Wall Construction System and Component Thereof

Abstract

A wall construction system comprises a number of courses of masonry construction blocks stacked one atop another in any desired pattern, such as a running bond pattern. One or more fluid conduits are disposed in thermal communication with one or more of the masonry construction blocks and one or more fluids are passed through the fluid conduits. The fluid(s) may comprise one or more liquids, one or more gases, or a combination of liquid(s) and gas(es). The fluid(s) can transfer heat between an enclosed environment, such as a room, and the material of the masonry construction blocks.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A masonry construction block, comprising:
 a first face having a first thickness and a second face opposite the first face and having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness;   a plurality of webs extending between the first and second faces and defining at least one void configured to receive reinforcement material; and   at least one channel in the first face for retaining a conduit therein.   
     
     
         2 . A wall construction system comprising:
 a first masonry block including a first inner face and a first outer face opposite the first inner face separated by a first distance;   a second masonry block including a second inner face and a second outer face opposite the second inner face separated by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance; and   wherein the first and second blocks are disposed such that the first and second outer faces are aligned and the first inner face is offset from the second inner face and the first inner face contains at least one channel for retaining at least one conduit therein.   
     
     
         3 . A masonry construction block, comprising:
 a main body comprising a cementitious material and including a first face, a second face spaced from and opposite the first face, and a plurality of webs extending between the first and second faces and forming voids spaced from one another and further spaced between and from the first and second faces;   wherein the first and second faces are bounded by first, second, third, and fourth surfaces that are adapted to be disposed adjacent to surfaces of other construction blocks such that voids of adjacent construction blocks are aligned and adapted to receive reinforcing material therein; and   wherein the first face has a thickness greater than a thickness of the second face and first and second walls extend into the first face and define a channel for accepting and retaining a fluid conducting conduit therein.