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US20130199516A1 - Multipurpose utility structure - Google Patents

Multipurpose utility structure Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130199516A1
US20130199516A1 US13/830,167 US201313830167A US2013199516A1 US 20130199516 A1 US20130199516 A1 US 20130199516A1 US 201313830167 A US201313830167 A US 201313830167A US 2013199516 A1 US2013199516 A1 US 2013199516A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
utility structure
fluid
utility
storage tank
solar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/830,167
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English (en)
Inventor
Mark E. Snyder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc filed Critical Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Priority to US13/830,167 priority Critical patent/US20130199516A1/en
Publication of US20130199516A1 publication Critical patent/US20130199516A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/02—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/003—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system combined with solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/004—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system with conventional supplementary heat source
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D12/00—Other central heating systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
    • F24D15/02—Other domestic- or space-heating systems consisting of self-contained heating units, e.g. storage heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
    • F24D15/04—Other domestic- or space-heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/08—Hot-water central heating systems in combination with systems for domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/12—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems using heat pumps
    • F24J2/0422—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
    • F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/20—Wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/40—Photovoltaic [PV] modules
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/02—Photovoltaic energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/04—Gas or oil fired boiler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/08—Electric heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/12—Heat pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/14—Solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/02—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated
    • F24D5/04—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated with return of the air or the air-heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H2240/00—Fluid heaters having electrical generators
    • F24H2240/01—Batteries, electrical energy storage device
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/70—Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/13—Hot air central heating systems using heat pumps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

  • Embodiments disclosed herein relate to utility structures. More specifically, certain embodiments concern self contained utility structures that are configured to provide, for example, one or more of heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”), hot water, wireless communication capabilities, and/or electric power to one or more structures.
  • HVAC heating ventilation and air conditioning
  • a utility structure can be configured to provide at least one utility capability to at least one other structure.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, one or more of a housing, an electric power generation system that provides electric power, a control board disposed within the housing that receives electric power from the electric power generation system, a first fluid storage tank disposed within the housing, a fluid heating system that receives fluid from the first fluid storage tank and adds thermal energy to the fluid, and a chase that connects the housing to the at least one other structure.
  • the housing can be a shed, for example.
  • the housing can be a floor that is mountable to a foundation, for example.
  • the housing can be, for example, a floor that is mountable to a wheeled chassis.
  • the housing can include, for example, at least one vent.
  • the vent can be a bi-metal vent, for example.
  • the utility structure can further include, for example, a fluid capture system.
  • the fluid capture system can include, for example, a gutter that receives precipitation from a roof of the housing.
  • the fluid capture system can include, for example, a downspout that receives precipitation from the gutter.
  • the downspout can direct precipitation away from the gutter, for example.
  • the downspout can direct precipitation, for example, to the fluid storage tank.
  • at least a portion of the downspout may be disposed outside of the housing, for example.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a fluid filtration system disposed between the downspout and the first fluid storage tank.
  • the utility structure can further include a second fluid storage tank configured to receive precipitation from the downspout, for example.
  • at least a portion of the second fluid storage tank can be, for example, disposed outside of the housing.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, a heated fluid storage tank. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heated fluid storage tank can be disposed within the housing, for example. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that receives fluid from the heated fluid storage tank. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that receives thermal energy from sunlight. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that transfers the received thermal energy to the fluid received from the heated fluid storage tank to heat the received fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include at least one solar hot water panel that returns the heated fluid to the heated fluid storage tank, for example.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, an electrical coil disposed at least partially within the heated fluid storage tank.
  • the electrical coil can receive, for example, electric power from the control board to add thermal energy to fluid disposed within the heated fluid storage tank.
  • the electric power generation system can include, for example, at least one solar panel.
  • the at least one solar panel can be located outside of the housing, for example.
  • the at least one solar panel can be electrically coupled to the control board, for example.
  • the at least one solar panel can be disposed, for example, on a mast configured to offset the at least one solar panel from a ground surface.
  • the electric power generation system can include, for example, at least one wind turbine. In some embodiments, the electric power generation system can include, for example, a geothermal system. In some embodiments, the electric power generation system can include, for example, a hydroelectric system. In some embodiments, the hydroelectric system can include a mini-hydroelectric system, for example.
  • control board can include, for example, one or more of an inverter, a direct current disconnect, a high voltage charge controller, and the like.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, an energy storage system that can receive electric power from the control board.
  • the energy storage system can include a battery, a plurality of batteries, etc.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a communication system.
  • the communication system can include, for example, one or more of a satellite receiver a Wi-Fi transmitter, a signal repeater, and the like.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a solar hot air module disposed at least partially within the housing.
  • the solar hot air module can include, for example, a solar module that can receive thermal energy from sunlight incident on the solar module and a solar panel disposed over the solar module, wherein the solar panel can transfer the received thermal energy to air within the panel.
  • the solar module can be disposed, for example, at least partially outside of the housing.
  • the solar panel can include, for example, a fan configured to draw air from outside the panel into the panel.
  • the solar panel can include, for example, a vent configured to exhaust air from the panel.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a thermal hot air matrix that can receive heated fluid from the fluid heating system.
  • the matrix can transfer thermal energy from the heated fluid to air, for example.
  • the thermal hot air matrix can be disposed at least partially within the housing, for example.
  • the thermal hot air matrix can include, for example, a fan configured to direct the air in one or more directions.
  • the utility structure can include a bathroom module, for example.
  • the bathroom module can be, for example, disposed at least partially within the housing, at least partially outside of the housing, etc.
  • the bathroom module can include, for example, a sink and a shower, and in some aspects, the sink and shower can receive fluid from the first fluid storage tank, for example. In some embodiments, the sink and shower can, for example, receive fluid from the fluid heating system.
  • the chase can include a first conduit that, for example, can fluidly couple the first fluid storage tank to the at least one other structure.
  • the first conduit for example, can fluidly couple the fluid heating system to the at least one other structure.
  • the first conduit can include, for example, a pipe.
  • the chase can include, for example, an electrical connection that can electrically couple the control board to the at least one other structure.
  • the chase can include a second conduit that can fluidly couple the housing to the at least one other structure.
  • the second conduit can include a duct, for example.
  • Some embodiments include a method of transferring a gas or fluid such as, for example, air from a first structure to a second structure.
  • This method can include, for example, disposing a fluid storage tank in the first structure and fluidly coupling the heated fluid storage tank to a fluid heating system.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that can receive thermal energy from sunlight.
  • the method of transferring air from a first structure to a second structure can include, for example, one or more of transferring received thermal energy from the solar hot water panel to fluid received from the fluid storage tank to heat the fluid, directing the heated fluid to a heated fluid storage tank, directing fluid from the heated fluid storage tank to a thermal hot air matrix, directing air over the thermal hot air matrix to transfer thermal energy from the fluid within the thermal hot air matrix to the air to heat the air, and transferring the heated air from the first structure to the second structure.
  • the method of transferring air from a first structure to a second structure can include, for example, one or more of providing a solar hot air module that can transfer thermal energy from sunlight to air disposed within a panel of the solar hot air module, and directing air from the panel to the second structure.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a top view of a non limiting example of a utility structure coupled to another structure.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a front perspective view of a non limiting example of the utility structure of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a rear perspective view of a non limiting example of the utility structure of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4A schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • FIG. 4B schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • FIG. 4D schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a bathroom module that may be incorporated in, or coupled to, a utility structure.
  • FIG. 4E schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a utility structure.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a non limiting example of a floor frame for a utility structure.
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a partial cross-section of a non limiting example of the utility structure of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar hot water system that may be incorporated in a utility structure.
  • FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a water tank that may be incorporated in a utility structure to feed water into a hot water tank.
  • FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar tracker assembly that may be electrically coupled to a utility structure.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar hot air module.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a non limiting example of how electric power may be distributed through a utility structure.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a non limiting example of a system for distributing water through a utility structure and/or additional structure.
  • Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to utility structures that may be coupled to one or more other structures to provide utility access and/or HVAC amenities to the structure(s) coupled thereto.
  • These utility structures may be particularly useful to individuals who live in areas of the world that are not connected to conventional electric grids that provide access to electric power, for example, remote areas on Native American reservations in the United States.
  • these structures may be coupled to temporary structures that require utilities, for example, in military, disaster relief, and/or seasonal agricultural applications.
  • these structures may be useful for individuals who desire to consume primarily renewable energy instead of fossil fuel or nuclear based energy.
  • the utility structures disclosed herein may be useful for individuals who may abandon homes for various reasons including, for example, Native Americans who move after a family member passes away at home, and/or for nomadic individuals.
  • a utility structure may include at least one renewable source of electric power (e.g., a solar panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, and/or a hydroelectric system), a control board or electric panel configured to control and distribute the generated electric power, a solar hot water system, a communications system (e.g., a satellite receiver and optional Wi-Fi signal repeater), and/or a solar hot air module to provide hot air to the utility structure and/or to another structure fluidly coupled thereto.
  • the utility structure can provide electric power, HVAC, and/or communications capabilities to additional structures that are coupled to the utility structure.
  • the utility structure may be used as a stand alone structure with the same capabilities.
  • the structure can be used to provide electric power, HVAC, and/or communications capabilities to the utility structure itself.
  • the utility structures disclosed herein can be constructed to be portable such that they may be easily transported from location to location.
  • a utility structure may also include vents, dampers, and/or fans configured to exchange air within the utility structure with the air from the outside environment and/or with one or more fluidly coupled structures in order to take advantage of diurnal temperature swings.
  • the ventilation and air exchange systems can be implemented to regulate the temperature of the utility structures and/or other structures fluidly coupled thereto.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a utility structure 100 that is fluidly coupled to another structure 105 by chase 103 .
  • Chase 103 may define a conduit or passageway configured to receive plumbing, wiring, or other conduits to transfer fluids, communication signals, and/or electric power there through.
  • the term “chase” is used, it should be understood that the structure 103 should not be limited, but can be any space, conduit, groove, hollow, etc., that connects or connect to the two structures.
  • the utility structure 100 is also electrically coupled to an energy source, which within the depicted example is a solar panel 107 that includes a plurality of solar cells or photovoltaic cells 109 .
  • the solar panel 107 may be a tracking solar panel configured to orient the solar cells toward the sun to increase the efficiency of the solar panel 107 (e.g., to expose the solar panel 107 a maximum amount of sun as the earth rotates relative to the sun).
  • the solar panel 107 is mounted on a mast such that the panel 107 is elevated from the ground.
  • the panel 107 and mast may cast a shadow toward the utility structure.
  • panel 107 may be offset from the utility structure 107 by a distance D 1 to avoid shading of the structure 107 .
  • distance D 1 may be determined, at least in part, by the height of the mast. It can be determined by the location and the need to avoid blocking or shade from structures, trees, hills, etc.
  • distance D 1 can be, for example, between 10 and 150 feet. As a more specific example, D 1 can be greater than about 20 feet, for example, about 40 feet.
  • the solar panel 107 may be electrically coupled to the utility structure 100 by an electrical umbilical (not shown) to transmit electric power from the solar tracker 107 to the utility structure 100 .
  • the transmitted electric power may then be stored within the utility structure 100 by batteries and/or redistributed to one or more additional structures, for example, structure 105 .
  • chase 103 may include wiring to electrically couple utility structure 100 to structure 105 .
  • utility structure 100 may provide electric power and/or exchange hot and/or cold air with the structure 105 .
  • the utility structure 100 may be a “stand alone” unit or “self contained” meaning that the utility structure 100 may be a separate or distinct structure from the coupled structure 105 .
  • the utility structure 100 may provide all of the primary utility needs of the coupled structure 105 . In some aspects, it can be part of the structure 105 .
  • chase 103 includes one or more latching or connecting elements to removably couple the chase 103 to either of the structure 105 and/or utility structure 100 .
  • Utility structure 100 may include, for example, various structures capable of at least partially containing or housing electric, HVAC, plumbing, and/or communication elements.
  • utility structure 100 may include, for example, one or more of a portable shed or building that can be transported from one location to another.
  • utility structure 100 can comprise one or more of a shed, trailer, recreational vehicle, bus, motor coach, box car, shipping container, or any other suitable structure.
  • the utility structure 100 can be formed from various materials including, for example, ceramics (e.g., bricks), composites (e.g., concrete), organic materials (e.g., wood), polymers, and/or metals.
  • the utility structure 100 may be manufactured using one or more methods that have been adopted from the home industry.
  • a utility structure 100 may be built, for example, on a removable axle or frame at a factory and the structure may be hauled to a particular site or location with a light vehicle, for example, a four wheel drive pick-up truck. Once at the site, the utility structure 100 may be removed from the frame with one or more jacks (e.g., hydraulic jacks) and placed on piers (e.g., stationary piers and/or adjustable piers) or a foundation to situate the utility structure at the site. The frame may then be reused for the transport of another utility structure. Such a method may prevent the need for heavy equipment and reduce equipment and personnel costs.
  • jacks e.g., hydraulic jacks
  • piers e.g., stationary piers and/or adjustable piers
  • the utility structure may be lifted from the piers and/or foundation using one or more jacks, disposed on a removable frame, and transported to a subsequent location by a light vehicle.
  • the structures can be lifted and lowered using inflatable devices that upon inflation and deflation act to raise and lower the devices.
  • the utility structure 100 can also include insulation in the walls, floor, and/or ceiling to insulate the interior from the environmental conditions outside the utility structure 100 .
  • the walls and/or floor can be insulated with R-38 insulation.
  • a ceramic radiant barrier can optionally be applied to the walls, floor, and/or ceiling to insulate the utility structure 100 .
  • the utility structure 100 as depicted also includes an entrance 104 for entry into or exit out of the structure 100 .
  • the depicted utility structure 100 includes a door 101 .
  • the utility structure 100 includes a roof 119 .
  • the roof 119 is slanted downward from north to south.
  • the slant of the roof may be configured differently, for example, to maximize sun exposure to solar hot water panels 117 mounted thereon.
  • the roof may be oriented differently in the southern and northern hemispheres (e.g., from south to north).
  • Solar hot water panels 117 may cycle a working fluid, for example, water, there through to expose the working fluid to sunlight thus heating the working fluid.
  • the heated fluid may pass through a heat exchanger that transfers the thermal energy from the heated fluid to another liquid, for example, to potable water for use or consumption by humans.
  • Utility structure 100 may also include a rafter 115 that extends over entrance 104 to shade the entrance from incident sunlight.
  • utility structure 100 may also include a receiver 121 configured to receive signals and/or communications transmissions such as a wireless signal, for example, a Wi-Fi signal, and optionally transmit a signal, for example, a Wi-Fi signal, to the surrounding area.
  • the receiver 121 can be coupled to a repeater (not shown) to extend the range of a local wireless network.
  • the receiver 121 can transmit a signal via one or more wires or cables to other components.
  • the receiver/transmitter 121 can be any suitable device for receiving or transmitting information, such as for example, a satellite dish, a radio frequency antenna, a wireless telephone technology receiver/transmitter, and the like.
  • FIG. 2 also depicts an entrance 104 , a slanted roof 119 , and a floor 106 .
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • the structure can be of any desired size and dimension.
  • the structure can have a length and width to permit transportation of the structure, for example, behind a vehicle as a trailer that can be towed behind a vehicle, in an aircraft such as a helicopter or airplane, on a ship or boat, on a train, or in a trailer such as a tractor trailer, etc.
  • Some embodiments relate to trailers, aircraft, trains, ships, boats, trucks, tractor trailers, motor homes, houseboats, etc. that comprise, include or a structure as described herein. Examples of lengths are from 3 feet to 150 feet, for example, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 20 feet, 28 feet, 45 feet, 53 feet, and 102 feet, or any value there between.
  • widths include 3 feet to about 150 feet, including, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 feet or any value there between.
  • heights include 3 to about 50 feet, for example, 3 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 20 feet, 28 feet, 45 feet or any value there between.
  • FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the utility structure 100 of FIG. 2 .
  • utility structure 100 may further include a solar hot air module 141 disposed on or in the south facing wall 142 of the utility structure 100 .
  • the south facing wall is assumed to receive the most amount of sun throughout the year.
  • the solar hot air module 141 can be disposed to face various other directions to take advantage of optimal sun exposure.
  • the solar hot air module 141 can include a solar module 145 configured to absorb and collect thermal energy from sunlight incident thereon and transfer the collected thermal energy to a solar panel 143 .
  • the solar panel 143 may include an inlet fan and an outlet damper to cycle air from the utility shed through the solar panel 143 .
  • the fan and outlet damper may control the flow rate of air therethrough depending on the heat transfer from the solar module 145 . For example, on a particularly sunny day the solar panel 143 may cycle air therethrough at a higher flow rate than on a less sunny day as the solar module 145 will transfer more heat to the panel 143 on sunnier days.
  • the solar hot air module 141 may be used to provide hot air to the utility structure 100 and/or to a structure that is fluidly coupled to the utility structure 100 , for example, structure 105 in FIG. 1 .
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions. Example, non limiting dimensions are discussed herein.
  • the utility structure 100 may optionally include a water capture system including a gutter 131 and a downspout 133 .
  • Gutter 131 may be positioned near the downward side of slanted roof 119 to receive rain water or other condensation that is biased by gravity toward the downward side.
  • Downspout 133 may receive the collected condensation from the gutter 131 and direct the fluid toward one or more receptacles or reservoirs (not shown).
  • the collected condensation can then be stored and/or directed by plumbing to the utility structure 100 and/or to another structure that is fluidly coupled to the utility structure 100 .
  • the collected condensation can be filtered using various methods, for example, the methods disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 61/370,807 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • utility structure 100 may be constructed to be portable such that it can be transported from location to location.
  • the floor 106 can be constructed with various floor joists and bearers such that the utility structure 100 may be mounted on piers 153 by supports 151 .
  • the floor 106 can also be constructed to be “foundation ready” such that is may be secured to an existing foundation, for example, a concrete foundation, by fasteners or other coupling members.
  • floor 106 can be mounted to a chassis (not shown) with wheels or to a chassis that may be coupled with wheels in order to permit wheeled movement of the utility structure 100 from one location to another.
  • floor 106 may be constructed to form a skid system or package such that the utility structure 100 can be conveyed using various means of transport.
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • any of the features depicted or described in FIGS. 1-3 can be specifically excluded from some embodiments. Also, some features can be combined in any combination of features 101 - 145 even though not shown in the figures.
  • FIG. 4A shows the floor plan of one example of a utility structure 400 a that includes battery boxes 467 a, a hot water tank 463 a, two cold water tanks 461 , and a control board 479 a.
  • the utility structure 400 a includes an 8 ′ by 14 ′ floor and a door 401 a that allows a user to access the interior of the utility structure 400 a through an entrance 404 a.
  • the depicted dimensions of FIGS. 4A-4D are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • Cold water tanks 461 a may be configured to store and hold potable water or water that is to be purified for use in the utility structure 400 a or for use in more or more structures that are fluidly coupled to structure 400 a (e.g., structure 105 in FIG. 1 ).
  • Tanks 461 a may be periodically filled by a water source, for example, a fill truck or attached plumbing, as the stored water is used or otherwise disposed of.
  • Tanks 461 a can comprise various shapes and sizes. In one non-limiting embodiment, tanks 461 a each may be configured to store about 250 gallons and are similarly shaped and sized. In another embodiment, tanks 461 a may be different from one another.
  • Utility structure 400 may also include any number of tanks 461 a, for example, a single tank or more than two tanks. An example of a suitable storage tank is discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 8 .
  • Tanks 461 a may be fluidly coupled to hot water tank 463 a to direct water therefrom to the hot water tank for heating.
  • the hot water tank 463 a comprises a 30′′ diameter tank and may be heated by a solar hot water system (e.g., the system discussed with reference to FIG. 2 or 7 ) and/or by electricity provided, for example, by a source of renewable electric power that is coupled to the utility structure 400 a (e.g., solar panel 107 discussed with reference to FIG. 1 ).
  • hot water tank 463 may be heated using electricity or fuel provided by other means.
  • Batteries 467 a are configured to receive and store electric power provided by a source of renewable electric power that is coupled to the utility structure 400 a (not shown).
  • the batteries can be configured to receive electric power from a solar tracker (not shown) and transmit the stored electric power to one or more circuits or loads.
  • a solar tracker can be configured to provide power to the utility structure 400 a during the day and a portion of the provided power can be transmitted to a load or circuit while another portion can be stored by the batteries 467 a to be consumed at a later time, for example, at night.
  • Control board 479 a can be configured to include various structures including, for example, a high voltage charge controller, an inverter, a direct current (“DC”) disconnect, a satellite receiver, and/or a power panel. In this way, the control board 479 a can control the distribution of electric power received by a source of renewable power to a load or circuit. Although two batteries are shown in the depicted example, any suitable number can be used, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more batteries.
  • Utility structure 400 b includes a chase 403 b configured to couple plumbing and/or wiring from the utility structure 400 b to another structure 405 b.
  • utility structure 400 b is configured to provide electric power and/or air (e.g., warm or hot air) to structure 405 b.
  • Utility structure 400 b can also be configured to receive hot air and/or electric power from structure 405 b.
  • Electric power may be provided through the chase 403 b from one or more batteries 467 b and/or from electric panel 473 b.
  • Electric panel 473 b can be configured to receive electric power from a source of energy such as renewable electric energy, for example, from a solar tracker, wind turbine, geothermal system, or hydroelectric system that is coupled to our housed within the utility structure 400 b.
  • Electric panel 473 b can include an inverter, charge controller, and/or DC disconnect and can provide electric power directly to a load or circuit and/or to batteries 467 b for storage.
  • the conditions of the utility structure 400 b may be monitored remotely by wirelessly connecting to a receiver such as receiver 121 of FIG. 3 . Additionally, various components of the utility structure 400 b can be controlled remotely by sending a signal to receiver 121 .
  • the utility structure 400 b can include any number of batteries 467 b, for example, one or more.
  • utility structure 400 b includes vents 468 b disposed near the batteries 467 b to vent gasses exhausted by the battery from the interior of the utility structure 400 b.
  • Vents 468 b can include backflow preventers to prevent outside air from passing therethrough into the utility structure 400 b.
  • utility structure 400 b also can include a water storage tank 461 b fluidly coupled to a hot water tank 463 b.
  • Storage tank 461 b can be configured to direct stored water from the tank 461 b to the hot water tank 463 b.
  • Hot water tank 463 b can be heated by a solar hot water heating system that includes solar hot water panels disposed on the roof of the utility structure 400 b.
  • the electric panel 473 b may distribute electric power to a coil in the hot water tank 463 b to heat the water contained therein.
  • the hot water tank 463 b may be fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger element 469 b that is configured to receive hot water from tank 463 b.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b can be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b can have a variety of different designs and be configured for the transfer of different amounts of heat.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b can be an off-the-shelf component, or can be task specific.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b can, for example, be a thermo matrix heat exchanger.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b may include a fan or air distribution means configured to direct air over the received hot water to transfer thermal energy from the hot water to air.
  • the heat exchanger element 469 b may then be configured to direct the heated air through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400 b and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • the utility structure 400 b can also optionally include a solar hot air module 443 b similar to solar hot air module 143 in FIG. 1 to transfer solar energy to air from the utility structure 400 b.
  • the heated air may then be directed through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400 b and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • Utility structure 400 b may also include a passive cooling system (not shown), for example, an evaporative or “swamp” cooling system, configured to cool air by transferring energy from hot air to water provided by the water tank 461 b.
  • the utility structure 400 b may include a diurnal swing night ventilation and cooling system.
  • Such a system may include a pressure input to pressurize the interior of the utility structure 400 b and one or more vents disposed above the floor of the structure 400 b (e.g., ceiling vents). The pressure input may pressurize the utility structure 400 b such that colder air drops to the floor of the structure while warmer air is forced out of the structure 400 b through the one or more vents. As a result, colder air may be drawn into the utility structure 400 b and warmer air may be exhausted from the utility structure to cool the interior.
  • utility structure 400 b can provide hot and/or cold air HVAC capabilities to the utility structure itself and/or one or more other structures coupled thereto.
  • utility structure 471 b may also include bi-metal vents 471 b that are triggered by external sensors 475 b to open or close depending on various outside conditions.
  • the vents 400 b can be configured to open in the summer at night when the outside temperature is below a certain threshold, for example, a threshold of 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and above a certain threshold, for example, 40, 45, 50, 60, or 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • vents 471 b can be configured to remain closed when the temperature is below a certain threshold to maintain a temperature within the utility structure 400 b to preserve the batteries 467 b.
  • the utility structure 400 b can be configured to receive heat from another structure fluidly coupled thereto. However, if a structure coupled to the utility structure 400 b does not have its own heating capabilities, the utility structure 400 b may transfer warm or hot air to the coupled structure, even at night, by the heat exchanger 469 b.
  • the depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a floor plan of another embodiment of a utility structure 400 c including a door 401 c that allows a user to access the interior of the utility structure 400 c through an entrance 404 c.
  • utility structure 400 c includes a hot water tank 463 c, cold water tank 461 c, a heat exchanger element 469 c that is configured to receive hot water from hot water tank 463 c, control board 479 c, solar hot air module 443 c, bi-metal vents 471 c, and battery box 467 c.
  • utility structure 400 c includes a workspace and a pump 477 c is illustrated.
  • Pump 477 c may be configured to pump hot water from tank 463 c to an adjoining structure through chase 403 c.
  • chase 403 c may also optionally include a reversing fan to prevent a back flow of air from an adjoining structure into the utility structure 403 c.
  • This reversing fan can be turned off to allow the flow of hot air through the chase 403 c into utility structure 403 c when necessary, for example, in the winter to maintain a temperature within utility structure 403 c in order to preserve the batteries 467 c.
  • the control board 479 c can optionally include a high voltage charge controller, an inverter, a DC disconnect, a Wi-Fi satellite receiver, and/or a power panel.
  • the depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • FIG. 4D a floor plan of an embodiment of a bathroom module 400 d is schematically illustrated.
  • Bathroom module 400 d may be incorporated in, or coupled to, any of the utility structures disclosed herein, for example, utility structure 400 c of FIG. 4C .
  • bathroom module 400 d is disposed adjacent to a utility structure 402 d housing a water tank 461 d.
  • Bathroom module 400 d may receive hot and/or cold water from utility shed 402 d for the shower 481 d, sink 483 d, and/or toilet 485 d.
  • toilet 485 d may comprise a composting toilet including an aerobic processing system.
  • toilet 485 d may be connected to a septic system.
  • Bathroom module 400 d may be heated by a solar hot air module 443 d and/or may be heated by utility structure 402 d.
  • bathroom module 400 d may include a door 401 d to provide ingress and egress.
  • bathroom module 400 d may optionally include a partition or door to provide privacy for the bathroom module portion of the utility structure.
  • a utility structure or bathroom module may further include a sleeping area for one or more persons.
  • a sleeping area is disposed on an elevated bunk or in a loft above an area of a utility structure, for example, above a water tank. The depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • FIG. 4E depicts a floor plan of one embodiment of a utility structure 400 e attached to an existing structure 402 e via a common wall 404 e.
  • the utility structure 400 e can be attached to a north wall, a west wall, a south wall, an east wall, or any other wall of the existing structure 402 e.
  • the utility structure 400 e also referred to as the “bump out version” can have all of the same functionalities and features described in connection with other embodiments of a utility structure.
  • the utility structure 400 e may be configured to receive electric power from the structure 402 e, from batteries, or from a power generation source, such as, for example, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, a hydroelectric system, a motor/engine driven generator, or any other power source.
  • a power generation source such as, for example, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, a hydroelectric system, a motor/engine driven generator, or any other power source.
  • FIG. 4E depicts an embodiment in which one power source is batteries 467 e. In some embodiments, the batteries 467 e and other power sources and consuming device are connected via a sub panel 408 e.
  • the sub panel 408 e can include, for example, electrical connection, monitoring devices configured to, for example, monitor temperature, current, resistance, or any other desired attribute, safety features, such as, for example, a fuse or a circuit breaker, and any other desired feature.
  • the current of electricity provided may be different than the current of electricity required by power consuming devices.
  • electricity may be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) or from AC to DC.
  • Some embodiments of a utility structure include an inverter 410 e configured to convert electric current.
  • a utility structure can additionally include features such as a charge controller, and/or DC disconnect to assist in power management with multiple power sources and power consuming devices and can be configured to provide electric power directly to a load or circuit and/or to batteries 467 e for storage.
  • the utility structure 400 e can include a control panel 424 e. The control panel can allow control of all or some of the components and systems of the utility structure 400 e.
  • the conditions of the utility structure 400 e may be monitored remotely by wirelessly connecting to a receiver such as receiver 121 of FIG. 3 . Additionally, various components of the utility structure 400 e can be controlled remotely by sending a signal to receiver 121 .
  • the utility structure 400 e can include any number of batteries 467 e, for example, one or more.
  • utility structure 400 e may include vents 468 e to vent gasses exhausted by, for example, the battery 467 e from the interior of the utility structure 400 e.
  • Vents 468 e can include backflow preventers to prevent outside air from passing therethrough into the utility structure 400 e.
  • utility structure 400 e also can include a water storage tank 461 b fluidly coupled to a hot water tank 463 e.
  • Storage tank 461 e can be configured to direct stored water from the tank 461 e to the hot water tank.
  • Hot water tank 463 e can be heated by a solar hot water heating system that includes solar hot water panels disposed on the roof of the utility structure 400 e.
  • the sub panel 408 e may distribute electric power to a coil in the hot water tank 463 e to heat the water contained therein.
  • the hot water tank 463 e may be fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger element that is configured to receive hot water from tank 463 e as discussed in greater detail above as relating to FIG. 4B .
  • the utility structure 400 e can also optionally include a solar hot air module 443 e similar to solar hot air module 143 in FIG. 1 to transfer solar energy to air from the utility structure 400 e.
  • the heated air may then be directed through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400 e and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • Utility structure 400 e may also include a passive cooling system (not shown), for example, an evaporative or “swamp” cooling system, configured to cool air by transferring energy from hot air to water provided by the water tank 461 e.
  • the utility structure 400 e may include a diurnal swing night ventilation and cooling system as discussed above in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 4B .
  • the door 420 e can provide access to a hot water tank 461 e, which can, in some embodiments, be separated from other portions of the utility structure 400 e by, for example, a wall.
  • the door 420 e can be, for example, insulated.
  • this separation can limit heating of air surrounding the hot water tank 461 e to the area immediately surrounding the hot water tank 461 e.
  • door 420 e can be automatically opened and closed according to air temperatures measured around the hot water tank 461 e and inside the remaining portions of the utility structure 400 e. When additional heating is required in the utility structure 400 e, door 420 e can open to allow flow of warm air from the area around the water tank 420 to the other portions of the utility structure 400 e.
  • the utility structure 400 e can include an overhang 422 e. The overhang can provide full or partial shade to portions of the utility structure 400 e, including, for example, the hot air panel 443 e.
  • FIGS. 4A-4E one or more of the features listed above can specifically be excluded from some embodiments or combined together in some embodiments. Thus, any of the structures 400 - 499 can be excluded or combined in any combination.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a top view of an embodiment of a floor frame 506 for a utility structure.
  • Floor frame 506 may include bearers 511 disposed perpendicularly to joists 509 .
  • Floor frame 506 can be configured to support an overlying utility structure, for example, utility structure 100 of FIGS. 1-3 , over a variety of underlying structures.
  • frame 506 may be disposed on piers, disposed on a foundation, disposed on a chassis, and/or disposed directly on a ground surface.
  • the depicted dimensions are provided as non-limiting examples.
  • a frame 606 including bearers 611 and joists 609 can support a utility structure frame 618 over concrete piers 653 .
  • Supports 651 can be disposed between the floor frame 606 and concrete piers and the piers 653 can be set in a sand filled volume 616 overlying a ground surface 633 .
  • Piers 653 can be disposed intermittently underneath the frame 606 , for example, under corner regions of frame 606 . In some embodiments, piers 653 can be disposed under the center of frame 606 as well to provide additional support thereto.
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a solar hot water system 700 that may be incorporated in a utility structure to heat water within a tank 763 .
  • the tank 763 can have a diameter of 31 inches and a height of 37 inches.
  • System 700 can include at least one solar panel 701 configured to transfer thermal energy received from sunlight to a working fluid, for example, water, that passes therethrough, a conduit 703 configured to provide a cycle path for the working fluid from a heat exchanger 764 within tank 763 through the panel 701 , a pump 707 configured to pump the working fluid through conduit 703 , and a controller 705 configured to control the flow rate of the working fluid through system 700 .
  • Tank 763 also includes a heated water outlet 709 and a cold water intake 711 . Heated water that passes through outlet 709 may be distributed to a structure fluidly coupled to a utility structure and/or may be utilized by a thermal matrix heating element to provide hot air to the coupled structure.
  • FIG. 8 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a cold water tank 800 that includes an inlet 801 and a reservoir.
  • tank 800 can be a horizontal tank.
  • the tank 800 can be, for example, a horizontal tank enclosing a volume of 500 gallons.
  • the tank can be, for example, 79 inches long, 48 inches wide, and 43 inches tall.
  • An example of a suitable tank 800 is the “Flat Bottom Utility Tank” available from plastic-mart.com (part number “Energy525-DSP”).
  • FIG. 9 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a solar tracker assembly 909 that may be used to convert sunlight to electric power.
  • Solar tracker assembly 909 can include a plurality of solar panels 901 each configured to convert incident sunlight into electric power and transmit the electric power to a junction box 907 .
  • Junction box 907 can be configured to consolidate the production of the different solar panels and transmit the resultant electric power to a utility structure, for example, any of the utility structures disclosed herein.
  • Solar panels 901 may be supported within a canister 903 by a support structure 905 .
  • Support structure 905 can include various suitable elements including, for example, axels, rails, and/or truss tubes, configured to couple the solar panels 901 to the canister 903 .
  • Canister 903 may be elevated from the ground by a mast 909 such that shading of the canister 903 is minimized.
  • the junction box 907 may be disposed on a side of mast 909 and mast 909 may be supported in an upright position by one or more outriggers or trusses 911 .
  • Trusses 911 may be disposed on the ground surface and optionally coupled to barrels 913 .
  • Barrels 913 can be filled with sand or another material to increase the weight of the barrels 913 in order to provide stability to the trusses 911 and mast 909 . As discussed above with reference to FIG.
  • solar tracker assembly 909 may be offset from a utility structure to limit shading of the utility structure by the assembly 909 and the tracker assembly may be electrically coupled to the utility structure, for example, by an umbilical connection.
  • the depicted dimensions are provided as non-limiting examples of dimensions.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate examples of an embodiment of a solar hot air module 1041 including a solar module 1045 and a solar hot air panel 1043 .
  • Solar module 1045 can be configured to receive and absorb thermal energy from sunlight in order to transfer the thermal energy to air within the hot air panel 1043 .
  • Hot air panel 1043 can include a fan 1003 to draw air into the hot air panel and a damper or control element 1001 configured to allow hot air to exhaust from the hot air panel 1043 . In this way, air may be drawn into the hot air panel 1043 by fan 1003 , heated by solar module 1045 , and exhausted from the panel 1043 by damper 1001 .
  • the exhausted hot air may be directed through one or more ducts or conduits to distribute the hot air to a utility structure and/or to a structure fluidly coupled thereto.
  • solar hot air module 1041 can be disposed in a utility structure and configured to exhaust hot air in the winter time into a structure, for example, a house, fluidly coupled to the utility structure.
  • the operation, including the flow rate, of the hot air module 1041 can be automatically controlled by sensor elements 1005 , 1007 and/or can be manually controlled remotely by sending signals to a receiver within a utility structure (not shown).
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one non-limiting example of how electric power may be distributed through a utility structure.
  • the process of distributing electric power begins by generating electric power using at least one of a solar photovoltaic module, wind generator, hydroelectric system, and/or geothermal system as indicated by block 1101 .
  • the generated electric power is then distributed to a high voltage charge controller as indicated by block 1103 .
  • the electric power may then be transmitted to DC disconnect and over current protection elements and through an inverter as indicated by blocks 1105 and 1107 , respectively.
  • electric power may be distributed to a standby generator as indicated by block 1108 , to one or more batteries or energy storage elements as indicated by block 1109 , and/or to a power protection panel as indicated by block 1111 .
  • Electric power can be distributed from the power protection panel to a utility structure subpanel and/or to a structure that is electrically coupled to the utility structure as indicated by block 1113 .
  • the system may generate more electric power than is required by the electric loads of the utility structure and any other connected structures. In these situations, excess power may be shunted off as indicated by process line 1116 . The excess power can then be distributed to one or more auxiliary batteries as indicated by block 1117 and/or used to heat water in a water tank as indicated by block 1115 .
  • a utility structure can be located in an area that has access to an existing power grid. In this case, the system can be optionally tied to the power grid to distribute excess power thereto and/or to draw electric power from the grid when the power generated at block 1101 is insufficient.
  • a utility structure may include an electric coil within a hot water tank to heat and/or provide supplemental heating to water stored therein.
  • thermal energy from the heated water can be transferred by an element or heat exchanger to air to provide hot air to a utility structure and/or a structure fluidly coupled thereto.
  • the excess power can be stored, used to heat water, and/or used to heat water to heat air.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system 1200 for distributing water through a utility structure and/or additional structure.
  • System 1200 includes a source of water 1201 , for example, a fill truck or plumbing connection, configured to provide water to a water tank 1203 .
  • source of water 1201 may comprise a natural source of water, for example, a well, creek, river, wash, spring, etc.
  • Water may be pumped from water tank 1203 to a hot water tank 1207 and/or directly to a cold water output, for example, a sink, in a utility structure or another structure. Water pumped into hot water tank 1207 may be heated by a DC element 1211 and/or by a solar hot water heating system 1209 .
  • DC element 1211 may receive electric power from a source of renewable electric power (not shown), for example, from one of the solar tracker systems discussed herein.
  • Heated water from tank 1207 may be directed from tank 1207 for use in a utility structure and/or in a structure that is fluidly connected to the utility structure. Additionally, hot water may be bled from the hot water tank 1207 to a element 1213 configured to transfer thermal energy from the hot water to air to provide heating to a utility structure and/or to a structure that is fluidly connected to the utility structure.
  • heated air may be directed from a utility structure through a chase to a residence in order to heat the residence. In some embodiments, heated air may be directed over one or more batteries contained within a utility structure to preserve the batteries in cold conditions.
  • a structure fluidly coupled to a utility structure may have independent heating capabilities, for example, a wood burning stove, and may include a heat exchanger 1225 configured to direct heated air to the utility structure (e.g., to heat batteries housed therein).
  • a heat exchanger 1225 configured to direct heated air to the utility structure (e.g., to heat batteries housed therein).
  • the technology is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations.
  • Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
  • instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.
  • a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) may be a corporate computing network, including access to the Internet, to which computers and computing devices comprising the system are connected.
  • the LAN conforms to the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) industry standard.
  • TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  • media refers to images, sounds, video or any other multimedia type data that is entered into the system.
  • a microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Power PC® processor, or an Alpha® processor.
  • the microprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor.
  • the microprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines.
  • each of the modules comprises various sub-routines, procedures, definitional statements and macros.
  • Each of the modules are typically separately compiled and linked into a single executable program. Therefore, the description of each of the modules is used for convenience to describe the functionality of the preferred system.
  • the processes that are undergone by each of the modules may be arbitrarily redistributed to one of the other modules, combined together in a single module, or made available in, for example, a shareable dynamic link library.
  • the system may be used in connection with various operating systems such as Linux®, UNIX® or Microsoft Windows®.
  • the system may be written in any conventional programming language such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and ran under a conventional operating system.
  • C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for which many commercial compilers can be used to create executable code.
  • the system may also be written using interpreted languages such as Perl, Python or Ruby.
  • a web browser comprising a web browser user interface may be used to display information (such as textual and graphical information) to a user.
  • the web browser may comprise any type of visual display capable of displaying information received via a network. Examples of web browsers include Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, Netscape's Navigator browser, Mozilla's Firefox browser, PalmSource's Web Browser, Apple's Safari, or any other browsing or other application software capable of communicating with a network.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • a processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
  • the functions and methods described may be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
  • Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.
  • a storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer.
  • such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.
  • any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.
  • the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave
  • the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.
  • Disk and disc includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
  • Appendix A includes additional and/or supplemental disclosure relating to one non-limiting embodiment of utility structures and components thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
  • Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
US13/830,167 2010-09-14 2013-03-14 Multipurpose utility structure Abandoned US20130199516A1 (en)

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FR3038972A1 (fr) * 2015-07-15 2017-01-20 Franck Sias Capteur d'energie solaire et dispositif de chauffage a air chaud comportant un tel capteur
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US20170226722A1 (en) * 2016-02-07 2017-08-10 The Modern Group, Ltd. Portable Restroom Safety Center
US9884773B2 (en) 2014-05-29 2018-02-06 Paul O'Donnell Systems and methods of providing micro-renewable electrical energy
US10015906B1 (en) * 2016-05-10 2018-07-03 Cristofer D. Somerville Geo-thermal inverter cooling system
US20180313595A1 (en) * 2012-10-29 2018-11-01 Solercool Ltd. Cold storage arrangement and related methods
US10302320B2 (en) * 2015-10-20 2019-05-28 Reginald B. Howard Portable solar HVAC system with all-in-one appliances
US10461562B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2019-10-29 Rosemount Inc. Field device charging power regulation
CN110836426A (zh) * 2019-11-20 2020-02-25 王凯 一种太阳能供暖及制冷系统及其控制方法
US20210038458A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Standish Lee Sleep Enclosure Systems
US11623830B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-04-11 Modology Design Group Trailer with loading and unloading system
EP4333237A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-06 Koutermolen nv Module thermique et de puissance pour un bâtiment logistique
USD1046194S1 (en) * 2023-11-27 2024-10-08 Taizhou Sukk Technology Co., Ltd. Shed
US12203279B2 (en) 2022-04-27 2025-01-21 Modology Design Group Trailer with loading and unloading system
USD1065587S1 (en) * 2023-06-07 2025-03-04 Suncast Technologies, Llc Sliding door shed
US12320553B1 (en) 2022-07-19 2025-06-03 Kevin Huguenard Storage shed with integrated solar roof
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US20180313595A1 (en) * 2012-10-29 2018-11-01 Solercool Ltd. Cold storage arrangement and related methods
US9303448B2 (en) * 2013-10-23 2016-04-05 Zachary Dax Olkin Flood shield systems and methods
US20150107170A1 (en) * 2013-10-23 2015-04-23 Zachary Dax Olkin Flood shield systems and methods
US20170025988A1 (en) * 2014-04-01 2017-01-26 Noah House Kft. Mobile house utilising renewable energy
US10745293B2 (en) 2014-05-29 2020-08-18 Paul O'Donnell Systems and methods of providing micro-renewable electrical energy
US9884773B2 (en) 2014-05-29 2018-02-06 Paul O'Donnell Systems and methods of providing micro-renewable electrical energy
FR3038972A1 (fr) * 2015-07-15 2017-01-20 Franck Sias Capteur d'energie solaire et dispositif de chauffage a air chaud comportant un tel capteur
US10302320B2 (en) * 2015-10-20 2019-05-28 Reginald B. Howard Portable solar HVAC system with all-in-one appliances
US20170226722A1 (en) * 2016-02-07 2017-08-10 The Modern Group, Ltd. Portable Restroom Safety Center
US10015906B1 (en) * 2016-05-10 2018-07-03 Cristofer D. Somerville Geo-thermal inverter cooling system
US10461562B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2019-10-29 Rosemount Inc. Field device charging power regulation
US20210038458A1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Standish Lee Sleep Enclosure Systems
CN110836426A (zh) * 2019-11-20 2020-02-25 王凯 一种太阳能供暖及制冷系统及其控制方法
US11731551B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-08-22 Modology Design Group Systems and methods for an automatic modular housing delivery system
US12270213B2 (en) 2022-04-27 2025-04-08 Modology Design Group Systems and methods for unloading a structure
US11732463B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-08-22 Modology Design Group Systems and methods for rotating modular housing modules on a trailer bed
US11739508B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-08-29 Modology Design Group Mobile modular home with a bladder tank support assembly
US11781312B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-10-10 Modology Design Group Systems and methods for rotating a modular home on a trailer
US11781310B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-10-10 Modology Design Group Modular home delivery system
US11787650B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-10-17 Modology Design Group Trailer with loading and unloading system
US11828058B2 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-11-28 Modology Design Group Trailer for modular home delivery and assembly
US12352035B2 (en) 2022-04-27 2025-07-08 Modology Design Group Systems and methods for rotating a modular home on a trailer
US11623830B1 (en) 2022-04-27 2023-04-11 Modology Design Group Trailer with loading and unloading system
US12203279B2 (en) 2022-04-27 2025-01-21 Modology Design Group Trailer with loading and unloading system
US12320553B1 (en) 2022-07-19 2025-06-03 Kevin Huguenard Storage shed with integrated solar roof
BE1030824B1 (nl) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-26 Koutermolen nv Thermische en vermogensmodule voor een logistiek gebouw
EP4333237A1 (fr) * 2022-08-30 2024-03-06 Koutermolen nv Module thermique et de puissance pour un bâtiment logistique
USD1065587S1 (en) * 2023-06-07 2025-03-04 Suncast Technologies, Llc Sliding door shed
USD1083145S1 (en) * 2023-07-31 2025-07-08 Three Stone, Llc Storage shed structure
USD1046194S1 (en) * 2023-11-27 2024-10-08 Taizhou Sukk Technology Co., Ltd. Shed

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