Insulated ducts and insulated ductworks

Abstract

An HVAC duct is provided. The duct includes an outer tube having a fully continuous external perimeter. The duct further includes an inner tube capable of conveying forced air. The inner tube extends within the outer tube longitudinally. The duct also includes a plurality of support elements spanning between the outer tube and the inner tube. The elements extends along the outer tube and the inner tube longitudinally. The elements define a plurality of channels between the outer tube and the inner tube. The outer tube, the inner tube, and the elements are fully unitary.

1 . A method of climate control, the method comprising:
 accessing a duct comprising a first tube, a second tube, and a thermally insulating layer interposed therebetween in a closed shape along a lateral cross-section of the duct;   conducting an air through the first tube.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first open end portion, wherein the second tube comprises a second open end portion, wherein the thermally insulating layer is recessed with respect to at least one of the first open end portion or the second open end portion such that an open space is defined thereby. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the duct is a first duct, and further comprising:
 receiving a second duct via the open space.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first duct comprises plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube, the second tube, and the thermally insulating layer comprise a combined R-value from about 8 to about 12. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second tube comprises an R-value greater than the first tube. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the thermally insulating layer comprises an R-value from about 7 to about 10. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tube or the second tube is longitudinally curved. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first lateral cross-section and the second tube comprises a second lateral cross section, wherein the first lateral cross section is different from the second lateral cross section in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first lateral cross-section and the second tube comprises a second lateral cross section, wherein the first lateral cross section is equivalent to the second lateral cross section in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second tube comprises at least two sides substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         12 . A method of climate control, the method comprising:
 accessing a duct comprising a first tube, a second tube, and a wall spanning between the first tube and the second tube and extending along the first tube and the second tube such that a cavity is defined between the first tube and the second tube, wherein the duct comprises a thermally insulating layer disposed within the cavity, wherein the second tube extends in a closed shape along a lateral cross-section of the duct;   conducting an air through the first tube.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first duct comprises plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first tube, the second tube, and the thermally insulating layer comprise a combined R-value from about 8 to about 12. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second tube comprises an R-value greater than the first tube. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the thermally insulating layer comprises an R-value from about 7 to about 10. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second tube and the wall are a single piece of material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first tube or the second tube is longitudinally curved. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first tube comprises a first lateral cross-section and the second tube comprises a second lateral cross section, wherein the first lateral cross section is different from the second lateral cross section in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube comprises a first lateral cross-section and the second tube comprises a second lateral cross section, wherein the first lateral cross section is equivalent to the second lateral cross section in shape.