BUILDING SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING INTEGRATED INSULATION, COMBINATION
20210102378 · 2021-04-08
Inventors
Cpc classification
E04B7/22
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04B5/10
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04C2003/0434
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04D3/354
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04C3/09
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04B5/02
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04C2/38
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04B7/24
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04B1/14
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04D3/352
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E04C2/38
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E04B1/14
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
A panelized building system and method of construction utilizing a rigid framing combined with foam insulation is disclosed. The system may include a metal roof panel, at least one metal wall panel, a floor panel, at least one metal corner post and at least one foundational component. A single layer of foam insulation encapsulates partially fills a rigid framing and may be molded against a non-stick surface or bonded to an exterior building material. In either case, a single monolithic piece is formed. A utility cavity may be formed interior to the single layer of foam insulation. The exterior face may be textured, undulated, radiused, or shaped in myriad ways.
Claims
1. A panelized building system comprising: a. roof system adapted for use in a panelized building system, the roof system comprising: i. a first roof panel, the first rafter panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, an interior side and an exterior side; ii. a second roof panel, the second rafter panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, an interior side and an exterior side; iii. a hinge plate connected to the top edge of the first roof panel and the top edge of the second rafter panel thereby establishing a roof apex; iv. a first roof support post connected to the interior side of the first rafter panel; v. a second roof support post connected to the interior side of the second rafter panel; a. at least one wall panel, wherein the wall panel includes a structural framing and the structural framing is encapsulated with foam insulation forming a composite solid piece; b. at least one floor panel, the floor panel including i. a decking; ii. a plurality of structural elements, a top side of each structural element being attached to a bottom side of the decking; iii. wherein the decking and a portion of the channels are encapsulated by composite foam insulation. i. an integrated spandrel attached to the floor panel c. at least one corner post, the corner post including: i. a structural vertical corner post element, the vertical corner having a hollow interior, the hollow interior being filled with foam insulation; ii. the vertical corner post element having a first interior side, the first interior side includes a mechanical attachment element, the mechanical attachment element being selected from the group consisting of a tongue and a groove; iii. the vertical corner post element having a second interior side, the second side includes a mechanical attachment element, the mechanical attachment element being selected from the group consisting of a tongue and a groove; iv. a first horizontal supporting member perpendicularly connected to the first side, the horizontal supporting member includes a mechanical attachment element, the mechanical attachment element being selected from the group consisting of a tongue and a groove; v. a second horizontal supporting member perpendicularly connected to the second side, the second horizontal supporting member includes a mechanical attachment element, the mechanical attachment element being selected from the group consisting of a tongue and a groove; ii. the vertical corner post element having a first and a second exterior side; the first and second exterior sides being covered with spray-on composite foam insulation b. at least one foundational alignment component, the foundational alignment component including: i. a foundation track having a top side and a bottom side; ii. the bottom side of the foundation track having a plurality of bolt holes thereby allowing the foundation track to be bolted to a foundation; c. wherein the roof panel, the wall panel, the floor panel, the corner post, and the foundational component are configured to mechanically lock to each other forming a panelized structure with integrated composite insulation.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been shown to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the figures are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0028] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the figures, and wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0051] In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0052] Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
[0053] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. “And” as used herein is interchangeably used with “or” unless expressly stated otherwise. As used herein, the term ‘about” means+/−5% of the recited parameter. All embodiments of any aspect of the invention can be used in combination, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0054] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural and singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “wherein”, “whereas”, “above,” and “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of the application.
[0055] The description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. While the specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
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[0057] Once the wall panel 100 is constructed, the next process is the application of the foam insulation. The wall panel 100 is elevated off a surface. The surface can be flat or radiused to match a particular contour required based on specifications. For example, a 20-foot radius can be implemented to add architectural value. An exterior (outermost layer) of the wall panel 100 is set at a distance away from the interior to enable the formation of continuous insulation, as required by government code. Continuous insulation is defined in the relevant art as insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. The term “continuous insulation” is used interchangeably herein with the term “single layer of foam insulation.” Another term to describe the outermost layer of the wall panel 100 is a wall exterior layer 102. The urethane foam insulation can adhere to the surface of any wall exterior layer product that may be implemented, without the use of mechanical fasteners. The side of the wall panel 100 is closed in with a non-stick surface allowing for foam varying in thickness as required by specifications. The invention is a significant improvement in the field because it does not require pre-formed insulation that must be cut to fit into a panel shape. Further, for a design with a radiused or specific shape, flexible continuous insulation is an improvement over rigid foam material that will not bend. The urethane foam of the present invention is liquid and forms completely to any shape required. The foam expands through the wall panel 100 and encapsulates wire mesh or expanded metal. Further, the foam expands into the panel frame to the insulation thickness required, forming a steel and urethane composite.
[0058] Referring to
[0059] The method described in this paragraph and the aforementioned paragraphs is used for constructing a wall panel 100. The method and system can also be implemented in other panels, such as a roof panel 120 or floor panel 138. The foam insulation is implemented in a single application to form a single monolithic layer (“single layer”). Referring to
[0060] Referring to
[0061] Under the present invention, no outer layer of building material is necessary for any of the panel embodiments disclosed. Rather, the panels of the present invention may be assembled by positioning a metal frame (or other rigid framing element) as disclosed herein over a non-stick surface, such as polypropylene. The rigid framing of the panel is elevated from the non-stick surface and may be secured with a jig, leaving a required space between the outer face of the metal or rigid framing and the non-stick surface. The required spaced may be modified to achieve a desired insulation value (R-Value). Then, the single application of liquid foam insulation may be applied to fill the interior spaces of the rigid structural components and the space in between the rigid structural components and the non-stick surface. Then the panel formed by the rigid framing integrated with the single application of liquid foam insulation (after the liquid foam solidifies) is removed from the non-stick surface. This leaves a solid monolithic piece formed by the single application of liquid foam insulation fused to the other structural components of the panel. Other systems in in the field require an outer layer of building material or rigid foam insulation to create a surface to add additional insulation thereon. Also, utilizing the present invention, the outer surface of the panel may be of any shape because the shape of the single application of liquid foam insulation would conform to any shape that it is molded against. For instance, the panel may be radiused as shown in
[0062] Referring to
[0063] As shown, the foam insulation 206 extends beyond an exterior surface of the rigid framing 202. The single layer of foam insulation 206 partially fills the rigid framing 202 and encapsulates an exterior flange 208 of the rigid framing 202. A utility cavity 211 is formed between an interior face 209 of the single layer of foam insulation and an interior surface 212 of the rigid framing 202. The utility cavities 211 can be used for installing utility lines, as is well known in the field. Optionally, the non-stick surface may be replaced by a building product, said building product may comprise plywood, glass, vinyl, sheet metal, stone, felt paper, and/or similar materials.
[0064] The rigid framing 202 can optionally be attached to a layer of reinforcing element 205, also referred to as an “insulation reinforcement mesh.” The layer of reinforcing element 205 can be selected from a group consisting of, but not limited to: expanded metal, perforated metal, welded wire mesh, woven wire mesh, carbon fiber, glass fiber and other suitable material, or any combination thereof. The insulation reinforcement mesh 205 can be adhered to the rigid framing 202 using mechanical attachment or other suitable means. The term “mechanically attached” is well known in the field as a physical method of combining multiple components. Welding, machine fastening, and weaving wire mesh are considered some examples of mechanical attachment. Further, the single layer of foam insulation 206 can encapsulate the insulation reinforcement mesh 205. Once the insulation reinforcement mesh 205 is encapsulated, it becomes an integral part of the continuous portion of the single layer of foam insulation 206 exterior to the rigid framing 202.
[0065] The single application layer of foam insulation 206 may be applied to fill the interior spaces of the rigid structural components and the space in between the rigid structural components and the non-stick surface 203. The single layer of foam insulation 206 partially fills the rigid framing 202 and encapsulates an exterior flange 208 of the rigid framing 202. A utility cavity 211 is formed between an interior face 209 of the single layer of foam insulation and an interior surface 212 of the rigid framing 202. Next, the single layer of foam insulation 206 is allowed to dry so that a solid monolithic piece is formed. The solid monolithic piece formed is comprised of the single application layer of foam insulation 206 fused to the rigid framing 202. Then, the panel formed by the rigid framing 202 integrated with the single application of liquid foam 206 insulation (after the liquid foam solidifies) is removed from the non-stick surface 203. Alternatively, a building product as described earlier may replace the non-stick surface 203. If a building product is used, the building product would not be removed from the other components. Rather, it would adhere and become part of the panel. Further, an insulation reinforcement mesh may be adhered to the rigid framing using mechanical attachment or other means. The insulation reinforcement mesh can be encapsulated with the single layer of foam insulation so that the solid monolithic piece includes the insulation reinforcement mesh and the building product if a building product is substituted for a non-stick surface.
[0066] Referring to
[0067] The single application layer of foam insulation 306 may be applied to fill the interior spaces of the rigid structural components and the space in between the rigid structural components and the non-stick surface 303. The single layer of foam insulation 306 partially fills the rigid framing 302 and encapsulates an exterior flange 308 of the rigid framing 302. A utility cavity 311 is formed between an interior face 309 of the single layer of foam insulation and an interior surface 312 of the rigid framing 302. Next, the single layer of foam insulation 306 is allowed to dry so that a solid monolithic piece is formed. The solid monolithic piece formed is comprised of the single application layer of foam insulation 306 fused to the rigid framing 302. Then, the panel formed by the rigid framing 302 integrated with the single application of liquid foam 306 insulation (after the liquid foam solidifies) is removed from the non-stick surface 303. Further, an insulation reinforcement mesh may be adhered to the rigid framing using mechanical attachment or other means. The insulation reinforcement mesh can be encapsulated with the single layer of foam insulation so that the solid monolithic piece includes the insulation reinforcement mesh.
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[0074] Another benefit of the present invention is that all the panels in the structure can be constructed of a single metal, such as steel. This is a significant improvement over hybrid building systems that integrate other construction methods such as floor systems, wood trusses, or roof trusses. Having a steel building structure can provide a shield to filter out various radio frequencies. For example, the steel structure can block out radio frequencies used by cell phones. A steel structure can be used as Faraday cage to eliminate or reduce radio frequencies and electromagnetic radiation. Required frequencies can be filtered into the steel structure through shielded cable while unwanted frequencies can be filtered out. Further, using an appropriate thickness for steel and wire mesh enables the structure to pass a missile test to withstand hurricanes and tornadoes. Having a metal structure without wood protects against insect damage and mold.
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[0080] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.