Abstract:
An integrated mounting apparatus, primarily for solar panels and other renewable energy panels, which reduces the need for anchors in the rooftop and provides energy storage and conversion options. The mounting apparatus has a base, sides, a front, a back, and a top. It is generally wedge-shaped. It has a depression designed to fit photovoltaic and solar thermal panels. It has a number of mounting mechanisms, including ballast, tethers, and fasteners. It has a ballast cavity, which, when filled with water, can store energy and inter-change that energy with the building.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The applicants claims priority under 35 USC 119, et. seq., to a prior filed provisional utility patent application No. 61/474,263, filed Apr. 11, 2011; entitled, “Modular Mounting Apparatus;” by named inventors Rajul L. Patel, Reynold Hendrickson, and Jon Karpovich. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of mounting apparatus. Specifically, this invention relates to the mounting hardware and methods for renewable energy panels, satellites, and other roof mounted equipment. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mounting apparatus have been developed over the years to anchor items such as signs, solar panels, satellite dishes, HVAC units and the like to buildings and the ground. Many of these apparatus are used on the roof. For many items the roof is the ideal mounting location. For instance, the roof is an ideal mounting location for a solar panel because it is not obstructed from the sun. Additionally, the roof is the ideal mounting place for billboards, because such a mounted billboard is easy to see. Last, for items that people prefer to keep out of sight, like an HVAC unit, the roof is also ideal. Rooftops, thus, increase the usable space of a building. 
         [0004]    Traditionally, building owners were reluctant to fasten large items to their roof, for fear that the equipment would be damaged by the elements. As land became more precious, and as the desire to mount certain items out of site, the capabilities of mounting apparatus have improved. Mounting apparatus for the roof have advanced to a point that many components may be safely anchored to the roof, while withstanding the elements of weather such as wind, rain, snow and the like. Depending on the land and the use, a land owner may decide to put solar panels, HVAC units, signs, satellite dishes and the like on the ground, adjacent to the building. 
         [0005]    One drawback of current technology is that, when mounted to a flat top roof, often found with commercial buildings, it requires the use of many drill holes. Adding holes to sealed rooftops provokes leakage by creating paths for water to find its way inside the building, potentially damaging the structure and the interior of the building. The more holes that are added to anchor a component to a roof, the more potential for leak paths and water entry into the building. For example, solar panels are typically designed in 4×8 sizes. Generally, a large number of solar panels are required to work in unison to generate enough electricity to power a building. Often, these solar panels are mounted to a roof top and typically require that each of the four corners of a rectangular solar panel be anchored to a rooftop. These panels are first secured to a mounting system or frame and then the frame may be anchored to the roof of the building. Each of the four corners of the mounting system must be anchored to the rooftop, thus requiring the addition of four holes to the rooftop for securement means. 
         [0006]    Often, current mounting apparatus are manufactured of steel, aluminum, or like metal, that are heavy, large and bulky to transport and install. They may also add additional unnecessary weight to any roof. These mounting systems may also be quite costly to manufacture, transport and install. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for a modular mounting apparatus that may be anchored to buildings or the ground that is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture while at the same time reducing the number of mounting holes that may be added to a rooftop of a building or ground and may be used to mount signs, satellite dishes, solar panels and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A modular mounting apparatus for solar panels is disclosed. The mounting apparatus has a number of embodiments designed to reduce or eliminate the need for roof-top anchors. The mounting apparatus has a cavity that can be loaded with a heavy substance, to prevent the mounting apparatus from moving. The mounting apparatus also includes a system to mate several mounts together, creating a larger, more inert mass. The mounting apparatus comes with a tethering system to reduce the number of roof-top anchors. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, a modular mounting apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention, with a solar panel mount to it. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention with a solar panel mounted to it. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention with a blank panel mounted to it. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of multiple modular mounting apparatus with attached solar panels. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is perspective view of two modular mounting apparatus with attached solar panels. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of multiple modular mounting apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the modular pieces of the unit are highlighted. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13A  is a side view of the modular mounting apparatus, showing a number of modular units.  FIG. 13B  shows the modular mounting apparatus segments stored in the large unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a top view of a drawer, used in the embodiment from  FIG. 14 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a drawer, used in the embodiment from  FIG. 14 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a side view of another embodiment of the modular mounting apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a different mounting configuration for solar panels. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a mounting configuration for use with large solar panels. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, using a venting system to collect thermal energy into and out of the wedge. 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, also showing a venting system to collect thermal energy into and out of the wedge. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, also showing a venting system to collect thermal energy into and out of the wedge. 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention, connected to an HVAC unit. 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is a side view of the embodiment from  FIG. 27 , showing the present invention connected to an HVAC unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The detailed description is intended to illustrate the present invention, without, in any way, limiting its scope. The drawings are not scale models, and the drawings do not show all the potential embodiments of the present invention. The drawings represent the preferred embodiment, and important alternative embodiments of the present invention, known to the inventors. 
         [0038]    A mounting apparatus  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . The mounting apparatus  10  is in the general shape of a wedge and is comprised of a base surface  12 , a pair of side walls  14  and  16 , a rear wall  18 , a front wall  20  and a top surface  22 . Side walls  14  and  16  extend upward and generally perpendicular from the base surface  12 . Side wall  14  and  16  are also generally parallel to one another. Rear wall  18  extends upward from base surface  12  and at an angle that is generally less than 90 degrees. Rear wall  18  also intersects side wall  14  and  16 . Front wall  20  extends upward from base surface as well and intersects side walls  14  and  16 . Top surface  22  extends between rear wall  18  and front wall  20  and intersects side walls  14  and  16 . Collectively, base surface  12 , side walls  14 ,  16 , rear wall  18 , front wall  20  and top surface  22  form the wedge-shaped mounting apparatus  10 . 
         [0039]    Top surface  22  includes a depression  24 . Depression  24  may be sized to accept, secure, or facilitate the mounting of any type of component desired. As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in this particular embodiment of the present invention, the depression  24  is sized to accept and secure a solar panel  26  to the mounting apparatus  10 . The depression  24  may be designed such that the upper surface of the solar panel  26  may be either flush to top surface  22 , proud of top surface  22  or slightly below the top surface  22 . 
         [0040]    Top surface  22  further includes a first set of cutouts  30  that are generally positioned at an edge of top surface  22  at side walls  14  and  16 . Cutouts  30  may extend from depression  24  through top surface  22  and into side walls  14  and  16 . Cutouts  30  may be generally rectangular in shape and are generally sized to accept any type of anchor system to adequately secure panel  26  to mounting apparatus  10 . Looking at  FIG. 1 , this embodiment of the present invention has six cutouts  30 . Looking at  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in this particular embodiment, the anchor system is comprised of a bracket  32  and fastener  34  such as a screw or bolt to secure the bracket  32  to mounting apparatus  10 . Although six cutouts  30  are illustrated in the drawings, any number of cutouts  30  may be used to mount and anchor the panel  26  to the mounting apparatus  10 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the depression  24  may also be sized to accept and secure a blank  62 . Blank  62  may be added to the depression  24  in order that the top surface  22  is continuous across the mounting apparatus  10 . The mounting apparatus  10  may then be used for mounting panels of various sizes that may be larger than depression  24 , yet still require some mounting or anchoring means. 
         [0042]    Typically, solar panels, whether photovoltaic or thermal in nature, are mounted in arrays. Manufacturing and transportation considerations restrict the effective size of a single panel. While an array of panels is convenient for manufacturing and installation, the panels must be positioned in such a manner that the flow of water and electricity is efficient. Typically, this means that the panels must interface with one or more conduit for routing electricity or water. 
         [0043]    Looking at  FIGS. 5-6 , mounting apparatus  10  may be designed such that the angle of top surface  22  with respect to bottom surface  12  is optimized to maximize exposure to the sun. The angle may be determined such that any solar panel  26  that is positioned on top surface  22  will receive maximum exposure to the sun for optimal power generation or the heating of water. Furthermore, this angle between top surface  22  and bottom surface  12  may also be optimized for the shedding of any snow and the rapid runoff of any rainwater to ensure the panel has maximum exposure to the sun. 
         [0044]    Looking at  FIG. 8 , top surface  22  may include a second set of cutouts  36  that are generally positioned at the edge of top surface  22  at side walls  14  and  16 . Cutouts  36  may extend from depression  24  through top surface  22  and into side walls  14  and  16 . Cutouts  36  may be generally shaped as a semi-circle, forming the contour for a conduit.  FIG. 6  shows the present invention, with panel  26  and conduit in place in the semi-circular cutout  36 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 8 , the base  12 , side walls  14  and  16 , rear wall  18 , front wall  20  and top surface  22  collectively create a cavity  38 . The cavity  38  is provided to allow for a ballast to be added in cavity  38  of the mounting apparatus  10 . Material such as water, sand, gravel, rock, lead, ground tires, steel and the like may be added to cavity  38  to provide added weight or ballast so that mounting apparatus  10  may maintain its position once optimally located. 
         [0046]    Side walls  14  and  16  include holes  40  and  42 . Hole  40  is generally located near front wall  20  of mounting apparatus  10  and typically runs the width of mounting apparatus  10  from side wall  14  to side wall  16 . Similarly, hole  42  is generally located near rear wall  18  and typically runs the width of mounting apparatus  10  from side wall  14  to side wall  16 . A rope, cable or other tether may be passed through each of holes  40  and  42 , to help secure the mounting apparatus  10 , in situ. Each end of the tether may be anchored to the roof, ground or other surface in order to fix the mounting apparatus  10 . 
         [0047]    The tether system will allow several of the mounting apparatus  10  to be positioned side by side as illustrated by  FIG. 9 . Once an array of mounting apparatus  10  has been positioned, the tether may be strung through holes  40  and  42  of each separate mounting apparatus  10 . Rather than having to permanently secure each individual mounting apparatus  10  to the roof, the present invention allows the user to minimize roof holes by anchoring only the tether, and not the individual mounting apparatus  10 . The cavity ballast and the tether system work combine to fix the mounting apparatus  10  in its optimal location. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment. The side wall  14  may include at least one tab  114  that extends the height of side wall  14 . Side wall  16  may include at least one locking sleeve  116  that is sized to accept and secure tab  114 . This tab  114  and sleeve  116  configuration will allow multiple mounting apparatus  10  to be anchored together in close proximity to one another as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0049]    Looking at  FIG. 11 , front wall  20  and rear wall  18  may include interlocking mounting lips  118  and  120 , respectively, such that two mounting apparatus  10  may be connected from front to back. Front wall  20  may include upward facing lip  118  and rear wall  18  may include downward facing lip  120  such that lip  120  may capture lip  118  to further anchor mounting apparatus  10 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment, in which the mounting apparatus  10  may be manufactured in multiple pieces that may be easily transported and assembled, to create a full mounting apparatus. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, two separate pieces may be designed, that, when assembled, will produce mounting apparatus  10 . Mounting apparatus  10  may be assembled from a front section  142  and a rear section  146  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Front section  142  may be designed to include a female locking sleeve  48  that may be sized to accept a male locking tab  50  of rear section  146 . Tab  50  may be designed such that when seated in the sleeve  48 , the front section  142  is secured to rear section  146  to create a mounting apparatus  10 . 
         [0051]    As described above, a two piece mounting apparatus  10  design may work well to provide for easy transportation and installation. However, the present invention is not limited to two-piece construction of the mounting apparatus  10 . For example,  FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a three component mounting apparatus  10  that includes a front section  135 , a middle section  133  and a rear section  131 . In this particular embodiment of the present invention, the rear section  131  may be sized such that middle section  133  may fit within a cavity  132  of rear section  131 . Additionally, the front section  135  may fit within a cavity  134  of middle section  133 . The three sections  131 ,  133  and  135  may be assembled to one another with the sleeve and tab system described above for the two piece system. The mounting apparatus  10  may be manufactured in this manner to minimize shipping and installation weight and size. 
         [0052]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides a draw  64  for the mounting apparatus  10  as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  14  and  15 . Rear wall  18 , as well as rear sections  46  and  131 , may include an aperture  82  that is sized to accommodate drawer  64 . Drawer  64  may include a pair of side walls  66  and  68 , a rear wall  70  that intersects side walls  66  and  68 , a front wall  72  that also intersects side walls  66  and  68  and a bottom plate  74  that intersects side wall  66  and  68 , rear wall  70  and front wall  74  to form a generally rectangular compartment  76  of drawer  64 . Front wall  72  may be angled slightly with respect to rear wall  70  such that the contour of front wall will follow the contour of rear wall  18  of mounting apparatus  10 . Front wall  72  may also include a lip  78  that surrounds the perimeter of front wall  72  such that lip  78  may engage a depressed edge  80  of aperture  82  such that front wall  72  will be flush to rear wall  18  when drawer  64  is in a closed position, meaning drawer  64  is fully pushed into cavity  38 . 
         [0053]    Drawer  64  may be used to add ballast to mounting apparatus  10 . As stated above, material such as water, sand, gravel, rock, lead, ground tires, steel and the like may be added to drawer  64  to provide added weight or ballast so that mounting apparatus  10  may maintain its position once optimally located. 
         [0054]    Drawer  64  may also be used to house a typical heat exchanger. Water or other types of fluids such as glycol and the like may be heated in the solar panel that is secured to mounting apparatus  10 . The fluid passing through the panel and heated by the sun&#39;s solar heat may be directed into compartment  76  of drawer  64 . Looking at  FIG. 16 , coils of pipe  84  having an inlet  86  and an outlet  88  may be placed in compartment  76  and submersed in the fluid. A second fluid, may be introduced into inlet  86 , travel though the coils of pipe  84  and through outlet  88 . Generally, the second fluid entering pipe  84  is at a lesser temperature than the fluid that is circulating in compartment  76 . As with any heat exchanger, the fluid flowing through pipe  84  will increase in temperature until it is about equal to the temperature of the fluid filling compartment  76  through a heat transfer process from the fluid in compartment  76  to the fluid in pipe  84  that is well known in the art. A pump may be added to compartment  76 , and associated electronics stored in another drawer, to maintain the flow of fluid from panel  26  through drawer  64 . The fluids will continue to circulate through pipe  84  and compartment  76  and the heat exchange will continue as long as the fluid entering the compartment remains at a higher temperature than the fluid entering pipe  84 . The fluid exiting pipe  84  through outlet  88  may be used for heating pool water, heating water for showers, and the like. Multiple drawers  64  may be added to mounting apparatus  10 . Although the drawer  64  has been described, above, as being located in the rear wall  18 , a drawer  64  may be added to side walls  16  and  14  for further storage of materials such as electrical wiring or electrical controls that may be used with other features of structure  10 . 
         [0055]    In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated by  FIG. 17 , an end cap  90  may be to mounting apparatus  10 . End cap  90  may be added to rear wall  18  and extend along a ridge  108  that intersects rear wall  18  and top surface  22 . The end cap may include at least one pipe  92  that extends the width of end cap  90  and rear wall  18 . The pipe  92  may be plumbed into the any conventional plumbing system of a building to allow fluid to flow from the building through pipe  92  of mounting apparatus  10  and back to building. End cap  90  may include a plurality of holes  94  that will allow air to enter end cap  90 , circulate around pipe  92  and exit end cap  90 . When used in this manner, end cap  90  may be an air-to-fluid heat exchanger. 
         [0056]    In this particular embodiment, mounting apparatus  10  may be used to take advantage the night air, which may typically be at a lower temperature than the air during the day and sunlight. Water or other fluids that may be passed through pipe  92  of end cap  90  will encounter air that is at a lower temperature then the fluids passing though pipe  92 . As with any type of heat exchange, the fluids passing through pipe  92  that are at a higher temperature than the air will begin to lower in temperature and approach the temperature of the air as the temperature of the air increases to that of the fluid temperature. A constant supply of cool air into cap  90  and around pipe  92  will continue to lower the temperature of the fluid passing though pipe  92 . As stated previously, a number of mounting apparatus  10  may be assembled in an array such that the length of pipe  92  may be increased in length to maximize exposure to the air. 
         [0057]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 18 , end cap  90  may be designed to package electrical hardware  98  and plumbing such that the fluids passing though mounting apparatus  10  may be used to generate electricity. In this particular embodiment, the end cap  90  may include a second pipe  96  as well as electrical hardware to generate electricity from the temperature differential between two fluids that will pass through pipes  92  and  96 . Electrical hardware may include plates  100  and  102  that contact pipes  92  and  96 , respectively, and extend the width of rear wall  18 . Generally, plates  100  and  102  and pipes  92  and  96  will be manufactured of a metal such as copper, steel, aluminum and the like to maximize the heat transfer between the components. As stated previously, pipe  92  may be plumbed into a supply of building fluids such as city supplied water while pipe  96  may be connected to solar panel  26  for a supply of fluids such as water that may be at higher temperature than the fluids supplied though pipe  92  during daylight hours. As pipe  92  contacts plate  100  and pipe  96  contacts plate  102 , a transfer of heat will occur between pipes and plates. Plate  100  will lower in temperature and plate  102  will rise in temperature causing a temperature differential between the plates thus leading to a generation of electricity. Generation of electricity in this manner is well known in the art. Alternatively, during times of no sunlight, such as during evening hours, the fluids flowing though pipe  96  may be at a lower temperature than the fluids flowing through pipe  92  thus reversing the temperature differential and creating electricity during hours of no sun light. The electricity generated may be used to generate any of the number of pumps used to circulate the fluids throughout the building and array of mounting apparatus  10  or for other electrical accessories requiring power throughout the building such as lighting, televisions and the like. 
         [0058]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of holes  104  may be added to top surface  22  near ridge  108  as illustrated by  FIGS. 19  and  20 . Holes  104  may extend in a relatively straight line about the width of top surface  22 . On the underside of top surface  22 , a tube  110  having a plurality of holes  112  may extend the width of top surface and align with holes  104 . The tube  110  may be aligned and configured such that the holes  112  and  104  allow the flow of fluid through tube  110 , out of holes  112  and  104  and onto top surfaces  22  and solar panel  26  that has been secured to mounting apparatus  10 . Alternatively, holes  104  may be omitted and tube  110  may be configured to extend the width of top surface  22 . Tube  110  positioned in this manner will also allow the flow of fluid through tube  110 , out of holes  112  onto top surface  22  and solar panel  26 . 
         [0059]    In another embodiment of the present invention, mounting apparatus  10  may be used to cool water. Mounting apparatus  10  may be configured to accept the water that has been heated. When thermodynamically efficient, water may be pumped to mounting apparatus  10  and though the solar panel  26 , in order to cool the water. 
         [0060]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the multiple drawers  64  and compartments  76  included in mounting apparatus  10  may be used to collect rainwater and run-off. 
         [0061]    In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the side walls  16  and  18  of mounting apparatus  10  may each include an aperture  122 , to allow for the flow of air. 
         [0062]    The mounting apparatus  10  may be manufactured of any material including plastics, metal, wood and the like. The mounting apparatus  10  may also include a roof friendly pad (not shown) for fitting underneath mounting apparatus  10  during installation to help prevent wear and damage to the roof as mounting apparatus  10  is positioned and secured on the roof. 
         [0063]    Although the mounting apparatus  10  is illustrated as having a general wedge shape, it is important to note, however, that mounting apparatus  10  may be manufactured in any particular geometric shape, such as rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular and the like, while still maintaining the inventive concepts outlined above. 
         [0064]    Looking at  FIG. 21 , the mounting apparatus  10  has a pipe  110  located near the ridge  108 . The pipe has a plurality of holes in it  112 . When fluid is forced through the holes  112 , the fluid covers the solar panel  26 . The wedge is rounded  108  to reduce its wind profile and wind load. 
         [0065]    The size of the mounting apparatus  10  can be scaled for any application. In  FIG. 22 , the wedge-shaped mounting apparatus  221  is much larger, relative to the solar panels  222 . The size of the mounting apparatus  10 ,  221  can be scaled based on the end-user&#39;s specifications. 
         [0066]    Often times, with solar panels, they can be manufactured in sizes larger than 4′×8′. In  FIG. 23 , an alternative embodiment of the wedge-shaped mounting apparatus  231 , in which the mounting configuration has been changed to allow the ends of elongated solar panels  232  to fit in the mounting apparatus  231 . This allows a substantial amount of air to flow under the solar panels, allowing the panel to be cooled by convection. 
         [0067]      FIG. 24  show an alternative embodiment of the mounting apparatus, intended for warmer climates or summertime use, integrated more fully into a renewable energy system. This embodiment of a mounting apparatus  241  has a thermal solar panel mounted to it  242 . The body of the mounting apparatus  241  can be any lightweight insulating material, including, but not limited to, closed and open cell foams, polypropylene, or sheet metal. The mounting apparatus  241  has a plurality of cavities  243 ,  244 , which can act as energy storage reservoirs or ballast. When used to store energy, water from the reservoir  243  can be passed to a heat exchanger  245 . The heat exchanger  245  operates in both air-to-air  246  and air-to-liquid mode. Piping can also bring the reservoir water  253  or take the water to a sprinkler to sprinkle the roof  252 . The heat exchanger  245 ,  246  and the mounting apparatus  241  can be integrated to accept warm air. A series of inflow  249  and outflow  250  pipes can either warm the wedge with air from under the roof, or it can cool the air under the roof using thermal energy from the reservoir  243  and heat exchanger  245 . Unwanted thermal mass from the air can be exhausted through an exhaust port  248 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 25  shows a slightly different alternative embodiment for cooler climates or winter use. Air-to-air exchange is performed  249 ,  250 . Liquid-to-air heat exchanger  254  can be used to warm air in the winter. In the summer, the air is warmed by a liquid-to-air heat exchanger  254  using the cooling provided by the reservoir  243 . More generally, a liquid-to-air heat exchanger  254  allows for many uses when integrated into a mounting apparatus. 
         [0069]      FIG. 26  shows another alternative embodiment, with an alternative use of the thermal masses in the reservoirs  243 ,  244 . A series of pipes  256 ,  257  can take the liquid to a thermal electric generator (“TEG”) unit  255 . The TEG  255  can supply a steady flow of electricity using the temperature difference between the two reservoirs  243 ,  244 . The concept need not be confined to a strict TEG. It also works with shape-memory alloys, stirling engines, rankine cycles, etc. 
         [0070]      FIG. 27  shows a top view of an alternative embodiment.  FIG. 28  is the same embodiment from a side view. This embodiment works in conjunction with an air conditioning system, primarily a commercial air conditioning system. Ambient air enters an intake port  271 . Stale, air-conditioned air exits the facility  273  through a return duct  272 . A plenum  274  gathers one or more streams of stale, air-conditioned air. A retractable insulating barrier  275  allows hot or cold energy from storage  276 ,  277 , as the season permits. The objective is to use renewable, stored energy  276 ,  277  in conjunction with the waste energy remaining in the stale air exiting the facility  273 , removed in an air-to-air heat exchanger  281 , to pre-condition the air  278  entering the rooftop unit (“RTU”)  280 . The RTU blower  279  can be used to improve the effect. The cut away view  281  shows that fresh air  283  removes heat from the waste air  282 , which is forced through small tubeways to increase the radiating surface.