Earthen rock matrix and water-wet bulb temperature cooling mass

Abstract

Natural and/or Processed Hydrophilic Earthen Minerals (water loving rocks) formed into an air-water interface matrix will track only a few degrees above local wet bulb temperature with the addition of water. Coating surfaces, Building Roofs and Walls, with hydrophilic earthen rocks and adding water will cool the building mass below air temperature. Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. The wet bulb temperature is lower than ambient air temperature, except during rain. Water is added periodically to maintain hydration and wet bulb temperature tracking. Hydrophilic Earthen Minerals are UV Stable, expand surface area for evaporation and are fireproof.

Description

Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks combined with water track just above the local wet-bulb air temperature, below ambient air temperature. Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. Coating surfaces, Building Roofs and Walls, with hydrophilic earthen rocks and adding water will cool the building mass below air temperature. The Sun's energy that currently heats roofs and sun exposed walls, well above air temperature, will create water vapor from the moist matrix, instead of heating the surface. The enthalpy of vaporization, (symbol ΔHvap), also known as the heat of vaporization or heat of evaporation, is the energy required to transform a given quantity of a substance (liquid water) into a gas at a given pressure (often atmospheric pressure). Efficiency of vaporization is increased by the exponential addition of the air/water interface area of the hydrophilic rocks bonding water molecules that in turn bond with more water molecules in hydrogen bonds. A larger surface area will evaporate faster, as there are more surface molecules that are able to escape. Hydrophilic Rocks absorb water right off the roof deck. The daytime heating load on building roofs and walls is vaporized away with the Sun's energy breaking the hydrogen bonds of water, instead of making heat. Earthen rocks are UV Stable and do not burn, important characteristics for roof and wall coatings.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread the Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks 3. Set up Sprinkler—Soaker Hose System.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, Asphalt Emulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs). Spread rocks with a broom or air blower. Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can be found at hardware stores and larger commercial watering systems with contractors. Gutter systems collect rain water run-off for future cooling energy. Gutters enable running/recirculating water flow creating a constant ‘almost full’ hydration of matrix. One way system where water is pumped into matrix and evaporated for cooling without gutter collection are appropriate and effective at cooling in deserts (limited rain collection potential). Energy for cooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, well water and/or salt water. Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps the matrix below air temperature. Thermal heating takes place when the matrix is dry, allowing for cooling or solar heating, depending on local demand and moisture content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 Structure cooling system U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 Marek Nov. 23, 2004.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,808,829; 2,266,321; 2,660,863; 3,563,305; 3,668,287; 4,064,706; 4,355,682; 4,761,965; 5,070,933; 5,174,128; 6,250,091; 6,367,275; 6,575,234

A system for cooling a structure exposed to solar radiation. The system includes a polymeric sheet covering one or more exterior surfaces of the structure. A water dispensing means associated with the sheet provides a flow of water across the sheet to wet the sheet, allowing evaporative cooling to take place. The color and construction of the sheet also provide for insulation against ambient heat and reflection of some solar energy. A sensor detecting an environmental condition, such as roof temperature or sheet wetting, may activate water flow by actuating a valve.

PATENT EXPIRED ON Nov. 26, 2008—DUE TO FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Class Information Number: 62/259.4

Name: Refrigeration>Structural installation>With evaporative type cooler

Description: Apparatus in which cooling of air or an object takes place by the evaporation of water into air in an open system, e.g., roof coolers.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 Marek Nov. 23, 2004 and all the interesting Cross Referenced Patents in that Patent's list, specific problems involved in the prior art (or state of technology) is the lack of BOTH UV stability and fire retardant of hydrophilic materials patented.

ALL three characteristics—UV Stable, non-flammable and hydrophilic are present with Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks and Water—Wet-Bulb Temperature Tracking Cooling Matrix. The enthalpy of vaporization, (symbol ΔHvap), also known as the heat of vaporization or heat of evaporation, is the energy required to transform a given quantity of a substance (liquid water) into a gas at a given pressure (often atmospheric pressure). The expanded surface area created with the water bonding with rocks track just above the local Wet-Bulb Temperature, a larger surface area will evaporate faster, as there are more surface molecules that are able to escape. Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. A characteristic of all earth rocks is UV stability and they do not bum (dry or wet), both beneficial when coating exterior building roofs and walls.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae mined without further processing, the absorbency is a result of porosity with high internal surface area, water fills the rocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminium silicate, exfoliates when heated. Vermiculite rocks are a shiny black in appearance and absorb ample heat energy when dry. Perlite—a naturally occurring siliceous rock, expands from four to twenty times its original volume with heat. Perlite is white to off white and bonds water to its exterior. All three minerals are highly absorbent and all track just above the local wet bulb temperature with water.

Hydrophilic (Water Loving) Earthen Rocks—Wet-Bulb Temperature Tracking Cooling Matrix claims to bring qualities not realized in prior art for cooling structures, thus worthy of US patent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water is designed to cool roof and walls below ambient air temperature, just above wet bulb temperature which is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. The Matrix of Stone helps protect structures from fire and is extremely durable to the sun's relentless solar energy transmission. Cooling Traditional Solar Heated Rooftops and Walls (residential, commercial, government) to near local wet bulb temperature provides inexpensive solar thermal protection powered with only recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, rain water, well water and/or salt water. The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, Asphalt Emulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs).

Direct solar thermal heating of building rooftops exceeds 60*C (140*F) daily nationwide during the summer. Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water will have roofs at a mid-day operational temperature of 30*C (86*F). Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water transfers the Sun's energy from direct heating of structures into water vapor, not heat. Earthen Rock Matrix presents the opportunity to make the simple change from 60*C to 30*C (140*F to 86*F) using only recycled municipal water, fresh water, rain water, surface water, well water and/or salt water. Earthen Rock Matrix are inexpensive, fireproof and very UV stable.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread the Wet Rocks 3. Set up Sprinkler-Soaker Hose System.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, Asphalt Emulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs). Spread rocks with a broom or air blower. Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can be found at hardware stores and larger commercial watering systems with contractors. Gutter systems collect rain water run-off for future cooling energy. Gutters enable running/recirculating water flow creating a constant ‘almost full’ hydration of matrix. One way system where water is pumped into matrix and evaporated for cooling without gutter collection are appropriate and effective at cooling in deserts (limited rain collection potential). Energy for cooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, well water and/or salt water. Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps the matrix below air temperature. Thermal heating takes place when the matrix is dry, allowing for cooling or solar heating, depending on demand.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae and is mined with out further processing, the absorbency is a result of porosity with high internal surface area, water fills the rocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminium silicate, exfoliates when heated. Vermiculite rocks are a shiny black in appearance and absorb traditional heat energy when dry. Perlite—a naturally occurring siliceous rock, expands from four to twenty times its original volume with heat. Perlite bonds water to the exterior of the rock. All three minerals are highly absorbent and all track just above the local wet bulb temperature with water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. Depicts a building roof with a simulated coating of Earthen Rock Matrix. As the Drawing depicts a coating of significant depth (inch), operational mass can vary. The thicker the Matrix, the greater the holding capacity of water and the less often water needs to be added. Thin Coatings of the Matrix will require more repetitive or constant watering.

FIG. 1A. Exploded view demonstrates the expanded surface area of the air/water vaporization interface with Earthen Rock Matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water is designed to cool your roof and walls below ambient air temperature, just above the wet bulb temperature which is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air. The Matrix of Stone helps protect structures from fire and is extremely durable to the sun's relentless solar energy transmission. Cooling Traditional Solar Heated Rooftops and Walls (residential, commercial, government) to near local wet bulb temperature provides inexpensive solar thermal protection powered with only recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, rain water, well water and/or salt water. Direct solar thermal heating of building rooftops exceeds 60*C (140*F) daily nationwide during the summer. Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water will have roofs at a mid-day operational temperature of 30*C (86*F). Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix combined with water transfers the Sun's energy from directly heating of structures into water vapor, not heat. Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix presents the opportunity to make the simple change from 60*C to 30*C (140*F to 86*F) using only recycled municipal water, fresh water, rain water, surface water, well water and/or salt water. Hydrophilic Earthen Rock Matrix are inexpensive and very UV stable.

Its a 1, 2, 3 Application. 1. Spray the adhesive 2. Spread the Wet Rocks 3. Set up Sprinkler-Soaker Hose System.

The matrix can be bonded to the structure with Portland Cement, Asphalt Emulsion, Adhesives like Glue/Epoxy and Gravity (on flat roofs). Sprinkler-Soaker Hose Systems can be found at hardware stores and larger commercial watering systems with contractors. Gutter systems collect rain water run-off for future cooling energy. Gutters enable running/recirculating water flow creating a constant ‘almost full’ hydration of matrix. One way system where water is pumped into matrix and evaporated for cooling without gutter collection are appropriate and effective at cooling in deserts (limited rain collection potential). Energy for cooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, fresh water, surface water, well water and/or salt water.

Continuous water flow and/or intermittent watering keeps the matrix below air temperature.

Thermal heating takes place when the matrix is dry, allowing for cooling or solar heating, depending on local demand.

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae and is mined with out further processing, the absorbency is a result of porosity with high internal surface area, water fills the rocks. Vermiculite—hydrated magnesium aluminium silicate, exfoliates when heated and is then shiny black in appearance. Vermiculite absorbs traditional heat energy when dry. Perlite—a naturally occurring siliceous rock, expands from four to twenty times its original volume with heat. Perlite, a white to off white rock, bonds water to its exterior. All three minerals are highly absorbent and all track just above the local wet bulb temperature with water.

The advantages of the invention and how it solves previously existing problems, like those identified in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION, are UV Stability for long term exposure to direct solar energy (roofs), fireproof status and exponentially increasing the air/water surface interface. The increased air/water surface interface allows the matrix to cool to just above wet bulb temperature, which is the lowest temperature that can be reached by the evaporation of water only. It is the temperature you feel when your skin is wet and is exposed to moving air.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a structure below air temperature comprising of a coating of Hydrophilic Earthen Rocks, covering an exterior surface of a structure and a water distribution system allowing for wetting of the Hydrophilic Earthen Rock covering.

2. The system of claim 1, Hydrophilic Rocks with high water absorbency are:

DE—diatomaceous earth with high internal surface area and porosity, water fills the rocks. Perlite and Vermiculite both bond water to the exterior and exponentially increase the air/water surface interface. All rocks are stable in the sun's rays.

3. The system of claim 1, Hydrophilic Rocks track just above the local wet bulb temperature with water.

4. The system of claim 1, Water for cooling can be obtained from recycled municipal water, fresh water, rain water, surface water, well water and/or salt water.