Skylight Thermal Break Insulator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional skylights, especially those on historic buildings, lack effective thermal breaks, leading to heat conduction issues, increased heating costs, condensation, and aesthetic problems due to their unique structures and materials like copper, which are poor insulators.
Innovation Solution
A skylight design featuring a glass section with an intermediate member including a beam, vertical rib, insulator, and cap forming a thermal break, where the insulator is attached to the beam and cap with rivets or screws, and additional insulation is provided underneath the cap to reduce heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional formed sheet metal skylight structures are used, then aesthetic requirements for historic buildings are met, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to lack of thermal break
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is segmented into distinct functional components: a metal beam for structural support, an insulating material layer for thermal break, and a cap for finishing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining the traditional skylight appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member uses composite construction combining metal (beam), insulating material (thermal break), and cap materials. This composite structure provides both the structural integrity needed for traditional skylights and the thermal insulation properties required to prevent heat conduction.
2Ease of manufacture
If copper sheet metal is used for traditional skylights, then aesthetic and historic preservation requirements are met, but heat conduction increases due to copper's excellent thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating material layer acts as an intermediary between the metal beam and the glass sections, blocking the thermal conduction path. This intermediary layer prevents direct thermal contact while maintaining the structural and aesthetic requirements of traditional copper skylights.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal break is applied locally at critical heat transfer points - specifically at the intermediate members where glass sections meet the metal frame. This localized approach targets the most significant heat conduction paths without requiring complete replacement of traditional materials.
3Ease of operation
If no thermal break is provided, then installation simplicity is maintained, but condensation occurs due to cold surfaces during cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal break is pre-installed as part of the intermediate member assembly before final installation. This preliminary thermal insulation prevents cold surfaces from forming on the glass edges, thereby preventing condensation before it can occur during cold weather operation.
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 design effectively reduces heat transfer, minimizes energy loss, and addresses aesthetic concerns by providing efficient thermal insulation without requiring special installation training, making it suitable for historic buildings.
Implementation Method 1
an insulator disposed on said beam and extending upwardly adjacent to said edge and being attached along a lower portion to said rib... whereby said insulator forms a thermal break for said skylight
Data Source
AI summary
A skylight includes at least one glass section supported by an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a beam supporting the glass section, a cap disposed above the glass section and an insulator disposed between and attaching the beam to the cap. The insulator forms a thermal break to impede heat transfer through the skylight in either direction.