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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. It is dedicated to the absorption of solar radiation for the purpose of heating 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-
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 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 carries a liquid material which 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-
When the trough is used with an 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 can be 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 FOR ELECTRICAL APPLICATIONS
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)
UDC is also researching an 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 that is easy to manufacture, has a resistance to heat gain and open flame up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, can be installed on exterior of building over existing surface without removal, is constructed of natural sustainable materials and will target buildings located in fire prone locations or areas of extreme heat.
INCS ATTIC CONDITIONING WITH GROUND SOURCE HEAT EXCHANGER
This is 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. When 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-
This is an engine designed to use compressed air for use in propelling a small 2
passenger, minimum weight vehicle. The propulsion system uses a combination of compressed
air and an electro-
The first attempt to mount a CAP configured engine prototype into a existing vehicle revealed that the vehicle was able to drive about 300 miles without any battery charging 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, future development may include aquatic and aerial applications.
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, increase 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.
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 which might be able to be used to produce enough hydrogen for the hydrogen generator every day using renewable energy sources.
Note
Not all research and case studies contained or referenced on this page are 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 scientists 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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