An integrated ceiling and light system that incorporates a light module into a ceiling tile. The system may include a grid support system suspended from an overhead support structure that includes at least one grid support element and first and second ceiling tiles supported by the grid support element in an adjacent manner. A nesting cavity may be formed into the first and second ceiling tiles such that a light module may be disposed within the nesting cavity and coupled to the first and second ceiling tiles. The ceiling tiles may be of the type that conceals the grid support element on which it is supported. In one alternative embodiment, the light module and a nesting region of the ceiling tile may include corresponding edge profiles to facilitate mating therebetween to enable coupling of the light source to the ceiling tile.

The thermally activated building panel (1) includes a metal plate (2) having a room-facing surface (3) and a building-facing surface (4). A heat-exchanger tube (5) for conveying a cooling or heating medium is in conductive thermal contact with the building-facing surface (4) of the metal plate (2). A textile (9) is arranged on the room-facing surface (3) of the metal plate (2) and has a first surface (10) generally contacting the metal plate (2) and a second surface (11) generally visible from said room. The textile (9) is tensioned between opposed edges (12) of the metal plate (2). The first surface (10) of the textile (9) is metallized by deposition of metal particles on the textile (9).

A multifunctional ceiling structure, in particular for living spaces and workspaces, and includes multiple heat-conducting profiles that are directly or indirectly fastened to a building ceiling, and a downwardly directed mounting surface, with a line receiving region formed in the mounting surface. Furthermore, a heating medium line is provided that runs in the line receiving region of the heat-conducting profiles and conducts a heat-transporting medium. A ceiling panel is fastened to the mounting surface of the heat-conducting profiles and is in heat-conducting contact with the heating medium line. An absorber strip made up of sound absorber elements extends along an upper abutting edge that runs between a building wall and the plane of the ceiling panel. The sound absorber elements have a width of 200-400 mm, a thickness of 25-65 mm, and a length-specific flow resistance in the range of 8-10 kPa*s/m.sup.4.

A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to lockingly engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.

Disclosed is a light guide mat (1) for the production of a block- or cuboid-shaped light guide body (21), which mat is arranged in a casting mold and can be sealed in a pourable, curable casting compound (24), wherein the light guide mat (1) consists of longitudinal and transverse struts (2, 3) connected to one another in the form of a grid, which struts consist at least partially of a light-conducting plastic, wherein profiled light guide elements (4) consisting of an at least partially light-conducting plastic are integrally formed at the point of intersection of the longitudinal and transverse struts (2, 3), an end face (6) of which elements being formed as light-emitting surfaces on the upper face (22) of the light guide body (21), wherein at least the longitudinal struts (2) of the light guide mat (1) are formed as light channels (5) for receiving point-like, light-generating elements, and the light channels (5) are integrally formed on the face of the light guide elements (4) near to the bottom.

A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to lockingly engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.

A building panel system is provided. The building panel system include a panel structure having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a mounting system attached to the panel structure; at least one container detachably coupled to the mounting system at one of a plurality of selectable coupling positions so as to be in conductive thermal cooperation with the first surface of the panel structure; and a phase change material contained within the at least one container.

A modular thermal transfer emitter configured to be compatible with installation for indoor radiative heating and cooling. For example, modular emitters radiatively and conductively heat and/or cool an interior space in a building using a heat exchanger and tubing through which thermal fluid flows. These modular emitters can be arranged within a suspended ceiling, walls, flooring of a residential and commercial building. A system for exchanging heat from components can include multiple heat exchangers adjacent to the components and one or more pumps connected to the heat exchangers. The pumps can generate water flow that brings the heat to a secondary heat exchanger. Because the modular emitters can have a large area (e.g., spanning a significant percentage of the ceiling or wall) a desired amount of heat transfer can be achieved without requiring a large temperature difference between the thermal fluid and the ambient surroundings.

In one embodiment, a ceiling tile, configured to be positioned above a given area, comprises a plurality of sensors and a plurality actuators embedded within the ceiling tile, each sensor configured to sense a corresponding feature of the area, and each actuator configured to modify a corresponding feature of the area. The plurality of sensors and plurality of actuators are configured to interact with a controlling device that controls a plurality of ceiling tiles for the area. In another embodiment, one or more floor tiles with one or more sensors (e.g., and actuators) may also be located within the area, and the controlling device further controls the floor tiles, accordingly.

An integrated ceiling and light system that incorporates a light module into a ceiling tile. The system may include a grid support system suspended from an overhead support structure that includes at least one grid support element and first and second ceiling tiles supported by the grid support element in an adjacent manner. A nesting cavity may be formed into the first and second ceiling tiles such that a light module may be disposed within the nesting cavity and coupled to the first and second ceiling tiles. The ceiling tiles may be of the type that conceals the grid support element on which it is supported. In one alternative embodiment, the light module and a nesting region of the ceiling tile may include corresponding edge profiles to facilitate mating therebetween to enable coupling of the light source to the ceiling tile.