Double-Glazed Window Valves for Sealed Volume Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional double-glazed windows or doors lack the ability to control the gaseous environment within the sealed volume, and their seals deteriorate over time, reducing insulating properties.
Innovation Solution
A double-glazed window or door assembly with one-way inlet and outlet valves mounted on the glass panes, allowing controlled exchange of gases, including the introduction of new gases and removal of existing gases, to maintain optimal insulation and seal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the volume between glass panes is sealed during assembly, then the gaseous environment is fixed, but there is no means to control or restore the gaseous environment once assembled
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed volume is segmented from the external atmosphere through the use of one-way valves that create controlled access points. The inlet valve segments the sealing function (allowing gas in but not out) while the outlet valve segments the venting function (allowing gas out but not in), enabling independent control of gas exchange while maintaining overall seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static sealed environment to a dynamic controllable environment through the implementation of one-way valves. These valves enable the gaseous environment to be dynamically adjusted by introducing desiccant or replacing gas compositions while maintaining the sealed structure, thus combining static sealing with dynamic controllability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional double-glazed windows are constructed as a single unit, then assembly is simplified, but the seals are compromised with the passage of time resulting in reduced insulating properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates one-way valves during initial assembly that enable preliminary actions such as introducing desiccant materials or specific gas compositions into the sealed volume before final sealing. This preliminary action prepares the internal environment to resist moisture and degradation, extending seal durability while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valves enable the sealed volume to self-regulate its internal environment by allowing the introduction of restorative materials (desiccant, gas replacements) while preventing loss of beneficial internal conditions. This self-service capability extends the functional life of the seals without requiring disassembly or complex maintenance procedures.
3Loss of energy
If the sealed volume is completely sealed, then insulating properties are maintained, but moisture-laden gases cannot be removed and insulating properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet one-way valve provides a mechanism to extract harmful moisture-laden gases from the sealed volume while preventing the extraction of beneficial insulating gases. This selective extraction removes harmful factors (moisture) while preserving the insulating efficiency of the remaining dry gas environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valves act as intermediary devices that mediate between the sealed internal environment and the external atmosphere. They enable controlled interaction by allowing specific gas exchanges (introducing dry gas, removing moisture-laden gas) while maintaining the overall sealed structure that preserves insulating efficiency.
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
Enables controlled management of the gaseous environment, restoring insulating properties by allowing gas exchange and sealant introduction, and removing moisture-laden gases to maintain optimal performance and safety features like fire retardant introduction.
Implementation Method 1
the one-way inlet valve and the one-way outlet valve are biased closed
Implementation Method 2
the insert is made from a material that allows a needle to penetrate therethrough and resiliently seals the passage when the needle is withdrawn
Data Source
AI summary
A double-glazed window or door assembly is provided. The double-glazed window or door assembly comprises a first glass pane and a second glass pane spaced apart to form a volume therebetween. A perimeter seal is located between adjacent faces of the first glass pane and the second glass pane to substantially seal said volume. A one-way inlet valve is mounted on the second glass pane to provide fluid communication from atmosphere to the sealed volume. A one-way outlet valve is mounted on the second glass pane to provide fluid communication from the sealed volume to atmosphere.