Polymer Aerogel Window Glazing Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window technologies, such as single pane windows, face challenges including high heat loss, weight issues with advanced multi-pane solutions, aesthetic concerns, and interference with existing structures, while retrofits like low-e coatings and storm windows have limitations in efficiency and appearance.
Innovation Solution
An energy-efficient single pane window design incorporating a polymer aerogel thermal barrier with a low emissivity coating, featuring porosity of 70% or greater and thermal conductivity between 0.010 W/(m K) to 0.020 W/(m K), which significantly reduces heat transfer and maintains high transparency and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a low-e coating is applied to improve thermal radiation emission, then heat loss is reduced, but interior condensation resistance is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The window pane is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first low-e coating on the outer surface for thermal radiation control, a polymer aerogel layer for insulation, and a second low-e coating on the inner surface for additional thermal control while maintaining condensation resistance through the aerogel's thermal barrier properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining glass plate, polymer aerogel material, and low-e coatings to achieve both low heat loss and high condensation resistance. The polymer aerogel serves as a thermal insulator that prevents the inner glass surface from reaching dew point temperatures
2Loss of energy
If multi-pane IGUs are used to improve insulation, then thermal performance is enhanced, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymer aerogel, a highly porous material with 70-95% porosity, as the thermal insulator. This aerogel layer provides insulation performance comparable to multi-pane IGUs but with significantly reduced weight, as aerogels have extremely low density
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential insulation function from heavy multi-pane structures and implements it through a lightweight polymer aerogel layer, separating the thermal performance requirement from the weight penalty of traditional IGUs
3Loss of energy
If silica aerogel is used for thermal barrier, then insulation is improved, but mechanical strength and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from silica aerogel to polymer aerogel, which offers similar thermal insulation properties but with superior mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability, making it suitable for window applications
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer aerogel is integrated with glass plates and low-e coatings to form a composite window structure that combines the high insulation performance of aerogel with the mechanical strength and durability of glass and polymer materials
4Loss of energy
If adhesive window films are applied to improve efficiency, then optical properties are modified, but interior condensation resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single adhesive film, the invention segments the thermal control function across multiple layers: external low-e coating, polymer aerogel insulation layer, and internal low-e coating, ensuring that condensation resistance is maintained while achieving high thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer aerogel layer acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the external and internal environments, preventing the inner glass surface from reaching temperatures that would cause condensation while still allowing optical transmission
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 polymer aerogel thermal barrier reduces heat flux by up to 50% compared to traditional single pane windows, enhances condensation resistance, and maintains optical clarity and mechanical robustness, addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer aerogel thermal barrier having a first side and a second side opposite each other... with an overall porosity of equal to approximately 70% or greater... thermal conductivity in a range of approximately 0.010 W/(m K) to approximately 0.020 W/(m K)
Implementation Method 2
A low emissivity (low-e) coating located over at least one of the first side or second side of the polymer aerogel thermal barrier
Data Source
AI summary
An energy efficient window includes a plate of glass having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A polymer aerogel thermal barrier having a first side and a second side is further provided. One of the first side and the second side of the polymer aerogel thermal barrier is located on one of the first side and the second side of the plate glass.