Dynamic Multi-Pane Insulating Assembly for Stable Thermal Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-pane insulating glass units and vacuum insulating glass units face challenges in maintaining high thermal resistance over their lifetime due to environmental stresses and differential temperature-induced expansion and contraction, which can lead to reduced vacuum levels and compromised thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic multi-pane insulating assembly system that includes a gas-permeable interior pane, exterior panes, a vacuum source, and a pressurized gas source, with a control assembly that maintains desired vacuum and pressure levels using pressure sensors to ensure consistent thermal resistance, utilizing a system of evacuated and pressurized gaps to minimize heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum levels are maintained at high levels (10^-4 to 10^-5 torr) to ensure high thermal resistance, then thermal performance is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of maintaining vacuum over lifetime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic vacuum maintenance system with adjustable vacuum pumps and control mechanisms that can adapt vacuum levels based on operational conditions. This allows the system to maintain high thermal resistance by dynamically adjusting vacuum levels rather than using a fixed, overly complex high-vacuum system throughout, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes vacuum parameters over time and operating conditions, transitioning between different vacuum levels (10^-3 to 10^-5 torr) based on thermal performance requirements. This parameter adjustment approach maintains high thermal resistance when needed while reducing system complexity during normal operation, addressing the contradiction between sustained high performance and system complexity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If vacuum levels are maintained at high levels (10^-4 to 10^-5 torr) over extended lifetime (25 years), then thermal resistance is maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary vacuum sealing and protective coating applications during manufacturing that prevent vacuum degradation over the 25-year lifetime. By pre-establishing robust sealing and protection mechanisms, the system maintains high vacuum levels and thermal resistance over extended periods without requiring continuously complex active maintenance systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track vacuum levels and thermal performance over time, enabling proactive maintenance and adjustment. This feedback approach ensures high thermal resistance is maintained throughout the 25-year lifetime while avoiding unnecessary complexity by only activating additional vacuum maintenance measures when actually needed based on measured conditions.
3Strength
If spacers are used to maintain gap between panes, then structural support is provided, but thermal bridges are created that reduce insulating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin, flexible spacer elements with minimal thermal mass and low thermal conductivity that maintain the necessary gap between panes while creating minimal thermal bridges. These thin-film spacers provide structural support for vacuum maintenance while their reduced thickness and material properties minimize their thermal conduction, thus preserving overall thermal resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer system is designed with localized support features that provide structural strength only where mechanically necessary, leaving large portions of the gap free of thermal-conductive elements. This local quality approach concentrates structural support functions in specific areas while minimizing the overall thermal bridge effect across the entire glazing assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains high thermal resistance values, such as R-13 or more, by dynamically adjusting vacuum and pressure levels, thereby enhancing the longevity and performance of the insulating assembly under changing environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an evacuated gap (30) having a predetermined thickness is defined between the interior pane (12) and the first exterior pane (16) into which a vacuum can be drawn
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized gap (32) is defined between the interior pane (12) and the second exterior pane (18) into which pressurized gas can be introduced
Implementation Method 3
the interior pane (12) is formed of a gas permeable material
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic multi-pane insulating assembly and system including methods for dynamically maintaining the thermal resistance value of the assembly and system. The dynamic multi-pane insulating assembly and system includes an interior pane and first and second exterior panes. The first exterior pane and a first side of the interior pane defines an evacuated gap in communication with a vacuum source and a second side of the interior pane and the second exterior pane defines a pressurized gap in communication with the source of pressurized gas.