Non-Intrusive and Extended Use of Water Reservoirs in Buildings as Thermal Storage for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems

Abstract

A method and system of for using existing bodies of water in buildings to reduce the cost of air conditioning is taught. Under the present invention, storage means such as water tanks for the emergency sprinkler system may be used to extend the useful temperature differential of thermal storage means beyond the typical 10° C. of the prior art for both heating and cooling. The present invention achieves these objectives while preserving the integrity and purpose of these existing bodies of water in buildings.

1 . A method of using at least one thermal storage means to reduce load and electrical power costs in at least one air conditioning system, wherein the at least one thermal storage means comprising at least one existing body of water in at least one building, the method comprising: 
 modifying the least one existing body of water;    linking the at least one existing body of water to the air conditioning system;    changing the temperature of the water in the at least one existing body of water;    allowing the water in the at least one existing body of water to moderate the load in the at least one air conditioning system;    whereby the volume and integrity of the water in the at least one existing body of water is preserved,    and    thereby extending the useful temperature differential of the water beyond 10° C.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying further comprising: 
 installing plumbing fixtures and machinery to the at least one existing body of water,    and    extending the volumetric capacity of the at least one existing body of water by linking it to other bodies of water.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linking the at least one existing body of water to the air conditioning system further comprising at least one heat exchanger, the linking with the heat exchanger as a closed circuit, wherein the water in the at least one existing body of water does not mix with that of the at least one air conditioning system.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , the changing of the temperature of the water in the at least one existing body of water further comprising linking a temperature changing means to the at least one existing body of water.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , the changing of the temperature of the water comprises decreasing the temperature of the water and the temperature changing means comprises a chiller.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , the changing of the temperature of the water comprises increasing the temperature of the water and the temperature changing means comprises a heating means.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , the allowing of the water to moderate the load in the at least one air conditioning system further comprises moderating the load in at least one stage.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , the allowing of the water to moderate the load in the at least one air conditioning system further comprises moderating the load in two stages.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , the moderating of the load in at least one stage further comprises moderating the load indirectly through a temperature changing means.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5 , the moderating of the load of the load in at least one stage further comprises moderating the load directly, not through a through a temperature changing means.  
   
   
       11 . A system of using thermal storage to reduce the load and electrical power costs in an air conditioning system, the system comprising: 
 at least one thermal storage;    at least one air conditioning system;    wherein    the at least one thermal storage is connected indirectly to the at least one air conditioning system through at least one heat exchanger,    whereby    the thermal storage contributes to the moderation of a load connected to the at least one air conditioning system, and    the volume and integrity of the at least one thermal storage is preserved;    and    the useful temperature differential of the thermal storage is extended beyond 10° C.    
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , the thermal storage comprising at least one existing body of water.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 11 , whereby the moderation of a load by the thermal storage is achieved by linking the thermal storage to at least one temperature changing means in series with the load.  
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 11 , whereby the moderation of a load by the thermal storage is achieved by linking the thermal storage directly to the load, bypassing the at least one temperature changing means.  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the thermal storage comprises one existing body of water, the volume and integrity of water in the one existing body of water preserved by mechanically arranging and at least one pump and a system of pipes to circulate water within the one existing body of water, whereby any reduction of water beyond a predetermined volume is prevented.  
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 15 , the prevention of any reduction of water is achieved by electromechanical means.  
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 15 , the prevention of any reduction of water is achieved by making the at least one pump lose its prime.  
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the thermal storage comprises more than one existing bodies of water, the volume and integrity of water in the existing bodies of water preserved by mechanically arranging at least one pump and a system of pipes to circulate water among the more than one existing bodies of water whereby any reduction of water beyond a predetermined volume is prevented.  
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 18 , the prevention of any reduction of water is achieved by electromechanical means.  
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 18 , the prevention of any reduction of water is achieved by making the at least one pump lose its prime.