System and method for controlling the temperature of an open-air area

Abstract

A system for controlling the temperature of an open-air area. The system comprises a boundary wall defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled, and a floor having a heating or cooling element, wherein the system is effective to control the temperature of the area. The heating or cooling element may include a network of interconnected pipes in the floor, a quantity of fluid disposed within the pipes, a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the fluid, and a pump for circulating the fluid through the pipes. The system may further include a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall, a heating or cooling element for heating and cooling air, a blower for circulating the heated or cooled air through the ductwork, and a plurality of diffusers in the boundary wall to communicate the air to the open-air area.

1 . A system for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising: 
 a boundary wall defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled;    a floor; and    a heating or cooling element in the floor, wherein the system is effective to control the temperature of the open-air area.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating or cooling element comprises: 
 a network of interconnected pipes in the floor;    a quantity of fluid disposed within the pipes;    a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the fluid; and    a pump for circulating the fluid through the pipes.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating or cooling element comprises a plurality of electric heating elements in the floor.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating or cooling element in the boundary wall.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the boundary wall includes a foundation and an optically transmissive portion.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a movable screen to shade at least a portion of the open-air area.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the screen moves freely in relation to the open-air area.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the screen moves upon a track.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the screen is manually repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the screen is manually repositioned with a remote control.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the screen is automatically repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a partition defining a portion of the perimeter in conjunction with the boundary wall.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall;    an air intake for receiving air and circulating the air through the ductwork; and    a plurality of diffusers in the boundary wall to communicate the air to the open-air area.    
   
   
       14 . A system for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising: 
 a boundary wall defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled;    a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall;    a heating or cooling element to heat or cool air;    a blower for circulating the heated or cooled air through the ductwork; and    a plurality of diffusers in the boundary wall to communicate the heated or cooled air to the open-air area, wherein the system is effective to control the temperature of the open-air area.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the diffusers are inconspicuous.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , further including a dehumidifier.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the boundary wall includes a foundation and an optically transmissive portion.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , further including a movable screen to shade at least a portion of the open-air area.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the screen moves freely in relation to the open-air area.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the screen moves upon a track.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the screen is manually repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the screen is manually repositioned with a remote control.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the screen is automatically repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       24 . A system for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising: 
 a boundary wall defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled;    a floor including: 
 a network of interconnected pipes in the floor, and  
 a quantity of fluid disposed within the pipes;  
   a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the fluid;    a pump for circulating the fluid through the pipes;    a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall;    a heating or cooling element to heat or cool air;    a blower for circulating the heated or cooled air through the ductwork; and    a plurality of diffusers in the boundary wall to communicate the air to the open-air area, wherein the system is effective to control the temperature of the open-air area.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the boundary wall includes a foundation and an optically transmissive portion.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 24 , further including a movable screen to shade at least a portion of the open-air area.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the screen moves freely in relation to the open-air area.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the screen moves upon a track.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the screen is manually repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the screen is manually repositioned with a remote control.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the screen is automatically repositioned to maintain shading of the open-air area.  
   
   
       32 . A method for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising the steps of: 
 defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled with a boundary wall; and    installing a heating or cooling element in a floor of the open-air area, wherein the method is effective to control the temperature of the open-air area.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the steps of: 
 installing a network of interconnected pipes in the floor;    placing a quantity of fluid within the pipes;    heating or cooling the fluid; and    circulating the fluid through the pipes.    
   
   
       34 . A method for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising the steps of: 
 defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled with a boundary wall;    installing a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall;    heating or cooling air;    circulating the heated or cooled air through the ductwork; and    communicating the air from the ductwork to the open-air area, wherein the method is effective to control the temperature of the open-air area.    
   
   
       35 . A method for controlling the temperature of an open-air area, comprising the steps of: 
 defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the open-air area to be temperature-controlled with a boundary wall;    installing a network of interconnected pipes in a floor of the open-air area;    placing a quantity of fluid within the pipes;    heating or cooling the fluid;    circulating the fluid through the pipes;    installing a network of interconnected ductwork in the boundary wall;    heating or cooling air;    circulating the heated or cooled air through the ductwork; and    communicating the air from the ductwork to the open-air area, wherein the method is effective to control the temperature of the area.