Fire-Resistant Glass Block With Thermal Break Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire-rated glass blocks only offer up to 90 minutes of resistance to radiant heat transfer and do not effectively limit surface temperature rise on the non-exposed block face, failing to provide prolonged fire resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fire-resistant glass block assembly featuring two or more glass portions connected by a thermal break channel, with an inner cavity filled with a fire-resistant gel to mitigate radiant energy transfer, achieving a fire rating of up to two hours and maintaining structural integrity at temperatures exceeding 1640°F.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional fire-rated glass blocks are used, then light transmission and aesthetic appeal are achieved, but fire resistance duration is limited to 90 minutes and surface temperature rise is not effectively limited
Solution Approach 1:
The glass block is divided into multiple glass portions separated by thermal break channels, creating distinct thermal zones that prevent heat transfer between the exposed and non-exposed faces, thereby maintaining lower surface temperatures while extending fire resistance duration
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal break channels filled with fire-resistant gel serve as intermediary elements between glass portions, blocking radiant heat transfer and preventing surface temperature rise on the non-exposed face while allowing the block to maintain structural integrity for extended periods
2Duration of action of moving object
If glass blocks are made thicker to improve fire resistance, then fire rating increases, but light transmission and aesthetic quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single thick glass block, the invention segments the block into multiple thinner glass portions separated by thermal break channels, maintaining light transmission properties while achieving extended fire resistance through the cumulative effect of multiple glass layers and thermal barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The glass block assembly combines glass portions with thermal break channels filled with fire-resistant gel, creating a composite structure that leverages the optical properties of glass and the thermal blocking properties of the gel-filled channels to achieve both high light transmission and extended fire rating
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 glass block assembly effectively resists radiant heat transfer and maintains structural integrity for extended periods, achieving a two-hour fire rating and preventing breakage during fires by using a thermal break channel and fire-resistant gel.
Implementation Method 1
an inner cavity filled with a fire-resistant gel to mitigate radiant energy transfer
Implementation Method 2
two or more glass portions connected by a thermal break channel
Data Source
AI summary
A fire-resistant glass block including a thermal break and methods for making same. Embodiments of the glass block assembly include at least two portions filled with fire-resistant gel, wherein the at least two portions are connected using a thermal break channel. The thermal break channel improves the thermal conductions characteristics of the assembly and mitigates the potential for breakage in either glass block half unit through direct heat transfer. The glass block assembly can be made by connecting two or more glass portions using a thermal break channel and filling the connected glass block portions with fire-resistant gel.