Composite Fenestration Frame Insulation for Cavity Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fenestration assemblies, particularly those with composite frames, experience significant heat transfer between interior and exterior portions due to cavities filled with air, leading to inefficient thermal insulation, especially in extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an insulation scaffold within the frame core that partitions cavities into isolated scaffold cavities using scaffold walls and engagement feet, minimizing convective and radiative heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If composite frame members with cavities are used, then structural integrity and durability are improved, but heat transfer between interior and exterior portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous cavity within the composite frame member is divided into multiple isolated cavities by inserting a barrier member. This segmentation prevents convective heat transfer across the cavity while maintaining the structural integrity of the composite frame. The barrier member creates separate air spaces that cannot facilitate convection, thereby reducing overall heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier member is introduced as an intermediary element within the cavity of the composite frame. This barrier member acts as a mediator that physically interrupts the cavity space, preventing direct convective flow between interior and exterior portions while allowing the composite frame to maintain its structural function.
2Loss of energy
If insulation foam or fillers are added to cavities, then heat transfer is reduced, but the cavity structure becomes more complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filling the entire cavity with insulation foam, the cavity is segmented into multiple smaller isolated cavities using a barrier member. This segmentation approach reduces heat transfer effectiveness while avoiding the complexity of molding and installing foam fillers, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Loss of energy
If intervening walls or septums are extruded with polymer windows, then heat transfer is reduced, but composite frame members become difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
A separate barrier member is used as an intermediary to create cavity subdivision in composite frames, avoiding the need to incorporate complex internal walls or septums directly into the extrusion or pultrusion process. This approach maintains the simplicity of composite frame manufacturing while achieving heat transfer reduction.
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
Enhances thermal insulation by reducing overall heat transfer coefficients and maintaining structural integrity, while supporting additional fenestration features like tie bars and shoot bolts.
Implementation Method 1
The air in the cavity receives heat from the interior face of the frame, and the heated air moves by convection toward the cooler exterior face of the frame
Implementation Method 2
Heat is radiated from the interior of the frame to the exterior of the frame across the cavity having the foam or filler in some examples
Implementation Method 3
enhancing thermal insulating properties of fenestration assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A fenestration assembly includes a fenestration frame having a frame core. The frame core includes a core exterior face and a a core interior face. A core wall of the frame core includes filament reinforced polymer, and the core wall extends between the core exterior face and the core interior face. One or more core cavities are within the frame core and surrounded by the core wall. At least one insulation scaffold is seated within the one or more cavities. The insulation scaffold includes one or more scaffold walls and scaffold cavities bordered by the one or more scaffold walls. Engagement feet are coupled with the remainder of the insulation scaffold, and the engagement feet are engaged against the core wall.