Dynamic Insulation.

Abstract

Dynamic Insulation for a building or structure comprising an external surface and an internal surface; at least one heat transfer layer between the internal and external surface; a supply for supplying air to the heat transfer layer, and a collector for collecting air that has flowed through the heat transfer layer. Pressure is regulated through the dynamic insulation. Air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the interior or the exterior of the building or structure and/or exhausted to the Interior or exterior of the building or structure.

1 . Dynamic insulation for a building or structure, the dynamic insulation comprising an external surface and an internal surface; at least one heat transfer layer between the external and internal surface; a supply for supplying air to the heat transfer layer; a collector for collecting air that has passed the heat transfer layer and means for regulating pressure through the dynamic insulation. 
     
     
         2 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the interior space or the exterior and/or exhausted to interior or exterior. 
     
     
         3 . Dynamic insulation for a building or structure, the dynamic insulation comprising an external surface and an internal surface; at least one heat transfer layer between the internal and external surface, a supply for supplying air to the heat transfer layer; a collector for collecting air that has passed the heat transfer layer and an exhaust to allow air that has passed the heat transfer layer to be exhausted outside the building or structure. 
     
     
         4 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 3  comprising means for regulating pressure through the dynamic insulation. 
     
     
         5 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer layer comprises an air channel or an air permeable layer. 
     
     
         6 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 5  wherein when the heat transfer layer is an air permeable layer the supply and/or collector comprise a plenum. 
     
     
         7 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , where air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from an interior space or an exterior space. 
     
     
         8 . Dynamic insulation as claimed  claim 1  comprising means for switching between two or more of: a first mode in which air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the exterior and is directed to the interior; a second mode in which air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the exterior and exhausted to the exterior and a third mode in which air is supplied to the heat transfer layer from the interior and exhausted to the exterior. 
     
     
         9 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising means for controlling magnitude and/or direction of airflow, optionally wherein the means for controlling comprises at least one fan and/or a damper and/or a valve and/or a grille. 
     
     
         10 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for regulating pressure are operable to provide a pressure ratio where the pressure drop derived from the average airflow in the heat transfer layer is at least 50% of the pressure drop in the supply and/or collector; for example more than 60%; more than 70%; more than 80%; more than 90%, more than 100%, more than 120%, more than 140%, more than 160%. 
     
     
         11 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for regulating pressure comprise at least one dimension of the insulation, selected from at least: an air channel dimension; a plenum dimension; a collector dimension; a supply dimension. 
     
     
         12 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for regulating pressure comprise at least one constriction, optionally wherein the constriction is located in one or more of the supply, collector or heat transfer layer. 
     
     
         13 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer layer is an air channel and the supply and/or collector hydraulic radius is greater than the air channel hydraulic radius. 
     
     
         14 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer layer is an air channel and the supply and/or collector area, A coll , is greater than the total air channel area per metre along the collection length, A ch/m , selected from: A coll >30% A ch/m , A coll >40% A ch/m , A coll >50% A ch/m , A coll >60% A ch/m , A coll >70% A ch/m . 
     
     
         15 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer layer is an air channel and the supply and/or collector depth, d coll , is greater than the total air channel depth, d ch , selected from: d coll >80% d ch , d coll >100% d ch , d coll >120% d ch , d coll >150% d ch . 
     
     
         16 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer layer is an air channel and ratio of the air channel depth, d ch , and air channel length, l ch , is selected from: d ch <2.5% l ch ; d ch <2.0% l ch ; d ch <1.5% l ch ; d ch <1.0% l ch , or the heat transfer layer is an air permeable layer and the ratio of the plenum depth, d p , and plenum length, l p , is selected from: d p <2.5% l p ; d p <2.0% l p ; d p <1.5% l p ; d p <1.0% l p . 
     
     
         17 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein multiple heat transfer layers are provided, optionally separated by support posts. 
     
     
         18 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 17  where posts width, w p , and heat transfer layer width, w ch , are selected from: w p <=200% w ch , w p <=150% w ch , w p <=100% w ch , w<=75% w ch , w p <=50% w ch . 
     
     
         19 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , where the supply and/or the collection length, l coll , from the first point supplying to or collecting from to the entrance or egress to the dynamic insulation supply or collection area is selected from: l coll >=1.2 m, l coll >=1.8 m, l coll >=2.4 m, l coll >=3.0 m, l coll >=3.6 m, l coll >=4.2 m, l coll >=4.8 m. 
     
     
         20 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , where the supply and/or the collection pull length, l coll2way , from the first point supplying to or collecting from to the last point by a single entrance or egress to the dynamic insulation supply or collection area from: l coll2way >=2.4 m, l coll2way >=3.6 m, l coll2way >=4.8 m, l coll2way >=6.0 m, l coll2way >=7.2 m, l coll2way >=8.4 m, l coll2way >=9.6 m. 
     
     
         21 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner and/or outer layer have an R-value greater than 0.2 m 2 KW −1 ;
 optionally greater than 0.3 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.4 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.5 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.6 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.7 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.8 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.9 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 1.0 m 2 KW −1 .   
     
     
         22 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the heat transfer layer is an air permeable layer, the R-value of the air permeable layer is greater than 0.2 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.3 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.4 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.5 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.6 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.7 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.8 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 0.9 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 1.0 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 1.25 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 1.5 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 1.75 m 2 KW −1 ; optionally greater than 2.0 m 2 KW −1 . 
     
     
         23 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the external surface and the internal surface form part of an integrated panel for fitting to a building or structure. 
     
     
         24 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the integrated panel has a U-value lower than 2 Wm −2 K −1 ; preferably lower than 1.5 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 1 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.75 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.5 Wm −2 K −1 ;
 optionally lower than 0.4 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.3 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.2 Wm −2 K −1 .   
     
     
         25 . Building envelope construction comprising dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the building envelope has a U-value lower than 2 Wm −2 K −1 ; preferably lower than 1.5 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 1 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.75 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.5 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.4 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.3 Wm −2 K −1 ; optionally lower than 0.2 Wm −2 K −1 . 
     
     
         26 . Dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the internal or external surfaces is part of the building or structure. 
     
     
         27 . A building or structure that is fitted with dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         28 . A method for assembling dynamic insulation as claimed i in  claim 1  comprising attaching insulation to a building or structure or forming the dynamic insulation as part of the building fabric. 
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the building or structure forms part of the insulation. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 28  where in the dynamic insulation is provided as an integral unit or panel for fitting to a building or structure. 
     
     
         31 . A kit of parts for making dynamic insulation as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         32 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 31  including instructions for assembling the dynamic insulation.