System for Heating and Cooling a Room Spaced from a Wall

Abstract

The invention is a system for heating, cooling or both heating and cooling a room. The system includes a channel layer with a first and a second outer surface and a plurality of adjoined waterproof channels disposed therebetween. Each channel is configured to allow a fluid to pass through. The channel layer is configured to be in thermal communication with a room. The system also includes spacing elements configured to space the channel layer a distance from a wall of the room.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for heating, cooling or both heating and cooling a room comprising;
 a channel layer comprising a first and a second outer surface and a plurality of adjoined waterproof channels disposed therebetween, each channel configured to allow a fluid to pass through, and wherein, the channel layer is configured to be in thermal communication with a room;   spacing elements configured to space the channel layer a distance from a wall of the room.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the spacing element is attached to the wall and the channel layer is attached to the spacing element. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the spacing elements comprises a bracket with a slot configured to allow the distance between the channel layer and the wall to be adjusted. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising a fan configured to move air between the channel layer and the wall. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein the fan is configured to move air upward when the system is in a cooling mode and to move air downward when the system is in a heating mode. 
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 4  wherein the fan is a low rpm squirrel cage fan. 
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising a basin configured to catch condensation forming on and dripping from the channel layer. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein the basin has a width coextensive with the channel layer. 
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising a heat exchange device configured to exchange energy between the fluid in the channel layer and an exchange medium. 
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 9  wherein the heat exchange portion is disposed on a top side of the system, and wherein the heat exchange portion is covered by a decorative molding. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising a low emissivity foil disposed on a back side of the channel layer configured to decrease radiative heat transfer to the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising two side-barriers, disposed on opposing sides of the channel layer and configured to create an air-channel defined by the wall, the channel layer, and the two side-barriers. 
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein the side-barriers function as the spacing elements. 
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the spacing elements comprise sound damping rubber. 
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising an ultrasonic humidifier releasing moisture into the air between the channel layer and the wall. 
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 15  further comprising a basin configured to catch condensation, and, wherein, the ultrasonic humidifier is in fluid communication with the basin. 
     
     
         17 . A radiant heat exchange system comprising:
 a panel comprising an array of contiguous tubular vessels configured to receive a fluid, the panel having a front side configured to face a room and a back side configured to face a wall;   a pump configured to circulate fluid through the system;   a spacing element configured to fix the system to a wall and separate the system from the wall by a distance greater than one centimeter; and   wherein the panel is in fluid communication with a source of heat.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a heat sink configured to remove energy from the fluid in the panel. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the heat sink is in thermal communication with a remote exchange medium. 
     
     
         20 . A system for heating and cooling a room comprising;
 a channel layer comprising twinwall polycarbonate plastic configured to allow a fluid comprising water and glycol to flow through in a serpentine fashion;   spacing elements configured to space the channel layer a distance from a wall;   a pump configured to move the fluid through the system;   a heat pump configured to heat or chill the fluid;   a basin disposed near a bottom of the channel layer configured to collect condensation that forms on the panel; and   an outlet disposed on the basin configured to allow the condensation to be drained.