Retrofit window energy management system for dynamically controlling energy flowing through building windows

Abstract

A retrofit window insulation system that achieves a low solar thermal gain coefficient (SHGC) above 0.10 or below. The retrofit window insulation system is an ultra-light, ultra-transparent, low-emissivity polymer window cover in combination with mechanically deployable sunshade screens and / or shutters to provide an alternative sunshade effect, enabling adjustable control of daylight and solar heating. A spectrally selective coating on a louver comprising a phase change material (PCM) for storing daytime heat is particularly effective. Placing a reflective film on the outward facing surface of the shutter not only reflects sunlight, but also emits thermal radiation through the earth's atmosphere back to the cold space. If the shutter is placed between the modified window insulation system and the original window glass, the temperature of the air gap between the window and the modified window insulation system is increased, so that heat energy is stored in the PCM. Along with the weakening of the sunlight at nightfall, the heat energy stored in the PCM can be transferred into the building.

Description

[0001] Relationship with other applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 468743, filed May 24, 2023. The disclosure of this provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to energy-saving windows and modified accessories, and more specifically to a dynamic shading system for adjustable control of daylight and solar heating. Background Technology

[0003] As an alternative to replacing building windows, auxiliary window attachments are a cost-effective and efficient way to improve a building's thermal performance and occupant comfort. Attached to the interior or exterior of existing window frames or building walls, auxiliary windows work by creating an insulating air pocket between the existing window and the new auxiliary window, significantly reducing air leakage and heat transfer, thus resulting in significant energy savings.

[0004] A variety of auxiliary window accessories are available, such as windproof windows, double and triple panes similar to IGU devices, rigid or suspended polymer films in the frame, all of which offer varying degrees of insulation value and reduced heat loss.

[0005] It is well known that adding a low-e coating to auxiliary window accessories can improve their functionality because the low-e coating minimizes the amount of ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can penetrate the glass without reducing the amount of visible light transmitted.

[0006] As efforts increasingly focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate global warming, energy efficiency has become a primary concern in the building industry. Optimizing the energy efficiency of window systems to enable them to operate dynamically in response to changing environmental conditions outside buildings is becoming increasingly important. These conditions include, but are not limited to, daily temperature variations and hourly variations in solar radiation due to factors such as Earth's rotation and cloud cover.

[0007] In this respect, solar radiation enables solar heating (SH) within buildings. During the winter heating season, this SH acts as an additional source of heat for other internal energy sources (IE), such as occupancy, lighting, and electrical outlet loads, thus reducing the heat required by the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This helps reduce utility costs for operating HVAC systems during the winter heating season. However, during the summer cooling season, solar-generated IE (IE... solarHVAC systems increase the heat inside buildings, and these systems need to expel this heat to the outside environment, thus increasing utility costs.

[0008] Energy cost is not the only consideration for window functionality; occupant comfort and health are also important. Excessive natural light, such as direct sunlight through windows, can cause uncomfortable glare. This glare must be controlled in all seasons. Traditionally, excessive sunlight has been controlled through interior window coverings such as curtains, blinds, roller blinds, and Venetian blinds. Window coverings also provide some insulation against external weather conditions.

[0009] In controlling energy use, the key lies not only in controlling the amount of energy flowing into buildings, but also in controlling the timing of that energy use. In modern utility grid transmission systems, controlling "peak loads" is a major issue; these peak loads refer to periods of day when demand is so high that utilities must utilize other assets (such as "peak-loading plants") to meet the demand. Because these other assets are inherently less thermodynamically efficient than "baseload plants" and must respond quickly to rapidly changing loads, their operating costs are typically higher, and their GHG emissions are correspondingly greater. If these peak-hour loads can be "shifted" to off-peak hours, the overall efficiency of the grid will improve, and GHG production will decrease.

[0010] Incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into building materials for energy management is actively viewed as a method of storing heat, which can be released during the day or night after peak demand periods. Some existing window accessories incorporate PCM-filled louvers to further improve their functionality. Louvers heat up when exposed to solar radiation for heating. While louvers can block direct solar heating through transmission, the absorbed heat easily seeps into the building's interior. This is a major factor limiting the reduction of the solar thermal gain coefficient (SHGC). The solar thermal gain coefficient (SHGC) refers to the proportion of solar radiation entering a building through transparent windows or doors, ranging from 0 to 1. The lower the SHGC value, the less heat is transferred and the better the insulation performance. It is an important factor affecting the overall energy efficiency and thermal performance of a building.

[0011] Besides "load shifting" from peak to off-peak periods, load reduction (known as "load shedding") is another strategy to improve grid energy efficiency. During peak demand periods, reducing the total load allows power companies to rely on their baseload plants for longer periods, thus extending the operational life of peak load plants. Because baseload plants are inherently more thermodynamically efficient than peak load plants, they produce less GHG emissions for the same amount of energy delivered. Furthermore, since baseload / peak load plants only reduce their output, reducing baseload load automatically reduces GHG emissions.

[0012] To address window-related load shedding, existing technologies have proposed light frames and shading solutions. Light frames are horizontal surfaces that reflect sunlight onto the ceiling or deeper architectural spaces, thus offsetting electric lighting and reducing power consumption. However, light frames must be positioned above eye level. Other known solutions, such as PCM-filled blinds and shading devices, are far from optimal in their current form because their implementation is not designed at the system level to maximize their advantages arising from hourly variations in weather / solar conditions across different climate zones, or even within any specific climate zone.

[0013] McKinnon Technologies, Inc. (referred to as "McKinnon" in this article), based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has developed an energy-efficient modified window accessory and plans to use it in WEMS (Windows Energy Management System). tm Trademark (referred to in this article as "WEMS") tm The device will be marketed and promoted, and the insulation performance of these accessories can reach R-6 or higher. When WEMS tm When the device uses double-pane glass, its thermal insulation performance can be improved to a rating of R-7 or higher.

[0014] To achieve high thermal insulation performance, each WEMS tm The device comprises a flexible, low-emissivity coated polymer pane held in place by a rigid frame. At least one side of the polymer pane is coated, and preferably both sides, such that a double-pane configuration will have four coated surfaces. Because the low-emissivity coating used by Mackintosh has an anti-reflective design and high transparency to visible light, the device still maintains over 80% visible light transmittance. Advantageously, the low-emissivity coating blocks almost all ultraviolet and infrared heat energy, yet is neutral in color, transparent, and anti-reflective to visible light.

[0015] Despite basic WEMS tm The system is highly efficient, but it will still have advantages if the energy flowing into the building from the windows can be dynamically controlled to influence load transfer and load shedding components. This is especially important during the summer cooling season and in southern climates, where sensible heat is high, cloud cover is low, and solar heating is strong, all of which place a significant burden on HVAC systems. Summary of the Invention

[0016] McKino has found that, compared to using blinds and / or curtain fabrics alone or using WEMS alone... tm Compared to integrating sunshade (SS) fabric (in the form of roller blinds or screens) and / or Venetian blinds into Mackintosh's low-emissivity WEMS, this device... tmIn this device (described in more detail below), overall energy efficiency can be significantly improved. As used herein, this combination is referred to as "energy-positive WEMS". tm "Device". The energy-positive WEMS of this invention. tm With only minor adjustments to adapt to different climate zones, the device can regulate and control the energy entering and exiting the building, while simultaneously enabling load shedding and load transfer.

[0017] According to the present invention, as will be described herein, low-radiation WEMS tm The device is used with curtains, blinds, etc., and preferably with PCM-containing blinds, and more preferably with PCM-containing blinds with a light-guiding coating. Its performance and functionality are superior to any known prior art primary and / or secondary window accessories that include blinds, PCM-containing blinds, curtains, roller blinds, or blackout panels, or are used with them. Table 4 below shows the energy-positive WEMS of the present invention. tm The table demonstrates the superior performance achievable by the device, comparing its efficiency with that of some known prior art auxiliary accessories or modified window insulation systems.

[0018] This document is designated as WEMS tm The basic modified window insulation system of the device has two main components: the pane and the shell structure. The pane typically consists of glass, a polymer film, or a combination of one or more of these, wherein at least one side of the glass and / or polymer film has a low-emissivity coating, and preferably both sides, bonded or attached to a rigid frame. In some cases, the rigid frame is mounted in a shell structure, such as a stainless steel frame, which has grooves to support the pane. Gaskets can be used to form a porous seal around the perimeter of the device. As a modified system, the entire device is installed on an existing window frame or wall, either inside or outside a building.

[0019] To achieve high thermal insulation performance, the WEMS™ device employs the basic principles of multi-layered thermal insulation materials used to protect spacecraft. Low-emissivity surfaces applied to both sides of each polymer pane progressively reflect infrared heat energy, limiting heat transfer to air-based conduction and convection. This results in an R-value per inch of thickness for each air gap in the device that is approximately the same as the R-value per inch of foam insulation. tm The spacing between the window panes of the device is carefully selected to minimize the combined transmission of radiation, conduction, and convection.

[0020] The dual-pane WEMS™ unit upgrades the thermal insulation rating of any existing glass window to R-5. Integrating shading fabric into the WEMS™ unit allows for dynamic adjustment of the solar thermal gain coefficient, ranging from SHGC 0.65 to SHGC 0.10. However, during testing, it was found that absorbed solar energy generated heat in the air gap between the glass and the WEMS™ unit. To control the heat generated in this air gap, different shades of coating or fabric, ranging from white to dark charcoal, can be applied to one or both sides of the blind panel or venetian blind panel. In this example, the venetian blind can be rotated to expose either the bright or dark side, or its angle adjusted so that only part of the desired side is exposed to sunlight. This effectively controls the temperature in the air gap.

[0021] In one specific example, the louver panel between the WEMS™ device and the existing window glass is placed outwards with reflective tape or film. This film can be reflective tape or film, such as metallized tape, for example, aluminum tape.

[0022] In another advantageous example, the reflective tape or film is a dual-mode reflective film developed by SkyCoolSystems, Inc. of Mountain View, California, and marketed under the registered trademark Skycool. Skycool® film has a high reflectivity to sunlight while also effectively radiating thermal radiation through Earth's atmosphere back into the coldness of space.

[0023] Advantageously, this dual-mode film not only reflects sunlight during the day to prevent the underlying surface from heating up, but also emits infrared heat into the cold sky, thereby maintaining the low temperature of the window pane and any flowing liquids (such as PCM) therein. This technology is further described in the following patent documents owned by SkyCool Systems: US 2021-0219463 A1; US ​​2020-0333047 A1; US ​​2020-0208854 A1; US ​​2019-0375946 A1; and USPN 7,503,971 B2.

[0024] If the reflective tape or film on the outer side of the blinds is too glossy, the modified window installation incorporating this tape or film will not comply with building codes. This problem can be solved by applying a thin, spectrally selective coating (e.g., less than 5 mils thick) to the glossy surface of the tape or film. For example, a diffuse spectrally selective coating could be doped with TiO₂. x The coating is a transparent polymer, and in a preferred embodiment, it may be further combined with microbubbles or other fillers such as glass spheres to produce a matte finish. The coating is preferably applied by electrostatic spraying or an air sprayer.

[0025] Experiments have shown that applying a diffuse coating to reflective tape or film does not affect the reflective properties of aluminum tape or Skycool® film.

[0026] Efficiency can be further improved by combining the thermal storage technology disclosed herein with dynamic shading using adjustable blinds, and in some implementations, such as by filling the space between the existing glass and the installed WEMS™ unit with a phase change material (PCM). In PCM-infused implementations, the PCM increases thermal mass, enabling the unit to operate more effectively in both cold and hot weather. This novel system will enhance natural lighting, reduce solar heating, improve glare control, improve insulation in cold weather, reduce sensible heat absorption in hot weather, manage heat absorbed from solar radiation, and facilitate load transfer and shedding.

[0027] The use of venetians to redirect light and the use of PCM-filled venetians to store heat are known in the art. The use of dynamic glass to manage heat absorption is also known. However, Mackintosh has found that the use of phase change materials alone in venetians, or in combination with the light redirection coatings disclosed herein, especially with low-emissivity coated WEMS™ devices, is novel. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Reading the following detailed embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will help in understanding the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 This is a modified window insulation system or WEMS according to the present invention. tm Perspective view of the pane assembly of the device; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the housing adapted to a fixed two-pane assembly; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Double-pane windows of the type shown are installed inside the frame of the existing window. tm Perspective view of the device; Figure 4 Figures A through 4C depict energy-positive WEMS installed against existing windows and combined with panels containing PCM. tm Perspective end view of the device; Figure 5 It is an energy-positive WEMS tm A perspective end view of the device, which incorporates several optional features, such as solar cells and batteries, for operating the shading, lighting, and angle of the PCM-filled panels; Figure 6 It is an energy-positive WEMS that combines roller blinds. tm Photolithographic characterization of the cross-sectional view of the device; Figure 7This is a graphical representation of passive heat generation and storage, showing an energy-active WEMS with PCM-filled louvers. tm Devices and basic WEMS tm Temperature gain of the device over time (unit: °C); Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a hollow louver panel filled with PCM is shown. Figure 9 These are the measured values ​​of reflectance and transmittance of a white sunshade curtain (aperture factor ranging from 1% to 10%). SS ,T SS Graphical representation of wavelength as a function of wavelength (nm), measured by a spectrophotometer in the ultraviolet (190 nm) to near-infrared (2500 nm) range; Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The effective [n,k] graphical representation of the SS fabric shown; Figure 11 This is a graphical representation of the temperature (℉) of each component in various window system constructions (see constructions B to E in Table 1), where the sunshade ( / SS / ) component is a Mermet White sunshade with an opening ratio of 1%, and its temperature is plotted according to the location of each component in the window system; and Figure 12 This is a graphical representation of the temperature (℉) of each component of various window system constructions (see constructions D and E in Table 1), where the sunshade ( / SS / ) component is a Mermet Tint (colored) sunshade with an opening factor of 5%, and its temperature is plotted according to the position of each component in the window system. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Basic WEMS tm Device The two main components of the basic modified window insulation system are the window pane assembly 20 ( Figure 1 ) and shell structure 30 ( Figure 2 The housing structure is configured to secure one or more pane assemblies, and in the positive energy type WEMS of the present invention tm In the case of the device, it is also configured to secure one or more auxiliary and optional accessories, such as blinds and curtains.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 Each pane assembly 20 consists of at least one polymer film 11 bonded to the front surface 13 of a rigid frame 12. The rigid frame 12 may be formed from a high-strength polymer, such as pultruded glass fiber. The frame 12 may also be made of metal, such as lightweight stainless steel.

[0031] Although the frame and shell are custom-designed for modified window insulation system applications, the rigid frame 12 is generally rectangular in shape. This means that the rigid frame 12 has two pairs of frame profile segments 15 and 15' of unequal lengths, which together form a rectangle. The frame profile segments have a front surface 13 and a rear surface 14, and their thickness (t) is measured from front to back. The dimensions of the rigid frame 13 are designed to fit within the shell structure 30 (see [reference]). Figure 2 (or directly attached to the existing window frame or surrounding wall in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as by press-fitting or by a peelable method or permanent fasteners.)

[0032] Second polymer film ( Figure 1 (Not shown) can be bonded to the back surface 14 of the rigid frame 12. The thickness (t) of the rigid frame 12 facilitates the separation of the two films to form an air gap. If more than two films are required, more than one pane assembly 20 can be stacked and secured together. Similarly, the thickness of the rigid frame allows air gaps to be formed between the films in adjacent pane assemblies. For optimal thermal performance, the preferred air gap width is between about 19 mm and 23 mm, most preferably about 21 mm.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a fully exploded view of the modified window insulation system 10', showing two window pane assemblies 20 and 20' installed in the housing structure 30. The housing structure 30 includes a horizontal top beam 31 (top), two vertical supports 32 and 33, and a horizontal support 34 (bottom), which in this case form a rectangular structure for supporting the window pane assemblies 20 and 20'. The inner surfaces of the aforementioned elements including the housing structure 30 have grooves 37 and 38 configured to receive the two window pane assemblies.

[0034] Of course, by adding recesses, the housing can be configured to hold more than two pane assemblies. Alternatively, the recesses can be wide enough to accommodate more than one pane assembly, using spacers (not shown) to separate the pane assemblies and create air gaps. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the housing is configured to accommodate not only the window pane assembly but also one or more auxiliary accessories, thereby forming an energy-positive WEMS conforming to the principles of the present invention. tm Device.

[0035] Basic WEMS tmFurther details of exemplary pane components and housings of the device can be found in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 876,999, filed July 29, 2022, assigned to the assignee of this invention, published March 16, 2023, with Publication No. US-2023-0084137, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Double-pane windows of the type shown are installed inside the frame of the existing window. tm Cross-sectional perspective view of the device. (Reference) Figure 3 The window pane assembly 200 includes two low-emissivity coated polymer films 201 and 2011, which are housed within a rigid frame 202 in the form of a U-shaped shell structure 203u. A gasket 204 seals the periphery of the assembly. In this example, the window pane assembly 200 is mounted on the frame 101 of an existing window 100, which is a single-pane glazing pane 102. An air gap 207 is formed between the outer surface 206 of the polymer film 201 and the inner surface 106 of the window pane 102.

[0037] The following lists the types of WEMS applicable to the construction of this invention practice. tm An example of a polymer in the device's panes. The polymer film serves as a substrate for depositing a low-emissivity coating, which is necessary to achieve the desired energy performance. As used herein, "low-emissivity polymer film" refers to a coated polymer.

[0038] The polymer substrate film should have a thickness ranging from 5 mils to over 20 mils and low haze (<1%). In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is flame retardant.

[0039] The low-emissivity polymer film has a low-emissivity coating, which can be a metal oxide or silver in a stacked layer as known in the art. As used in the examples herein, Mackintosh has developed a low-emissivity coating that is neutral in color, has a visible light transmittance of greater than 90%, and exhibits good low-emissivity performance in the long-wave infrared (thermal) region.

[0040] TPU In one example, polymer film 11 ( Figure 1 It is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a low-emissivity coating that is highly reflective of infrared thermal energy but transparent to visible light. TPU is available from commercial suppliers, a specific example being Huntsman Corporation's KRYSTALGRAN. ®PE501-200 DP TPU. Of course, other polymers such as polycarbonate or polyester (such as PET) can also be used as the base film.

[0041] ETFE Another polymeric film that can be used in window slat components is ETFE, a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, which is commonly used in architectural applications and is also commercially available. As a specific example, fluoropolymer films can be purchased from Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics under the trademark Chemfilm. tm ETFE-E2. Saint-Gobain also supplies ETFE films with a proprietary "C-treatment" on one side to enhance adhesion between the film and the rigid frame.

[0042] Another example of an ETFE film suitable for use in the practice of this invention is disclosed in co-pending international patent application PCT / US21 / 43343, which has been assigned to the assignee of this invention and was published on December 23, 2022, as international publication number 2021 / 258083m, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This proprietary ETFE film developed by Mackintosh has a haze of less than 1%, lower than standard ETFE films with a haze greater than 10%.

[0043] silicone rubber Recent findings indicate that window panes can be fabricated by applying a low-emissivity coating to a commercially available transparent calendered silicone sheet. The low-emissivity coating can be achieved in an intermittent vacuum deposition machine, or more preferably using a semi-continuous high-capacity coating machine, as is known to those skilled in the art.

[0044] Low-emissivity coatings with metal oxides require high-temperature annealing. However, annealing can damage the silicone rubber film. We discovered that fiber lasers can focus energy pulses onto individual nanolayers of the applied coating to generate enough oxides to anneal the coating without damaging the silicone substrate.

[0045] Energy-positive WEMS tm Example of a device Venetian blinds WEMS of the type described above tm The device can be used to manufacture energy-positive WEMS according to the principles of this invention. tm Device.

[0046] Figure 4 A to Figure 4 C shows an energy-positive WEMStm A perspective sectional end view of device 400, and more specifically, of the double-pane assembly 200 (see [reference]). Figure 3 The perspective cross-sectional end view shows the double-pane assembly integrating two low-emissivity coated silicone rubber panes 201, 201' into a rigid frame 202, as if mounted in the window frame 100. In some embodiments, a louver 300 is positioned between the existing glass 101 and the installed WEMS™ device 200, and this louver can be filled with PCM (not shown). In this example, an energy-positive WEMS... tm Device 400 is positioned inside the existing window. (From this text, it is related to...) Figure 11 and Figure 12 The related discussions clearly show that the positive energy WEMS tm Placing the device on the outside of the existing window has many advantages.

[0047] In this example, the Venetian blind 300 employs a "two-tone" design, meaning that, for example, the outward-facing surface 301 is white or a light shade, while the other side of the blind (i.e., the inward-facing surface 302) is a dark shade. During operation, the blind can be tilted using a known mechanism. Similar to a roller blind, the blind can be fully retracted to minimize its visual or energy impact on the window, or pulled down and opened at different angles.

[0048] By adjusting the spacing of the blinds, solar heating and sunlight can be controlled. For example... Figure 4 A and Figure 4 As shown in B, adjusting the angle of the blinds reduces glare, and the light-colored reflective surface of the blinds acts like a miniature light frame, reflecting sunlight upwards onto the ceiling for lighting, as shown in mode 400A, which is horizontal or fully open. In mode 400B, the blinds are angled to reflect or absorb solar energy hitting the white exterior surface 301 at a controlled percentage. In mode 400C, the blinds are fully closed to prevent light from entering the building's interior. This creates an additional layer of windowpane, maximizing insulation, making the window opaque, protecting privacy, and providing the darkness needed for sleep.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment, the light-colored surface 301 is reflective, for example, made by placing a metal film or tape, such as aluminum tape or Skycool® film, on at least the outward-facing surface. The inward-facing surface 302 may be covered with the same material, or preferably with a water-absorbing material. The spectrally selective surface coating will be described in detail below.

[0050] In other advantageous embodiments, the louvers are hollow structures filled with PCM. (See reference) Figure 8The cross-section of the hollow louver panel 305 shows an elliptical opening 307 that can be filled with PCM 309. Hollow louver panels are commercially available. These panels are extruded polycarbonate profiles that are lightweight, compatible with mechanical systems, and strong enough to resist flexing even when suspended across the width of the window. The hollow louver panels will be sealed to prevent leaks.

[0051] Ideally, the PCM used to fill the louvered panels should have a melting point of 27°C to 29°C and an energy density of 75 kWh / m³. 3 The supercooling is 2°C. Examples of PCMs suitable for the practice of this invention include paraffin or organic salt hydrates known in the art. For example, PCM products are commercially available from Rubitherm GmBH in Berlin, Germany.

[0052] Mackinac has developed a proprietary inorganic salt hydrate composite PCM that meets these standards and exhibits excellent thermal reliability. The proprietary Mackinac™ PCM has an energy density of 75 kWh / m³. 3 Applicable to the proposed application, based on measurement data from solar simulation experiments, the approximately 5mm thick Mackintosh PCM will reflect most (at least 80%) of solar radiation and absorb all remaining solar thermal gain and sensible heat, even on the hottest day in Phoenix, Arizona! Figure 7 This shows the changes in passive heat generation and heat storage over time (in °C) measured in the air gap between existing window glass and WEMStm glass panels (see, for example, [reference]). Figure 3 Graphical representation of ) Energy-positive WEMS using louvers filled with PCM. tm Devices and basic WEMS without PCM or louvers tm The devices were all heated by solar lamps for 5 hours to simulate daytime, and then the solar lamps were turned off to simulate nighttime. Trajectory (1) shows the energy-positive WEMS. tm Data from the device. As shown by trace (1), the air gap temperature peaked at 41°C in the 5th hour and then dropped rapidly after the heating lamps were turned off. Energy-positive WEMS tm The device then slowly releases its stored heat over the next 10 hours. Trace (2) shows the basic WEMS. tm Results of the apparatus: In this case, the highest gap temperature was only 5°C higher than the ambient temperature (approximately 23°C). After the lamp was turned off for 3 hours, the gap temperature returned to the ambient temperature.

[0053] Spectroselective surfaces like Figure 8 As shown, the venetian blinds filled with PCM and WEMS tmWhen used together, the devices produce excellent results, while applying a spectrally selective coating to one or both planes of the blinds yields even better results.

[0054] For example, refer to Figure 4 B, the slender hollow plates 41, 41' have a top surface 51, 51' and a bottom surface 52, 52', the latter in Figure 4 D shows this more clearly. The top surfaces 51, 51' have a specular reflective coating 53 located on the outer side of the louver panel. In some exemplary examples, the bottom surface on the inner side (not clearly shown in this figure) is also coated or covered with a material 54 that can reflect or diffuse.

[0055] For it to function effectively in the practice of this invention, the diffuse mirror material must reflect 80% of both visible light and near-infrared energy (wavelengths from 350 nm to 2,500 nm). Of course, the material applied to the blinds must be aesthetically pleasing and not cause discomfort to the occupants.

[0056] Diffuse mirror coating materials are liquid polymers whose optical properties can be tuned by altering the proportions and particle size distribution of fillers such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and various other fillers, pigments, and glass or polymer microbubbles. Different climate zones require different absorptivity and thermal gain to achieve optimal energy performance.

[0057] The following are examples of diffuse spectral selective reflective materials that can be used in the practice of this invention.

[0058] Coating of Venetian blinds / curtains The reflective coating used to control the heating of blinds (or curtains) should have a low [A] value. sol ].

[0059] As an example coating, the following material [A] sol The [R] is low enough to make it suitable for use as a reflective coating. Of course, other commercially available or future-developed coatings with the desired properties are also within the scope of this invention. These exemplary coatings were primarily developed for daytime sky cooling applications. However, their extremely high [R] sol Make it suitable for low [A] sol Shading applications: 1) 3M products, which use hollow glass microbubbles as an additive in standard coating formulations (see Kevin Rink et al., “Evaluation of glass bubbles for solar heat reflection in waterborne acrylic elastomericroof coatings”, Coating Technology, p. 40 (September 2016)). 2) A polymer-based hybrid metamaterial developed by researchers at the University of Colorado, which contains randomly distributed SiO2 microsphere hybrids (see Yao Zhai et al., “Scalable-manufactured randomized glass-polymer hybrid metamaterial for daytime radiative cooling”, Science, Vol. 355, pp. 1062–1066 (2017)).

[0060] 3) A hierarchically porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) coating (P(VdF-HFP)HP) developed by researchers at Columbia University (referred to herein as “F-polymer”) (see J. Mandal et al., “Hierarchically porous polymer coatings for highly efficient passive daytime radiative cooling,” Science, 10.1126 / science.aat9513 (2018); see also Supplementary Material 10.1126 / science.aat9513 (2018); U.S. Patent No. 10,386,0097 (issued August 20, 2019); U.S. Publication No. 2018-0180331 (published June 28, 2018); and 4) Surface coatings developed by SkyCool Pty Ltd. (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 7,503,972, issued on March 17, 2009, in the name of Wojtyslak et al.).

[0061] All these coatings are designed to function through the following: 1) To achieve high solar reflectivity by blocking incident solar irradiance of UV-VIS and NIR wavelengths as much as possible. solConversely, low solar absorptivity is achieved [A] sol ];as well as 2) The sky is highly transparent to this IR energy IR wavelength (approximately 7 µm to 14 µm), maximizing thermal emissivity [e] th ].

[0062] By achieving high [R] sol This coating prevents blinds / curtains from getting hot during the day due to sun exposure, because its [A] sol [Performance is low. By achieving high [e] th This coating effectively cools the surface to below ambient air temperature because the thermal radiation temperature of the sky is significantly lower than the air temperature at these infrared (IR) wavelengths. Therefore, the coating strongly emits energy while receiving very little energy from the sky. Consequently, because these coatings absorb less solar energy for heating and emit more heat than they receive from the sky, they can passively cool the surface even when exposed to solar radiation during the day.

[0063] Shading fabric Besides blinds, another type of window that can be incorporated into positive energy-related webs tm The solution in the device is a sunshade fabric, which in a typical embodiment is a roller blind. The sunshade fabric is a commercially available transparent fabric, available in a wide variety of colors and featuring an openwork weave structure that allows for better visibility of the outside world. This openwork weave structure has what is referred to herein as an "openwork" factor, for example, ranging from 1% to 10%. Typical sunshade fabrics are available in a variety of colors, such as from pure white to dark charcoal, to meet customer aesthetic preferences. In most cases, roller blinds or curtains are pulled down from top to bottom using a roller blind mechanism, as is well known in the art.

[0064] Examples of shading fabrics that can be used in the practice of this invention are glass / vinyl composites and may specifically include shading fabrics sold by Phifer Incorporated of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Mermet USA of Cowpens, South Carolina; and Rollease Acmeda / USA Division of Stamford, Connecticut. tm In the apparatus, extensive measurements, tests, and modeling have been conducted on these shading fabrics to achieve the energy-related targets required for the final product.

[0065] The above examples are merely illustrative and any SS fabric with these properties can be used to practice the present invention.

[0066] The solar thermal gain coefficient (SHGC) is a quantifiable measure of how much solar radiation hitting the outside of a window enters the interior space of a building through the window. The total solar heating capacity is limited by the SHGC. SH t It is the sum of two components: (1) in, SH 1. Solar energy that indirectly enters the building's interior space through absorption by all building envelope structures (such as walls, roofs, etc.). SH 2. Solar energy is transmitted directly through a transparent enclosure structure (specifically, windows).

[0067] Different shading materials vary in their dependence on the indirect and direct components of solar heating, thus the primary components will differ depending on the material's absorption characteristics. While it may seem obvious that darker materials / fabrics heat up more easily than lighter ones, the real question is whether heat will actually enter the interior space of the room. This non-intuitive phenomenon depends on the specific design of the window / shading system. The shading strategy and design of this invention enable dynamic control over the destination and transfer of heat energy. Even using commercially available shading fabrics, the system of this invention achieves unprecedentedly low SHGC, thereby significantly reducing AC energy and alleviating demand load.

[0068] To quantify these SH processes, we first focus on the shading fabrics themselves. We have conducted extensive testing on Mermet fabrics. These fabrics have a wide range of colors, from white to dark charcoal, and open area coefficients ranging from 1% to 10%. We will demonstrate that these fabrics do not possess the extremely high solar reflectivity and extremely low solar absorptivity [R] of the solar cooling materials or reflective coatings discussed above. sol A sol ].

[0069] To evaluate whether the shading fabric is suitable for the present invention, we first measured the reflectance and transmittance [R] of the shading fabric. SS ,T SS [This refers to the method of obtaining Ge using reflection and transmission measurements, as described by David V. Tsu in the *Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A* (Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 1854, 1999).] x Sb y Te z Optical constants of thin Ge x Sb y Te zThe method proposed in the paper "Films from Measurements of Reflection and Transmission" (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) provides a numerical solution for the effective optical constants, expressed as refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k). Using these [n,k] values, we can model the blind as we would any other optical panel and insert it into various positions within a wider window system to determine the [R] of the window system. W ,T W A W The wider window system is defined as existing windows plus energy-positive WEMS. tm Device.

[0070] This then allows us to calculate various metrics that are crucial to the window industry, including visible light “VIS” reflectance and transmittance [R]. vis ,T vis [R] (i.e., weighted by human vision) W ,T W ]), and the aforementioned based on [R W ,T W And [R] weighted by the solar spectrum of 1.5 atmospheric mass (AM1.5) sol ,T sol A sol ]quantity.

[0071] Figure 9 The [R] of Mermet “white” shading fabric is shown in the range of opening factor from 1% (trace 1) to 10% (trace 4). SS ,T SS The measured values, where the 3% and 5% opening factors fall between the two. As the opening ratio increases, [R] decreases while [T] increases. In these white fabrics, the total [R+T] signal is almost the same, close to 0.80. Now, since the absorption rate [A] is defined as: A = 1 - (R + T) (2) When the total [R+T] = 0.80, the absorptivity is 0.20. Compared to the daytime cooling materials discussed above or the aforementioned coatings, this absorptivity is not particularly low.

[0072] Figure 10 The effective [n,k] of Mermet shading fabrics is shown, where the white (1%) has a higher [R] than 0.70. SS[n] is converted to an extremely high efficiency [n] above 11.0. As the open area increases, [n] decreases, see trace (4) for white (10%), where [n] is above 7.0. Coloring the fabric further reduces [n]. In trace (5) for linen fabric (e.g., light yellow or light brown) with an open area of ​​5%, [n] is close to 5.0, while in trace (6) for dark charcoal fabric with an open area of ​​5%, [n] is below 2.0. For the extinction coefficient, [k] for white fabric increases slightly with increasing open area, but [k] for linen fabric (5) increases significantly, while [k] for charcoal fabric (5%) increases dramatically.

[0073] Now that we have obtained the effective [n,k] of the shading fabric under evaluation, we can assemble the shading into various complete window constructions, where the original glass panel is specified as / G / , WEMS TM The device panel is designated / W / , while the sunshade is designated / SS / . We have examined various configurations A through E as described in Table 1.

[0074] Table 1 A [Outside air / G / G / Inside air] Standard double-pane window (existing technology) B [Outside air / G / G / SS / Inside air] Standard Curtain Implementation (Existing Technology) C [Outside air / / G / SS / G / Inside air] Non-standard SS between glass panes (existing technology) D [Outside air / G / SS / W / Inside air] <![CDATA[WEMS TM The device includes a panel between the SS and the internal air. E [Outside air / G / SS / W / W / Inside air] The WEMS™ device has two panels between the SS and the internal air. As can be clearly seen from the data provided below, these solar energy fabrics, regardless of their high [A] sol Regardless of their characteristics, they can all be used in the positive energy type WEMS of this invention. TM system.

[0075] The total [R] is obtained by using optical calculations. t ,T t A t A (j) ], where A (j) It is the absorptivity of each panel (j). A complete thermal / light energy calculation first determines the heat experienced by each panel, and then determines how this heat is transferred to the external or internal environment.

[0076] The following table shows the calculated [R] sol ,T sol A sol ] value, where [A sol ] represents the combined absorbance of all panels, i.e., the absorption rate from [A t ].

[0077] Referring to Table 2, [A] flows into the building interior. sol The proportion is specified as "fA" sol _IN". SH_1 equals the actual amount of solar energy absorbed and entered the interior, specified here as "A". sol _IN”.SH_2 is composed only of [T solThe sum of the components of SH_x and SH_t represents SHGC.

[0078] Table 2

[0079] Table 2 shows the solar energy performance of the Mermet white fabric at an opening ratio of 1% in configurations A through E, as described in more detail in Table 1A. For reference, for a standard double-pane window (configuration A), the flow to the interior [A] sol The proportion of ] (denoted as fA) sol The solar energy absorbed (_IN) is only 0.356, or about one-third of the total absorbed solar energy. This proportion is less than half (0.50) because the external environment has forced convection (i.e., wind), while the internal environment only has natural convection. sol The value of _IN is approximately 1 / 3, characterizing a symmetrical or balanced "thermal stack" in the presence of forced convection. Now, due to this construction, [A sol The energy component SH_1, which is relatively small (0.130), actually absorbs and flows into the internal air; this component is only 0.046, while the direct component SH_2 (i.e., [T]) is much smaller. sol The value is 0.734, which makes the direct components account for 94%, becoming the vast majority of the total SHGC.

[0080] The standard curtain implementation, specifically a standard double-pane window (construction B; / G / G / SS / ) with a fabric curtain at the front, can slow down the outward flow of heat, allowing fA sol _IN reaches a more balanced 0.495. In other words, this configuration produces an unbalanced thermal stack that counteracts the effects of forced convection from the external environment, while high [A] sol The absorption region is directly close to the internal environment. Therefore, SH_1 is now more dominant than SH_2, with SH_1 accounting for 73% of SHGC(SH_t). Although [A sol The value is 0.391, which is much larger than the value of constructing A, but [R] sol The increase to 0.537 is the main reason for the lower SH_t (0.265) of the construction of A.

[0081] In configuration C, which is a known but non-standard configuration, the sunshade is inserted between two glass panels, [R sol ,T sol A sol The value is almost the same as that in construction B. However, in construction C, the thermal stacking is symmetrical again, making the scale fA... sol _IN is 0.326, recovering to about 1 / 3 of the value of construct A. This explains why SH_t drops to 0.186 in this implementation.

[0082] Configurations D and E are examples of the present invention, and in some cases, they include the use of one or more low-radiation WEMS. TM The panel is used to create a highly asymmetric thermal environment, utilizing its low-emissivity surface properties as a barrier to prevent heat generated inside the shading fabric from flowing back into the internal environment. As can be seen from the data presented in this paper, even using shading materials with far less than optimal performance (because of their [A] sol [Up to 0.20], constructing E can also achieve lower SHGC values, such as 0.117.

[0083] WEMS TM The panel is incorporated into constructions D and E, [R sol ,T sol A sol The values ​​are almost identical to those in constructs B and C, but the imbalance in thermal stacking is more pronounced. The result is, for example, in construct E, fA sol _IN is only 0.169. Now, finally [A sol _IN] (SH_1 in Table 1B) is very low, only 0.60, compared to T sol The SH_2 component (in Table 1B) has a similar value of 0.057, and the SHGC (SH_t) is also very low, at only 0.117. The SH_1 and SH_2 components contribute almost equally to the total SHGC [51%, 49%].

[0084] The data in Table 2 demonstrate that high solar energy absorption has a beneficial protective effect. Referring to Table 2, the shading fabric with a non-white hue provided by Mermet is used in constructs D and E of this invention. When we compare white (1%) with white (5%), the slight increase in SH_t is mainly due to [T] sol The higher [T] is related to the fact that when there are more gaps (i.e., aperture ratio), light can pass through these gaps unimpeded, thus naturally producing a higher [T]. sol ].

[0085] As shown in Table 3, SH_1 increases with increasing hue level, but SH_2 [T] sol The decrease in ] essentially offset the increase, resulting in only a slight increase in the final SH_t. For the construction E, the charcoal gray [A sol Compared to white [A] sol [[both 5%]] significantly increased by 2.3 times (or 230%), however, the charcoal gray SH_t compared to [A] sol It only increased by 1.24 times (or 24%).

[0086] Table 3

[0087] The data in Table 3 show that the construction designed according to the present invention can use low-radiation WEMS. TM The panel controls the heat generated by the absorbent shading material, thus confining most of the solar heat to the external environment. This naturally reduces the load on the building's HVAC system by enhancing load shedding. Besides being incorporated into window systems as a roller blind or honeycomb blind, other energy-positive WEMS can be designed according to the principles of this invention. tm Devices. Of course, using blinds, especially blinds incorporating PCM, is beneficial for sun shading control.

[0088] The blinds can be installed horizontally, such as roller blinds, or vertically as is known in the art. As described above, energy efficiency can be further improved by providing blinds with coatings and colorants. In some examples, the coatings and colorants on each side may be different, thereby affecting the operation and function of the PCM's heat storage and release.

[0089] Figure 5 It is an energy-positive WEMS tm A perspective end view of device 500, which incorporates several optional features, such as a solar cell 502 that charges a battery 503, which powers a control mechanism for shading, lighting, and tilting the PCM-filled louver panel 303. Figure 5 In the middle, the energy-positive WEMS tm The device 500 is installed on the exterior of the building, in front of the existing window glass 101. The casing 30 supports the energy-positive WEMS. tm The various components of the device 500, specifically the solar cell 502, LED 501, and a mechanism (not shown) for raising and lowering the blinds and adjusting their tilt angle, allow the outer surface 301 of the blinds to guide sunlight as needed. The housing 30 also secures a first pane assembly 200, which includes a low-emissivity polymer film 201 within a rigid frame 203 located between the existing window glass 101 and the PCM-filled blinds 303. A second outer pane (EP) assembly includes a polymer film 205 within the rigid frame 203EP, located outside the device and used to protect the internal components from wind and weather.

[0090] The Energy Positive WEMS of the present invention tm Another advantageous option for the device is to add sound-absorbing features. For example, mineral wool or other fibrous insulation materials, such as those commercially available and sold under the trademark Sonozorb by GDC, Inc. of Goshen, Indiana. tm The thermal insulation material is a lightweight, durable, and highly porous polypropylene sound insulation material that creates a circuitous path for sound waves. It can be used in WEMS... tmPane components (e.g., Figure 1 The housing (e.g., the pane assembly 20) is fixed in place. Figure 2 In the housing 30), sound insulation is achieved. Of course, other products are available, and in some cases, these products are suitable as the inner surface of the blinds (e.g., Figure 4 The thin film on the inner surface 302 of C.

[0091] Figure 6 It is an energy-positive WEMS that combines roller blinds. tm Photolithographic characterization of a cross-sectional view of device 600. The figure shows energy-positive WEMS. tm The device 600 is installed on the outer window frame 101 of an existing window 100, which is a single-pane glazing pane 102. (Reference) Figure 6 The roller blind includes a cover (or top beam) 601 for the roller blind mechanism 602 and a sunshade fabric 603, which in this example is a colored sunshade fabric with a certain opening ratio. The window pane assembly 200 includes a first window pane assembly containing a low-emissivity polymer film 201 within a rigid frame 203 located between the existing window glass 102 and the roller blind fabric 603. A second outer window pane (EP) assembly secures a polymer film 205 within the rigid frame 203EP to protect internal components from wind and weather.

[0092] Of course, energy-positive WEMS tm Air gaps are formed between all components of device 600 and the outer surface 108 of window glass 102.

[0093] The mechanism for deploying and retracting the plates is set in WEMS. tm In the top beam of the device, the mechanism can be any manual mechanism known in the art. For example, a manual mechanism for raising and lowering blinds, where long plates are secured together by a rope and raised or lowered by pulling another rope, and opened and closed by rotating a lever or pulling another rope. Similarly, a mechanism for raising and lowering fabric blinds, such as a roller blind mechanism (e.g., 602), is provided in WEMS. tm The top beam of the device. Of course, all these mechanisms can be controlled electrically, as is known in the art.

[0094] The Energy Positive WEMS of the present invention tm The device can be installed against an existing window (i.e., inside the window frame) or on a wall, allowing WEMS to... tm There is an air gap between the device and the window. Of course, WEMS tm The device can also be installed on the exterior of the building. With casement or tilt-and-turn windows, the device can be attached to the window frame, allowing it to move with the window. For double-hung or single-hung windows, the vertical lifting mechanism can lift the lower WEMS...tm The devices are stacked on top of WEMS tm On the device. Of course, WEMS tm The device can also be used with sliding doors. Based on the above, it is clear that the energy-positive WEMS of the present invention... tm The device can be used with any existing window / door structure, whether known or likely to be present in the future.

[0095] Table 4 illustrates the superior performance achievable by the energy-positive WEMStm device of the present invention, comparing its efficiency with that of some known prior art auxiliary accessories or modified window insulation systems.

[0096] Table 4

[0097] Winsert Lite tm and Winsert Plus tm It is a high-performance auxiliary interior window insert, purchased from Alpen High Performance Products, Louisville, Colorado. (See also: [link to product description]) www.thinkalpen.com ); https: / / thinkalpen.com / wp-content / uploads / 2021 / 01 / WinSert-Information-Sheet-2020-12-v1.pdf Cardino LoE glass was purchased from Climate Guard Windows & Doors, Inc., Chicago, Illinois.

[0098] Controlling temperature distribution Positive Energy WEMS tm The device is part of the "Positive Energy Window System" described in this article. The glass / shading / WEMS in the Positive Energy Window System tm The arrangement of the device allows for temperature control of internal components such as phase change materials, making the storage and release of thermal energy more reliable.

[0099] This positive energy window system consists of uncoated panels (usually the original glass panes ( / G / ); shading panels ( / SS / ) or blinds (also / SS / ) in different shades and aperture coefficients, and WEMS. tmThe low-emissivity coated panels in the device ( / W / ) are mixed. According to the invention, even for very dark-toned (e.g., charcoal gray) roller blind fabrics, their solar heating effect is substantially separate from the solar thermal gain coefficient (SHGC). For example, for white shading fabric, under solar irradiation of 500 W / m², the measured temperature of the / SS / panel can be 83℉, while for dark charcoal gray shading fabric, under the same irradiation, the temperature is 150℉, but the difference in their respective SHGC values ​​increases only slightly from 0.11 to 0.17.

[0100] Controlling the temperature distribution within the various components of an active energy window system enables the operation of specific areas within the system. This operation can generally include mechanical, electrical, or chemical measures. The key to achieving this lies in controlling the temperature distribution within the system to create specific or selected areas where the temperature has risen, which we then control. For example, an agent such as a PCM placed within a selected area undergoes a chemical phase change reaction under solar irradiance to absorb heat energy and releases heat as the temperature decreases. Without establishing specific temperature conditions within the selected area, controlling the PCM would rely on chance.

[0101] Figure 11 This is a graphical representation of the temperature distribution of the structures shown in Table 1. Figure 11 In this model, the shading material / SS / is Mermet White with an opening factor of 1%. The environmental conditions for these calculations are: internal air temperature / external air temperature = T0 / T3 = 70℉ / 30℉; wind speed = 10 Mph; and solar irradiance incident on the outer surface of the window (#1) = 500 W / m². A graph was plotted showing the temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) of each component relative to its position (in inches) from the outer surface #1 of the first panel / G / , with the origin set at 0.0 inch. T3 was set at -1.0 inch beyond the final window surface, and T0 was set at +1.0 inch beyond the final window surface. The gap temperature will be the average of the temperatures of the two adjacent components.

[0102] refer to Figure 11 Structure B ( / G / G / SS / ) is shown in orange; this is a standard curtain implementation, where / SS / is the innermost element. Structure 1 has the highest temperature, 83℉. Generally, the temperature decreases monotonically from T3 to T0 with a similar slope. This means that, according to this visualization, approximately half of the absorbed solar energy used to heat the / SS / panel flows to the external / internal environment.

[0103] Structure C ( / G / SS / G / ), shown in blue, has a sunshade located between two glass panels and at a temperature of 75℉, slightly lower than the sunshade temperature in structure B. This is because only one glass panel blocks heat from flowing out. A second glass panel also blocks heat from flowing inward. Figure 11 In the middle, its slope has become much flatter, so now 32% of its heat flows to the internal environment.

[0104] Structures D and E characterize the energy-positive WEMS according to the present invention. tm Device. In configuration D, a low-emissivity panel (W / ) more effectively captures heat from the sunshade compared to the second glass panel in configuration C. The sunshade temperature in configuration D reaches 78.2℉, with 22% of the absorbed heat flowing into the internal environment.

[0105] Adding a second low-emissivity panel to structure E further increases the shade temperature to 80.5℉, but now only 16% of its absorbed energy is transferred to the interior environment.

[0106] Figure 12 Table 1 shows a graphical representation of the temperature (℉) for structures D and E, where the shading component ( / SS / ) is a Mermet-tinted shading curtain with an opening factor of 5%, and its temperature is plotted according to the position of each component in the various structures of the window system. Table 2 describes the various tinting options. Generally speaking, the darker the tint of the shading curtain, the more heat it absorbs, and therefore the higher its temperature. This is in... Figure 12 It has been proven that in construction D, there is only one WEMS. tm The device panel / W / is used to prevent heat from flowing into the internal environment; the temperature rises to 80.0℉ with the white sunshade and to 140.0℉ with the charcoal gray sunshade. In this comparison, the total solar energy absorption rate using the white panel [A] is [missing information]. sol The percentage is 36.2%, of which 22.8% enters the internal environment. Therefore, the total proportion of absorbed incident solar irradiance is 8.2%, i.e., SH_1 = 0.082. For charcoal gray tones, [A sol The percentage of solar radiation absorbed is as high as 86.2%, while the percentage of solar radiation entering the internal environment is only slightly higher than 26.0%. Therefore, the absorbed incident solar irradiance is 22.4%, or SH_1 = 0.224.

[0107] Construct E has two WEMS tm The device panel is designed to block heat from flowing into the internal environment. The temperature of the white sunshade rose to 83.0℉, while the temperature of the charcoal gray sunshade rose to 149.5℉, but the SH_1 values ​​decreased to 0.061 and 0.144, respectively.

[0108] Figure 11 and Figure 12 The temperature curves shown only convey the effect of Type 1 SH_1 indirect solar heating. While SH_1 increases with darker shade colors, the direct SH_2 component decreases with darker colors. Therefore, even with the darkest charcoal gray hue, the total SH_t can be maintained below 0.17. Thus, the shading hue and SHGC issues can be effectively separated. This demonstrates that when considering the energy-positive WEMS of the present invention... tm When the device is integrated into a window system, it can control the temperature of a selected area of ​​the window system.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described through specific embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art, based on these teachings, can generate other embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the drawings and descriptions in this disclosure are provided to facilitate understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the technical effects and problems described in the specification are exemplary and not intended to be limiting. The embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems.

Claims

1. A modified window insulation system for existing window frames or surround wall structures, the modified window insulation system comprising: At least one pane component, the at least one pane component having A rigid frame structure having a front surface and a rear surface, and a thickness (t) measured from front to back. At least one low-emissivity coated polymer film is bonded to the front surface of the rigid frame structure.

2. The modified window insulation system according to claim 2, further comprising: A housing structure configured to secure one or more window pane assemblies and to be attached to the existing window frame or surrounding wall.

3. The modified window insulation system according to claim 3, wherein, Two low-emissivity coated polymer films are bonded to the rigid frame structure, a second low-emissivity coated polymer film is bonded to the rear surface of the rigid frame structure, and the thickness (t) defines an air gap between the two low-emissivity coated polymer films.

4. The modified window insulation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The low-emissivity polymer film has a low-emissivity coating on both sides.

5. The modified window insulation system according to claim 2, wherein, The housing structure is also adapted to support decorative and / or functional elements.

6. The modified window insulation system according to claim 5, wherein, The decorative and / or functional elements are venetian blinds, sunshades, roller blinds, or blackout panels.

7. The modified window insulation system according to claim 6, wherein, The decorative and / or functional element is a venetian blind, the venetian blind profile having a cavity filled with a phase change material, and the venetian blind profile having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface.

8. The modified window insulation system according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of the outer surface and the inner surface has a reflective coating or cover.

9. The modified window insulation system according to claim 8, wherein, The reflective coating is located on the outward-facing surface and the coating or the cover layer is a metallized tape, the metallized tape further comprising a diffuse coating or cover layer.

10. The modified window insulation system according to claim 9, wherein, The diffuse coating or the cover layer is a polymer composite material that can be adjusted by changing the proportion and particle size distribution of fillers such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), pigments, and glass or polymer microbubbles.

11. The modified window insulation system according to claim 8, wherein, The inner surface is coated or covered with an absorbent material to generate solar heating that can be stored in the PCM.

12. The modified window insulation system according to claim 11, wherein, The absorbent material is fabric, wood veneer, or a dark coating.

13. A modified window insulation system for existing window frames or surround wall structures, the modified window insulation system comprising: At least one pane component, the at least one pane component having A rigid frame structure and at least one low-emissivity coated polymer film, the rigid frame structure having a front surface and a rear surface and having a thickness (t) measured from front to back, the at least one low-emissivity coated polymer film being bonded to the front surface of the rigid frame structure; A housing structure configured to secure one or more window pane assemblies and a sunshade component, the housing structure being mounted to the window frame such that at least one window pane assembly is between the sunshade component and the interior air.

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