building space is very limited.

As a preferred embodiment, but not meant as a limiting embodiment form for the invention, there is a space of at least 4 cm between the mentioned solar energy transmitting layer and the body. The mentioned intermediate space may have a thickness that is, for example, 5-50 of the thickness of said body.

According to additional features of the apparatus, there is provided on the outside of the heat absorbent body — which serves as a heat storage means — an air-penetrable, solar heat absorbent stratum that borders on the intermediate space, and there is provided an air-penetrable, heat insulating body between the heat absorbent body and the building space.

The stratum may have a dark or black surface facing the mentioned layer admitting the solar rays. The stratum ma also be heat reflective on the side facing the mentioned heat absorbent body.

It may also be expedient to provide an air filter in the lower part of the intermediate space, mentioned above.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, where these figures sho examples that are not meant to be limiting for the invention. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment form of the apparatus according to tbe Invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show, as second and third embodiments, respectively, variants of the embodiment form in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows, as a fourth embodiment form, a further variant of the embodiment form in figure 1.

In figure 1, there is an exterior layer 1, which is transpar¬ ent or translucent, consisting of a single or double glass plate or similar material. Between the exterior layer 1 and the interior lieat absorbent body 2 there Is provided an air gap 3. The mutual dimensions between the air gap or intermediate space 3 and the heat absorbent body are such that the intermediate space₍ or air gap 3 has a thickness that is 5-50% of the thickness of the heat absorbent body. The intermediate space 3 or air gap may, for example, have a thickness of minimum 4 cm. The heat absorbent body 2 is open to air, and with an established negative pressure in the interior building space 4, air from the intermediate space 3 will be drawn into said building space 4 through the body 2. Said body 2 may conveniently consist of a material that permits sufficient passage of air therethrough, at the same time as it is heat absorbent. Said material may be either homogeneous, e.g., in the form of light weight concrete blocks, or may consist of a composite filled rib- or upright structure.

The intermediate space 3 is open to air 5 at the bottom where air may enter from the outside. The opening 5 may optionally be provided with an air filter to prevent entry of dirt into the apparatus. Short wave solar radiation, indicated by reference numeral 6, passes through the exterior layer 1 and will thereby heat up the air in the intermediate space 3, together with the material in the heat absorbent body 2. Long wave radiation 7 will not be permitted to pass out through layer 1, and thus an effective collection of energy is achieved.

The air in the intermediate space 3 is drawn through the air- exposed Interior ^"body 2 toward the "building space 4 where a negative pressure is established by means of either natural or mechanical venting 8. The air passage is illustrated with the wavy arrows and reference numeral 9. In this latter process, heat energy received in the body 2 is given off to the building structure and to the space 4. Without suffici¬ ent solar radiation, the space 4 will be supplied with the stored heat from the body 2, at the same time as the insulation value is thus improved relative to a static situation. Without stored heat in the body 2, the heat exchange occurring in body 2 will counteract the heat radiation and heat conduction taking place from space 4 and out toward layer 1 , and will thus provide improved insul¬ ation, also under these conditions.

It would be natural to adapt the size of these areas to the volume they are meant to serve, and the effectiveness of the apparatus will depend on the degree of transparency and reflection in the exterior layer 1, the absorption and heat storage capacity in body 2, and the air passage properties of the interior body 2. In addition to this are exterior climatic conditions and orientation, and it would be expedient to position the apparatus so that it is situated in the direction southeast to southwest. As is clearly illustrated in fig. 1, 2 and 4, as well as in fig. 3, the principle may be applied vertically or at a slant on walls or on roofs.

To dispose of unwanted heat, there must be an adequate means of ventilation for the air gap or intermediate space 3. This also increases the flexibility of usage and thus the adaptibility possibilities. This is done by means of a damper connected with an opening 10 at the top of the intermediate space 3. A control system (not shown) could regulate the adjustment of the damper and thus optimize the system's efficiency.

Even with. insufficient solar radiation, the structure according to the invention will function as a good insulator. The principle may advantageously be combined with other heating sources and energy recovery techniques in order to be supplemented in this way and, in addition, better utilized.

Figure 2 illustrates how the principle may be applied in a pure constructional context. The solar rays 6 pass through the transparent layer 1 and heat up the wall of the body 2 and the air in the intermediate space 3. The interior body or the wall 2 may be of light weight concrete blocks or other material having suitable air passage properties. The air is drawn through the wall or body 2 and thereby heats up the inner building space 4 due to the heat exchange taking place between the air that passes through the body 2 and the body itself. It would be natural to allow the inner building space 4 to have an established negative pressure with the aid of natural or mechanical venting through the mentioned valve 8.

If the vented air from valve 8 is recovered, this may be used in connection with a radiator 11 and/or floor heat 12' in the floor surface 12. The radiator 11 also serves to prevent entry of cold draft from a window 13 and to provide addi¬ tional heat when the temperature of the air through the wall 2 is too low.

Fig. 3 shows the apparatus in fig. 1 adapted to a slanted roof structure. Fresh air is allowed to enter through an opening 5 in the structure. The other reference numerals in figure 3 designate the same elements as in fig. 1 and 2. In fig. 4 the apparatus in fig. 1 has been slightly modified. The heat absorbent body here consists of a heat storage section 2, a solar radiation heat absorbent stratum 14 situated closest to the intermediate space 3, and a heat insulator 15 positioned nearest the building space 4. This "sandwich" or laminated structure has certain advantages in that the stratum 14 may, for example, be made dark or black on the outside for maximum absorption of the solar radiation energy which is to be passed on to the heat storing body 2. The stratum 14 may optionally be made heat reflective on the inside, i.e., on the side facing the body 2, for example by metallization. It will be understood that the stratum 14, which allows passage of air, ensures that a maximum of the collected solar energy will be transferred to the heat storing body 2.

Inside the heat storing body 2, i.e., nearest the building space 4, is the thermal insulating body 15. This body also allows air to pass through, but reduces the radiation of heat from space 4 to body 2 and further toward the facade layer 1. This affords an apparatus that provides maximal heat intake, and optimal heat storage at the same time as it prevents as well as possible the transport of heat in the opposite direction.

It will be understood that the "sandwich" or laminated construction may constitute a bearing structure or be part of a frame structure. With this solution, the materials utilized will have their optimal effect with respect to the desirable properties, i.e., absorption capability (surface, color, heat stability), heating capacity, heat conductivity, weight and insulation properties. We achieve in this way a lighter structure that enables increased heat storage at a higher temperature in the body 2 with the aid of the thermal insulating body 15. For example, the stratum 14 may consist of a cement-based slab, perforated metal plate, wood wool-cement slab, porous stone or fiber panel. The body 2 may consist of concrete, cement stone, or loose mineral material such as sand, loose leca, etc- The body 15 may be of a lighter insulating material, e.g., wood fiber panel, light weiglit concrete, light weight cement stone, cork, etc.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1.

A building structure apparatus wherein a layer through which solar rays may pass, e.g., a glass plate (I) forms part of the facade or exterior surface of the structure, and a heat absorbent body (2) is disposed in spaced relation behind said layer, and where air may pass in an intermediate space (3) between said layer (1) and said body (2), said layer (1) having a thickness which is less than that of the inter¬ mediate space (3), and the intermediate space having a thickness that is substantially less than the thickness of said body (2), where the solar radiation through said layer causes the heating of said body, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said heat absorbent body (2) constitutes a part of the supporting building structure, that said body is porous and allows air to pass through and has a specific heat storage capacity, and it is made up of a homogeneous construction material, e.g., light weight concrete blocks or in sandwich or laminated structure, optionally filled upright and transom construction, and that arrangement Is made for fresh air to be introduced into said intermediate space (3) from a preferably lower part (5) of said space, and directly to the heat absorbent body and through said body to a building space (4) situated at the rear, said fresh air being heated on its passage through said intermediate space (3) and said heat absorbent body (2), thereby achieving, via the flow-through of air, a transport of energy and improved insulation through the structure; and If solar radiation is insufficient, there occurs a transport of stored heat to building space (4), and in the case of insufficient heat, a heat exchange takes place through the apparatus for improvement of its insulating value.

2.

An apparatus as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said intermediate space (3) is provided with a vent opening (10) at the top.

3.

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said intermediate space (3) is at least 4 cm.

4.

An apparatus as defined in one of the claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said intermediate space (3) has a thickness that is about 5-50% of the thickness of the heat absorbent body.

5.

An apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that there is provided on the outside of said heat absorbent body (2) -- which serves as a heat storage means — a solar heat absorbent stratum (14) that borders on said intermediate space (3), and that there is provided an air-permeable, heat insulating body (15) between the body (2) and the building space (4).

6.

An apparatus as defined in claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said stratum (14) has a dark or black surface facing said solar ray admitting layer

(1).

7.

An apparatus as defined in claim 5 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said absorbent layer on the side facing said heat absorbent body (2) is heat reflective.

8.

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that an air filter is provided in said lower part (5) of said intermediate space

(3).