The University of Texas System

Icon Technology, Inc.

Charles R Upshaw

Michael Webber

Samuel B Covey

Joshua D Rhodes

Alex Le Roux

Alexander Le Roux

A wall structure and a method for forming a wall structure is provided using three-dimensional printing of extruded building material applied to a surface of a building structure. According to one embodiment, the wall structure includes a pair of outer wythes spaced from an inner wythe. The outer wythes can include a core extending between the pair of outer wythes and toward the inner wythe. A protrusion can also extend toward the inner wythe a spaced distance from the inner wythe or entirely toward and adjoining the inner wythe. The core is configured with an inwardly facing spaced opposed surfaces of the outer wythes surrounding a vertically extending rebar, with grout surrounding that rebar. Horizontally extending support pins can be spaced parallel from each other and extend from the protrusions and into the inner wythe.

Extrudable building material wall structure and method

A method, system and computer program product for optimally placing photovoltaic arrays to maximize a value of energy production. Incident solar radiation for various placements of the photovoltaic arrays accommodating different azimuths and tilts is calculated. Alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power production is then estimated from the calculated solar radiation on a plane and weather data. Furthermore, a value of solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power produced by the photovoltaic arrays for the various placements is calculating using the estimated alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity production. A placement out of the various placements for the photovoltaic arrays is then selected corresponding to a highest value of the solar photovoltaic electricity produced by the photovoltaic arrays. In this manner, the appropriate placement for the photovoltaic arrays is determined that maximizes the value of energy production (where 'value' may correspond to an economic value or a non-economic value).

Optimally placing photovoltaic arrays to maximize value of energy production based on peak power production, local solar radiation, weather, electricity market prices and rate structures

An integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system for reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems. Such a system includes a water conveyance system for collecting and conveying water to a storage tank for storing rainwater, where the rainwater functions as a lower temperature thermal reservoir while it is being held and awaiting use. The system further includes a residential air conditioning system with an air-cooled condenser unit along with an additional water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the storage tank on one side, and on the other side connected into the refrigerant lines with reconfigurable flow paths and actuated valves to control the discharging and recharging of the thermal energy storage. The lower temperature and better heat transfer capabilities of the rainwater improve operating efficiency and reduce power consumption of the compressor when used instead of the air-cooled condenser during the hottest hours of the day.

Reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems and reducing water consumption by implementing an integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Charles R Upshaw