Three-Pane Insulated Glazing Unit with Thin Intermediate Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fenestration units face challenges in reducing thermal energy transfer through glazing units, leading to inefficient energy usage in buildings.
Innovation Solution
A multiple pane insulated glazing unit is designed with a boron-free soda lime silicate glass composition, featuring a thin intermediate pane between two outer panes, sealed by metal or metal alloy spacers with a polymer-based material, and coated with low emissivity and scratch-resistant coatings to minimize thermal energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional dual-pane glazing unit is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal energy transfer is high leading to poor energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing unit is divided into three separate panes (first outer pane, intermediate pane, second outer pane) with two distinct chambers between them. This segmentation allows each pane and chamber to be optimized independently for thermal performance while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate pane is nested between the two outer panes, creating a compact three-pane structure. The first and second spacers are nested within the overall assembly, with each spacer enclosing its respective chamber. This nesting approach maximizes insulation performance within a compact profile suitable for existing fenestration frames.
2Length of moving object
If a thin intermediate pane is used, then the overall profile is compact and easier to install, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate pane is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinnest at the center and thicker at the edges where it contacts the spacers. This local quality variation provides structural strength at the critical support points while maintaining a compact overall profile. The edges are strengthened by the spacer contact areas, allowing the center to be thinner for compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing unit uses composite material strategies by combining multiple glass panes with different thicknesses and materials (glass panes with metal or polymer spacers). This composite approach allows the thin intermediate pane to achieve sufficient structural strength through its integration with the stronger outer panes and spacer systems, rather than relying on the intermediate pane alone.
3Ease of manufacture
If boron-free soda lime silicate glass is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but the thermal performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the glass composition parameters to use boron-free soda lime silicate glass, which is easier to manufacture and more environmentally friendly. To compensate for any thermal performance differences, the design optimizes the overall system by using three panes with specific thickness combinations and incorporating low-emissivity coatings on the inner surfaces, achieving excellent thermal performance with the modified material parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material strategies by combining boron-free soda lime silicate glass panes with metal or polymer spacers and low-emissivity coatings. This composite approach allows the use of easier-to-manufacture glass while maintaining superior thermal performance through the synergistic combination of multiple materials and layers, each contributing specific thermal properties.
4Loss of energy
If low-emissivity coatings are applied to the inner surfaces, then thermal energy reflection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Low-emissivity coatings are applied selectively to specific surfaces (the inner surfaces of the first outer pane and second outer pane, and potentially the intermediate pane) rather than all surfaces. This local application targets the critical interfaces where thermal reflection is most needed, minimizing coating material usage and manufacturing complexity while maximizing thermal performance benefits.
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 solution significantly reduces thermal energy transfer, enhancing energy efficiency by up to 44% compared to dual-pane units, while maintaining a compact profile and allowing retrofitting into existing frames without structural modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The third inner surface includes a tin oxide coating. At least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface includes a low emissivity coating.
Implementation Method 2
a first spacer coupled to the first inner surface... and a spacer coupled to the second inner surface... The first spacer and the spacer are each composed of a metal or a metal alloy. Each of the first spacer and the spacer include a spacer base, a first spacer leg and a second spacer leg
Implementation Method 3
A first sealant is coupled to the first spacer leg and a second sealant is coupled to the second spacer leg.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple pane insulated glazing unit for a fenestration unit includes a first outer pane including a first thickness defined between a first outer surface and a first inner surface. A first spacer is coupled to the first inner surface. A second outer pane has a second thickness defined between a second outer surface and a second inner surface. A spacer is coupled to the second inner surface, and an intermediate pane is coupled to at least one of the first spacer and the spacer. The intermediate pane has a third thickness defined between a third inner surface and a fourth inner surface that is less than the first thickness and the second thickness. The third thickness is between about 0.2 millimeters (mm) to about 1.2 millimeters (mm), and the first outer pane, the second outer pane and the intermediate pane are composed of boron-free soda lime silicate glass.