Composite building module with a thermal mass radiator

Abstract

A precast monolithic concrete prefabricated, composite building construction module formed of a substantially planar rear wall. The rear wall has embedded therewithin a radiator pipe for circulating a fluid at a temperature that is different from an ambient temperature of the modular component within the rear wall. The module may comprise at least one side wall integral with the rear wall that terminates at one end at a corresponding end of the rear wall. The rear wall has a length and each of the at least one side walls has a length and extending in a first direction substantially normally away from the rear wall sufficient to substantially enclose and define walls of a standard facility, the at least one side wall supporting the rear wall to cause the module to be free-standing while devoid of lateral support. The radiator pipes are interconnected through inlet/outlet junctions by tubing with other inlet/outlet junctions to permit a single circulating fluid source to circulate fluid through the radiator pipes of a plurality of the modules making up a building structure.

1 . A precast monolithic concrete prefabricated, composite building construction module having a rear wall, the rear wall having first and second substantially planar exposed surfaces surrounding a unitary radiator pipe for circulating in a pattern extending substantially longitudinally and transversely throughout and within the rear wall, a fluid at a temperature that is different from an ambient temperature of the module, for radiating thermal energy related to a difference between the fluid temperature and the ambient temperature through the exposed first surface and the exposed second surface. 
     
     
         2 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one substantially planar side wall integral with the rear wall, the at least one side wall terminating at one end at a corresponding end of the rear wall. 
     
     
         3 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one side wall sufficiently supports the rear wall to cause the module to be free standing while substantially devoid of lateral support. 
     
     
         4 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 2 , the rear wail having a length and the at least one side wall having a length and extending in a first direction substantially normally away from the rear wall sufficient to substantially enclose and define walls of a standard facility. 
     
     
         5 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiator pipe lies substantially entirely within the module. 
     
     
         6 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiator pipe is composed of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein the pattern is selected from a group consisting of an undulating pattern and at least one coil. 
     
     
         9 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein respective first and second ends of the radiator pipe terminate at corresponding inlet/outlet junctions accessible from beyond the module. 
     
     
         10 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 9 , the inlet/outlet junction for connection to an inlet/outlet junction of a different module. 
     
     
         11 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 9 , the inlet/outlet junction for connection to a circulating fluid source. 
     
     
         12 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 11 , wherein the circulating fluid source is selected from a group consisting of a solar water heater, an air conditioning unit, a refrigeration unit, a heat pump, a geothermal heat pump, an inline water heater, a hot water tank heated by electricity, natural gas and/or propane any any combination of these. 
     
     
         13 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 11 , wherein the circulating fluid source and the module are connected through and separated by an element selected from a group consisting of a different module, a circulating pump and any combination of these. 
     
     
         14 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 9 , the inlet/outlet junction for accepting an external fluid connection. 
     
     
         15 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 14 , wherein the inlet/outlet junction is selected from a group consisting of a spliced connection, an externally threaded connection, an internally threaded connection, a tap connection, a hose connection and a valve collection. 
     
     
         16 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 9 , wherein the inlet/outlet junction is accessible from one of the at least one side walls of the component. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein the module is formed by pouring concrete into a reusable U-shaped open steel mold. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , further comprising a network of conduits embedded within at least one wall of the module, the network terminating in at least one junction box embedded within the at least one wall and accessible from at least one surface of the at least one wall by chipping away concrete between the junction box and the wall surface. 
     
     
         25 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 24 , wherein the radiator pipe lies within a space defined by the network. 
     
     
         26 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the walls of the module defines an inwardly extending channel sized to accept at least one electrical cable. 
     
     
         27 . The composite building construction module according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiator pipe is embedded in one of the at least one side walls of the module. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled)