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PROJECTS CURRENTLY BEING STUDIES AND/OR DEVELOPED
TUBULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM
LIGHTING
Research has indicated that as much as 10 to 15% of electrical energy consumption can be used by building lighting systems. The tubular lighting system is a solar light collection system that 1) collects solar light, 2) filters solar light by removing UV radiation, and 3)magnifies and directs light to interior chambers within a building. The light is of higher quality and has little to no heat energy being delivered into the occupied space. Therefore reducing both electrical consumption, internal heat gain and UV damage to upholstery. The system has a single high wattage lamp for low light and night operations that is initiated via light sensor.
INCS THERMAL COLLECTION CHAMBER
INCS GROUND HEAT EXCHANGER
The thermal collection chamber is an area of the convection system mounted on, inside or above roof finish, dedicated to the absorption of solar radiation for the purpose of heating, to high temperatures, internal exhausted air from the house to encourage and increase air flow velocity. Therefore allowing for a higher air exchange rate within the insulation envelope and promoting natural convection.
This is the heat exchange portion of the convection system and is used for cooling the interior space within the insulation envelope of the building. It is a calculated assembly of buried tubes for the purpose of facilitating heat exchange from outside air prior to introduction into the interior space of the building. Research has indicated that in Texas 60 to 65% of electrical consumption is used by standard HVAC systems. By cooling the incoming air to an acceptable temperature, mechanical HVAC systems are no longer required for cooling.
INTEGRATED NATURAL CONVECTION SYSTEM (INCS) (INCS)
AIR VENTILATION/ AIR CONDITIONING
VOICE ACTIVATED RESPONSE
INTEGRATED MEDIA DATABASE
Voice activated response is a voice recognized interactive computer interface that will allow the occupants to control interior environmental systems, lighting, window shades as well as enable the occupants to access systems monitoring software via voice command from any room within the building. The system is intended to integrate all of the building systems together from environmental, lighting security, communications and multi media.
A central database would contain multi media files such as music and video that can be accessed from any view screen from any room by voice command and displayed accordingly. Later versions of the system may include educational software upgrades that could enable the user to access specific data via voice prompt. Small children could access specific books in subjects such history, math, English, literature and art to aid in their intellectual development.
COMPUTER AUTOMATION
In order to take full advantage of the convection system and working in conjunction
with the both the natural convection principles and manipulated acceleration elements
(thermal collection chamber) the in-
A parabolic trough is a “half pipe” lined with a reflective material that focus solar
radiation onto a specific point within the trough. It is there that a ½” diameter
tube caring a liquid material that is heated by this focused energy. If the material
is water, the water is heated and returned to a holding tank (typical hot water tank)
and is used for domestic hot water usage within the building. Research has indicated
that hot water production in a standard configuration consist of about 20 to 25%
of the monthly electrical consumption. Research is still on-
A parabolic trough is a “half pipe” lined with a reflective material that focus solar
radiation onto a specific point within the trough. It is there that a ½” diameter
tube caring a liquid material that is heated by this focused energy. When used with
a oil temperatures increase dramatically. The oil is circulated through the trough
collection array and into a water tank where the heated oil is used to heat the water.
This water is used for two purposes; 1)domestic hot water use and 2)to produce steam.
The steam generated from the heated water travels through a standard steam turbine
which is connected to a DC generator. The generator produces electrical energy that
is used to charge a battery system (off grid) or is inverted and pushed back into
the grid (grid tie) configuration. The steam then travels into a ground heat exchanger
were it condenses back into water and is returned to the holding tank. Research is
still on-
PARABOLIC TROUGH-
RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM
PARABOLIC TROUGH
PARABOLIC TROUGH FOR HOT WATER PRODUCTION
RETRO-
INSULATION
Development into a insulation package that can be used in both residential and commercial
applications that is: 1) Easy to manufacture, 2) Has a resistance to heat gain up
to a R-
HIGH TEMPERATURE SURFACE INSULATION (HTSI)
Development into a insulation package that can be used in both residential and commercial
applications that is resistant to extremely high temperatures in excess of 1,000
degrees Fahrenheit for fireproofing. 1) Easy to manufacture, 2) Has a resistance
to heat gain and open flame up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, 3) Can be installed on
exterior of building over existing surface without removal, 4) Is constructed of
natural sustainable materials. Target applications-
INCS ATTIC CONDITIONING WITH GROUND SOURCE HEAT EXCHANGER
Used for buildings still utilizing a standard HVAC configuration. This system is
composed of a ground source heat exchanger of calculated size to exchange heat created
naturally through thermal absorption in the attic space. Used in conjunction with
a insulation barrier attached to the underside of the roof surface, the system can
increase the building insulation envelope, therefore reducing and/ or regulating
HVAC usage and reducing the electrical consumption overall. Research is still on-
COMPRESSED AIR PROPULSION (CAP)-
HYBRID CAP-
A engine designed to use compressed air for use in propelling a small 2 passenger
minimum weight vehicle. Propulsion system uses a combination of compressed air and
electro-
First attempt to mount a CAP configured engine prototype into a existing vehicle.
Vehicle has been able to drive for short distances (300 Miles) without any battery
charging required at a constant speed and getting 350 MPG. The goal is to produce
a low cost engine that can be retrofitted into any four passenger vehicle regardless
of age, type or manufacturer that will allow the operator to enjoy at least 300 MPG
and a range up to 7,500 miles before requiring additional fuel. If atmospheric pressure
can be mitigated with more success-
TRANSPORTATION
HEATED FUEL INJECTION
Attempt to develop a fuel heating unit that can be installed between the fuel cell and fuel injectors/ carburetor to heat fuel to within flash point prior to introduction into the combustion chamber. Device must be able to be easily retrofitted onto the existing fuel line without a high degree of difficulty, reduce the vehicles total MPG and be able to be effective for at least 3,000 miles of vehicle operation.
ELECTRICAL GENERATION USING HYDROGEN
UDC is currently researching and developing a hydrogen generator configuration to be adopted for both existing and new building applications. Preliminary results have yielded interesting possibilities for the system. System development is in the early stages but scientific results should be obtainable after the construction of the first prototype scheduled for early 2010.
ON SITE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Using hydrogen to produce electricity is nothing new. However adopting it to be used to power a building is. It comes with many challenges. Recently UDC has had a great deal of success using specifically designed parabolic configuration that might be able to be used to produce hydrogen for the hydrogen generator per day using renewable energy sources. Preliminary research and computer modeling has been completed and field testing has been scheduled.
Note
Not all research and case studies contained or referenced on this page is the property
of UDC. Contributing researchers retain intellectual property for their individual
work and their contributions, observation and conclusions. Posts are meant to inform
and guide architects, engineers, building scientist and builders on the path of sustainability
and shall only be used for that purpose. Financed research & development conducted;
completed or on-
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