Multiwall Polymer Sheet Liquid Cells Light Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer sheeting in naturally lit structures lacks enhanced optical properties, specifically in visible light transmission and direct solar light blocking, which are essential for efficient energy management and crop growth in applications like greenhouses.
Innovation Solution
A multiwall sheet design comprising multiple polymer walls with a transverse layer and a liquid-filled cell structure, which increases visible light transmission while maintaining controlled direct solar transmission, achieved through specific polymer materials and geometric configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polymer sheeting is used to replace glass in naturally lit structures, then impact resistance and weight reduction are improved, but optical properties (visible light transmission and solar light blocking) are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer sheet is divided into multiple walls (at least three) separated by transverse layers, creating a multiwall structure with cells. This segmentation allows the sheet to maintain structural integrity while enabling optical enhancement through liquid filling in the cells, resolving the contradiction between strength and light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines polymer materials with liquid fillers (such as water, glycerin, or oil) within the multiwall structure. This composite approach enhances the optical properties by increasing visible light transmission while maintaining the impact resistance and structural benefits of the polymer framework.
2Weight of moving object
If polymer sheeting is used to replace glass, then weight and installation ease are improved, but insulative properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes liquid fillers within the multiwall cells to enhance thermal insulation. The liquid content (such as water or glycerin) provides thermal mass and insulation properties, reducing heat transfer while maintaining the lightweight advantage of polymer over glass.
3Illumination intensity
If liquid is added to multiwall sheet cells to enhance optical properties, then visible light transmission is improved, but direct solar transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention selectively fills only specific cells within the multiwall structure with liquid, rather than filling all cells uniformly. This local quality approach allows enhancement of visible light transmission in specific areas while maintaining control over overall solar light transmission, as the liquid is strategically positioned to optimize optical 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
The multiwall sheet design enhances visible light transmission by up to 13% and maintains direct solar transmission between 63% to 68%, optimizing energy efficiency and crop growth while providing structural integrity and reduced maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid is located in cells formed by the transverse layer intersecting the walls... The first visible light transmission is greater than the second visible light transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are multiwall sheeting and articles comprising multiwall sheeting. In one embodiment, a multiwall sheet comprises: greater than or equal to three polymer walls (e.g., comprising a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and an inner layer), a transverse layer, and a liquid. The liquid is located in cells formed by the transverse layer and the walls. The multiwall sheet has a first visible light transmission and a first direct solar transmission. A second multiwall sheet has the same materials and the same design as the multiwall sheet but with no liquid, and has a second visible light transmission and a second direct solar transmission. The first visible light transmission is greater than the second visible light transmission and the first direct solar transmission is about 63% to about 70% as determined in accordance with ISO 9050.