Roof And Wall Insulation Air Gap to Eliminate Thermal Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building insulation systems in pre-engineered metal buildings suffer from thermal bridging due to structural fastening, compression of insulation, and trapped humidity, leading to reduced thermal performance and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A building insulation system that creates an air gap between the insulation layer and conductive exterior sheeting, using a tension-supported flexible sheet material and active heat collection and distribution systems to manage air flow, heat, and humidity, eliminating the need for interior fasteners and enhancing solar heat absorption and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural fasteners are used to secure insulation to building members, then the insulation is securely fastened, but thermal bridges are created that reduce thermal performance by up to fifty percent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system consisting of clips or brackets that connect the insulation support apparatus to building members without penetrating the insulation layer. This mediator eliminates direct thermal bridges while maintaining secure fastening, resolving the contradiction between fastening strength and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional through-fastening (penetrating the insulation layer) to surface-mounted attachment (clips or brackets on the exterior or interior surfaces). This dimensional change in attachment methodology eliminates thermal bridges while maintaining secure fastening of the insulation system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If insulation is compressed between structural members and exterior sheeting, then the insulation is securely positioned, but the compression reduces thermal performance and blocks solar heat energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the building envelope into distinct functional layers: structural members, air gap, insulation layer, and exterior sheeting. This segmentation creates a defined air gap that prevents compression of the insulation while maintaining secure positioning, thereby preserving thermal performance and enabling solar heat absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a defined air gap as an intermediary space between the insulation layer and exterior sheeting. This air gap acts as a buffer that prevents compression of the insulation while maintaining secure positioning, resolving the contradiction between stability and thermal performance.
3Strength
If insulation is installed during the roof and wall sheeting process using interior fasteners, then the insulation can be securely fastened, but the installation complexity increases and installer preference decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation sequence by attaching the insulation support apparatus to building members before installing the insulation and exterior sheeting. This reversal eliminates the need for interior fastening operations during installation, reducing complexity while maintaining secure fastening through the clips or brackets.
4Strength
If exterior sheeting is applied directly over insulation with through-fasteners, then the sheeting is securely attached, but thermal bridges are created at fastener locations with frequency of one fastener per ten square feet or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system (clips or brackets) that secures the exterior sheeting to building members without penetrating the insulation layer. This mediator eliminates thermal bridges at fastener locations while maintaining secure attachment of the sheeting, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and thermal performance.
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
This system improves thermal performance, reduces energy consumption by over 50% through efficient heat collection and distribution, and minimizes humidity-related issues, potentially achieving net zero energy usage with the integration of renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
collection and concentration of heat energy within the defined air gap spaces created within the roof and wall assemblies, where heat can be actively collected from the defined spaces by one of several methods
Implementation Method 2
absorption, collection and transfer of solar heat energy hitting the exterior surfaces of the building
Implementation Method 3
active mechanical heat pump collection, concentration, transfer and distribution system
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of air ducts, a plurality of air duct dampers
Data Source
AI summary
A building insulation system for roofs and walls supported from the interior side of the building, which eliminates thermal bridges and bottom side ceiling fasteners to support the insulation system materials during the insulation and exterior sheeting process of the building construction. The insulation system creates an air gap space layer in roofs and in walls between the exterior wall and roof sheeting panels and the interior sheet material, which supports the insulation material layer. An air gap space enables active solar energy collection and its use to reduce the overall purchased energy for operation of the building. The insulation system preferably includes a support sheet material, a sheet material tensioning devices, an insulation material layer, insulation hanger retention devices, heat and air collection and distribution ducts, dampers, louvers, pipes, dehumidification and condensate collection devices used in the air gap layers of the building to improve the building energy efficiency.