GB2606058A

GB2606058A - Material for shielding of outdoor structures

Info

Publication number: GB2606058A
Application number: GB2203301.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Haide Neville; Simon King David
Original assignee: Haide Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Haide Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-11
Filing date: 2020-11-03
Publication date: 2022-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-03
Also published as: GB2592291B8; GB2592291B; GB2592291A; GB202203301D0; GB202017396D0; GB202001825D0; GB2592291A8; GB2606058B

Abstract

A material to shield an exterior of an outdoor structure from solar radiation comprises an aluminium foil layer 4 and a glass fibre layer 6. The glass layer comprises woven yarns of interlocked fibres. The aluminum foil is bonded to the glass fiber layer with a peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer arranged as a periphery of the material and an adjoining surface of the aluminium foil layer arranged adjoining an adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer. The peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer has a diffusive pattern, which is configured to reflect direct light as diffuse light. Preferably adhesive coated foil is pressed into the plain weave glass impregnated with adhesive to form undulations and treated to cure the adhesive.

Description

MATERIAL FOR SHIELDING OF OUTDOOR STRUCTURES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to protecting, from solar radiation, outdoor structures that may be part of a railway system, in particular by the application of a shielding material to the exterior of said structure.

BACKGROUND

Referring to figure 8 a structure 100 housing electrical componentry (not illustrated) associated with operation of a railways system (not illustrated) is provided. The electrical componentry typically comprises equipment and circuitry for power distribution or signalling/communications.

The structure is formed of thermally conductive metal (typically steel or aluminium) with approximate thickness of 1.5 -3 mm. The structure is arranged outdoors, in direct sunlight and is proximal (e.g. within about 1 or 2 metres) a railway line (not illustrated). Over time it has been found that solar radiation from direct sunlight can cause damage to the material of the structure.

Moreover, the electrical componentry can be damaged by penetration of the solar radiation through the material of the structure and into the interior of the structure. The electrical componentry can also be damaged by elevated temperature inside the structure, which is caused by partial absorption of the solar radiation by the material of the structure and emission in the infra-red wave bands. This damage to the electrical componentry can cause intermittent failures and eventually full system failure.

Referring to figure 9, conventional protection 102 for the structure 100 and the electrical componentry is shown. The protection 102 comprises an oversized roof 104, referred to as a "safari hat", which is fitted to an exterior face of a top of the structure 100. The protection 102 further comprises side panels 106, which are arranged as louvre panels, and are fitted to exterior faces of sides of the structure 100. The protection 102 is retrofitted to the structure 100 by mechanical fixings, such as screws/bolts/rivets (not illustrated). The protection 102 is formed of heavy weight stainless steel sheet, which is 1.5mm thick. Referring to figure 9, the protection further comprises cooling blocks 108 that are attached to interior faces of the sides of the structure 100.

The protection 102 reduces an amount of solar radiation that penetrates the structure 100 and provides additional material, which acts as a heatsink. The protection 102 therefore protects both the material of the structure 100 and the housed electrical componentry from the solar radiation and the associated heating A drawback with the protection 102 is that is it complicated to fit, e.g. the mechanical fixings have to be precisely aligned and degrade the structure by the formation of holes. The protection 102 is also heavy and expensive. Moreover, the heat dissipation of the protection 102 has been found to be minimal, e.g. it may be less than 4 degrees Celsius in reduction in ambient temperature rise. Due to said low heat dissipation, electrical componentry failures in seasonal high temperatures are a frequent event.

Therefore, despite the effort already invested in the development of protection for outdoor structures further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, a material to shield an exterior of a structure from solar radiation, the material comprises an aluminium foil layer and a glass fibre layer comprising woven yarns of interlocked fibres. The aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer are bonded together with an adjoining surface of the aluminium foil layer arranged adjoining an adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer.

By implementing a material that comprises a laminate of aluminium and glass fibre, a light-weight material is provided with a weight of 400 -600 g/m2, or about 490 g/m2, the total weight of the material of the structure is 5 -7 kg or about 6 kg, compared to 160 kg for the prior art protection.

Moreover the aluminium layer is highly reflective, e.g. it may reflect greater than at least 70 or 80 or 90% of sunlight for wavelengths of 200 nm -1000 nm, unlike the prior art material. The aluminium layer also has a low emissivity and the glass fibre layer has a low thermal conductivity. The glass fibre layer therefore resists transfer to the structure of the minimal solar radiation that is absorbed by the aluminium that is emitted in the infra-red wavebands.

In embodiments, a peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer is arranged as a periphery of the material. By arranging the aluminium as the peripheral surface of the material, it is exposed directly to the sunlight and can reflect the majority of the sunlight away from the structure.

In embodiments, the peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer has a diffusive pattern, which is configured to reflect direct light as diffuse light. By implementing the aluminium foil layer to reflect the incident light substantially as diffuse light (rather than as specular light reflection), the material may be safe for use in proximity of railways since the reflected diffuse light is less likely to impair the vision of a train driver or other railway personnel. As used herein the term "configured to reflect direct light as diffuse light" may refer to a substantial component of the reflected light being diffuse light as opposed to specular light reflection. In embodiments, the diffusive pattern is configured to reflect at least 80% of the direct light as the diffuse light (e.g. as opposed to specular light reflection).

In embodiments, a weave pattern of the yarns of the glass fibre layer at the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer corresponds (e.g. in shape) to the diffusive pattern of the aluminium layer, such that said diffusive pattern is formed by pressing together the aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer. By implementing the weave pattern of the glass fibre layer to correspond in shape to the diffusive pattern, the diffusive pattern can be conveniently formed by imprinting the weave pattern into the aluminium foil layer.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer has a twill or plain weave pattern. Twill or plain weave patterns have a more pronounced surface than, for example, a satin weave pattern. By implementing a twill or plain weave pattern a more diffusive pattern can be imparted into the aluminium by pressing. A plain weave pattern compared to a twill wave pattern may be less prone to tearing the aluminium foil layer during manufacturing/installation, it may also impart a greater abrasive resistance in the material. However, a twill weave pattern may impart a more diffusive patter into the aluminium layer.

In embodiments, with a twill weave pattern, the technical face is arranged as the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer. By arranging the technical face (which is the face of the twill weave pattern with a more pronounced wale compared to the back face) to adjoin the aluminium layer, a more diffusive pattern can be imparted into the aluminium by pressing.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer is selected to have a yarn thickness of 0.05 to 0.4 mm or about 0.2 mm. By implementing such a yarn thickness, when forming the diffusive pattern by pressing the weave pattern into the aluminium, the geometry of the diffusive pattern to reflect light as diffuse light may be optimised.

In embodiments, the diffusive pattern is arranged with a repeating unit that has an amplitude of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm or 0.02 to 0.1 mm. In embodiments the repeating unit has a period of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. By implementing such a repeating unit, the geometry of the diffusive pattern to reflect light as diffuse light may be optimised.

In embodiments, the aluminium foil layer has a comparatively shiny surface and a dull surface, the aluminium foil layer arranged with the shiny surface as the adjoining surface and the dull surface as the peripheral surface.

By arranging the dull surface as the exterior of the material, a significant reduction in glare measured on a gloss scale may be achieved, e.g. a greater proportion of direct light may be reflected as diffuse light rather than as specular light reflection. In this way, the material may be safe for use in proximity of railways or highways since the reflected diffuse light is less likely to impair the vision of a vehicle operator, or other personnel associated with operation of the railway system, e.g. signal sighting engineers and maintenance engineers/personnel. Moreover, the adhesive may bond better to the shiny surface rather than the dull surface which may reduce delamination of the material.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer includes an adhesive to fix the yarns in a woven configuration. By fixing the yarns in the woven configuration, the weave pattern can be locked so that it is precisely transferred to the aluminium layer (rather than partially displaced during said transfer) when it is imprinted into the aluminium layer to form a more precise diffusive pattern.

Moreover, the locked weaves provide a stable platform for receiving the aluminium during subsequent bonding of the aluminium layer to the glass fibre layer. The adhesive may also bond the glass fibre layer to the aluminium layer.

In embodiments, an arrangement of the adhesive of the glass fibre layer is selected so that it does not substantially interfere with the weave pattern at the adjoining surface. By selecting the adhesive quantity and consistency not to interfere with the exterior form of the weave pattern, the imprinting of the weave pattern as the diffuse pattern may not be disturbed.

In embodiments, the adhesive of the glass fibre layer includes cavities formed by curing and cooling of the glass fibre layer. By implementing small cavities, which may be filled with one or more of: air; vacuum; gas from the adhesive, the insulating properties of the glass fibre layer may be optimised.

In embodiments, the cavities have a volume of 0.1 mm2 to 1x10-9 mm2 or 0.1 mm2 to 1x10-9 mm2. This size range may optimise the insulating properties, whilst maintaining a suitable strength of the adhesive component in the glass fibre layer.

In embodiments, the cavities are arranged in voids between the woven yarns. The voids may have an area of 0.3 -0.5 mm2 or about 0.4 mm2 when viewed in the plane of the glass fibre layer.

By implementing such an area of void, it has been found that suitable cavities during curing may be formed.

In embodiments, the material comprises an adhesive layer arranged on a surface of the glass fibre distal the aluminium foil layer, the adhesive layer configured to adhere the material to a structure. By implementing an adhesive layer on the exterior of the material, the material may be conveniently adhered to a structure.

In embodiments, a tear away strip is arrange to cover the adhesive layer. By implementing a tear away strip, an exposed outer surface of the adhesive layer may remain covered and protected until the material is to be adhered to the structure, at which point it can be conveniently torn away to expose the adhesive layer to the structure.

In embodiments, portions of the tear away strip comprise a line of weakening to aid removal of the tear away strip.

In embodiments, the aluminium foil layer is selected to have a thickness of 10 -26 micrometres (pm), or 14 -24 micrometres (pm) or about 18 micrometres (pm). By implementing an aluminium foil layer of this thickness the material can be cost effective and lightweight, whilst the aluminium layer has sufficient strength to resist damage from an outdoor environment and provide a suitable heatsink.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer is selected to be 200 -700 g/m2 or 300 -500 g/m2 or 380 -470 g/m2 or about 430 g/m2. By implementing a glass layer of this weight the material can be cost effective and lightweight, whilst the material has sufficient strength to resist damage from an outdoor environment and the glass fibre layer has sufficient thickness to provide the desired insulating properties. The glass fibre layer may be 0.2 to 0.6 mm or about 0.4 mm thick.

In embodiments, the overall thickness of the material, including the adhesive layer, may be 0.3 -1.2 mm or 0.5 to 1.1 mm. In specific examples, it can be about 0.6 mm, e.g. with the adhesive layer as modified acrylic based or about 0.9 mm with the adhesive layer as acrylic based.

In embodiments, the material is arranged with a cooling gap to expose a portion of the outdoor structure for cooling. By implementing a cooling gap that exposes a portion of the structure a cooling system may be implemented. For example, the exposed portion of the outdoor structure that is provided by the cooling gap may become hot and the portion of the outdoor structure that is covered by the material may become cold. Heat may therefore be circulated conveniently inside the structure between the hot and cold areas to cool the electrical componentry. The cooling gap may also radiate heat out from within the structure In embodiments, the cooling gap is arranged between an edge of the material and a peripheral edge of a face of the structure. Having the cooling gap at the peripheral edge at faces of the structure enables: the panel to be fitted for structures with manufacturing variations, e.g. of several mm, and still maintain a suitable cooling gap, and; potentially less damage can occur to electrical componentry since it is located away from the peripheries, so transmission of solar radiation through the peripheries is less of an issue.

In embodiments, the cooling gap is arranged as a cut-out in the material. By implementing the cooling gap as a cut-out (e.g. an enclosed portion) it may be ensured that the correct size and location of cooling gap is provided.

In embodiments, the cooling gap has a minor dimension (e.g. a width of an elongate portion) of greater than 2.5 mm or 5 mm. The maximum dimension of the minor dimension of the cooling gap may be 20 mm or 40 mm or 100 mm. Said minimum and maximum dimension can be combined with any combination, e.g. 5 mm -40 mm, or 2.5 mm -100 mm. It has been found that such a gap dimension may provide suitable cooling.

The present disclosure provides an outdoor structure, an exterior of the structure comprising the material of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein. The present disclosure provides use of the material of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein, for shielding an exterior of an outdoor structure.

In embodiments, the outdoor structure is proximal a railway line. As used herein the term "proximal a railway line" may refer to being within 20 or 10 or 5 or 1 metres or in operative proximity of the railway line. In embodiments, the outdoor structure houses electrical componentry associated with operation of a railway system.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming a shielding material for shielding an exterior of a structure from solar radiation, the method comprising: bonding an aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer together. The method may implement the features of the shielding material of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein.

In embodiments, the method comprises forming on the aluminium foil layer a diffusive pattern, which diffusively reflects incident light. In embodiments, the method comprises forming the diffusive pattern by pressing a weave pattern of the yarns of the glass fibre layer into the aluminium foil layer.

In embodiments, the method comprises bonding together the aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer and pressing the weave pattern of the yarns of the glass fibre layer into the aluminium foil layer concurrently. The aluminium layer and glass layer may be conveniently bonded and the diffusive pattern formed at the same time by pressing the layers together.

In embodiments, the method comprises, prior to pressing the layers together, applying an adhesive to an adjoining surface of the aluminium foil layer, including only on the adjoining surface of the aluminium layer and not the glass layer. By applying the adhesive to the aluminium layer only, excessive use of the adhesive can be avoided, e.g. it does not fill exposed micro cavities which may be present on the surface of the glass fibre layer, which could affect the thermal properties of the material. In embodiments, the adhesive is sprayed on the aluminium foil layer. By spraying the adhesive on the aluminium layer, e.g. rather than via a liquid bath, it can be ensured that only the adjoining surface is covered with the adhesive. The adhesive may also be more uniformly applied as fine particles in a vapour and/or aerosol.

In embodiments, the method comprises bonding the aluminium foil layer to the glass fibre layer with a comparatively shiny surface of the aluminium foil layer adjoining the glass fibre layer, and a dull surface of the aluminium foil layer as a peripheral surface of the material.

In embodiments, the method comprises applying an adhesive to the glass fibre layer and curing the adhesive to fix the yarns in a woven configuration.

In embodiments, the adhesive is applied by drawing the glass fibre layer through a bath.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer is cured by drawing through a vertically arranged oven. As used herein the term "vertically" in respect of the orientation of the glass fibre layer when transmitted through the oven may include exactly vertically or with a substantial vertical component, e.g. within 10 or 20 or 30 degrees of vertical. By transmitting the glass fibre layer through a vertical oven, a more uniform distribution of the adhesive may be obtained. Moreover run off adhesive may be collected in a bath arranged below the vertical draw.

In other embodiments, the glass fibre layer is cured by drawing through a horizontally arranged oven.

In embodiments, the glass fibre layer is cured to form micro cavities in the adhesive of the glass fibre layer during curing of the glass fibre layer.

The present disclosure provides a method of shielding an exterior of an outdoor structure from solar radiation, the method comprising: adhering with an adhesive layer of the shielding material the shielding material to the exterior face of the structure.

By adhesively fixing prefabricated strips of material to the outdoor structure the protection process is cost effective and fast compared to prior art methods that require mechanical fixing, such as screws/bolts, to fit heavy metal panels and opening of the doors of the structure to install said mechanical fixings. Moreover, the adhesive fixing does not require the drilling of holes into the structure that compromises structural integrity.

In embodiments, the method comprises positioning the shielding material on the exterior of the outdoor structure prior to adhering with a positioning system. By implementing a positing system it may be ensured that the shielding material has the correct alignment so that it is adhered in the correct position. In embodiments, the positioning system is implemented as magnetic clamps.

Since the shielding material is light-weight and magnetically transmissive, the magnetic clamps are a convenient means to position the shielding material.

In embodiments, the method comprises cutting one or more panels of the shielding material to correspond in shape to an exterior of a face of the structure. By dimensioning the panels to fit the faces of the structure, the panels may be pre-cut off site and conveniently attached on-site.

In embodiments, the method comprises adhering the shielding material to the exterior (e.g. a top and/or side panels) of the outdoor structure with a cooling gap to expose a portion of the outdoor structure for cooling.

In embodiments the method comprises arranging the cooling gap between an edge of the shielding material and a peripheral edge of the structure.

In embodiments, the shielding material has a reflectance of greater than 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% for wavelengths of 200 nm -1000 nm. By implementing a material with said reflectance, solar radiation impinging on and transmitted through the structure can be reduced, e.g. compared to the prior art metal panels.

In embodiments, the shielding material has a weight of 300 -700 g/m2, or about 490 g/m2. By implementing a material with said weight, the material is more convenient to transport to a location of the structure and to fit than the prior art metal panels.

The method may implement the features of the shielding material of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein. Alternative shielding materials may also be implemented.

The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some embodiments to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding embodiments may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

Figure 1 is an illustrative view showing an exploded side cross-section of embodiment material to shield an exterior of an outdoor structure from solar radiation.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a weave pattern of a glass fibre layer of the material of figure 1.

Figure 3 is an illustrative view showing a side cross-section of an aluminium layer and the glass fibre layer of the material of figure 1.

Figure 4 is an illustrative view showing a panel formed of the material of figure 1 arranged on a face of an outdoor structure.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a method of forming the material of figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing pre-fabricated panels of the material of figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a structure with the panels of figure 6 attached thereto.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a prior art outdoor structure without any shielding attached.

Figure 9 is a perspective exploded view showing a prior art outdoor structure with prior art shielding attached.

Figure 10 is a perspective photographic view showing an interior of a prior art structure with prior art shielding attached.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a laboratory set up to simulate solar gain, which was used to determine the plots of figures 12 and 13.

Figure 12 is a graphical plot showing laboratory performance results of apparatus housing without protection and subject to solar gain combined with internal simulated thermal losses.

Figure 13 is a graphical plot showing laboratory performance results of apparatus housing protected with the material of figure 1 and subject to solar gain combined with internal simulated thermal losses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several embodiments of the material, it is to be understood that the material, its formation and its application is not limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the material is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations: As used herein, the term "solar radiation" may refer to radiant energy emitted to a surface of the earth from the sun, and comprises electromagnetic radiation over a range of wavelengths.

As used herein, the term "structure" or "outdoor structure" may refer to a construction arranged in direct sunlight. The structure may contain electrical componentry. The structure may not be configured to house/accommodate humans, e.g. it is not commercial office space or residential.

The structure may be part of a railway system or a highway system or a telecommunications network. In embodiments, the structure is proximal a railway line or highway system. As used herein the term "proximal" may refer to being within 20 or 10 or 5 or 1 metres or in operative proximity of said railway line or highway. The material of the structure may be a thermally conductive material, which may be metal based, e.g. a thermally conductive alloy including steel.

The material may be 1.5 to 6 mm thick. The structure may be dimensioned with: 3 to 0.3 m or 1.5 to 0.5 m in height, and; 8 to 0.3 m or 1.5 to 0.5 m in width and/or depth.

As used herein, the term "electrical componentry" may refer to electrical componentry for power distribution or signalling/communications or other application. The electrical componentry can be part of: a railway system; a highway system; a telecommunications system; or other system.

As used herein, the term railway system" may refer to a system comprising a network of rails located on tracks for wheeled vehicles running on the rails for transferring passengers and goods. It may include various systems for electrical power transmission, signalling, communication etc. As used herein, the term "highway system" may refer to a system comprising a network of roads for wheeled vehicles running on the roads for transferring passengers and goods. It may include various systems for electrical power transmission, signalling, communication etc. As used herein, the term "thermally shield" or "shield" may refer to reducing the solar radiation of at least some wavebands from transmitting to one or more of: the structure; through the structure and to the interior of the structure; the emission at the interior of the structure in the infra-red wavebands from absorbed solar radiation.

As used herein, the term "shielding material" or "material" may refer to a material operable to provide a shielding function as defined herein.

As used herein, the term "glass fibre" or "E-glass" may refer to a material comprising numerous extremely fine fibres of glass. As used herein, the term "yarn" may refer to a long continuous length of interlocked glass fibres.

As used herein, the term "glass fibre layer" or "woven glass fibre layer" may refer to a layer comprising a fabric formed of woven yarns. The material may comprise an weave lock adhesive to lock a position of the woven yarns in a woven configuration.

As used herein, the term "aluminium layer" or "aluminium foil layer" may refer to a layer comprising aluminium or aluminium based material. The aluminium material may be arranged as a foil, e.g. a sheet of thin material. The aluminium foil may have a dull surface and an opposed comparatively shiny surface. The dull and shiny surface may be formed as the aluminium is milled, during which heat and tension is applied to stretch and shape the foil causes said dull and shiny surface.

Referring to figure 1, material 2 to shield an exterior of an outdoor structure 100 (illustrated in figure 7 and 8) from solar radiation, comprises an aluminium foil layer 4 and a glass fibre layer 6. The glass fibre layer 6 comprises woven yarns (not illustrated in figure 1) of interlocked glass fibres.

The aluminium foil layer 4 and glass fibre layer 6 are bonded together with a peripheral surface 8 of the aluminium foil layer 4 arranged as a periphery of the material 2 and an adjoining surface 10 of the aluminium foil layer 4 arranged adjoining an adjoining surface 12 of the glass fibre layer 6.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the aluminium foil layer can additionally comprise a transparent protective coating, e.g. as the periphery of the material. In embodiments, the coating is resistant to degrading substances that comprise one or more of: mould; algae; paint; permanent markers. An example of a suitable coating includes a blend of an aqueous emulsion of anionic resin of copolymer containing a chloride group with a surface active agent. By implementing such a coating the peripheral surface of the material can be cleaned to remove said degrading substances, which is more economical than replacing the material.

The peripheral surface 8 of the aluminium foil layer 4 has a diffusive pattern 14, which is configured to reflect direct light as diffuse light (not illustrated).

The diffusive pattern 14 is formed by pressing together the aluminium foil layer 4 and glass fibre layer 6. In particular, the adjoining surface 12 of the glass fibre layer 6 imprints its surface shape through the adjoining surface 10 of the of the aluminium foil layer 4 and into the peripheral surface 8 of the aluminium foil layer 4.

The glass fibre layer 6 comprises a woven fabric 16, which is formed of yarns that have a thickness of 0.05 to 0.4 mm or about 0.2 mm (post-curing, which causes about a 30% increase in thickness compared to pre-curing). The yarns comprise filaments of glass of about 9 microns.

In a first example (not illustrated), the yarns are woven with a twill weave pattern. The twill weave is arranged with the technical face (i.e. the face with a more pronounced wale compared to the back face which has less wale), arranged as the adjoining surface 12 of the glass fibre layer 6. The twill weave can be a 2/2 warp way or a 3/1 warp way pattern.

In a second example, referring to figure 2, yarns 18 of the woven fabric 16 are woven with a plain weave pattern. The plane weave pattern can have a symmetrical face. Although the lesser wale of the plain weave pattern may not provide as diffusive a diffusive pattern 14 in the aluminium foil layer 4 as the twill weave, it has been found to provide a sufficiently diffusive pattern, e.g. as characterised by the amplitude and period geometries described herein. A plain weave pattern is advantageous compared to the twill weave since the wale of the plain wave pattern has been found to be less likely to tear the aluminium foil layer during manufacturing and/or installation.

Moreover, the plain weave pattern has a higher abrasive resistance, which can make the material less prone to damage.

In variant embodiment, which are not illustrated; other weave patterns may be implemented, e.g. satin weave or basket weave, although these are less preferable since they are flatter and impart a less diffusive pattern, and; the twill weave pattern may be arranged with the back face as the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the diffusive pattern is alternatively formed, e.g. by pressing a former into the peripheral surface of the aluminium, or by applying a surface finish onto or etching into the peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer, and; the diffusive pattern may also be omitted such that the incident light is reflected as specular light reflection.

Referring to figure 3, based on the weave pattern, the diffusive pattern 14 has a repeating unit 22 that has an amplitude A of 0.05 mm. Although in embodiments, which are not illustrated, the amplitude may be 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm 01 0.02 to 0.1 mm The repeating unit 22 has a period P of 1 mm in the warp direction and 1.7 mm in the weft direction. Although in embodiments, which are not illustrated, in both directions the period may be 0.5 to 2.5 mm.

Although the repeating unit is illustrated resembles as a series of half wave rectified or full wave rectified sine waves, in variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the repeating unit may have other forms, including toothed, square or other waveform.

Referring back to figure 1, the aluminium foil layer 4 has a shiny surface and a dull surface (compared to the shiny surface). The aluminium foil layer 4 is arranged with the dull surface as the peripheral surface 8.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the aluminium foil layer is arranged with the shiny surface as the peripheral surface.

Referring back to figures 1 and 2, the glass fibre layer 6 includes a weave lock adhesive 24 to lock the yarns of the woven fabric 16 in a woven configuration (as shown in figure 2) of the chosen weave pattern. In this way, as the glass fibre layer 6 is pressed into the aluminium foil layer 4, the weave pattern does not displace from the woven configuration. The weave lock adhesive is silicone or acrylic based although other adhesives may be implemented.

The weave lock adhesive 24 of the glass fibre layer 6 is cured (as will be discussed) as a solid matrix with micro cavities (not illustrated). The micro cavities are formed within pores 20 (e.g. voids) between woven yarns 18. There are 15,000 to 25,000, or about 21,000 pores per 1 m2 of the glass fibre layer 6. The pores 20 have an area of 0.3 -0.6 mm2 or about 0.4 mm2 when viewed in the plane of the glass fibre layer 6 (as in figure 2). The micro cavities can be formed of one or more of: a vacuum; gas from the cured adhesive; air. The micro cavities are sized with a volume of less than 0.015 mma to 10 x10-9 Mrna.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the glass fibre layer does not include micro cavities.

The material 2 comprises an adhesive layer 26 arranged to adjoin a distal surface 28 of the glass fibre layer 6, wherein distal is defined in respect of the aluminium foil layer 4. The adhesive layer 26 is configured to adhere the material to the structure 100. The adhesive of the adhesive layer 26 is acrylic based (including modified acrylic based), although other suitable adhesives can be implemented.

The adhesive layer 26 includes a tear away strip (not illustrated) to cover the adhesive, which can be torn away on-site to expose the adhesive for fixing the material 2 to the structure 100. The tear away strip can include lines of weakening (which can be formed by laser etching, scoring, die cutting or other suitable method) such that it can be torn in portions from the adhesive. In other embodiments the tear away strip can be omitted.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the material is alternatively fixed to the structure, e.g. by mechanical fixings, including screws or bolts or rivets or other like fixing. The adhesive layer is therefore optional.

Referring to figure 4, the material 2 is arranged as panel 30 (which can be a side or a top panel). The material 2 is connected to an exterior face 110 of the structure 100 by the adhesive layer 26 (not shown in figure 4). The panel 30 partially covers the exterior face 110 of the structure 100 to define a cooling gap 32, which is an exposed portion 112 (i.e. an uncovered portion) of the exterior face 110.

The cooling gap 32 is arranged between a peripheral edge 34 of the panel 30 and a peripheral edge 114 of the structure. In particular, the cooling gap 32 is arranged around the entire periphery of the panel 30. The dimension D of the cooling gap 32 is about 10 cm between the peripheral edge 34 of the material 10 and the adjacent peripheral edge 114 of the exterior face 110 of the structure 100. The dimension D is referred to as a minor dimension. A major dimension is the dimension of the cooling gap parallel to the edges.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: although the cooling gap is arranged on all edges of the exterior face of the structure, it may be arranged on any number of edges, including just one or two edges; the cooling gap my extend along an entire edge or partially an edge; the cooling gap dimension D can be 5 mm to 40 mm or 8 mm to 20 mm or other suitable dimension; the cooling gap may have other shapes, including curved; the cooling gap is arranged as a cutout in the material; e.g. as a slot or other suitable shape which does not adjoin and edge of the material.

Method of forming the material At step 1, referring to figures 2 and 5, the yarns of the glass fibre layer 6 are woven with the selected weave pattern (typically a plane or twill weave pattern as discussed above) into the woven fabric 16 and stored on a loom 38.

The glass fibre layer 6 is woven by a rapier loom. In other embodiments, different looms can be implemented. The procedure of weaving is a yarn texturized warping process.

At step 2, the woven fabric 16 is transmitted from the loom 38 through a bath 40 of liquid weave lock adhesive as a continuous line directed by rollers (not illustrated). Immersing the woven fabric 16 in the bath of liquid weave lock adhesive provides a uniform solution of the weave lock adhesive 24 that is carried by the woven fabric 16.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the weave lock adhesive is alternatively applied e.g. as fine particles in a vapour and/or aerosol spray.

At step 3, the weave lock adhesive 24 is cured to form a solid matrix around the woven fabric 16. Rollers (not illustrated) guide the glass fibre layer 6 vertically though an oven 42 to ensure a uniform distribution of the weave lock adhesive 24 in the woven fabric 16 as it is cured.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the oven is alternatively arranged, including so that the woven fabric passes through horizontally or diagonally.

The oven 42 heats the glass fibre layer 6 to a temperature of 220 degree Celsius to 120 degree Celsius for a predetermined time duration. In variant embodiments, the oven is arranged as portions, each to sequentially reduce the temperature within the range of 220 degree Celsius to degree Celsius.

By heating the weave lock adhesive 24 of the glass fibre layer 6 to a high temperature, the weave lock adhesive 24 is initially expanded to aid formation of the cavities. Slow cooling from the high temperature enables the cavities to grow.

At step 4, referring to figures 1 and 5, bonding adhesive (which may be the same formulation as the weave lock adhesive) is applied as a vapour and/or aerosol to the adjoining surface 10 of the aluminium foil layer 4 In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the bonding adhesive is alternatively applied, including by immersing one or both of the aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer in a bath. The aluminium may also be fixed with the weave lock adhesive thus obviating the bonding adhesive and step 4.

At step 5, the aluminium foil layer 4 and glass fibre layer 6 are drawn an pressed together with rollers (not illustrated) to bond said layers together. The rollers are arranged to apply sufficient pressure to the peripheral surface 8 of the aluminium foil layer 4 and the distal surface 28 of the glass fibre layer 6 so that the weave pattern is imprinted though the adjoining surface 10 and into the peripheral surface 8 of the aluminium foil layer 4.

At step 6, the adhesive layer 26 is applied as a vapour and/or aerosol to the distal surface 28 of the glass fibre layer 6.

At step 7, the formed material 2 is collected on a loom 44.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the steps are performed in different orders, e.g. step 6 is executed before step 5. Step 2 and step 3 may also be omitted, e.g. at step 4 the bonding adhesive is used also as a weave lock. The method may also be executed on discrete sheets rather than as a continuous inline process.

Method of applying the material to an outdoor structure At step 1, referring to figure 6, the material 2 is pre-cut at an offsite location to correspond in size to the structure 100 (shown in figure 7). In particular, the material 2 is cut as side panels 50 and a top panel 52. Cutting of the material 10 may be implemented with a stamp (not illustrated) or die or other suitable cutting tool. The pre-cut panels 50, 52 are then transported to a location of the structure 100.

Referring to figure 4, as part of step 1, the material 2 is pre-cut leave the cooling gap 32 (e.g. 10 mm to 40 mm), between an edge 34o1 the material 2 and the adjacent exterior edge 114 of the associated face of the structure 100.

At step 2, referring to figure 7, the adhesive layer 28 (not illustrated in figure 7) of the panels 50, 52 is bonded to the relevant surface of the structure 100. Optionally, prior to said bonding, an associated surface of the structure 100 is cleaned, e.g. with an alcohol based material.

As part of step 2, prior to the panels 50, 52 being bonded to the structure, the panels 50, 52 are positioned in a correct position on the structure 100 using a positioning system. The positioning system is implemented as magnetic clamps (not illustrated), which are arranged on the peripheral surface 18 (as illustrated in figure 1) of the material 2 of the panels 50,52. Accordingly, a magnetic force of the magnetic clamps and material of the structure 100 clamps the panels 50, 52 against the structure 100. The tear way layer can be torn from the adhesive of the adhesive layer 28 with the magnetic clamps positioning the panels 50, 52 to ensure the panels 50, 52 remain in the correction position. The magnetic clamps can be gradually remove as parts of the panels corresponding to the position of the magnetic clamps are bonded to the structure. Typically 5 magnetic clamps can be used for a surface area of 1 -5 m2, each with a pull force of 20 Newtons. The tear away strip can be removed in portions defined by lines of weakening.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: other numbers of magnetic clamps are used; the clamps are not implemented; In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: other positioning systems can be implemented, including mechanical clamps instead of magnetic clamps.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated: the peripheral gap is omitted and the material extends to the edges of the structure, e.g. there is no gap between adjoining side panels and adjoining top panels; alternative material is fitted with peripheral gap, e.g. lead or steel panelling; step 1 is performed at the location of the structure; the cooling gap is positioned away from the periphery, e.g. it is centrally arranged.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated, the aluminium foil layer is alternatively implemented and may be referred to more generally as a reflective layer or a metal layer. The reflective layer may comprise materials in addition to or instead of aluminium including one or more of: silver; copper; graphene.

In variant embodiments, which are not illustrated. the glass fibre layer is alternatively implemented and may be referred to more generally as an insulating layer. The insulating layer may comprise materials in addition to or instead of glass, including one or more of: wood; ceramics; wool; polystyrene.

Figures 11 to 13 provide an embodiment of the material, which may be combined with the features of any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed herein.

Referring to figures 11 to 13, the material comprises a solar shielding compound textile for external equipment housings being structures, shelters/containers, buildings and cubicles of which definitions are provided.

The glass and aluminium compound fabric has an aluminium outer laminate which diffuses and reflects electromagnetic waves by means of a low emissivity heat sink surface while offering high insulating properties by way of the glass e inner woven textile which prevents thermal conduction. A silicone wash is used to weave-lock the fabric and acrylic adhesive used in the laminating process. The weave pattern creates a dimpled surface when the aluminium is laminated creating a diffused surface by design.

Definitions: Equipment housing case, or other protective housing, provided by the manufacturer to mount his equipment and protect it from accidental damage, and occasionally from EMC or environmental effects. It may offer protection to personnel e.g. from electric shock.

Where the equipment housing provides the full required environmental protection, then it is treated as a cubicle to define the relevant environmental parameters.

The housing normally contains only the single suppliers' equipment, and is only a part of a signalling or telecommunications system.

Cubicle housing for apparatus which normally is used to co-locate various parts of the signalling or telecommunications system equipment, on occasion from different suppliers. It may contain various equipment housings installed within the cubicle and offers further environmental protection.

A cubicle is normally only used to install apparatus and is in general not sufficiently large to afford protection from weather to staff working on the apparatus.

No climatic or temperature control is provided on cubicles but ventilation or occasionally fan assisted ventilation is required.

Large housings which allow access to personnel but do not have the thermal properties of shelters, should be treated as cubicles.

Shelter/container shelters/containers are normally provided when a larger volume of equipment is to be co-located at a single point or temperature/humidity sensitive equipment is to be installed.

Shelters/containers normally have double walls with insulation material (or an air gap) between them. Shelters/containers also normally have limited facilities for personnel.

Shelters/containers may also be provided with temperature control, especially where temperature sensitive apparatus is installed.

Where shelters/containers are fitted with climatic control (temperature and humidity control), they shall be treated as buildings with climatic control (buildings C.C.) Building Permanent construction provided with main services (e.g. water, electricity, gas,...) designed to protect equipment against the action of environmental conditions. A building may or may not be provided with climatic control.

This invention relates to the material comprising an electromagnetic reflector and solar mitigation textile fitted to the external surface of outdoor equipment housings. The Invention is a material arranged as a low emissivity magnetic UV reflector composed of an aluminium and glass composite with silicone wash weave-lock and available with or without adhesive tape backing. A total of 15 prototypes were developed before achieving the correct manufacturing formula. The material of the components to be shielded are of known construction within the sectors of Railways, Highways, telecoms, Power transmission and distribution and will normally include either metal or composite housings of combined panels of various gauge assembled together to create a mechanical outdoor housing. These can be either fixed assemblies or movable structures. In hot sunny climates, these housings when unprotected are subject to internal ambient rise outside of the internal equipment's scope of design leading to thermal failures.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide shielding of electromagnetic waves from the sun by cladding an existing or new steel or composite housing with the material. The product is affixed to the outside of the housing to reflect and dissipate the sun's energy before this energy radiates into the housing's airspace increasing temperature rise above external ambient.

The material is affixed in such a way that it dads the outer surface of the housing and or panels reflecting the sun's electromagnetic radiation away from the structure during those hours of the day when the sun's energy is most intense. The material can be installed easily and without the need to open the enclosure doors or access panels and does not require the system to be de-energised and taken out of operational service. There is no requirement to drill or remove panels of the housing nor a requirement for any specialist tools. The material can be supplied in log rolls or laser cut to specific panel patterns and supplied as a kit of parts to coat a single housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide effective thermal insulating of said housings negating the need for additional heaters during cold periods. An increase in energy efficiency can be obtained along with a reduction in service costs and maintenance tasks.

The material 2, is a thermal shielding product. It was found that aluminium being a low emissivity, highly reflective surface and a heat dissipating material could be coupled with the highly thermal insulating properties of glass. As the material required a malleable property, developments to weave a specific pattern of glass yarn into a fabric was undertaken with the aim of achieving a highly diffused reflective surface once laminated to the aluminium.

Engineering of microscopic air pockets between the glass and aluminium was developed within the silicone adhesive bonding process adding critical performance to the combined materials. The result was a highly malleable compound material that reflected all spectrums of light from 200 nm up to 1000 nm wave lengths at an average value > 96% reflectance. Coupled with the thermal insulating properties of the engineered glass fabric it was proven that the glass would store any thermal radiation transmitted while the pure aluminium laminate dissipated the heat at a higher coefficient than the metal surface the material was applied to, thus keeping the coated structure cool and impervious to solar gain and other forms of radiated thermal waves.

Further development to caramelise the glass fabric through a specific manufacturing process of thermal exposure and an additional silicone wash prevented fraying of the glass fabric, removal of halogens and additional thermal insulating properties to the material.

Various prototype iterations of this product were sampled during the development process including micronized aluminium pigmented silicone and glass weave textiles in addition to sampling of various weight glass and aluminium laminates. In response to Industry requirements to address overheating equipment assets in warm climates. A high performing compound was realised in the material and this was successfully type tested under university laboratory conditions. A lightweight Glass E, Aluminium/glass and silicone compound fabric with Hi-tack weather resilient adhesive backing. The material can be applied to any existing or new metal housing quickly and efficiently. The material can be pre-cut at the factory to pattern or manually on site with standard scissors, rolled up into lightweight tubes and carried within a standard back-pack to satisfy the installation of multiple apparatus housings by installers, equipment manufacturers, maintainers and/or asset managers.

The adoption of an application specific adhesive backing introduces additional weave lock and installation efficiency, requiring only a low skill element for install. With the amalgamation of the developed high-performance textile and adhesive tape. The material can be applied to all outdoor structural steel and composite enclosures. The application of the material secures long asset life, solar gain thermal shielding, thermal insulating and resilience building to existing and new apparatus housing/building assets. A significant reduction in over heating assets with a reduction in required air conditioning in the summer periods. In addition to solar gain reflectance the material acts as an insulator in the winter thus enabling the mitigation of anti-condensation heaters required within housings over the winter periods.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, it can be seen that there is illustrated in figure 7. The material is textile affixed to the panels of a structural housing. The solar shield comprises a reflective aluminium outer surface of low emissivity and said shield further comprising a woven glass insulating inner fabric.

The material can be positioned, either manually or automatically to individual panels or whole structure by way of the weatherproof adhesive backing or alternatively using the non-adhesive backed variation secured by any other suitable mounting means. Laser cut profiles ensure patterns fit the intended panels without the need for additional cutting on or off site. Non withstanding the material can be easily cut with scissors to profile any unforeseen mechanical obstructions.

The material is designed so that the woven glass fabric sits against the housing or panels being cladded and the outer reflective aluminium surface towards solar.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of this invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of this invention as claimed.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides:

An electromagnetic shield of woven Glass E fabric and aluminium with silicone wash reflecting and dissipating solar energy away from outdoor steel or composite housings before said solar energy penetrates the housings air-space, thermally comprising internal equipment: (a) applied to existing legacy assets or newly manufactured housings.

(b) Adhesive taped backed or non-adhesive tape backed The material is a novel invention developed using high performing and low emissivity material never been used in the industry before. This invention has capacity of thermal shielding to prohibit the equipment inside the housing to overheat because of the solar gain. This invention also has the capacity of insulating the housing enabling the mitigation of heaters.

The material has been developed considering the problem of overheating faced by number of industries that needs to keep the equipment within outdoor housings thermoregulated in order to keep them in service, in particular railway signalling power & high ways traffic management. It was found that aluminium being a low emissivity, highly reflective surface and heat dissipating materials could be coupled with the highly thermal insulating properties of glass. As the material required a malleable property, developments to weave a specific pattern of glass yarn into a fabric was undertaken with the aim of achieving a highly diffused reflective surface once laminated to the aluminium.

Various prototype iterations of this product were sampled during the development process including micronized aluminium pigmented silicone and glass weave textiles in addition to sampling of various weight glass and aluminium laminates.

In embodiments, the material can be applied to all outdoor housings within the Highways, Railways, Telecommunications, Power Transmission and Distribution sectors for solar gain mitigation as detailed herein.

One of the major problems faced by the aforementioned industry sectors is the overheating of the equipment contained within outdoor housings. The material can be applied to all outdoor structural steel and composite housings. The application of the material secures long asset life, solar gain thermal shielding, thermal insulating and resilience building to existing and new apparatus housing/building assets. A significant reduction in over heating assets with a reduction in required air conditioning in the summer periods. In addition to solar gain reflectance the material acts as an insulator in the winter thus enabling the mitigation heaters required within housings over the winter periods.

As used in this specification, any formulation used of the style "at least one of A, B or C", and the formulation "at least one of A, B and C" use a disjunctive "or" and a disjunctive "and" such that those formulations comprise any and all joint and several permutations of A, B, C, that is, A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in any order, A and C in any order, B and C in any order and A, B, C in any order. There may be more or less than three features used in such formulations.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word 'comprising does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an." The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fad that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, example or claims prevent such a combination, the features of the foregoing embodiments and examples, and of the following claims may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an "ex post facto" benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of the example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of the claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase "in one embodiment", "according to an embodiment" and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to 'an', 'one' or 'some' embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment.

The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various implementations of the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCES

2 Material, 30 Panel 4 Aluminium foil layer 8 Peripheral surface 14 Diffusive pattern 22 Repeating unit A Amplitude P Period Adjoining surface 6 Glass fibre layer 12 Adjoining surface 28 Distal surface 16 Woven fabric 18 Yarn 20 Pore 24 Weave lock adhesive 26 Adhesive layer 32 Cooling gap 34 peripheral edge (of panel) 38 Loom Outdoor structure Face 102 Conventional protection 104 Oversized roof 106 Side panels 108 Cooling blocks

Claims

CLAIMS1. A material to shield an exterior of an outdoor structure from solar radiation, the material comprising: an aluminium foil layer, and; a glass fibre layer comprising woven yarns of interlocked fibres; the aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer bonded together with an adjoining surface of the aluminium foil layer arranged adjoining an adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer, wherein a peripheral surface of the aluminium foil layer has a diffusive pattern, which is configured to reflect direct light as diffuse light.
2. The material of claim 1, wherein the diffusive pattern is configured to reflect at least 80% of the direct light as the diffuse light.
3. The material of either claims I or 2, wherein a weave pattern of the yarns of the glass fibre layer at the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer corresponds to the diffusive pattern of the aluminium foil layer, such that the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer is configured to form the diffusive pattern when pressed together with the aluminium foil layer.
4 The material of claim 3, wherein the glass fibre layer has a plain or a twill weave pattern, wherein a technical face of the twill weave pattern is arranged as the adjoining surface of the glass fibre layer.
5. The material of any preceding claim, wherein the diffusive pattern is arranged with a repeating unit that has an amplitude of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm and a period of 0.5 to 2.5 mm.
6 The material of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminium foil layer has a comparatively shiny surface and a dull surface, the aluminium foil layer arranged with the dull surface as the peripheral surface.
7. The material of any preceding claim, wherein the glass fibre layer includes an adhesive to fix the yarns in a woven configuration.
8 The material of claim 7, wherein the adhesive of the glass fibre layer includes micro cavities formed by curing an cooling of the glass fibre layer, wherein the cavities are sized 0.1 mms to 1 x10-9 mm3.
9 The material of any preceding claim, comprising an adhesive layer arranged on a distal surface of the glass fibre layer, the distal surface distal the aluminium foil layer, the adhesive layer configured to adhere the material to an exterior surface of the outdoor structure.
10. The material of claim 9, wherein a tear away strip is arrange to cover the adhesive layer.
11. The material of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminium foil layer is selected to have a thickness of 10 -26 micrometres and the glass fibre layer is selected to be 300 -500 g/m2.
12. The material of any preceding claim, wherein the glass fibre layer is selected to have a yarn thickness of 0.05 to 0.4 mm or about 0.2 mm.
13. The material of any preceding claim, arranged with a cooling gap to expose a portion of the outdoor structure for cooling.
14. An outdoor structure comprising electrical componentry, wherein an exterior of the structure comprises the material of any of claims 1 to 13.
15. Use of the material of any of claims 1 to 13, for shielding an exterior of an outdoor structure.
16. A method of forming a shielding material for shielding an exterior of a structure from solar radiation, the method comprising: bonding an aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer together; forming on the aluminium foil layer a diffusive pattern, which diffusively reflects incident light.
17. The method of claim 16 comprising forming the diffusive pattern by pressing a weave pattern of yarns of the glass fibre layer into the aluminium foil layer.
18 The method of claim 17 comprising bonding together the aluminium foil layer and glass fibre layer and pressing the weave pattern of the yarns of the glass fibre layer into the aluminium foil layer concurrently.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein prior to pressing the layers together an adhesive is applied to an adjoining surface of the aluminium foil layer.
20. The method of any of claims 16 to 19, comprising bonding the aluminium foil layer to the glass fibre layer with a comparatively shiny surface of the aluminium foil layer adjoining the glass fibre layer, and a dull surface of the aluminium foil layer distal the glass fibre layer.
21 The method of any of claims 16 to 20, comprising applying an adhesive to the glass fibre layer and curing the adhesive to fix the yarns in a woven configuration, wherein the adhesive is applied by drawing the glass fibre layer through a bath, and the glass fibre layer is cured by drawing through an oven and is cured to form micro cavities in the adhesive of the glass fibre layer during curing of the glass fibre layer.
22. A method of shielding an exterior of an outdoor structure from solar radiation, the method comprising: adhering, with an adhesive layer of the shielding material, the material to an exterior face of the structure
23. The method of claim 22, comprising adhering the material to the exterior face of the structure with a cooling gap to expose a portion of the outdoor structure for cooling.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the cooling gap is arranged between an edge of the material and a peripheral edge of the exterior face of the structure.
25. The method of either of claims 23 or 24, wherein the gap has a minor dimension of greater than 5 mm.