A building system comprising of a plurality of panels wherein the building system is configured to be either superposed an existing structure or a ground surface. The plurality of panels of the building system are shaped so as to be mateable when place adjacent to each other. The panels include a bottom and walls that form an interior volume. The bottom and walls of the panels are manufactured from a thermally conductive material such as but not limited to metal. The interior volume of the panels are filled with a lightweight structural material such as but not limited to polyurethane foam or autoclaved concrete. A first temperature source is disposed within the panels and is configured to have a fluid pass therethrough. A second temperature source is present and is a heating element. The panels are operable to utilize either temperature sources.

A bridge heating system includes mounting boxes, each of the mounting boxes having one or more access doors; and one or more mounting points to provide a point to attach the mounting boxes to an underneath side of a bridge; the one or more access doors are to provide access to an interior of the mounting box; heating devices secured inside each of the mounting boxes; a control system, having a thermostat; a heat generator; and a power source; the heat generator is to heat the devices; the control system is to activate heating devices based upon a predetermined temperature recorded by the thermostat.

A bridge heating system includes mounting boxes, each of the mounting boxes having one or more access doors; and one or more mounting points to provide a point to attach the mounting boxes to an underneath side of a bridge; the one or more access doors are to provide access to an interior of the mounting box; heating devices secured inside each of the mounting boxes; a control system, having a thermostat; a heat generator; and a power source; the heat generator is to heat the devices; the control system is to activate heating devices based upon a predetermined temperature recorded by the thermostat.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.

The present invention provides a flexible mat with fluid conduit, methods of manufacture thereof and apparatus for the manufacture thereof. In an embodiment, the mat comprises a base layer, one or more fluid conduits and a thermoplastic bonding tape that attaches the fluid conduits to the base layer. The base layer can be a textile fabric, mesh or netting, or a flat flexible sheet. The base layer is preferably also formed of a thermoplastic layer. The fluid conduits can carry heated or cooled fluid, such as water, that can be used for heating or cooling an environment in which the device is deployed. For example, the device can be used for heating or cooling in a greenhouse environment. The fluid conduits can additionally or alternatively carry irrigation fluids, such as water or treated water, for irrigating plants and crops. The fluid conduits can additionally or alternatively carry gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) or carbon dioxide mixed with other gasses, for treating plants and crops.

An electrical resistance heating element includes a non-rigid open mesh forming a grid. The mesh has opposed peripheral edges, each having an electrical conductor extending along a portion of the length thereof. One of the electrical conductors is configured to receive a positive electrical charge, and the other one of the electrical conductors is configured to receive a negative electrical charge. The mesh and the electrical conductors are coated with a conductive material, and the conductive material electrically connects the electrical conductors with one another. Further, the conductive material is electrically insulated with a dielectric material.

A wheelchair ramp system includes a ramp constructed from at least one structural insulated panel (SIP) having a foam core sandwiched between two structural facing panels such as oriented strand board (OSB). An outdoor exterior coating such as polyaspartic coating covers the SIP panel for allowing the SIP panel to be resistant to outdoor elements. At least one guardrail or handrail is secured to the side of the SIP for providing a safety barrier to persons using the ramp system.

A compact heat recovery unit which includes separate and distinct thermal cores housed in their own channels. Each thermal core and its respective channel is moved at intervals. When a thermal core and its channel is inserted into a high temperature fluid flow, the thermal core absorbs the heat. When this heated thermal core and its channel is then later inserted into a low temperature fluid flow, the low temperature fluid is preheated by the heated thermal core. This operation is repeated with at least two independent thermal cores and their respective channels to maintain substantially continual pre-heating of received low temperature fluid. Similarly, the compact heat recovery unit can be used in a cooling application where pre-cooling of received higher temperature fluid is executed.