# US 2014/0196867 A1 · Modular panel for thermal energy transfer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196867 A1 - Document ID: US20140196867A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/129,827 - Filed: 2011-06-30 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-30 - Assignees: Enrique Tarraga Sanchez; Jaume Cortinas Munoz - Inventors: Enrique Tarraga Sánchez; Luis Jordán Fernández - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196867A1 ## CPC - E04C 2/525: {for heating or cooling (solar heat collectors F24S10/00; heat storage F28D20/00)} - E04B 5/48: Special adaptations of floors for incorporating ducts, e.g. for heating or ventilating (in block-shaped elements E04C1/39; in slab- or sheet-shaped elements E04C2/52) - F24D 3/14: incorporated in a ceiling, wall or floor - F24D 3/142: {integrated in prefab construction elements} - F24D 3/148: {with heat spreading plates} - F24F 5/0089: {Systems using radiation from walls or panels} - F24F 5/0092: {ceilings, e.g. cool ceilings} - Y02B 30/00: Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC] - Y10T 29/49629: Panel - Y10T 29/49634: Beam or girder - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a modular panel for thermal energy transfer particularly configured for being used in ceilings and walls, comprising a heat-insulating layer (2) forming a supporting structure demarcated by a lower face (2A), an upper face (2B), two side faces (2C, 2D) and two end faces (2E, 2F). Said panel (1) comprises at least one conducting plate (3) attached to the lower face (2A). Said conducting plate (3) is formed by a groove (31) embedded in the heat-insulating layer (2), defining a longitudinal cavity (32) which is configured to house a hydraulic pipe (6), and defining a longitudinal opening (34) which allows inserting the hydraulic pipe (6); a transfer plate (35) extending on the lower face (2A) and closure means (4) configured to seal the longitudinal opening (34) and press the hydraulic pipe (6) against the groove (31). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular panel for thermal energy transfer particularly configured for being used in ceilings and walls, comprising a heat-insulating layer forming a supporting structure demarcated by at least a lower face, an upper face, two side faces and two end faces, said panel comprising at least one conducting plate attached to the lower face of the heat-insulating layer, wherein said conducting plate is formed by: a groove embedded in the heat-insulating layer defining a longitudinal cavity which is configured to house a hydraulic pipe, said groove in turn being finished by two longitudinal edges which are flush with the lower face, defining a longitudinal opening which is configured to allow inserting the hydraulic pipe; a transfer plate prolonging from at least one of the longitudinal edges and extending on the lower face; and closure means configured to seal the longitudinal opening and press the hydraulic pipe against the groove. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 1 wherein the closure means comprise: a longitudinal embossment having a toothed profile arranged in each of the longitudinal edges; and an elastic closure element configured to compensate for the expansions of the hydraulic pipe caused by temperature changes thereof, wherein said closure element is formed by: two longitudinal sides having a toothed profile fitting with the longitudinal embossments to allow securing the closure element to the conducting plate and sealing the longitudinal opening, assuring the leak-tightness of the longitudinal cavity; a longitudinal seat which is configured to press the hydraulic pipe against the groove, assuring the thermal energy transfer between the hydraulic pipe and the conducting plate; and a lower base which is flush with the lower face. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 1, comprising a fixing support attached to the upper face. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 3, wherein the fixing support is embedded in the heat-insulating layer and is U-shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 1, wherein the groove of at least one conducting plate follows a straight path starting in the end face and ending in the end face. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 1, wherein the groove of at least one conducting plate follows a 90° path starting in an end face and ending in a side face. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular panel for thermal energy transfer according to claim 1, wherein the groove of at least one conducting plate follows a 180° path starting and ending in one of the end faces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A thermal surface for the thermal conditioning of an enclosure comprising a plurality of modular panels according to claim 1, wherein the modular panels are arranged adjacent to one another, their conducting plates being linked to one another and the grooves of said plates forming a continuous longitudinal cavity which is configured to house the hydraulic pipe, wherein said longitudinal cavity defines a continuous longitudinal opening which is configured to allow inserting the hydraulic pipe therein, forming a hydraulic circuit without the need for intermediate connections between panels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The thermal surface for the thermal conditioning of an enclosure according to claim 8, wherein an expansion joint made of an elastic material having the same cross-section as that corresponding to the adjacent panels is arranged at the linking points of the conducting plates of said adjacent panels. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The thermal surface for the thermal conditioning of an enclosure according to claim 8 comprising a metal protective part arranged in the lower face of at least one modular panel, wherein said protective part is configured to cover the lower portion of the hydraulic pipe section at the points where the fixing support intersects the groove. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The thermal surface for the thermal conditioning of an enclosure according to claim 8 further comprising blind panels formed by: a heat-insulating layer forming a supporting structure demarcated by at least one lower face, an upper face, two side faces and two end faces; and a fixing support attached to the upper face; wherein said blind panels are configured to fill the empty spaces remaining in the thermal surface once the modular panels are arranged. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) An assembly process for assembling the thermal surface for the thermal conditioning of an enclosure according to claim 8 comprising: a) selecting the modular panels and adapting the dimensions thereof depending on the geometry of the enclosure and of the hydraulic circuit to be installed; b) placing the modular panels adjacent to one another on a support structure, linking their conducting plates so that the grooves thereof form the continuous longitudinal cavity and the continuous longitudinal opening; c) inserting the hydraulic pipe into the continuous longitudinal opening and housing it in the continuous longitudinal cavity, forming the hydraulic circuit without the need for intermediate connections between panels; and d) fixing the closure means to the conducting plates to seal the continuous longitudinal opening and press the hydraulic pipe against the grooves thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The assembly process according to claim 12 further comprising, e) covering the empty spaces lacking modular panels by means of blind panels previously cut according to the geometry of said spaces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly process according to claim 13 further comprising: f) applying a sealing paste layer on the lower face of the modular panels and of the blind panels; and g) placing finishing elements on the sealing paste layer, fixing said finishing elements to the support structure and to the fixing supports using screws. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The assembly process according to claim 12, wherein step b) comprises: b.1. placing H-beams on the support structure equidistantly at a distance coinciding with the width of the modular panels; and b.2. placing the modular panels with their side faces fitting between the flanges of two contiguous beams.