SELF-INSULATING WATER WALL - A PASSIVE SOLAR MODULE FOR HEATING AND COOLING.

The self-insulating water wall is a passive architectural module designed to modify the temperature of a structure or to heat water for domestic or commercial use. The device has no moving parts, but performs the functions of both a water wall and passively controlled movable insulation provides the following functions: in the heating mode it collects solar heat, convects the heat transfer fluid into storage, prevents reverse convection at night, radiates to the interior of the house and insulates the south side of the tank which also insulates the south side of the house. In the cooling mode the storage side of the tank becomes a heat sink for the building during the day. The valve allows convection at night time and consequent radiation of heat to the night environment. The insulation becomes effective during the static daytime phase, preventing radiation from entering the tank or the south wall of the building.