In-Wall Hydronic Thermal Control System and Installation Method

Abstract

A system for installing tubing of hydronic thermal control systems in the walls, including ceilings, of buildings allows for the stable incorporation of the tubing in the walls while ensuring good thermal conductivity between the tubing and the building's room. The system features a wall including a hydronic thermal management system. The wall comprises a vertically-extending wall support structure, tubing panels secured to the wall support structure, the panels being constructed from wood material, tubing in the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid, and drywall panels secured over the tubing panels. A filling material is applied between the tubing and the drywall panels. Also a high thermally conductive layer, such as aluminum foil, is used between the filling material and the drywall panels or between the filling material and the tubing panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydronic thermal management system, comprising:
 tubing panels comprising tracks;   tubing in the tracks of the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid;   over-panels secured over the tubing panels; and   an aluminum foil layer and/or hardening substance layer contacting the tubing in the tubing panels and located between the tubing panels and the over-panels.   
     
     
         2 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising both the aluminum foil layer and the hardening substance layer between the tubing and the over-panels. 
     
     
         3 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal control system for flowing the fluid through the tubing. 
     
     
         4 . A wall as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the thermal control system heats the fluid. 
     
     
         5 . A wall as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the thermal control system cools the fluid. 
     
     
         6 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the hardening substance layer between the tubing and the over-panels, wherein the hardening substance layer is fortified with a high thermal conductivity material. 
     
     
         7 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the hardening substance layer between the tubing and the over-panels, wherein the hardening substance layer is fortified with an oxide powder or metal. 
     
     
         8 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a spray or other adhesive for attaching the aluminum foil layer to the tubing panels or the hardening substance layer. 
     
     
         9 . A wall as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a backing layer on the tubing panels. 
     
     
         10 . A method for fabricating a hydronic thermal management system, the method comprising:
 securing tubing panels, the panels comprising tracks;   fitting tubing into the tracks of the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid;   securing over-panels over the tubing panels; and   applying an aluminum foil layer and/or a hardening substance layer that extends across the tracks, contacting the tubing in the tubing panels and located between the tubing panels and the over-panels.   
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising applying the aluminum foil layer and the hardening substance layer between the tubing panels and the wall panels. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising flowing the fluid through the tubing. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising heating the fluid. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising applying the hardening substance layer between the tubing panels and the wall panels, wherein the hardening substance layer is fortified with a high thermal conductivity material. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising applying the hardening substance layer between the tubing panels and the wall panels, wherein the hardening substance layer is fortified with metallic oxide powder. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising applying a spray or other adhesive for attaching the aluminum foil layer between the tubing panels and the wall panels. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising applying the aluminum foil layer to the hardening substance layer that is applied to the tubing panels. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the aluminum foil has a thickness of less than 0.2 millimeters. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising slitting the foil layer prior fitting the tubing into the tracks.