Thermally radiative apparatus and method
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorsEric TEITELBAUM, Forrest MEGGERS, Adam RYSANEK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Using thermal radiation to supply occupant comfort has long existed in the heating domain, and to a lesser scale in the cooling domain. Cooling power of radiant cooling systems is limited by the risk of condensation on the panel itself, as well as adjacent surfaces. Similarly, convective system losses to the ambient air prevent maintaining a large temperature difference from the surface and the surroundings. The disclosed approach combats these common pitfalls of radiant cooling systems in the building domain, increasing the power and therefore applicability of radiant cooling.
Claims15
A radiant cooling or heating device comprising:
- a cavity having an opening defined by an inner surface of an IR transparent material that is substantially transparent to at least a portion of infrared (IR) radiation, the IR transparent material configured to separate at least a portion of the cavity from external air;
- at least one channel operably connected to a fluid input and a fluid output, the at least one channel positioned within the cavity and adapted for flowing a fluid having a temperature lower or higher than a temperature of external air;
- and
- a reflector positioned within the cavity, such that the at least one channel is between the reflector and the IR transparent material.
Method of cooling an area, comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluid having a temperature below that of a temperature of air in the local environment;
- passing the fluid through a tube within a cavity having a membrane that is substantially transparent to infrared (IR) between the tube and the local environment, the tube configured to offer radiant cooling;
- and
- reflecting at least a portion of the radiant cooling through the membrane and into the local environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.