Composite Insulating Panel

Abstract

A composite insulating panel ( 17 ) comprises a profiled external sheet ( 2 ) having a plurality of raised crowns ( 3 ) of generally trapezoidal form, an inner liner sheet ( 4 ) and a body of insulating foam ( 5 ) between the sheets ( 2, 4 ). The panel ( 1 ) has an integral heat collecting means for transfer of heat from one source to another. In one case there are inner conduit ( 21 ) through which a heat transfer medium is circulated to extract heat from inside a building and outer conduits ( 8 ) for collection of solar heat ( 9 ). The panel ( 17 ) may be used as part of a heating/cooling/ventilation system.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
   
   
       44 . A composite insulating panel comprising a first sheet, a second sheet, insulating foam between the first and second sheets, and heat collecting means within the panel for transfer of heat from one source to another. 
   
   
       45 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the heat collecting means comprises conduit means for containing a heat transfer medium. 
   
   
       46 . The panel as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the conduit means comprises a plurality of tubes extending through the panel. 
   
   
       47 . The panel as claimed in  claim 46  wherein the conduit means are located adjacent to the first sheet. 
   
   
       48 . The panel as claimed in  claim 46  wherein the conduit means are located adjacent to the second sheet. 
   
   
       49 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the first sheet is profiled to define a plurality of recesses, the heat collecting means extending through at least portion of at least some of the recesses. 
   
   
       50 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the second sheet is profiled to define a plurality of recesses, the heat collecting means extending through at least portion of some of the crowns. 
   
   
       51 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein at least some of the recesses contain the heat collection means. 
   
   
       52 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein conduit means extend through at least some of the recesses. 
   
   
       53 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein at least some of the recesses define a pathway for air circulation. 
   
   
       54 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the recess defined by at least some of the profile is substantially free of insulating foam. 
   
   
       55 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the recess is defined by a crown formed in an external sheet of the panel. 
   
   
       56 . The panel as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the external sheet comprises a plurality of laterally spaced-apart crowns. 
   
   
       57 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the recess has a cross sectional area of at least 0.002 m 2 . 
   
   
       58 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the recess has a cross sectional area of at least 0.0025 m 2 . 
   
   
       59 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the recess has a cross sectional area of approximately 0.003 m 2 . 
   
   
       60 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the profile defining the recess has an exposed surface, the width of the exposed surface being from 150 mm to 200 mm. 
   
   
       61 . The panel as claimed in  claim 60  wherein the width of the exposed surface is from 160 mm to 180 mm. 
   
   
       62 . The panel as claimed in  claim 60  wherein the width of the exposed surface is about 170 mm. 
   
   
       63 . The panel as claimed in  claim 60  wherein the exposed surface comprises an outer face and a pair of side faces which diverge inwardly from the outer face. 
   
   
       64 . The panel as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the angle between the outer face and each side face is from 115° to 125°. 
   
   
       65 . The panel as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the angle between the outer face and each side face is from 118° to 123°. 
   
   
       66 . The panel as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the angel between the outer face and each side face is about 121°. 
   
   
       67 . The panel as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the width of the outer face is from 50 mm to 60 mm. 
   
   
       68 . The panel as claimed in  claim 67  wherein the width of the outer face is about 55 mm. 
   
   
       69 . The panel as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the width of each side face is from 50 mm to 60 mm. 
   
   
       70 . The panel as claimed in  claim 69  wherein the width of each side face is about 57 mm. 
   
   
       71 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the panel comprises at least 3 crowns. 
   
   
       72 . The panel as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the panel comprises at least 4 crowns. 
   
   
       73 . The panel as claimed in  claim 54  comprising a barrier between the recess and the insulating foam. 
   
   
       74 . The panel as claimed in  claim 73  wherein the barrier extends across the inwardly facing opening of the recess. 
   
   
       75 . The panel as claimed in  claim 73  wherein the barrier comprises a seal. 
   
   
       76 . The panel as claimed in  claim 73  wherein the barrier comprises a tape. 
   
   
       77 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the panel comprises a roof panel. 
   
   
       78 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the panel comprises a wall panel. 
   
   
       79 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the panel comprise a floor panel. 
   
   
       80 . The heating or cooling system comprising at least one panel as claimed in  claim 44 .