Retrofit Roof With A Phase Change Material Modulated Climate Space

Abstract

A thermally modulating roof system wherein a climate space between an existing and new roof is occupied by a phase change material assembly. The system maintains an industry standard of no more than a distance of about 4 inches between the roofs while still incorporating a substantial capacity to modulate an otherwise rising temperature of a facility during the day. Unique methods of installing the system, utilizing it and circulating air through the system to enhance performance are detailed. The system may also be of the capacity to modulate an otherwise lowering temperature of the facility during exposure to colder environmental periods or conditions.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A roof system comprising:
 hardware for securing to an existing roof of a structural facility;   a new roof matchingly secured to the hardware; and   at least one phase change material assembly positioned in a climate space between the matching existing roof and new roof that is supported by the existing roof, the climate space to accommodate air therein in a substantially static state.   
     
     
         2 . The roof system of  claim 1  wherein the climate space between the existing roof and the new roof is no more than about 4 inches in distance and a minority of the climate space occupied by the phase change material assembly is less than about one inch of the distance. 
     
     
         3 . The roof system of  claim 1  wherein the hardware includes a plurality of orifices to promote air communication between adjacent climate spaces divided by the hardware. 
     
     
         4 . The roof system of  claim 1  wherein the existing roof comprises ribs and the at least one phase change material assembly is positioned at a location that is in a valley between the ribs. 
     
     
         5 . The roof system of  claim 1  wherein the phase change material assembly includes a reflective layer in thermally conductive communication with a phase change material. 
     
     
         6 . The roof system of  claim 5  wherein the reflective layer is a material having a thermally conductive K value of greater than about 0.15. 
     
     
         7 . The roof system of  claim 6  wherein the reflective layer is aluminum foil. 
     
     
         8 . The roof system of  claim 1  wherein the phase change material assembly comprises a phase change material with a melting point of between about 70° F. and 90° F. 
     
     
         9 . The roof system of  claim 8  wherein the phase change material includes a substance selected from a group consisting of calcium chloride hexahydrate, sodium sulfate, paraffin, a fatty acid and coconut oil. 
     
     
         10 . A structural facility comprising:
 an existing roof;   hardware secured to the existing roof;   a new roof matchingly secured to the existing roof with hardware; and   at least one phase change material assembly positioned in a climate space between the existing roof and the new roof, the climate space of an architecture to promote one of retaining air to maintain a higher temperature therein and circulating air out of the climate space to reduce temperature therein.   
     
     
         11 . The structural facility of  claim 10  wherein the facility is a storage unit absent any air conditioning system. 
     
     
         12 . The structural facility of  claim 10  further comprising a reversible vent for the retaining when in a closed position and for the circulating when in an open position. 
     
     
         13 . The structural facility of  claim 12  wherein the vent is a ridge vent and the higher elevation point opening is at a peak elevation of the structural facility, the peak elevation at one of a central location of the roofs and at a sidewall of the facility. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 installing a framework of hardware at a top surface of an existing roof of a facility to support a matching new roof there above, the framework of hardware to support a climate space between the matching existing and new roofs;   placing a phase change material assembly at a top surface of the existing roof between segments of the framework of hardware;   securing the new roof to the framework of hardware over the existing roof; and   retaining air in the climate space in a substantially static condition.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising introducing one of a foam and a fiber insulation material to the climate space with the phase change material assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising utilizing phase change material of the at least one phase change material assembly to absorb heat from airspace of the climate space above the assembly and modulate heat within the facility during daytime. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising releasing the absorbed heat from the phase change material and into the airspace at night to freeze the material for heat absorption the next day. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the retaining further comprises maintaining a higher temperature for the climate space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising keeping the phase change material closer to a melted state. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the melted state of the phase change material serves to promote a higher temperature for a facility space of the facility below the roofs.