Insulation panel for use in building construction.

Abstract

A panel useful as a roof deck material (and optional insulating material, and optional moisture barrier) for a roof of a building or as a wall material for a wall of a building comprises a plurality of side members comprising at least a first side member, a second side member, and a third side member. A void capable of receiving an insulating material exists between at least the first side member, the second side member, and the third side member. The panel also comprises a plurality of stiffeners comprising at least a first stiffener spanning a first distance between at least two side members of the plurality of side members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel ( 100 ) comprising:
 a plurality of side members comprising at least a first side member ( 110 ), a second side member ( 120 ), and a third side member ( 130 );   a void ( 150 ) between at least the first side member, the second side member, and the third side member; and   a plurality of stiffeners comprising at least a first stiffener ( 161 ) spanning a first distance between at least two side members of the plurality of side members; and   wherein the void is capable of receiving an insulating material ( 200 ).   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of side members further comprises at least a fourth side member ( 140 ). 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side members of the plurality of side members has an “I” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side members of the plurality of side members has an “L” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side members of the plurality of side members has a “T” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stiffeners further comprises at least a second stiffener ( 162 ) spanning a second distance between at least two side members of the plurality of side members or between one side member of the plurality of side members and the first stiffener. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of stiffeners further comprises at least a third stiffener ( 163 ) spanning a third distance between at least two side members of the plurality of side member, or between one side member of the plurality of side members and one other stiffener of the plurality of stiffeners, or between two other stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners has an “I” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners has an “L” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners has an “T” shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein an intersection point between at least two stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners comprises a port ( 170 ). 
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising the insulating material. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the insulating material has an R-Value selected from the group consisting of at least R-5, at least R-15, at least R-25, at least R-35, at least R-40, at least R-45, at least R-50, and at least R-55. 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the insulating material comprises a first layer of insulation ( 210 ). 
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the insulating material comprises at least a first layer of insulation ( 210 ), a second layer of insulation ( 220 ), and a third layer of insulation ( 230 ), and wherein the second layer of insulation is located between the first layer of insulation and the third layer of insulation. 
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the second layer of insulation comprises a phase change material. 
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the phase change material is selected from the group consisting of paraffin, calcium chloride hexahydrate, sodium sulfate, and Glauber's salt. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one side member of the plurality of side members comprises an attachment mechanism configured to connect the panel to an adjoining panel. 
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a roofing panel configured to be installed on a roof. 
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a wall panel configured to be installed in a wall.