Temperature regulating system
First Claim
1. A temperature regulator comprising:
- a container having an inner chamber and an upper wall adapted to be in thermal contact with the underside of the roof of a structure;
a supply of water filling said chamber, said water being in contact with essentially the entire effective heat transfer area of said upper wall; and
insulation disposed in said chamber and located adjacent to said upper wall, said insulation defining passages that allow the water to flow vertically through the insulation,whereby the radiation of heat from the roof into the night sky cools the water above the insulation and the remainder of the water is cooled by convection as relatively warmer water below the insulation circulates upwardly through the insulation and cooler water above the insulation circulates downwardly, and heat transfer to the interior of the structure is minimized during the day by the insulation and the thermal mass of the water.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature regulating system that includes an enclosure having at least one temperature regulator including a container coupled to the ceiling of the enclosure and having an upper wall, a lower wall and an intermediate section that form a chamber which houses insulation and is filled with water provides a cooling system independent of external power. The insulation is positioned adjacent to the upper wall of the container and includes an upper surface facing the container'"'"'s upper wall. The area of the upper surface of the insulation is approximately equal to the effective heat transfer area of the interior surface of the container. The insulation forms passages that provide fluid flow communication between the upper and lower walls of the container. With this construction relatively cold water, chilled by cool surroundings, e.g., the night atmosphere, flows downwardly from the region adjacent to the upper wall of the container to below the insulation and toward the lower wall of the container, cools the interior space of the enclosure by heat transfer. Relatively warm water flows upwardly from the region adjacent to the lower wall of the container, above the insulation and toward the upper wall of the container. The thermal characteristics of the insulation and water minimize the penetration of heat from outside during the day.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A temperature regulator comprising:
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a container having an inner chamber and an upper wall adapted to be in thermal contact with the underside of the roof of a structure; a supply of water filling said chamber, said water being in contact with essentially the entire effective heat transfer area of said upper wall; and insulation disposed in said chamber and located adjacent to said upper wall, said insulation defining passages that allow the water to flow vertically through the insulation, whereby the radiation of heat from the roof into the night sky cools the water above the insulation and the remainder of the water is cooled by convection as relatively warmer water below the insulation circulates upwardly through the insulation and cooler water above the insulation circulates downwardly, and heat transfer to the interior of the structure is minimized during the day by the insulation and the thermal mass of the water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A passively cooled structure comprising:
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an enclosure including a roof having an interior surface that defines the upper boundary of an interior space; and at least one temperature regulator positioned in said enclosure, each said temperature regulator including;
roof;a container having an upper wall and an interior forming a chamber located beneath the interior surface of the means for maintaining said upper wall of said container in thermal contact with the interior surface of the roof; a supply of water substantially filling said chamber; and insulation disposed in said chamber and positioned adjacent said upper wall, said insulation including a top surface facing the interior surface of said upper wall, the area of said top surface being approximately equal to the effective heat transfer area of the interior surface of said upper wall, said insulation defining passages that provide fluid flow vertically through said insulation, whereby the radiation of heat from the roof into the night sky cools the water above the insulation and the remainder of the water is cooled by convection as relatively warmer water below the insulation circulates upwardly through the insulation and cooler water above the insulation circulates downwardly, heat transfer to the interior of the structure is minimized during the day by the insulation and the thermal mass of the water. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A temperature regulating system comprising:
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an enclosure including a roof having an inner surface that defines the upper boundary of an interior space, said enclosure having an emissive outer surface exposed to the atmosphere; and a plurality of temperature regulators disposed in said enclosure, each said temperature regulator including a container having an upper wall, a lower wall and an intermediate section, said upper wall, lower wall and intermediate section having interior surfaces forming a chamber, at least the intermediate section being constructed of a material which is a poor conductor of heat, and water substantially filling said chamber and being in contact with essentially the entire effective heat transfer area of said interior surface of said upper wall of said container; means for maintaining the upper walls of the containers in thermal contact with the interior surface of the roof; insulation disposed in each said chamber, positioned in close proximity to each said upper wall and dividing said chambers into an upper and a lower spaces, said insulation including an upper surface facing said upper wall, the area of said upper surface being approximately equal to the effective heat transfer area of the interior surface of said upper wall, said insulation defining passages that provide fluid flow communication between said upper and lower walls of said container, whereby the radiation of heat from the roof into the night sky cools the water above the insulation and the water is cooled by convection as relatively warmer water below the insulation circulates upwardly through the insulation and colder water above the insulation circulates downwardly, and heat transfer to the interior of the structure is minimized during the day by the insulation and the thermal mass of the water. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification