Thermal Break Cap Retainer for Curtain Wall Energy Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window structures, particularly in curtain walls, face challenges in efficiently controlling heat transfer and aesthetic design while maintaining structural integrity and ease of assembly, as they often rely on conductive materials that increase thermal energy transfer between the interior and exterior environments.

Innovation Solution

A window system featuring a cap retainer with a first portion made from a high thermal conductivity material, such as aluminum alloy, and a second portion made from a lower thermal conductivity material, like polymer, interposed between the cap and the structural element, which reduces thermal conductivity by increasing the separation distance between conductive components and using snap-fit mechanisms for assembly without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal materials are used for window frames and curtain walls, then structural strength and aesthetic appearance are improved, but thermal conductivity increases leading to higher energy transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidthermal energy transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction by integrating metal structural elements with thermally broken components. The metal profile is divided into interior and exterior portions separated by a thermal break material, creating a composite structure that maintains structural strength while reducing thermal conductivity. This allows the window frame to retain the aesthetic and mechanical benefits of metal while minimizing heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If thermal insulation measures are implemented in window structures, then energy efficiency is improved, but structural integrity and assembly simplicity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidassembly simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The window frame is segmented into distinct components: an interior metal portion, an exterior metal portion, and a thermal break material positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity. The modular design facilitates easier assembly and manufacturing compared to monolithic thermal insulation solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If thermal break materials are inserted between metal components, then thermal conductivity is reduced, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal break material is merged with the metal profile components to form an integrated assembly. The interior and exterior metal portions are positioned on opposite sides of the thermal break material and secured together, creating a unified structure. This merging approach reduces the number of separate assembly steps and simplifies installation compared to methods requiring separate attachment of thermal insulation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces thermal conductivity by up to 50% compared to prior art, enhances energy efficiency, and simplifies assembly while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

a second portion made from a material having a thermal conductivity less than the thermal conductivity of the first material, the second portion interposed between the cap and the niche

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9909306B2Manufactures, methods and structures to reduce energy transfer in building curtain walls

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 KAWNEER

AI summary

A manufacture and method for reducing thermal transfer through window systems has a composite window cap retainer. The retainer has a metal extrusion at least partially covered by a thermal spacer having reduced relative thermal conductivity. The thermal spacer is mechanically supported by the metal extrusion and mechanically intermediates and thermally insulates between the cap and the metal window structures to which the cap is secured, reducing thermal transfer between the inside and outside environments of a building.