US-12618237-B2 - Ceiling FAÇADE system

US12618237B2US 12618237 B2US12618237 B2US 12618237B2US-12618237-B2

Abstract

A ceiling façade system includes: a ceiling tile including an interior panel defining a first edge extending along a first side of the ceiling tile and a second edge extending along a second side of the ceiling tile opposite the first edge, a heating element, and an insulator layer arranged over the heating element opposite the interior panel; a first receiver extending along and configured to support the first side of the ceiling tile on a linear lighting track arranged on a ceiling structure and configured to locate the first edge of the interior panel adjacent and partially concealing the linear lighting track; and a second receiver extending along and configured to support the second side of the ceiling tile on a linear seam track arranged on the ceiling structure, the linear seam track laterally offset from the linear lighting track.

Inventors

Alexis Xavier Rivas
Jemuel Joseph
Thomas Heyer
Craig Derian
Katherine Stavisky
Robert Jackson
Scott Kevern
Tyler Peterson
Jose Morales

Assignees

COVER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240507

Claims (20)

1 . A system comprising: a linear lighting track comprising a locating feature extending laterally from the linear lighting track; and a first ceiling tile configured to install adjacent the linear lighting track and comprising: a rear panel configured to face a ceiling cavity; an interior panel: coupled to and offset from the rear panel; and defining: an inner surface facing the rear panel; an outer surface facing opposite the inner surface; and a first edge extending along a first side of the first ceiling tile; a heating element: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; an insulator layer: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to: insulate the rear panel from the heating element and to insulate the space from the ceiling cavity; and insulate the heating element from the linear lighting track to prevent thermal transfer from the heating element to the linear lighting track; and a receiver configured to locate the first edge of the interior panel adjacent the locating feature of the linear lighting track to partially conceal the linear lighting track.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the linear lighting track comprises a vent configured to: draw ambient air from the ceiling cavity across the first ceiling tile to transfer heat from the first ceiling tile to ambient air; and direct heated air toward the space located below the ceiling cavity.
3 . The system of claim 1 : wherein the heating element is interposed between the inner surface of the interior panel and the insulator layer; and wherein the insulator layer is arranged over the heating element opposite the interior panel and configured to: retain the heating element against the inner surface of the interior panel to conductively heat the interior panel; and insulate the interior panel and the heating element from the rear panel to retain heat below the ceiling cavity.
4 . The system of claim 1 : wherein the heating element comprises a fluid line interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and wherein the first ceiling tile further comprises: a fluid supply connector: arranged behind the interior panel; and configured to supply heated fluid from a fluid supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the fluid line to heat the interior panel; and a fluid return connector: arranged behind the interior panel; and configured to return fluid exiting the fluid line.
5 . The system of claim 4 : wherein the fluid return connector comprises a return port arranged on the first ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and further comprising: a second ceiling tile: configured to install adjacent the first ceiling tile; and comprising: a second fluid line; and a second fluid supply connector: configured to transiently couple to the return port of the first ceiling tile; and configured to supply heated fluid from the first ceiling tile, via the return port, to the second fluid line to heat the second ceiling tile.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first ceiling tile further comprises: an electrical connector: arranged behind the interior panel; and configured to supply electrical current from a power supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the heating element to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; a fluid line interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; a fluid supply connector: arranged on the first ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to supply cooled fluid from a fluid supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the fluid line to cool the interior panel, the interior panel configured to cool the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; and a fluid return connector: arranged on the first ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to return fluid exiting the fluid line.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the fluid supply connector is configured to selectively: supply heated fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid line to heat the interior panel at a first time; and supply cooled fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid line to cool the interior panel at a second time.
8 . The system of claim 1 : wherein the heating element comprises a fluid line interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; wherein the first ceiling tile further comprises: a fluid supply connector configured to supply heated fluid from a fluid supply manifold, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the fluid line to heat the interior panel; and further comprising: a sprayer: arranged on the linear lighting track; and fluidly coupled to the fluid supply manifold; and configured to supply fluid from the fluid supply manifold into the space located below the ceiling cavity for fire suppression.
9 . The system of claim 1 : further comprising a linear seam track configured to install adjacent the first ceiling tile; wherein the first ceiling tile is configured to mount to the linear seam track to partially conceal the linear seam track; and wherein the insulator layer is configured to insulate the heating element from the linear seam track to prevent thermal transfer from the heating element to the linear seam track.
10 . The system of claim 1 : wherein the linear lighting track is configured to bias downward from the ceiling cavity to: offset the locating feature below the ceiling cavity; and locate the outer surface of the interior panel of the first ceiling tile coplanar with outer surfaces of interior panels of adjacent ceiling tiles.
11 . A system comprising: a linear lighting track: configured to locate on a ceiling structure; defining a lighting cavity facing downwardly from the ceiling structure; and comprising: a first locating feature extending from the linear lighting track opposite the lighting cavity; and a second locating feature extending from the linear lighting track opposite the first locating feature; a first ceiling tile: comprising: a first interior panel defining a first edge extending along a first side of the first ceiling tile; and a first insulator layer arranged proximal the first interior panel; and a first receiver configured to support the first side of the first ceiling tile on the first locating feature of the linear lighting track; and configured to mount to the linear lighting track proximal the first edge; and a second ceiling tile: comprising: a second interior panel defining a second edge extending along a second side of the second ceiling tile; a second insulator layer arranged proximal the second interior panel; and a second receiver support the second side of the second ceiling tile on the second locating feature of the linear lighting track; and configured to: mount to the linear lighting track proximal the second edge to install adjacent and laterally offset from the first ceiling tile; and bias toward the linear lighting track to close a gap between the first edge of the first ceiling tile and the second edge of the second ceiling tile.
12 . The system of claim 11 : wherein the first ceiling tile comprises: a first fluid line; a first fluid supply connector configured to supply fluid from a fluid supply to the first fluid line; and a first fluid return connector configured to return fluid exiting the first fluid line; and wherein the second ceiling tile comprises: a second fluid line; and a second fluid supply connector configured to: transiently couple to the first fluid return connector of the first ceiling tile; and supply fluid from the first fluid line, via the first fluid return connector, to the second fluid line.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second fluid supply connector is configured to: supply cooled fluid from the first fluid line, via the first fluid return connector, to the second fluid line to cool the second interior panel at a first time; and supply heated fluid from the first fluid line, via the first fluid return connector, to the second fluid line to heat the second interior panel at a second time.
14 . The system of claim 11 : wherein the first ceiling tile comprises a heating element: interposed between the first interior panel and the first insulator layer; and configured to heat the first interior panel, the first interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling structure via convection; and wherein the second ceiling tile comprises a cooling element: interposed between the second interior panel and the second insulator layer; and configured to cool the second interior panel, the second interior panel configured to cool the space located below the ceiling structure via convection.
15 . The system of claim 11 : wherein the first ceiling tile comprises a first heating element: interposed between the first interior panel and the first insulator layer; and configured to heat the first interior panel, the first interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling structure via convection; and wherein the first insulator layer is configured to insulate the space from the ceiling structure.
16 . The system of claim 11 : wherein the first ceiling tile further comprises: a first rear panel offset above the first interior panel; and a heating element interposed between the first interior panel and the first rear panel; and wherein the first insulator layer comprises a structural foam: arranged between the first interior panel and the first rear panel of the first ceiling tile; and configured to insulate the first rear panel from the heating element.
17 . A system comprising: a first ceiling tile comprising: a rear panel configured to face a ceiling cavity; an interior panel: coupled to and offset from the rear panel; and defining: an inner surface facing the rear panel; and an outer surface facing opposite the inner surface; and a heating element: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to heat the interior panel; a second ceiling tile configured to install adjacent and laterally offset from the first ceiling tile; and a blower configured to: install within the ceiling cavity; and direct ambient air from the ceiling cavity across the first ceiling tile to transfer heat from the first ceiling tile to ambient air; and direct heated air through a gap, formed between the first ceiling tile and the second ceiling tile, toward a space located below the ceiling cavity via convection.
18 . A system comprising: a ceiling tile comprising: a rear panel configured to face a ceiling cavity; an interior panel: coupled to and offset from the rear panel; and defining: an inner surface facing the rear panel; an outer surface facing opposite the inner surface; and a first edge extending along a first side of the ceiling tile; a heating element: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; an insulator layer: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to insulate the rear panel from the heating element and to insulate the space from the ceiling cavity; and a receiver configured to locate the interior panel adjacent a locating feature of a linear lighting track to partially conceal the linear lighting track; and the linear lighting track: configured to install adjacent the ceiling tile; insulated from the heating element via the insulator layer of the ceiling tile; and comprising: the locating feature extending laterally from the linear lighting track; and a vent configured to: draw ambient air from the ceiling cavity across the ceiling tile to transfer heat from the ceiling tile to ambient air; and direct heated air toward the space located below the ceiling cavity.
19 . A ceiling tile comprising: a rear panel configured to face a ceiling cavity; an interior panel: coupled to and offset from the rear panel; and defining: an inner surface facing the rear panel; and an outer surface facing opposite the inner surface; a heating element: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling cavity via convection at a first time; an insulator layer: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to insulate the rear panel from the heating element and to insulate a space located below the ceiling cavity from the ceiling cavity; an electrical connector: arranged behind the interior panel; and configured to supply electrical current from a power supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the heating element to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; a fluid line interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; a fluid supply connector: arranged on the ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to supply cooled fluid from a fluid supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the fluid line to cool the interior panel, the interior panel configured to cool the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection at a second time; and a fluid return connector: arranged on the ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to return fluid exiting the fluid line.
20 . A ceiling tile comprising: a rear panel configured to face a ceiling cavity; an interior panel: coupled to and offset from the rear panel; and defining: an inner surface facing the rear panel; and an outer surface facing opposite the inner surface; a heating element interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel;) an insulator layer: interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; and configured to insulate the rear panel from the heating element and to insulate a space located below the ceiling cavity from the ceiling cavity; an electrical connector: arranged behind the interior panel; and configured to supply electrical current from a power supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the heating element to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection; a fluid line interposed between the interior panel and the rear panel; a fluid supply connector: arranged on the ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to supply heated fluid from a fluid supply, arranged within the ceiling cavity, to the fluid line to heat the interior panel, the interior panel configured to heat a space located below the ceiling cavity via convection at a first time; and configured to supply cooled fluid from the fluid supply to the fluid line to cool the interior panel, the interior panel configured to cool the space located below the ceiling cavity via convection at a second time; and a fluid return connector: arranged on the ceiling tile opposite the interior panel; and configured to return fluid exiting the fluid line.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 18/131,699, filed on 6 Apr. 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/557,922, filed on 21 Dec. 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/121,530, filed on 14 Dec. 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/948,036, filed on 13 Dec. 2019, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. This Application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/875,079, filed on 15 May 2020, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to the field of prefabricated building systems and more specifically to a new and useful ceiling façade system in the field of prefabricated building systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a ceiling façade system; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic representations of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system; and FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of one variation of the ceiling façade system. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The following description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments but rather to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. Variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations, and examples described herein are optional and are not exclusive to the variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations, and examples they describe. The invention described herein can include any and all permutations of these variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations, and examples. 1. Ceiling Façade System As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6A, a ceiling façade system 100 includes a first ceiling tile 110, which includes: an interior panel 115 defining an outer face 118, an inner face, a first edge extending along a first side 111 of the first ceiling tile 110, and a second edge extending along a second side 112 of the first ceiling tile 110 opposite the first edge; a heating element 180 arranged across the inner face of the interior panel 115; an insulator layer 117 arranged over the heating element 180 opposite the interior panel 115; and a rear panel 116 arranged over the insulator layer 117 opposite the interior panel 115. The ceiling façade system 100 also includes a first receiver 120: extending along the first side 111 of the first ceiling tile 110; configured to support the first side 111 of the first ceiling tile 110 on a first locating feature 145 of a linear lighting track 140 arranged on a ceiling structure 192; and configured to locate the first edge of the interior panel 115 of the first ceiling tile 110 adjacent and concealing the first locating feature 145 of the linear lighting track 140. The ceiling structure 192 further includes a second receiver 130: extending along the second side 112 of the first ceiling tile 110; and configured to support the second side 112 of the first ceiling tile 110 on a second locating feature 161 of a linear seam track 160 arranged on the ceiling structure 192, the linear seam track 160 laterally offset from the linear lighting track 140. One variation of the ceiling façade system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a first linear lighting track 140, which includes: a body 141 defining a lighting cavity 142 configured to face downwardly from a ceiling structure 192; a light socket 146 arranged in the lighting cavity 142 and configured to receive a light element; and a first locating feature 145 extending laterally from the body 141 opposite the lighting cavity 142 and located along a first length of the first linear lighting track 140. In this variation, the ceiling façade system 100 also includes a linear seam track 160: including a second locating feature 161 extending laterally toward the first locating feature 145 and located along a second length of the lin