Wall structure

Abstract

A wall structure for a building, comprising a cavity ( 10 ) for allowing air to flow through the structure between the building's interior and exterior, between the wall structure's inner ( 2 ) and outer layers ( 4 ). An electricity generating member ( 20 ) for generating electricity using heat transfer is located for transferring heat from the building's exterior to interior when exposed to relatively warm external conditions (T HOT ) and from the building's interior to exterior when exposed to relatively cooler external conditions (T COLD ). The electricity generating member ( 20 ) being located for promoting an energy transfer with air within the cavity ( 10 ).

1 . A wall structure for a building, comprising:
 a cavity for allowing air to flow through the structure between the building's interior and exterior, between the wall structure's inner and outer layers; and   an electricity generating member for generating electricity using heat transfer and being located for transferring heat from the building's exterior to interior when exposed to relatively warm external conditions and from the building's interior to exterior when exposed to relatively cooler external conditions, and   wherein the electricity generating member is located for promoting an energy transfer with air within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . A wall structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the air temperature differential between the building's interior and exterior causes air within the cavity to flow from the interior to the exterior when exposed to relatively warm external conditions and from the building's exterior to interior when exposed to relatively cooler external conditions. 
     
     
         3 . A wall structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the electricity generating member is located such that energy conducted by the electricity generating member is transferable to the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member is located such that energy carried by the cavity is conductible to the electricity generating member. 
     
     
         5 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member has first and second surfaces, the electricity generating member being positioned within the structure such that the first surface is located for absorbing energy from the building's exterior and the second surface is located at or adjacent the cavity, so that when exposed to relatively warm external conditions the electricity generating member is located for generating electricity and conducting energy from its first to second surfaces for transference to air in the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member comprises a thermoelectric layer. 
     
     
         7 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, further comprising an energy absorbing layer or a thermal mass or PCM, wherein the energy absorbing layer or thermal mass or PCM is located at or adjacent the electricity generating member. 
     
     
         8 . A wall structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the energy absorbing layer comprises an insulating material. 
     
     
         9 . A wall structure according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the energy absorbing layer further comprises a photovoltaic layer. 
     
     
         10 . A wall structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the first surface of the thermoelectric layer is at or adjacent the photovoltaic layer and the second surface of the thermoelectric layer is at or adjacent the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member comprises a photovoltaic layer. 
     
     
         12 . A wall structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the photovoltaic layer is provided in the structure so that it is exposed to the exterior of the structure for absorbing solar energy. 
     
     
         13 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member comprises an organic thermoelectric material. 
     
     
         14 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member comprises a combination of an organic thermoelectric material as an external layer and a thick or thin film thermoelectric material. 
     
     
         15 . A wall structure according to any one of  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the organic thermoelectric material is provided in the structure so that it is exposed to the exterior of the structure for absorbing solar energy. 
     
     
         16 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, further comprising an insulating layer for location at or adjacent the cavity on the opposite side of the cavity from which the electricity generating member is located. 
     
     
         17 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the electricity generating member is provided in a form of a planar element. 
     
     
         18 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall structure is provided as a panel. 
     
     
         19 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall structure comprises functions as dynamic insulation or as a thermal bridge. 
     
     
         20 . A wall structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall structure comprises a timber frame, precast panel, or a concrete block. 
     
     
         21 . A wall structure comprising:—inner and outer layers,
 an air channel allowing air to pass through the structure, and 
 an electricity generating member, 
 wherein the electricity generating member is positioned for generating electricity from an energy source external to the wall structure, the electricity generating member further being positioned adjacent the air channel, the air flow within the air channel being controlled to regulate heat energy transfer between the electricity generating member and air within the air channel. 
 
     
     
         22 . A wall structure substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         23 . A wall structure, comprising:
 a cavity for allowing air to flow through the structure and between inner and outer layers of the structure; and   an electricity generating member for generating electricity using energy from an external source, wherein the electricity generating member is located for promoting an energy transfer with air within the cavity for providing a dual operation flushing internal cold air through the structure or supplying fresh air through the structure.   
     
     
         24 . A wall structure for a building, comprising:
 inner and outer layers;   an airflow channel between the inner and outer layers for allowing air to flow between the interior and exterior of the building; and   an electricity generating layer for generating electricity using a temperature differential and being located in thermal conductive communication with the airflow channel,   wherein the electricity generating layer is operable in two modes:   a first mode where electricity is generated by the temperature differential between a relatively warmer outer layer and a relatively cooler inner layer under a first ambient condition, and   a second mode where electricity is generated by the temperature differential between a relatively warmer inner layer and a relatively cooler outer layer under a second ambient condition.   
     
     
         25 . A wall structure according to  claim 24 , wherein the wall structure is configured for hot climates and promoting airflow through the airflow channel from the interior of the building to its exterior under a first ambient condition such that the airflow acts to cool the electricity generating layer for rejecting solar gains. 
     
     
         26 . A wall structure according to  claim 25 , wherein the wall structure is configured for hot climates by providing the airflow channel between a inlet in the inner layer and an outlet in the outer layer, with the inlet being located at a lower position than the outlet. 
     
     
         27 . A wall structure according to  claim 24 , wherein the wall structure is configured for cold climates and promoting airflow through the airflow channel from the exterior of the building to its interior such that the airflow entering the building is warmed. 
     
     
         28 . A wall structure according to  claim 27 , wherein the wall structure is configured for cold climates by providing the airflow channel between a inlet in the outer layer and an outlet in the inner layer, with the inlet being located at either a higher or a lower position than the outlet. 
     
     
         29 . A wall structure for a building, comprising:
 an energy adsorbing layer for adsorbing heat from the building's exterior when exposed to relatively warm external conditions and from the building's interior when exposed to relatively cooler external conditions; and   an electricity generating member for generating electricity using heat transfer and being located for adsorbing heat from the energy adsorbing layer.   
     
     
         30 . A wall structure according to  claim 29 , further comprising:
 an exterior energy adsorbing layer exposed to the exterior of the structure for generating electricity by absorbing solar energy.   
     
     
         31 . A wall structure according to  claim 29  or  30 , wherein the energy adsorbing layer or the exterior energy adsorbing layer is a thermoelectric layer. 
     
     
         32 . A wall structure according to  claim 31 , wherein the exterior energy adsorbing layer is an organic thermoelectric layer.