US 12,013,149 B2
Thermally anisotropic composites for thermal management in building environments
Som S. Shrestha, Oak Ridge, TN (US); Kaushik Biswas, Davis, CA (US); Diana Hun, Oak Ridge, TN (US); and Jerald A. Atchley, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Assigned to UT-BATTELLE, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed by UT-Battelle, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/849,070.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/833,842, filed on Apr. 15, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0326085 A1, Oct. 15, 2020
Int. Cl. E04B 1/76 (2006.01); E04B 1/62 (2006.01); E04C 2/52 (2006.01); F24F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 5/0089 (2013.01) [E04B 1/62 (2013.01); E04B 1/762 (2013.01); E04C 2/525 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal management system for a structure comprising:
an anisotropic composite that consists of alternating layers of an insulating material and a thermally conductive material, wherein the insulating material includes a foam board and wherein the thermally conductive material includes a metal sheet that is coextensive in surface area with the foam board, such that the metal sheet is disposed between and directly contacts two foam boards, wherein the metal sheet of the anisotropic composite includes a peripheral edge;
a thermal loop comprising a fluid moving through a conduit, the conduit extending parallel to the peripheral edge of the metal sheet in direct contact with the metal sheet, the fluid moving through the conduit having a dynamically controlled temperature that is lower than an outdoor ambient temperature during a cooling season and that is higher than an outdoor ambient temperature during a heating season, the temperature of the fluid being controlled in relation to each such outdoor ambient temperature in accordance with a closed feedback loop; and
an inner wall structure that is inwardly adjacent to the anisotropic composite and an outer wall structure that is outwardly adjacent to the anisotropic composite, wherein an uppermost extent of the anisotropic composite is recessed relative to an uppermost extent of each of the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure to define a vertical recess between the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure, the conduit being disposed within the vertical recess, the anisotropic composite being disposed vertically and against the inner wall structure and against the outer wall structure, wherein the anisotropic composite has an in-plane thermal conductivity that is greater than a through-plane thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer to the inner wall structure.