Color changing system for structures and method therefor

Abstract

A coating system and method for assisting in the heating or cooling of an underlying structure includes applying a first seamless, elastic solar reflective membrane over the structure, applying a second seamless, elastic thermochromic membrane over the first membrane, and applying a third seamless protective membrane over the second membrane. The second membrane has a color changing material with a clear state above a first transition temperature to permit transmission of solar radiation to the first membrane to reduce structure cooling requirements, and an opaque state below a second transition temperature to absorb radiant energy and reduce structure heating requirements. In addition, a method of detecting defects in a structure includes applying a layer of thermochromic material to the structure, observing a localized area of non-uniform color associated with the thermochromic layer, and ascertaining whether a defect is associated with the localized area.

1 . A method of passively heating or cooling an underlying structure, the method comprising:
 applying a base layer over the underlying structure to form a first seamless membrane, the base layer being adapted to reflect solar radiation;   applying a color changing layer over the base layer to form a second seamless membrane that is contiguous with the first seamless membrane, the color changing layer having a clear state above a first transition temperature and an opaque state below a second transition temperature;   reflecting radiant energy from the base layer by exposing the color changing layer to a temperature above the first transition temperature to thereby prevent absorption of heat into the underlying structure; and   absorbing radiant energy into the base layer by exposing the color changing layer to a temperature below the second transition temperature to thereby heat the underlying structure.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  and further comprising applying a clear protective layer over the color changing layer to form a third seamless membrane that is contiguous with the second seamless membrane. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the base layer, color changing layer and protective layer are applied by spraying. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the base layer has a thickness in the range of approximately 10 to 40 mils and the color changing layer has a thickness in the range of approximately one to ten mils and the protective layer has a thickness in the range of approximately two to ten mils. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the protective layer comprises a fluorinated polyurethane material. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base layer and color changing layer are applied by spraying. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , and further comprising applying a seamless foundation layer before applying the base layer, the seamless foundation layer comprising a two-part water-based coating that is substantially immediately cured upon application to the underlying structure. 
     
     
         8 . A coating system for assisting in the heating or cooling of an underlying structure, the coating system comprising:
 a first seamless, elastic membrane comprising a solar reflective material;   a second seamless, elastic membrane contiguous with the first membrane, the second membrane comprising a color changing material with a clear state above a first transition temperature to thereby permit transmission of solar radiation to the first membrane and an opaque state below a second transition temperature to thereby absorb radiant energy.   
     
     
         9 . A coating system according to  claim 8 , and further comprising a third seamless, flexible membrane contiguous with the second membrane, the third membrane being resistant to weathering. 
     
     
         10 . A coating system according to  claim 9 , wherein the third membrane is transparent. 
     
     
         11 . A coating system according to  claim 10 , wherein the third membrane is elastic. 
     
     
         12 . A coating system according to  claim 10 , wherein the protective layer comprises a fluorinated polyurethane material. 
     
     
         13 . A coating system according to  claim 9 , wherein the first membrane has a thickness in the range of approximately 10 to 40 mils and the second membrane has a thickness in the range of approximately one to ten mils and the third membrane has a thickness in the range of approximately two to ten mils. 
     
     
         14 . A coating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the second membrane has a thickness of approximately two mils. 
     
     
         15 . A coating system according to  claim 8 , and further comprising a fourth seamless, elastic membrane contiguous with the first membrane opposite the second membrane, the fourth membrane including a two-part water-based coating that is substantially immediately cured upon application to the underlying structure. 
     
     
         16 . A method of detecting defects in a structure, comprising:
 applying a layer of thermochromic material to the structure;   observing a localized area of non-uniform color associated with the thermochromic layer; and   ascertaining whether a defect is associated with the localized area.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , and further comprising repairing the detected defect. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , and further comprising:
 applying a base layer of reflective material between the structure and the thermochromic layer.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the thermochromic layer is substantially clear above a first transition temperature and substantially opaque below a second transition temperature. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , and further comprising applying a protective layer to the thermochromic layer to thereby protect the thermochromic layer from weathering.