Phase-change structural insulated panels and walls

Abstract

A wall, ceiling, or structural insulated panel having macroencapsulated phase-change materials incorporated therein.

1 . A structural panel comprising: 
 a first sheathing disposed on a first outer surface of an insulating core; and    a macroencapsulated phase change material positioned within said insulating core.    
   
   
       2 . The structural panel of  claim 1  further comprising a second sheathing disposed on a second outer surface of said insulating core, said second outer surface opposing said first outer surface, and 
 wherein said insulating core is positioned between said first sheathing and said second sheathing.    
   
   
       3 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein said first sheathing is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of oriented strand board gypsum, waferboard, metal, plywood, drywall, oriented strand board, strawboard and wheatboard.  
   
   
       4 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein said insulating core is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, urethane, polyurethane, isocyanurate, fiberglass, and straw insulation.  
   
   
       5 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein said first sheathing is affixed on said first outer surface of said insulating core using a material selected from the group consisting of a urethane cement, epoxy cement, glue and mastic.  
   
   
       6 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein said macroencapsulated phase change material is one or more solid-to-liquid phase change materials.  
   
   
       7 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein the macroencapsulated phase change material has a solid-to-liquid transition between about 72° F. and 86° F. (22° C. to 30° C.).  
   
   
       8 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein the phase change material is macroencapsulated in a housing.  
   
   
       9 . The structural panel of  claim 8  wherein said housing comprises a tube.  
   
   
       10 . The structural panel of  claim 9  wherein said tube is capped at both ends.  
   
   
       11 . The structural panel of  claim 8  wherein the housing is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of PVC, copper, and aluminum.  
   
   
       12 . The structural panel of  claim 8  wherein said housing is orientated substantially horizontally within the panel.  
   
   
       13 . The structural panel of  claim 8  wherein said housing is proximal to the first sheathing.  
   
   
       14 . The structural panel of  claim 8  wherein said housing is substantially centered between said first and second sheathings.  
   
   
       15 . The structural panel of  claim 1  wherein said panel is substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       16 . A wall comprising: 
 a plurality of spines; and    a macroencapsulated phase-change material positioned between at least two of said splines.    
   
   
       17 . The wall of  claim 16  further comprising insulation between at least two of said splines.  
   
   
       18 . The wall of  claim 17  wherein said insulation is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, urethane, polyurethane, isocyanurate, fiberglass, and straw insulation.  
   
   
       19 . The wall of  claim 16  wherein at least two of said splines are substantially vertical.  
   
   
       20 . The wall of  claim 16  further comprising a sheathing positioned over at least two adjacent splines.  
   
   
       21 . The wall of  claim 20  wherein said sheathing is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of oriented strand board gypsum, waferboard, metal, plywood, drywall, oriented strand board, strawboard and wheatboard.  
   
   
       22 . The wall of  claim 16  wherein said macroencapsulated phase change material is one or more solid-to-liquid phase change materials.  
   
   
       23 . The wall of  claim 16  wherein the phase change material has a solid-to-liquid transition between about 72° F. and 86° F. (22° C. to 30° C.).  
   
   
       24 . The wall of  claim 16  wherein the phase change material is macroencapsulated in a housing.  
   
   
       25 . The wall of  claim 24  wherein said housing comprises a tube.  
   
   
       26 . The wall of  claim 25  wherein said tube is capped at one or both ends.  
   
   
       27 . The wall of  claim 24  wherein the housing is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of PVC, copper, and aluminum.  
   
   
       28 . The wall of  claim 24  wherein said housing is orientated substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       29 . The wall of  claim 24  wherein a first and second sheathing are positioned on opposing sides of at least two adjacent splines, and said macroencapsulated PCM is proximal to the said first sheathing.  
   
   
       30 . The wall of  claim 16  wherein said wall is substantially rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       31 . A method for constructing a wall or wall panel comprising: 
 providing an insulating core for said wall; and    inserting a macroencapsulated phase change material within said insulating core.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said insulating core is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, urethane, polyurethane, isocyanurate, fiberglass, and straw insulation.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of providing a sheathing over at least one surface of said insulating core.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said sheathing is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of oriented strand board gypsum, waferboard, metal, plywood, drywall, oriented strand board, strawboard and wheatboard.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said macroencapsulated phase change material is one or more solid-to-liquid phase change materials.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the phase change material has a solid-to-liquid transition between about 72° F. and 86° F. (22° C. to 30° C.).  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the phase change material is macroencapsulated in a housing comprising a tube.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the housing is being comprised a material selected from the group consisting of PVC, copper, and aluminum.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37  wherein said housing is orientated substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising the step of positioning a first and second sheathing over said insulating core such that said macroencapsulated phase change material is proximal to said first sheathing.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said macroencapsulated phase change materials are inserted by heating a housing containing the phase change materials and then melting the insulation of said insulating core.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said macroencapsulated phase change materials are inserted by cutting away a portion of said insulating core.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of providing a plurality of splines whereby said insulating core containing said macroencapsulated phase change materials is positioned between at least two of said splines.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising the step of securing said macroencapsulated phase change materials to said two splines.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein said securing step comprises attaching a bracket to said splines for holding said macroencapsulated phase change materials.