Patent US4259401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4259401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods, apparatus, and compositions for storing heat for the heating and cooling of buildings
Assignee: Southwall Corp
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Filing: 1978-11-20
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1998-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A building element which inhibits the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed limits approximating room temperature. A rigid porous matrix structure is provided in thermal communication with the building interior. A store of phase change material impregnates the matrix structure. The phase change material has a melting point within the temperature limits so that the material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits. Melting of the material absorbs heat and reduces the interior temperature of the building, until the material is entirely melted. Conversely, the material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the stored material is entirely frozen. The store of phase change material is sealed within the matrix structure so that the material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid. Accordingly, by absorbing heat when too much heat is present, and releasing heat when too little heat is present, the building element maintains the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Day Chahroudi
- 👤 Sean R. Wellesley-Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:52
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C1/00; E04C1/39; E04C1/392; F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24D11/006; F24D11/007; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; F24F; F24F5/00; F24F5/0007; F24F5/0017; F24F5/0021; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/92; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249954; Y10T428/249967; Y10T428/249968; Y10T428/249994; Y10T428/249995; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a rigid porous matrix structure in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating said matrix structure and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and means for sealing the store of material within the matrix structure so that the material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a rigid porous matrix structure in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating said matrix structure and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and means for sealing the store of material within the matrix structure so that the material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein said matrix structure in an inorganic hydrate material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein said matrix structure is a thermosetting polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein said rigid matrix is concrete.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a coating of a sealing material on said matrix structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein said store of phase change material comprises a hydrated salt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein said matrix includes a passage therein having openings communicating with the interior of the building for the circulation of air from the interior of the building through the element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein the matrix structure is load-bearing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The building element of claim 1 wherein the matrix structure is non-load bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The building element of claim 1 and additionally comprising a pressure control liquid impregnating the matrix structure in combination with the store of phase change material, said liquid having a boiling temperature approximately equal to the melting point of the material so that the liquid accommodates changes in volume caused by melting of said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The building element of claim 10 wherein said liquid is a halogenated hydrocarbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
170 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a concrete block having at least 40% interconnected pores in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating the concrete block and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature of the building until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and a layer of sealing material circumscribing the concrete block to seal the store of material therein so that said material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
170 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a concrete block having at least 40% interconnected pores in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating the concrete block and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature of the building until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and a layer of sealing material circumscribing the concrete block to seal the store of material therein so that said material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a concrete wall in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating the concrete wall and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature of the building until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and a quantity of sealing material impregnating the concrete wall to seal the store of material therein so that said material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
A building element adapted to inhibit the change of the interior temperature of a building beyond prescribed temperature limits approximating room temperature, said element comprising: a concrete wall in thermal communication with the building interior; a store of phase change material impregnating the concrete wall and having a melting point within said temperature limits so that said material melts when the interior temperature of the building exceeds the temperature limits to absorb heat and reduce the interior temperature of the building until the store of material is entirely melted, and conversely said material freezes when the interior temperature of the building falls below the temperature limits to release heat and increase the interior temperature until the store of material is entirely frozen; and a quantity of sealing material impregnating the concrete wall to seal the store of material therein so that said material undergoes repeated changes in phase between liquid and solid to maintain the interior temperature of the building within the prescribed limits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The building element of claim 13 wherein the concrete wall is vertical.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for constructing a building material adapted to maintain the temperature within the building between selected temperature limits approximating room temperature, said method comprising the steps of: admixing cement, sand, sealing material, water, and a phase change material having a melting point within the selected temperature limits, which phase change material undergoes reversible freeze-thaw cyclical changes when subjected to appropriate temperatures above or below said selected temperature limits; pouring the admixture into a mold; and causing the molded admixture to form a rigid structural material in which the phase change material is suspended and sealed in a matrix formed from the other components of the admixture.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for constructing a building material adapted to maintain the temperature within the building between selected temperature limits approximating room temperature, said method comprising the steps of: admixing cement, sand, sealing material, water, and a phase change material having a melting point within the selected temperature limits, which phase change material undergoes reversible freeze-thaw cyclical changes when subjected to appropriate temperatures above or below said selected temperature limits; pouring the admixture into a mold; and causing the molded admixture to form a rigid structural material in which the phase change material is suspended and sealed in a matrix formed from the other components of the admixture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said phase change material is in the form of crystals, and additionally comprising the step of coating said crystals prior to said admixing step to prevent the phase change material from retarding cement cure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 and additionally comprising the step of sealing the phase change material in small plastic pouches prior to said admixing step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said admixing step further includes admixing a surfactant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
A building material constructed according to the method of claim 15.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |