Affordable energy efficient and disaster proof residential structures

Abstract

The disclosed technology provides a module useful in constructing an energy efficient, durable building structure, the module including walls to form a vacuous, sealed chamber substantially void of structural elements, materials and gaseous molecules. One or more ribs are affixed to or formed integral with an exterior surface of the exterior wall of the module, extending the width of the module. The disclosed technology further provides a vacuum apparatus which may be incorporated in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module. A method of controlling heat transfer within a structure is also provided, utilizing the modules as herein disclosed, each module being coupled with a vacuum apparatus in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module.

1 . A module useful in constructing an energy efficient, durable building structure, the module comprising a plurality of walls, joined to form a vacuous, sealed chamber substantially void of structural elements, materials and gaseous molecules. 
     
     
         2 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the module is arc-shaped to increase the strength of the module and reinforce the plurality of module walls against the stresses created by an internal vacuum. 
     
     
         3 . The module of  claim 2 , wherein the degree of curvature of at least some of the plurality of walls is the same. 
     
     
         4 . The module of  claim 2 , wherein at least two of the arc-shaped plurality of walls are affixed to another wall of rectangular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the module comprises a pair of module segments, each module segment being semi-arc shaped, and having a vacuous, sealed chamber so that when conjoined to form the module, the module also has a second vacuous, sealed chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the depth of the chamber is at least 12 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The module of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs which extends a width of the module and is positioned on the exterior of at least one of the plurality of walls. 
     
     
         8 . The module of  claim 7 , further comprising a roofing system including a plurality of flat bars secured to and between the ribs, and a plurality of roof slats, each roof slat having a plurality of machined brackets affixed along the length thereof, to receive and removably secure the roof slats to the flat bars. 
     
     
         9 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the module has a length of between about 8-14 ft., and a width of between about 24-40 ft. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling heat transfer within a structure, the method comprising:
 a. providing at least one module to serve as at least a portion of the ceiling or walls of the structure, the module having a plurality of walls joined to form
 a first vacuous, sealed chamber substantially void of structural elements; and 
   b. drawing air out of the vacuous, sealed chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , the module further having one or more ribs affixed to or formed integral with an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of walls. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a vacuum apparatus in communication with the first vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises monitoring the atmospheric pressure within the first vacuous, sealed chamber, and further operating the vacuum apparatus when the atmospheric pressure is above a pre-defined level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the structure comprises a plurality of modules. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the structure is supported on floor support walls, which floor support walls further support a plurality of trusses to which a flooring may be secured. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the module is arc-shaped to increase the strength of the module and reinforce the plurality of walls forming the chamber wall against the stresses created by an internal vacuum. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the degree of curvature of at least two of the plurality of walls is the same 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the module comprises a pair of module segments, each module segment being semi-arc shaped, and each module having an independent vacuous, sealed chamber so that when conjoined to form the module, the module also has a second vacuous, sealed chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ends of at least two of the plurality of walls are affixed to a rectangular base. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the module has a length of between 8-14 ft., a width of between about 12-40 ft., and a depth of at least 12 inches.