CLAIMS
1) A thermoregulating module (10) characterized in that it comprises a backing structure (12) to which a fabric (14) comprising metal threads (16) is applied.
2) The thermoregulating module (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the backing structure (12) is made from PVC.
3) The thermoregulating module (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the backing structure (12) is made from heat-insulating and flexible material.
4) The thermoregulating module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric (14) is fire-proof.
5) The thermoregulating module (10) according to claim 4, wherein the metal threads (16) are electrolytically processed by applying an electric voltage ranging between 250000 and 350000 Volts.
6) The thermoregulating module (10) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the metal threads (16) are coated with protective material.
7) The thermoregulating module (10) according to claim 6, wherein the metal threads (16) are coated with an epoxy resin.
8) The thermoregulating module (10) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the fabric (14) comprises yarn (18) made from natural and/or artificial material.
9) The thermoregulating module (10) according to claim 8, wherein the fabric (14) comprises cotton yarn (18).
10) The thermoregulating module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal threads (16) are made from copper.
11) A method for providing a thermoregulating module (10) characterized in that it comprises the following steps of: 12) weaving natural and/or artificial yarn (18) with metal threads (16), thereby obtaining a fabric (14);
13) applying the fabric (14) obtained to a backing (12).
14) The method according to claim 11 , wherein the fabric (14) is bathed and stretched before it is applied to the backing (12).
15) The method according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the fabric (14) is dyed.
16) The method according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the natural yarn (18) is woven together with the metal threads (16) such that the latter are not completely extended.
17) The method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the metal threads (16) are electrolytically processed.
18) The method according to claim 15, wherein the metal threads (16) are subjected to a power voltage ranging between 250000 and 350000 Volts.
19) The method according to one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the metal threads (16) are made from copper. |
THERMOREGULATING MODULE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAID MODULE
DESCRIPTION
The object of the present invention is a thermoregulating module for use in the field of building industry and suitable to be applied to walls, floors, or other surfaces facing rooms that should be preferably kept at a constant temperature.
According to prior art, insulating materials applied to walls, ceilings and floors have been used to assist indoor heating systems and increase the heating performance of the latter, in order to minimize heat loss.
For example, the heat insulation of walls can be increased by applying prefabricated panels thereto, which comprise insulating material such as glass wool, polystyrene, or the like. Similarly, floors can be insulated using insulating materials forming one or more layers that are arranged below the surface.
It should be understood that these heat insulation systems are preferably carried out when a building is under construction, particularly as relates to floors. They may nevertheless be applied to finished buildings but obviously with higher costs and greater practical problems.
The object and aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of prior art and provide a thermoregulating module which is easy to be applied both to buildings under construction and already occupied rooms.
This object and others are achieved by a thermoregulating module characterized in that it comprises a backing structure to which a woven fabric comprising metal threads is applied.
Advantageously, the thermoregulating module can be directly applied to the surfaces of a building's room, such as the walls, ceiling and/or floor thereof. When
the room has been heated, the woven fabric of the insulating module, and particularly the metal thread, causes the process of heat energy accumulation and distribution to be accelerated.
The woven fabric backing structure may be made from a rigid material, e.g. PVC, such as to also act as a sound insulating material.
Alternatively, the backing structure may be made from a flexible material such that the whole insulating module can be wound and/or folded to facilitate the handling and application of the same. Thereby, when the thermoregulating module is applied to walls, it is comparable with wallpaper.
In addition to the threads of metallic material, the woven fabric comprises a yam of artificial and/or natural material, such as cotton, and may have fire-proof characteristics.
The metal thread forming the woven fabric may be made from copper, due to the optimum electrical conductivity characteristics thereof. The metal thread can be electrolytically processed by being subjected to high power voltage (250000 to 350000 Volts), such as to accelerate power transmission, and then coated with a protective material such as epoxy resins.
The objects of the invention are also achieved by means of a method for providing a thermoregulating module, this method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of weaving a yarn of natural and/or artificial material together with metal threads and then fixing this woven fabric to a backing structure.
The resulting woven fabric can be washed before being applied to the backing, such as to obtain a more fixed weft. Then, it can be stretched such as to be homogeneous and more easily applied to the backing structure. The woven fabric can be also subjected to dye processing.
In order to facilitate the stretching steps, the metal thread can be woven together with the yarn, being thereby not completely stretched, such as having a zigzag pattern.
When a natural yarn is used, e.g. cotton, the module can be used in the field of green building, as it comprises only natural materials, such as cotton and metal.
Further characteristics and details of the invention will be better understood from the description below, which is given as a non-limiting illustration, with reference to the annexed drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional schematic view of the insulating module according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a front schematic view of the woven fabric used to carry out the module in Fig. 1.
With reference to the annexed figures, an insulating module comprising a backing structure 12 and a woven fabric 14 is referenced with numeral 10. The insulating module can be applied to a surface 11 , such as a wall or floor of a building's interior room by means of sizing agents or other fixing means.
The woven fabric 14 consists of two different types of yarn. A first yarn 18 is of a conventional type and can be either of natural origin, such as cotton, or artificial. The second type of yarn consists of metal threads 16, e.g. copper, as described above.
The method for carrying out the insulating module is described below.
The copper thread 16 is first subjected to an electrolitic process, by being subjected to a voltage ranging between 250000 and 350000 Volts, preferably 300000 Volts.
The copper thread is then coated with protective resins, preferably epoxy, or with other plastic materials, such as to prevent the oxidation of the metal due to contact with the air.
The thus-obtained metal threads 16 are woven together with the conventional yarn 18 such that the metal threads 16 are not completely stretched, such as having a zigzag pattern as shown in Fig. 2. Due to this configuration the metal threads 16 are laced to each other to prevent the latter from becoming unthreaded from the woven fabric.
The woven fabric 14 thus obtained can be wetted to shrink and provide a more fixed weft. The woven fabric is then stretched to be more homogeneous and easily joinable to the backing structure 12. As the metal threads 16 are not elastic, they extend when the woven fabric is stretched.
The woven fabric 14 can be further dyed according to the aesthetic effect required.
The woven fabric 14 comprises a cotton yarn ratio ranging between 58% and 66%, preferably 62%, whereas the copper yarn is provided in a ratio ranging between 34% and 42%, preferably 38%. The copper thread further has a diameter ranging between 40 and 60 microns, preferably 50 microns.
The woven fabric 14 has further fire-proof characteristics, as it is treated with particular additives which make the latter non-inflammable.
Those skilled in the art will be capable of providing several modifications or variations which are all to be understood as being included within the scope of protection of the invention. For example, in other variant embodiments of the invention, the woven fabric can be of a different composition: the yarn ratios and the size of the metal thread can be changed according to the particular
characteristics required. In addition, the insulating module provided herein can be either applied to or be melted within carpets, wood floorings, or tiles, of course by changing the type of backing structure, or it can be fixed above or below marble, stone and granite slabs of any thickness, or sandwiched between two or more of the latter.