Roof-covering element

Abstract

The present invention relates to A roof-covering element ( 10 ), with an upper surface ( 11 ) and a lower surface ( 12 ), whereby for roof covering a plurality of elements ( 10 ) is juxtaposed in a particular way such that neighbouring elements ( 10 ) are interconnected by means of an interlocking arrangement ( 13, 14, 15 ), and whereby the roof-covering element ( 10 ) comprises means for exchanging heat with the environment, where at least one of the surfaces ( 11, 12 ) of the element ( 10 ) is at least partially made of a metal alloy. The particular roof-covering element ( 10 ) can in particular be made of an alloy comprising any combination of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), i.e. the alloy CuZn 40 Mn 2 Fe 1 . The roof-covering element ( 10 ) according to the present invention can also comprise a cavity ( 16 ), provided inside the element ( 10 ), in which a fluid is circulable for heat exchange with the environment. The roof-covering elements ( 10 ) according to the present invention can be interconnected by means of a tubing system ( 25 ) for the circulation of the fluid between different elements ( 10 ).

1 . A roof-covering element ( 10 ), having an upper surface ( 11 ) and a lower surface ( 12 ), whereby for roof covering a plurality of elements ( 10 ) is juxtaposed in a particular way such that neighbouring elements ( 10 ) are interconnected by means of an interlocking arrangement ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ), and whereby the roof-covering element ( 10 ) comprises means for exchanging heat with the environment, characterised in that at least one of the surfaces ( 11 ,  12 ) of the element ( 10 ) is at least partially made of a metal alloy. 
     
     
         2 . The element ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the metal alloy comprises any combination of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). 
     
     
         3 . The element ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the metal alloy comprises CuZn 40 Mn 2 Fe 1 . 
     
     
         4 . The element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  3 , characterised in that a cavity ( 16 ) is provided inside the element ( 10 ), between the upper surface ( 11 ) and the lower surface ( 12 ) of the element ( 10 ), whereby a fluid is circulable in the cavity ( 16 ) for heat exchange with the environment. 
     
     
         5 . The element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  4 , characterised in that at least one nipple ( 17 ) with an opening ( 17   a ) is provided in at least one surface ( 11 ,  12 ) of the element ( 10 ), whereby the opening ( 17   a ) of the nipple ( 17 ) is connected with the cavity ( 16 ). 
     
     
         6 . The element ( 10 ) according to  claim 4  or  5 , characterised in that the cavity ( 16 ) comprises a channelling system ( 18 ). 
     
     
         7 . The element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  6 , characterised in that the upper surface ( 11 ) and/or the lower surface ( 12 ) of the element ( 10 ) comprises a fin structure. 
     
     
         8 . The element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 4  to  7 , characterised in that the fluid is water and/or an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly of roof-covering elements ( 10 ), comprising at least one roof-covering element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  7 , characterised in that a tubing arrangement ( 25 ) is provided for interconnecting at least two roof-covering elements ( 10 ), whereby the fluid is circulable between the roof-covering elements ( 10 ) through the tubing arrangement ( 25 ). 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , characterised in that a pump is provided for circulating the fluid between the roof-covering elements ( 10 ). 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchange system in a building or a similar structure, using a fluid for heat exchange with the environment, comprising a storage device for storing the fluid, a pump for circulating the fluid in the system and a control device for regulating the heat exchange, characterised in that the heat exchange system comprises at least one roof-covering element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  8 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacture of a roof-covering element ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  8 . 
     
     
         13 . A method for roof covering using roof-covering elements ( 10 ) according to any one of the  claims 1  to  8 .