Building conditioning technique usibg phase change materials in the roof structure

Abstract

The technique comprises the utilization of phase change materials to control the heat flux into and out of a building through the roof components. In order to effectively control the heat flux through the roof components, phase change materials are arranged in two locations inside the roof structure. A first phase change material is used in the upper part of the roof above the insulation. A second phase change material is used in the lower part of the roof below the insulation. The melting point of the first phase change material is higher than the crystallization point of the second phase change material. The phase change materials are incorporated into an elastomeric compound which is applied to one or both sides of a carrier fabric. The phase change materials are preferable non-combustible salt hydrates in order to meet fire-resistant requirements of building materials.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 : A composite fabric having enhanced reversible thermal properties comprising a carrier fabric where a polymeric compound containing finely divided phase change materials is attached to one or both sides of the carrier fabric. 
   
   
       9 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric compound containing the finely divided phase change materials consists of an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       10 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the carrier fabric is coated on one side with a polymeric compound which contains the finely divided phase change material. 
   
   
       11 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the carrier fabric is coated on both sides with a polymeric compound which contains the finely divided phase change material. 
   
   
       12 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein a polymeric film which contains the finely divided phase change material is laminated to one side of the carrier fabric. 
   
   
       13 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein a polymeric film which contains the finely divided phase change material is laminated to both sides of the carrier fabric. 
   
   
       14 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric compound which contains the finely divided phase change material is attached to one side of the carrier fabric in a mesh-like form. 
   
   
       15 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric compound which contains the finely divided phase change material is attached to both sides of the carrier fabric in a mesh-like form. 
   
   
       16 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the phase change material is a salt hydrate. 
   
   
       17 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the phase change material is a crystalline alkyl hydrocarbon. 
   
   
       18 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric compound comprises phase change material in a quantity of up to 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric compound. 
   
   
       19 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the phase change materials have melting points in the range between 30° C. and 70° C. 
   
   
       20 : A composite fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric compound contains flame-retarding additives in addition to the phase change material.