Heat exchange – Structural installation – Heating and cooling
Patent
1995-02-16
1997-05-27
Rivell, John
Heat exchange
Structural installation
Heating and cooling
165 53, 62DIG1, F24D 1902
Patent
active
056323271
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the temperature control of areas in buildings such as rooms in offices, hotels, retail shops, supermarkets, hospitals, and the like. In particular the invention relates to the cooling of rooms by transfer of heat from the air in the room by means of ceiling structure suspended below the top surface of the room.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to suspend a ceiling structure below the top surface of the room, the structure comprising panels incorporating pipes containing a fluid medium typically water. Heat is transferred from the hot air in the room into the pipes and extracted from the room, to keep the temperature in the room be low a predetermined limit. This system has several drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to provide a suspended ceiling which is more efficient and advantageous in controlling the climate of a room.
In one aspect the invention provides a building including a room having a top surface, a ceiling suspended by hanger means below the top surface, the ceiling comprising one or more panels containing a fluid medium, characterised in that the fluid medium is in contact with substantially all of the lower surface of the panels whereby heat transfer occurs over substantially all of the lower surface.
Preferably the lower surface of the panels is in direct contact with the air of the room. As a result there is a direct transfer of heat from the air into the fluid medium.
Preferably the lower surface of the panels is contoured to increase the surface area thereof. This may be by suitable shaping and/or the lower surface may be covered with a paint or the like to provide a textured finish.
Preferably the panels include flow control means to distribute the fluid evenly therethrough from an inlet to an outlet. Preferably the inlet and the outlet are set at opposite sides of the panel, e.g. diagonally, or in whichever way iS efficient for making connections between the panels making up the ceiling.
The panels may be made of metal, or plastics, or plastics covered sheet metal. Preferably they are moulded of polycarbonate, PVC-u, ABS, high impact styrene or polymethylmethacrylate or any suitable plastic which is inflammable. The mechanical strength of the material forming the panel walls is selected so that the panels can support their own weight and that of the fluid medium without distortion. Preferably in the case of plastics the panels are made of a material having a tensile strength at 23.degree. C. of about 60 MPa and a flexural strength of about 90 MPa; these values will be higher where the panels are made of metal.
The panels may have one wall made of metal for strength, e.g. a plastic coated steel sheeting. Extra layers may be present, e.g. heat insulating layers. A finish may be applied to the panels after moulding, e.g. a paint layer especially of a textured paint, as that will increase the surface area and avoid zones where there is such a temperature difference that condensation can occur.
The panels may be moulded in such a way that there is no need to use T-bars to form a ceiling grid. Thus hook means may be present on the panels and connected to the hanger means whereby the panels are suspended directly from the hanger means. Also, adjacent panels may be shaped so that the lower surface thereof provides a substantially continuous surface.
In one embodiment of the invention the ceiling constitutes the lower wall of a building services duct. In such a case an inlet for fresh air may be present in the duct and the ceiling panels of the invention are arranged to transfer heat to the incoming air from the upper surface thereof.
Preferably the fluid medium comprises water which may contain additives such as dyes, anti-freeze agents, agents against bacteria and other organisms; and the like.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of cooling a room in a building, the room containing a ceiling suspended by hanger means below the top surface of the room, the ceiling comprising one or mo
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patent: 4155887 (1979-05-01), Hetson
patent: 4168740 (1979-09-01), Cairenius
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patent: 5166862 (1992-11-01), Durivage, III et al.
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Paint Formulation Principles and Practice; J. Boxall and J.A. von Fraunhofer 1980; pp. 151-152 and 159-160.
Chemical Plublishing Co., Inc. 1978; pp. 294-298.
Atkinson Christopher
Energy Ceiling Company Limited
Kondracki Edward J.
Rivell John
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