GB2341200A - Thermally insulating panel, fitted inwardly of a window, has side and lower edges in close contact with the adjacent structure - Google Patents

Thermally insulating panel, fitted inwardly of a window, has side and lower edges in close contact with the adjacent structure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2341200A
GB2341200A GB9924768A GB9924768A GB2341200A GB 2341200 A GB2341200 A GB 2341200A GB 9924768 A GB9924768 A GB 9924768A GB 9924768 A GB9924768 A GB 9924768A GB 2341200 A GB2341200 A GB 2341200A
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Prior art keywords
shutter
shutters
window
heat
room
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GB9924768D0 (en
GB2341200B (en
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David Huw Stephens
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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06BFIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/044Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0075Systems using thermal walls, e.g. double window
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F24S20/61Passive solar heat collectors, e.g. operated without external energy source
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F24S20/63Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings in the form of windows
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S60/00Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
    • F24S60/10Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24SSOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S60/00Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
    • F24S60/30Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24DDOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16Waste heat
    • F24D2200/22Ventilation air
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F2003/144Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by dehumidification only
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24FAIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0075Systems using thermal walls, e.g. double window
    • F24F2005/0078Double windows
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • Y02A30/27Relating to heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC] technologies
    • Y02A30/272Solar heating or cooling
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20Solar thermal
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/90Passive houses; Double facade technology
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)

Abstract

A thermally insulating panel (3), or shutter, can either be fixed or movable and is fitted inwardly of a window in a building in order to retain warm air. The side and lower edges of the panel are arranged to fit closely to the adjacent structure in order to contain dense air cooled by contact with the glazing and to minimise escape of air into the room. The insulating panels may be raised or lowered using guide means and preferably shutter the window in an upward vertical direction. A second pivotable panel (14, figure 2) may be included to provide shading from the sun or a plurality of counterbalanced panels (figure 6) may be provided to form a shutter arrangement. A gap (8) is preferably present at the top of the panel (3) to allow convection of air into the room. A heat collection and storage system may also be provided in the form of either a heat transfer fluid (15, figure 4) or phase change material (20, figure 5). The outer faces of the shutters are also preferably switchable between absorbing or reflecting solar radiation.

Description

2341200
INSULATING AND SOLAR COLLECTING WINDOW SHUTTERS Patent Specification SHPA99 30 Aug 99
This invention relates to the reduction of energy consumption of buildings.
It comprises a new configuration of internally-fitted thermal ly-insulati rig window shutters, which reduce heat losses even when partly open and allow solar collection to continue over the full area of the window even when closed. A fluid filled hollow panel may be included to serve both as solar water-heater and supplementary heating.
The invention is applicable to new and old buildings, but is particularly valuable for reducing energy consumption in old buildings which are not cost effective to upgrade by wall insulation and double glazing.
Calculation shows that heat loss can be reduced more by such window shutters than by double glazing and wall insulation put together, where windows comprise more than about 40% of wall area.
Collection and utilisation of direct solar radiation has hitherto been expensive in capital cost via roof mounted solar panels, large areas of multiple glazing with thermal break frames, transparent insulation and screening devices. It has been more cost-effective at prevailing energy prices to instal appliances to burn fossil fuel.
The present invention makes solar heating more cost- effective. Single glazing plus shutters is cheaper, collects more solar radiation, and insulates better than multiple glazing or transparent insulation.
For domestic hot water, solar panels integrated with shutters can be much cheaper than roof mounted panels, and can serve also for room-heating.
The invention can thus make a major and rapid contribution towards reducing fossil fuel burning and air pollution towards controlling climate change.
For the purpose of this specification "shutter' includes both fixed and moveable insulating panels, "window" means a glazed opening including the window frame in the opaque envelope of a building, and "room" means any space in a building, in which it is desired to retain heat.
The system proposed is applicable in climates with cold winters where a heat input to buildings is needed for human comfort, and the text refers to winter conditions unless otherwise stated.
PROBLEMS WITH GLAZING Glass is a poor thermal insulator and suffers a high rate of heat loss of about 5.6 Watts per square metre per degree Celsius difference between inside and outside for single glazing and 2.8 for double, compared with about 0.3 for a well insulated opaque wall (the thermal transittance or U value).
The significance of the heat loss from glazing may be judged by the impairment of the opaque wall U value of 0.45 required by 1990 UK building regulations to over 1.6 average of wall plus window by the permitted 25% single glazing of wall area or 50% double glazing. The high rate of heat loss is especially serious where large areas of glazing are used, as in many schools and offices.
It is desirable to reduce heat losses from windows on all elevations. But this creates a conflict. Limitation of window area to reduce heat loss in winter, as required by UK building regulations may increase energy requirements for artificial lighting throughout the year.
Passive" solar heat gains which contribute to space heating requirements are obtained through Sunfacing windows, but potential fuel savings are reduced by glazing losing more heat than it collects in cold cloudy weather. If heat losses can be reduced to below heat gains, windows can be a net collector of heat, allowing window area to be increased.
Heat losses are conventionally reduced by multiple glazing. Triple and quadruple glazing, with hermetic sealing, low emissivity coatings, and gas filled cavities are available commercially. Yet these still lose more heat than well-insulat6d walls. Double glazing with Page 1 a low emissivity coating as sold in the UK has a U value of 1.9.
Another variant is an insulation material which is transparent to radiant solar heat. One such product is reported to have a U value of 0.8 for 1 00mm thickness, which compares with about 0.3 which would be achieved by such thickness of opaque insulation.
Both multiple glazing and transparent insulation are technically sophisticated and expensive. Both may have a short service life. Failure of hermetic seals is common, resulting in moisture penetration and mould growth between the panes. Transparent insulation requires built-in reflective blinds to prevent overheating.
Multiple glazing reduces the amount of solar heat collected, since a proportion is reflected at each interface.
The cost of a large area of sophisticated solar collecting window, its relatively poor energy efficiency and doubtful durability inhibits utilisation of solar heat in buildings.
HEAT LOSS REDUCTION WITH SHUTTERS Insulating shutters which reduce window heat loss when vision and light are not required are well known in low energy houses, but their potential is not well developed in current designs. A recent report "Energy Efficiency and Renewables - Recent Experience on Mainland Europe": David Olivier (ISBN 0-9518791-0-3) shows examples of the present state of the art.
External shutters must be waterproof, strongly constructed to resist wind, and air-sealed to the window to be effective in reducing heat losses. They are inconvenient to operate manually in wet, cold or windy weather, so may need remote mechanical operation. And they prevent solar gain when closed.
Internal shutters in various known configurations are effective only when fully closed and air sealed. Otherwise if partly opened room air can convect over the whole area of the window and thus short-circuit the insulated shutter.
The present invention employs upwardly-closing shutters which below their upper edge fit closely to the adjoining structure so forming a void open to the room only at its top boundary.
In the absence of solar gain, air in the void is cooled by the cold window surface and thus of higher density than room air, so remains relatively motionless within the void, preventing room air convecting over the shuttered area, thereby achieving the full insulation value of the shutters over that area.
Room air can circulate only against the upper area of window left unshuttered for vision and/or light.
The shutter system should preferably when closed extend above the glazed area. A gap should remain at the top when the shutters are fully extended upwards, to allow solar heated air to convect from the cavity, should the shutters be left closed in daytime.
SOLAR COLLECTION On Sun-facing windows shuttered according to this invention, solar collection can continue over the whole window area even when shutters are closed. During solar collection, the outer surface of the shutter absorbs radiant heat, and warms adjacent air inducing convection of warm air upwards into the room.
Air may be admitted to the void to help displace upward flowing air via a flap valve at low level, or by a thermostatically controlled fan.
The potential of passive solar heated buildings can be improved in several respects by this invention.
- With heat losses reduced by the insulating shutter function as above, the fenestration can be single glazing in simple frames, reducing its cost, and improving durability.
- About 50% more solar energy can be collected. Transmission through glass is about 30% more through single glazing than double, and the collecting area can be about 20% larger using narrow metal frames instead of wide thermally insulating frames usually used for multiple glazing.
Page 2 - Heat loss through the glazing is reduced by the low thermal capacity of the shutters and rapid transfer of heat away from the windows. By contrast, in one technique of passive solar building, a massive masonry wall located inwardly of the glazing absorbs and stores solar heat. But being next to the glazing, which is the least insulated part of the envelope, it loses heat at a high rate 24 hours a day.
HEATSTORAGE Solar gain through windows can be as much as 700 Watts per square metre of glazing when the sky is unclouded. Through large windows, this rate of insolation can overheat a room, especially where the construction is of low mass as in timber framed houses, or surfaces have a low heat admittance, as where acoustic ceiling tiles are fitted. Many existing buildings such as schools and offices suffer such overheating.
The faces of the shutters would normally be absorbent to solar radiation, but it is useful to be able to change the surface to reflect solar radiation, to minimise solar gains in hot weather, and thus reduce the need for and demand on air conditioning systems.
Passive solar heated buildings are usually designed with high mass and high admittance surfaces to absorb and store the heat.
Moreover, many dwellings are unoccupied during the day, and have insufficient mass to store solar heat gains until evening occupation.
"eal storage may be added within the shutter system, to control overheating or store heat until it can more usefulfly be used, either with water-filled panels as described below, or by employing phase-change materials. These are crystalline compounds which absorb heat in melting at around ambient temperatures, and release heat in rtallising when the temperature is slightly lower.
A shutter system incorporating phase-change storage is likely to be of especial value in upgrading existing houses, in storing heat until the evening. Moreover a source of heat is very desirable beneath windows, to warm infiltrating cold air.
WATER HEATING Further energy saving may be secured at little cost by incorporating a hollow panel containing water or other heat transfer fluid into the shutter system. Such a panel costs much less than a water-filled solar panel on the roof, which needs its own frame, glazing, insulation, and frost protection system.
- Such panels could collect enough solar heat for seasonal storage. The lower part of Sun- facing windows in a passive solar house would provide about ten square metres of collector surface and could produce much more hot water in summer than needed domestically. The surplus may be stored in a large insulated tank for winter topping up of space heating, providing relatively low cost seasonal heat collection and storage.
- In offices etc where there may often be sufficient heat emission from lights and computers to provide for space heating, such panels can save energy by absorbing part of the solar gain, to tw utilised for hot tap water, stored for later use, or dumped via cooling towers.
- In winter when solar gain is needed for space heating and such panels give less hot water, they can serve as ordinary heating radiators, as illustrated in fig 2.
According to the present invention a thermally insulating shutter system is fitted internally to a window, to enclose a void between the shutter system and window, open only at the upper boundary of the void.
The shutter system is fitted closely to the adjacent building structure, to substantially prevent downward convection of relatively cold air from the void to the room.
Page 3 The system is designed to shutter the window progressively upwards, by continuous adjustment, or in stages as by a series of side hinged shutters.
Another shutter, pivoting on a horizontal axis parallel to the window may be fitted at high level to function separately from the lower voidenclosing system, to provide shading from glare and linking when required with the void-enclosing system to insulate the whole height of the window.
The outer face of shutters may optionally be changeable to be absorbent or reflective to solar radiation.
The absorptivity of the face may be changed either by a manually reversible sheet, or by a reflective blind which may be drawn over an absorptive face.
When fully closed, a gap should remain at the top of the shutters to allow entry of ventilating air and convection of solar-heated air into the room.
A device may be fitted to a] low entry of air from the room to low level in the void to displace Sun-warmed air, but prevent escape of cold air to the room when there is little or no solar gain.
A hollow panel to contain a circulating fluid may be incorporated into the shutter system to enable water to be heated by solar collection, serve as supplementary space heating, or remove surplus heat.
Alternatively to the hollow panel, containers of phase-change heat storage material may be incorporated into the shutter system.
The hollow panel or phase-change containers are preferably fitted at low level and between insulating shutters in their lowered positions.
Four specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows in cross section by a vertical plane perpendicular to the glazing, two vertically sliding shutters retro-fitted to a window in an existing house, part closed as in winter to improve comfort and reduce heat loss, but allowing standing vision and entry of daylight.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 show in similar section a shutter system fitted to full length Sun-facing solar-collecting windows in a passive solar-heated building, incorporating a panel containing a heat transfer f luid.
Figure 5 shows a similar shutter system to figures 2,3 and 4, but incorporating a phase change heat storage material.
Figure 6 shows a single glazed patio door, which is a major source of heat loss and discomfort on winter evenings, fitted with two fixed shutters and two counterbalanced moving shutters.
Referring to figure 1, an existing window is retrofitted with insulating shutters. Two shutters 2 and 3 are necessary to extend over the whole height of the window when closed, yet not project above sill level 1 when lowered. Shutter 3 is shown raised to a level 4 which allows vision from a standing position and some daylighting.
At night, and when there is little solar gain through the glazing, air in void 6 becomes cold by contact with the internal surface of the window and thus denser than room air, but is prevented from convecting downwards by substantially air sealed or close fitting joints between shutters and to the adjacent building structure as at 1 - Room air can convect over the window surface only above level 4. Relatively high heat losses via glazing are limited to such unshuttered areas. The insulation value of the window opening is thereby substantially improved to that given by the shutter plus window up to the level 4.
At night and in very cold weather, heat losses may be further reduced by raising shutter 3 to position 7.
The shutter system is designed such that even when fully extended a gap 8 remains for the purpose of allowing solar heated air to convect into the room and thus control the temperature rise in the void, should shutters on Sun-facing windows remain closed during daytime.
Such a gap 8 also allows entry or exit of ventilating air. Such cold fresh air inf ltrating through vents or unsealed joints 5 tends to sink into the void 6, where it is pre-warmed by residual heat transmission through the shutters before overflowing the upper edge 4.
Referring to figure 2 a shutter system is shown fitted to large Sunfacing windows, to reduce heat losses from the room while allowing collection and utilisation of solar heat gains for Page 4 space and water heating.
For maximum solar collection and durability, glazing 9 is a single thickness of glass supported in a simple corrosion-resistant metal frame 10. A condensate drain is incorporated into sill 11 as should be in every well-designed window.
Shutters 12 and 13 are independently counterbalanced. Shutter 14 can be pivoted around a horizontal axis 16 parallel to the glazing, but in figure 2 is shown in a vertical position to complete the insulation of the window to above the upper level of its frame 10 for maximum insulation as appropriate for a winter night.
The outer facings of the shutter are reversible. One side, for winter exposure, has a selective surface which is highly absorbent to solar radiation, but of low emissivity; the reverse side has a white surface. The facing sheet may be manually reversed seasonally to reduce heat gain in summer.
As in the first example colder dense air is retained between shutters and glazing.
A flap valve 19 is thermostatically operated to open to admit room air when the air temperature in void 6 is higher than room temperature.
A water-filled hollow panel 15, with pipe connections to the domestic hot water and heat storage system (not shown) is fitted at the lower part of the window.
The outer surface of the hollow panel has a selective surface of high absorptivity to solar radiation but low emissivity of longer-wave radiation.
When shutter 13 is raised as shown, the panel serves to heat the room from a boiler or heat store.
The shutters may be adjusted to obtain whatever combination of daylighting, view, privacy, shading, insulation, exclusion of solar heat, solar water heating, or supplementary heating is desired by the occupants. Figure 3 shows a typical position of the shutters in an occupied room in daytime in average UK winter conditions, when solar gain is more valuable for space heating than water heating. Shutters 12 and 13 are hilly lowered and shutter 14 positioned to allow maximum daylighting and direct solar radiant heat into the room. Shutter 14 in the position shown also reduces convection of warm air from ceiling level over the unshuttered area of glass, thus reducing heat losses.
The shutter 12 is fully lowered, insulating the fluid filled panel 15 from the exterior, and allowing it to be used as a heater; the height of shutter 13 allows a sufficient gap for air heated by a boiler to convect out at 17. This panel is thereby also insulated against the remote risk of damage from freezing, avoiding the cost of more elaborate methods.
In figure 4 outer shutter 12 is partly raised to allow solar beat to be collected by panel 15, for heating tap water. When hot water storage capacity is full, the outer shutter can be lowered to stop solar collection. Such controllable exposure can avoid excessive water temperatures and boiling as can occur from unshaded panels in summer.
The shutters are shown appropriately positioned to control solar gains in hot weather- Shutter 14 is positioned to shade against sky glare. and/or expose a white surface to reflect radiation outwards to reduce heat gain. Solar gain to the building can be further reduced by exposing the white facings of shutters 12 or 13 outwardly, and raising one or other.
Referring to figure 5, a similar shutter system to that of figures 2, 3 and 4 is shown, but the hollow panel is replaced with seated cylinders containing a phase-change heat storage material such as sodium sulphate decahydrate. Solar energy incident during the daytime causing a temperature rise to 32 C melts such crystals, with absorption of heat. When radiation diminishes and the temperature fails below 32C, the material recystallises with release of heat, which convects into the room.
Referring to figure 6, in the fully open position shown in 6A a relatively deep shutter 3 is in the lower position, and is connected by a sash cord 21 passing over a pulley 22 to a shallower shutter 13 in the upper position.
In 613 the shallow upper shutter is lowered to shade against bright sunshine, which can be a problem with large windows. This raises the lower shutter, but there is sti 11 vision from a sitting position.
In 6C the shutters are nearly closed, as on a cold overcast winter day, leaving an unshuttered strip for high level day lighting and standing vision.
In 6D the shutters are fully closed, as overnight.
Page 5 Patent Specification SHPA99 30 Aug 99

Claims (10)

  1. INSULATING AND SOLAR COLLECTING WINDOW SHUTTERS 1. A thermally insulating panel, herein called a shutter whether fixed or moveable, fitted inwardly of a window of a building wherein it is desired to retain warm air, the side and lower edges of such shutter being arranged to fit closely to the adjacent structure such as to contain dense air cooled by contact with the glazing and to minimise escape of such air other than by overflowing the upper boundary of such void into the room.
  2. 2. A system as in claim 1 provided with guide means and mechanism by which the lower or only shutter closes upwardly and with or without conjunction with other moveable or fixed shutters may fully shutter the window, or may enable the shutters to stay partly opened for vision or daylight while substantially retaining the thermal insulation value of the lower shutter.
  3. 3. A shutter as in claim 1 which pivots on its horizontal axis parallel to the glazing such that in appropriate positions R can meet other shutters when they are fully vertically extended to complete the vertical insulation of the window, and can provide shading against sky glare.
  4. 4. A shutter system as in claim 1 or 2 where its open position a relatively deep shutter is in the lower position and is balanced by a relatively shallow shutter in the upper position, and in closing the two pass each other such that the deep shutter is in the upper'position when closed.
  5. 5. A system as in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which in any position of the shutters, a gap of sufficient size remains at the top of the shutter system to allow convection of solar-heated air into the room to avoid excessive temperature rise in the void.
  6. 6. A system as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 in which a device is fitted to allow entry of air from the room to the void when the temperature in the void is higher than that in the room, but prevents reverse circulation when the temperature in the void is tower.
  7. 7. A system as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 in which a hollow panel containing a heat transfer fluid is fitted integrally with the shutter system to collect solar heat, or emit heat to heat the room.
  8. 8. A shutter system as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in which containers of a phase change material are fitted integrally with the shutter system and between inner and outer shutters whereby the outermost shutter may be raised to allow solar heat to be absorbed by such material and then lowered to insulate against loss of the stored heat, which is allowed to be emitted into the room.
  9. 9. A shutter system as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the outer faces of the shutters may be changed as needed from being mainly absorbent to solar radiation to mainly reflecting it.
  10. 10. A thermally insulating shuttering system as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 Page 6
GB9924768A 1998-09-01 1999-08-31 Insulating and solar collecting window shutters Expired - Fee Related GB2341200B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9818864.2A GB9818864D0 (en) 1998-09-01 1998-09-01 Heating and ventilation of dwellings

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GB2341200A true GB2341200A (en) 2000-03-08
GB2341200B GB2341200B (en) 2003-07-23

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GB9924768A Expired - Fee Related GB2341200B (en) 1998-09-01 1999-08-31 Insulating and solar collecting window shutters

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NL1026984C2 (en) * 2004-09-07 2006-03-09 Jacob Adriaan Bosselaar Structural construction.
WO2016108759A1 (en) * 2014-12-30 2016-07-07 Nanyang Technological University Panel design for smart windows with ultra large solar modulation and large thermal mass
US10280679B2 (en) 2017-04-12 2019-05-07 Inovues, Inc. System for retrofitting glazing systems of buildings

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GB1063707A (en) * 1963-11-22 1967-03-30 Kazuo Gotoh Double glazed window with a blind between the panes
EP0002700A1 (en) * 1977-12-28 1979-07-11 Schako-Metallwarenfabrik Ferdinand Schad GmbH Solar heat collector for dwelling houses
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GB2059488A (en) * 1979-09-28 1981-04-23 Southern Chemicals Ltd Insulation panel for windows, doors and the like
FR2492509A1 (en) * 1980-10-22 1982-04-23 Roditi David Removable solar panel inner window shutter - has upper and lower thermostatic valves regulating air flow over panel
EP0092257A1 (en) * 1982-04-21 1983-10-26 Tamil Daniel Bauch Removable window insulation system
EP0120796A2 (en) * 1983-02-28 1984-10-03 Sogal Industrie System for the insulating closure of wall openings
US4498459A (en) * 1982-11-27 1985-02-12 Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev Phase-change heat storage building panels
EP0134551A2 (en) * 1983-09-13 1985-03-20 Emil Schenker AG Sun blind
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EP0276650A1 (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-08-03 Siport AG Teller door
US5081982A (en) * 1990-01-02 1992-01-21 Mackenzie John A Solar window air heater
GB2259105A (en) * 1991-05-31 1993-03-03 Brenis E Johnson Window insulator
GB2259732A (en) * 1991-08-05 1993-03-24 Shimon Klier Thermal insulation apparatus with flexible seal.
US5331765A (en) * 1992-11-02 1994-07-26 Les Produits Abp, Inc. Adjusting device for a double-hung sash assembly, improved assembly so obtained and method of use
WO1997034069A1 (en) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Gerhard Stephanus Mynhardt Window screen

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GB1004221A (en) * 1961-12-22 1965-09-15 Accordo Blinds Ltd Improvements in or relating to window frames incorporating blinds
GB1063707A (en) * 1963-11-22 1967-03-30 Kazuo Gotoh Double glazed window with a blind between the panes
EP0002700A1 (en) * 1977-12-28 1979-07-11 Schako-Metallwarenfabrik Ferdinand Schad GmbH Solar heat collector for dwelling houses
US4235048A (en) * 1978-01-03 1980-11-25 Ppg Industries, Inc. Reversible window unit for alternately reflecting and absorbing solar energy
GB2059488A (en) * 1979-09-28 1981-04-23 Southern Chemicals Ltd Insulation panel for windows, doors and the like
FR2492509A1 (en) * 1980-10-22 1982-04-23 Roditi David Removable solar panel inner window shutter - has upper and lower thermostatic valves regulating air flow over panel
EP0092257A1 (en) * 1982-04-21 1983-10-26 Tamil Daniel Bauch Removable window insulation system
US4498459A (en) * 1982-11-27 1985-02-12 Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev Phase-change heat storage building panels
EP0120796A2 (en) * 1983-02-28 1984-10-03 Sogal Industrie System for the insulating closure of wall openings
EP0134551A2 (en) * 1983-09-13 1985-03-20 Emil Schenker AG Sun blind
US4532917A (en) * 1983-12-19 1985-08-06 Taff Douglas C Modular passive solar energy heating unit employing phase change heat storage material which is clearly transparent when in its high-stored-energy liquid state
EP0276650A1 (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-08-03 Siport AG Teller door
US5081982A (en) * 1990-01-02 1992-01-21 Mackenzie John A Solar window air heater
GB2259105A (en) * 1991-05-31 1993-03-03 Brenis E Johnson Window insulator
GB2259732A (en) * 1991-08-05 1993-03-24 Shimon Klier Thermal insulation apparatus with flexible seal.
US5331765A (en) * 1992-11-02 1994-07-26 Les Produits Abp, Inc. Adjusting device for a double-hung sash assembly, improved assembly so obtained and method of use
WO1997034069A1 (en) * 1996-03-13 1997-09-18 Gerhard Stephanus Mynhardt Window screen

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1026984C2 (en) * 2004-09-07 2006-03-09 Jacob Adriaan Bosselaar Structural construction.
WO2016108759A1 (en) * 2014-12-30 2016-07-07 Nanyang Technological University Panel design for smart windows with ultra large solar modulation and large thermal mass
CN107208450A (en) * 2014-12-30 2017-09-26 南洋理工大学 For intelligent window there is super large solar energy to adjust the panel design with big caloic
US10280679B2 (en) 2017-04-12 2019-05-07 Inovues, Inc. System for retrofitting glazing systems of buildings
US10801254B2 (en) 2017-04-12 2020-10-13 Inovues, Inc. System for retrofitting glazing systems of buildings
US11905753B2 (en) 2017-04-12 2024-02-20 Inovues, Inc. System for retrofitting glazing systems of buildings

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GB2341200B (en) 2003-07-23
GB9818864D0 (en) 1998-10-21

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