Steam-based hvac system

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for heating, cooling, and humidifying a space using a steam-based HVAC system having a steam source, at least one radiator located in a space to be heated or humidified, and a steam and condensate transfer apparatus extending between the steam source and the radiator. The steam and condensate transfer apparatus can have an inner tube configured for transferring steam disposed within an outer tube configured for transferring condensate and the inner tube can be centered within the outer tube such that the outer tube forms an annulus around the inner tube. The tube-in-tube conduit system or double-tube conduit system can take the form of Lego®-like components that can be fitted together to form the structure needed to deliver steam to light-weight flat-panel radiators located within all areas to be heated and/or humidified. The HVAC system can further include a cold air source for delivering cold air into the tube-in-tube conduit system to provide cold air to registers within spaces to be cooled. In one embodiment, the steam and condensate transfer apparatus can be formed from a thermoplastic, for example, polysulfone.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.