Method and apparatus for managing ambient conditions

Abstract

A heat transfer system with a surface member having a first surface and a second surface, forming a heat transfer surface, and a thermal conduit attached to and spaced across the first surface, the thermal conduit adapted to receive a thermal media to heat or cool the heat transfer surface to heat or cool a body within the heat transfer surface. A method of heating or cooling a body including providing a heat transfer system comprising a surface member having a first surface and a second surface, forming a heat transfer surface, and a thermal conduit attached to and spaced across the first surface, the thermal conduit adapted to receive a thermal media to heat or cool the heat transfer surface, positioning the heat transfer system proximate the body, and supplying heated or cooled thermal media to the heat transfer system to heat or cool the body.

1 . A heat transfer system comprising:
 a. a surface member having a first surface and a second surface, forming a heat transfer surface; and   b. a thermal conduit attached to and spaced across the first surface, the thermal conduit adapted to receive a thermal media to form a heat source or heat sink across the heat transfer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the surface member comprising a flexible membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer system of  claim 2 , the flexible membrane comprising a fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer system of  claim 2 , the surface member comprising a tarp. 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer system of  claim 4 , the surface member comprising polyethylene sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the surface member comprising a substantially rigid membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the first surface comprising an energy reflecting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the second surface comprising an energy absorbing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the surface member adapted to restrict the flow of water vapor through the surface member. 
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating member proximate the second surface of the surface member. 
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , the thermal conduit releasably attached to the first surface. 
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel for releasably retaining the thermal conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer system of  claim 12 , the channel comprising a mesh. 
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer system of  claim 12 , the channel comprising a non-mesh material. 
     
     
         15 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal conduit comprises a flexible hose. 
     
     
         16 . A method of heating or cooling a body comprising:
 a. providing a heat transfer system comprising a surface member having a first surface and a second surface, forming a heat transfer surface; and a thermal conduit attached to and spaced across the first surface, the thermal conduit adapted to receive a thermal media to provide a heat source or heat sink across the heat transfer surface;   b. positioning the heat transfer system proximate the body; and   c. supplying heated or cooled thermal media to the heat transfer system to heat or cool the body.   d.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising reversing the flow direction of the thermal media upon a triggering event. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , the triggering event selected from the group of expiry of a selected time period, detecting a selected outlet temperature from the heat transfer system, and detecting a selected temperature difference across the heat transfer system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting a specified temperature range and supplying heated or cooled thermal media to maintain the temperature of the body substantially within the specified temperature range. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , the specified temperature range between about ˜40° F. (−40° C.) and about 32° F. (0° C.). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , the specified temperature range between about 32° F. (0° C.) and about 110° F. (43° C.). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , the specified temperature range between about 110° F. (43° C.) and about 212° F. (100° C.). 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , the specified temperature range comprising a high temperature limit. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , the specified temperature range comprising a low temperature limit. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , the low temperature limit being about 32° F. (0° C.). 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising securing the heat transfer system in place. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the heat transfer system is secured in place with a shrink wrap membrane wrapped about the heat transfer system. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein at least a partial thermal insulating air barrier is formed between the body and the shrink wrap membrane. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , the body comprising a tank or vessel, the tank or vessel having a perimeter wall and roof or head forming a shell, the wall having a wall mass. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , the heat transfer system proximate at least a portion of the shell external to the tank or vessel, further comprising heating or cooling a fluid within the tank or vessel using the heat transfer system. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , the heat transfer system proximate the shell external to the tank or vessel, further comprising performing an operation internal to the tank or vessel. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , the operation comprising applying a coating to the wall. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 16 , the body comprising an area of frozen ground, further comprising thawing the frozen ground to allow earthwork. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising selecting a specified temperature range and supplying heated or cooled thermal media to maintain the temperature of the interior wall, taking into account the wall mass, substantially within the specified temperature range. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , the specified temperature range being between about 70° F. (21° C.) and about 110° F. (43° C.) for epoxy or industrial coating. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 19 , the body comprising a concrete pour. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , the concrete pour selected from the group of pipeline weight, footing, retaining wall, piling cap, foundation wall, structural columns, suspended slab, and slab-on-grade. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , the specified temperature range being between about 75° F. (24° C.) and about 80° F. (27° C.) for curing the concrete pour. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the heat transfer surface is substantially in contact with the body. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the heat transfer surface is at least partially spaced from the body to form a gap. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein water vapor is retained by the surface member. 
     
     
         42 . A surface member for a heat transfer system comprising a first surface and a second surface, forming a heat transfer surface, the first surface having a channel adapted to releasably retain a thermal conduit in spaced relation across the first surface. 
     
     
         43 . The surface member of  claim 42 , the channel comprising a mesh.