Patent Application - Insulated metal panel with integrated collector and method for its manufacture > Summary

Patent Application No. US 20120151855

Published on Jun 21, 2012

Application No. 12/928831

Filed on Dec 20, 2010

Priority Date -

Malpas, William - Berkeley, CA US (2)

An insulated metal building panel (100) with integrated un-glazed solar thermal collectors includes an outer metal skin (102) which provides the finished exterior surface, an insulating core (108) which provides the building insulation, an inner metal skin (104) which provides an interior finished surface, and a plurality of fluid conduits (110) and manifolds (112) between the interior and exterior skins, embedded in the core. The conduits circulate a fluid capable of heat transfer. The panels can also include photovoltaic cells (120) mounted to the outer skin. The panels can yield heat as well as gain heat, and can therefore be used as integral parts of hydronic heating and cooling systems. In different embodiments, the panels are suitable for use as floors, walls, and roofs of buildings. The panels minimize the number of components which must be field-assembled, and can provide a rapidly erected, weather-resistant, building envelope.