Vacuum Insulated Panel Low-Temperature Seal for UV Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulating panels with low-temperature edge seals outgas carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen quickly upon UV exposure, leading to increased u-factors and reduced panel lifetime due to residual carbon in the edge seal material.
Innovation Solution
Reduce residual carbon content in low-temperature edge seal material by using tellurium oxide and/or vanadium oxide, and process the seal to minimize carbon content to less than 70 ppm, enhancing panel stability against UV degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If low-temperature edge seal material is used to reduce de-tempering of glass substrates, then glass substrate stability is improved, but carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide outgassing increases upon UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the edge seal material by incorporating specific metal oxides (tellurium oxide, vanadium oxide) in controlled amounts to modify the material's UV resistance while maintaining its low melting point property, thereby reducing carbon outgassing without compromising glass substrate stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite edge seal material by combining low-temperature glass frit with specific metal oxides (tellurium oxide at 1-20 wt% and/or vanadium oxide at 1-20 wt%), forming a multi-component system that exhibits both low melting point and UV resistance properties, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature processing and UV stability
2Temperature
If low-temperature edge seal material is used to reduce de-tempering of glass substrates, then manufacturing temperature is reduced, but panel lifetime is reduced due to UV-induced degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the edge seal material by adding specific metal oxides that increase UV resistance without significantly raising the melting point, thereby extending panel lifetime while maintaining low-temperature processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of UV radiation (which causes carbon outgassing and panel degradation) into a beneficial outcome by using metal oxides that absorb UV energy and prevent the degradation mechanism, thereby protecting the panel and extending its lifetime
3Object-affected harmful factors
If residual carbon is removed from edge seal material to reduce outgassing, then UV resistance is improved, but seal material composition control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for metal oxide content (tellurium oxide 1-20 wt%, vanadium oxide 1-20 wt%) that inherently control carbon content to less than 70 ppm, providing a clear manufacturing specification that balances UV resistance with compositional control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by specifying target carbon content levels (less than 70 ppm) and using analytical methods to measure actual carbon content, allowing manufacturers to adjust processing parameters to achieve the desired UV resistance while maintaining compositional control
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 results in reduced de-tempering of glass substrates, improved seal hermeticity, moisture resistance, and extended panel lifetime up to 20-30 years by minimizing UV-induced degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Providing a vacuum in the space between the substrates reduces conduction and convection heat transport, and thus provides insulating properties
Implementation Method 2
reducing radiative energy with a low-emissivity (low-E) coating provided on one of the substrates
Implementation Method 3
vacuum getters contained internal to the vacuum cavity cannot adsorb all outgassed species emitted over a period of time
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum insulating panel includes may include: a first substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of spacers provided in a gap between at least the first and second substrates, wherein the gap is at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure; a seal provided between at least the first and second substrates, the seal comprising a first seal layer and/or a second seal layer; and wherein the first seal layer may be a low-temperature seal layer which has a low melting point to reduce de-tempering of glass substrate(s) during manufacturing. For example, the first seal layer may include tellurium oxide and/or vanadium oxide. The first seal layer may be processed in manner to reduce carbon content therein so as to improve stability of the panel upon ultraviolet (UV) exposure.