Air circulation system for generally enclosed structures

A support and temperature regulating structural system for use with a generally enclosed structure having at least enclosing walls, a roof and a slab/floor, which structural system comprises:

• a. an expanded clay lightweight aggregate mass having void air spaces therein enabling air to pass through said mass;
• b. film sheet enveloping said mass for preventing water flow into said mass from the exterior;
• and
• c. means adapted to direct a flow of air from the interior of said enclosed structure through a substantial portion of said mass and thence back into the interior of said structure;
• said mass being further characterized in that said mass together with its film sheet envelope rests upon and is supported by the ground at the site of said structure and is adapted to communicate with and support a substantial area of the underside of said slab/floor;
• said system being further characterized in that the ground upon which said mass together with its film sheet envelope rests includes an upper layer of sand.

An aerated thermal cap air circulation apparatus for generally enclosed structures, as a home, said apparatus comprising:

• a. continuous slab means extending over a ground surface for supporting at least in part said generally enclosed structure;
• said slab means having a floor area which during use communicates with the interior of said structure, said slab means having a generally centrally positioned opening therethrough extending between the upper and lower surfaces of said slab means;
• b. structurally supportive air circulation medium means subsurface to said slab means and structurally communicating with an underlying earth for forming a structural support to said slab means;
• c. an enlarged continuous void air space formed between said slab means and the underlying earth, said air space being occupied partially by said air circulation medium means;
• d. envelope means surrounding said air circulation medium means for confining air flow to and excluding water flow into said void air space;
• e. blower means for circulating air between said structure interior and said void air space, said blower means directing the circulating air from said interior through said opening in said slab means and into a generally centrally positioned portion of said void air space;
• f. conduit means for transmitting air flow from generally peripheral portions of said void air space to generally peripheral portions of said structure interior;
• and
• g. insulation means for thermally insulating said void air space and said air circulation medium means around the perimeter thereof and adapted to allow heat transfer between said void air space and the slab/floor and between said void air space and the underlying ground support.

An aerated thermal cap air circulation apparatus for generally enclosed structures, as a home, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a generally enclosed structure having exterior wall and roof portions which define an interior to be heated or cooled;
• b. continous slab means extending over a ground surface for supporting at least in part said generally enclosed structure;
• said slab means having a floor area which during use communicates with said interior;
• c. structurally supportive air circulation medium means subsurface to said slab means and structurally communicating with an underlying earth for forming a structural support to said slab means;
• d. an enlarged continuous void air space formed between said slab means and the underlying earth, said air space being occupied partially by said air circulation medium means;
• e. envelope means surrounding said air circulation medium means for confining air flow to said void air space;
• f. blower means for circulating air between said structure interior and said void air space;
• g. return air flow conduit means communicating between said void air space and said interior for balancing air flow between said void air space and said structure interior;
• and
• h. insulation means for thermally insulating said void air space and said air circulation medium means around the perimeter thereof and adapted to allow heat transfer between said void air space and the slab/floor and between said void air space and the underlying ground support.