WO2010119352A2

WO2010119352A2 - Thermoinsulated wall

Info

Publication number: WO2010119352A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/050654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Sensini
Original assignee: Vetro Ventilato S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-04-15
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2010-10-21
Also published as: WO2010119352A3; SM200900026A; SM200900026B

Abstract

The thermoinsulated wall comprising at least an internal pane of glass (2) directed inside an en¬ vironment to be conditioned and an external pane of glass (3) directed outside said environment, arranged parallel and defining a chamber (4) comprised between the internal pane (2) and the external pane (3) suitable to be hermetically sealed. At the top of the wall (1) are arranged means (18) for dimming the solar rays of the type that can be wound, brought together with the internal pane (2) and which can be driven between a wound non operating configuration and a completely wound extended configuration, to define a space (21) with respect to the internal pane of glass (2). Suction means (20) are prearranged at the top of the wall (1) connected to the space (21) defined by dimming means (18), with a passageway opening (23) for the inlet of an air flow (A) exhausted by the suction means (20) from the environment to be conditioned, connected to the space (21), and outflow means (16) prearranged downstream to said suction means (20) for the outflow of the air flow (A) from the environment to be conditioned.

Description

Title of Invention: THERMOINSULATED WALL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention regards a thermoinsulated wall as well as an air conditioning system for buildings internal environments. Background Art

[2] Nowadays is known, in the field of window fittings and building facades, the use of double-glazed walls, commonly denominated 'double-glazing', constituted by two panes of glass mounted parallel and brought together on a frame, in a way as to define an air space. Such double-glazed walls substantially aim at obtaining an insulation both thermal and acoustic between the internal environment and the external one.

[3] Patent application WO 03/083242, filed by the Applicant, illustrates a thermoinsulated double-glazed wall provided with a forced air circulation unit in the space between the two panes, with an air inlet opening in said space, connected with the internal environment and arranged at the base of the internal pane, and with an air outlet opening, connected with the external environment and arranged at the top of the external pane.

[4] In the illustrated solution, the air circulation unit provides a conventional fan electrically powered, fitted with horizontal axis at a circular hole constituting the cited air outlet opening, at the top of the external pane.

[5] Patent application WO 2005/040541, filed by the Applicant, illustrates an air circulation device applied in double-glazed thermoinsulated walls, of the type constituted by at least a first internal pane of glass and a second external pane of glass, arranged parallel and defining a space. The device comprises a tangential fan of reduced size, fitted inside a housing, realized at the top of said space and opened to the external environment, and extended substantially to the full length of the thermoinsulated wall.

[6] Even though the cited solutions proposed so far are well able to satisfy the need for an efficient thermal insulation in proximity of the glass walls, they can be relatively complex to realize for those applications requiring great simplicity and easiness of use. A greater structural complexity implies more elevated costs. This can constitute a limit to a wider use of such thermoinsulated walls. Disclosure of Invention Disclosure

[7] The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned problem, devising a thermoinsulated wall that allows to perform in a simple and economic way the air circulation therethrough, in particular making its installation and use easy. [8] Another object of the present invention is that of providing a thermoinsulated wall having a simple conception, a securely reliable functioning and versatile use, as well as relatively economic cost.

[9] A further scope of the present invention is that of providing a system for conditioning environments internal to buildings, having a reliable use in every climatic conditions.

[10] The aforementioned scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the thermoinsulated wall according to claim 1, as well as by the conditioning system according to claim 11. Description Of Drawings

[11] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

[12] figures from 1 to 3 respectively show a perspective view of the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention, according to different functioning modes;

[13] figure 4 shows a different embodiment of the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention;

[14] figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention. Best Mode

[15] With particular reference to such figures, the double-glazed thermoinsulated wall, particularly suited for realizing windows or building facades, is indicated in its entirety with 1. The wall 1 is provided with an air circulation device 10.

[16] the thermoinsulated wall 1 is constituted, as already known, by a first internal pane of glass 2 and a second external pane of glass 3, arranged parallel and suitable to define a sealed chamber 4.

[17] More precisely, the chamber 4 is comprised between the external pane 3 and the internal pane 2 and is suitable to be hermetically sealed by means of a perimetric frame fixed in a known way to the cited panes 2, 3.

[18] The perimetric frame 5 comprises in particular a couple of uprights 6, 7 and a couple of transverse members 8, 9, respectively lower and upper.

[19] The air circulation device 10 is suitable to be prearranged at the top of the thermoinsulated wall 1. The device 10 is preferably constituted by an exhaust fan 20 of the tangential type, suitable to be fitted in a suitable housing defined by a box casing 11 suitable to be movably fastened through suitable fastening means, for example of the screw or joint type, to the upper transverse member 9 of the parametric frame 5 or alternatively to the building structure. The fan 20 is longitudinally extended to the entire length of the thermoinsulated wall 1. The fan 20 is suitable to be rotatingly driven at a speed controlled by an electric motor member driven by a respective electronic unit or card and preferably mounted at an end inside the casing 11. Such an electronic control unit is preferably constituted by an electronic card comprising sensor means suitable to detect predetermined characteristics of the exhausted air flow, depending on which the functioning of the air circulation device 10 can be controlled.

[20] In particular the aforesaid sensor means can detect the hygrometric characteristics of the intake air flow, in such a way as to modulate the rotation speed of the tangential fan 20, in order to air-condition the internal environment air in the desired way, according to preset parameters. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor means can detect the presence of undesired particles, for activating auxiliary devices prearranged inside the environment to be conditioned, in order to maintain constant the quality of air therein.

[21] The sensor means can further detect the presence in the air flowing through the fan

20, of combustion products, so as to promptly signal the possible presence of combustion reactions in the conditioned environment. In such a case, the sensor means are suitable to send suitable input signals to the control unit, in order to suitably activate suitable anti-fire alarm means prearranged in the conditioned environment.

[22] The casing 11 of the fan 20 provides respective openings on different sides for the inlet of the exhausted air and the outflow of the expelled air. In particular, the opening for the inlet of the air is made at a free side of the casing 11 directed towards the environment to be conditioned, for example the lower side, while the air outflow is made through a side of the casing opposite to the preceding one. The upper transverse member 9 provides a corresponding outflow opening 12 for the passage of the delivery air. Such an outflow opening is for example constituted by a series of holes arranged in sequence along the transverse member 9.

[23] According to a preferred embodiment the outflow opening 12 is connected with an internal space 13 defined at the top of the environment to be conditioned between the ceiling 14 and a false ceiling 15. The flow of air sucked by the tangential fan 20 is preferably conveyed in the internal space 13 through outflow means comprising a stopping up grille 16 provided with a plurality of suitable holes 17 (see fig. 1). From the false ceiling 15 the air coming from the environment to be conditioned can flow outside through a chimney suitably prearranged in the building, or in recirculation in the environment to be conditioned.

[24] From the side turned to the inside of the environment, the thermoinsulated wall 1 is provided with dimming means 18 of the rolling type fitted to the lower part of the internal pane 2, suitable to be collected at the upper part or unwound at the lower part. The dimming means 18, preferably constituted by a rolling curtain, is suitable to be wound inside a respective containing case 19 suitably fixed to the upper transverse member 9. [25] In particular, the curtain 18 is suitable to be unwound on a parallel plane separated from the internal pane 2. Unwinding the curtain 18 concurs to define, between the same curtain 18 and the internal pane of glass 2, a space 21 that realizes a chamber suitable to be crossed by a laminar air flow from the environment to be conditioned through the tangential fan 20, as indicated by the arrows A in the figures from 1 to 4. Such a chamber has a height variable depending on the bigger or smaller unwinding of the curtain 18.

[26] Obviously the major efficiency is reached when the curtain 18 is in position of complete unwinding, so that the laminar flow engages substantially the entire glazed surface. Therefore through the space 21 the air flow sucked from the tangential fan 20 occurs in substantially vertical direction in a zone adjacent to the internal pane 2 of the thermoinsulated wall 1.

[27] The curtain 18 comprises a free edge 22 suitable to define with respect to the lower transverse member 8 of the perimetric frame 5 a passageway opening 23 for the sucked air. In particular, when the curtain 18 is completely unwound, the passageway opening 23 is reduced to a cleft having a limited transverse extent, but such as to allow the inlet of a corresponding air flow (see fig. 3). When the curtain 18 is completely wound, the passageway opening 23 engages substantially the entire extent of the internal pane 2 (see fig. 1).

[28] The curtain 18 can be driven in a manual way or by means of a driving member of the electric type.

[29] According to a different embodiment illustrated in fig. 4, the thermoinsulated wall 1 can provide a protection pane 24 arranged before the curtain 18 and mounted on a fastening frame 25. Such a fastening frame 25 can be pulled up in a fixed manner to the perimetric frame 5 of the thermoinsulated wall 1 or in such a way that it can be opened through the aid of hinges 26 for enabling easy access to the space 21. The fastening frame 25 provides in any case an inlet opening 27 for the air, preferably arranged on a side adjacent to the lower transverse member 8 of the perimetric frame 5. The inlet opening 27 is preferably shaped as longitudinal eyelets arranged in sequence along the corresponding side of the frame 25.

[30] According to a further embodiment, not illustrated, the casing of the tangential fan 20 is integrated in the space defined by the false ceiling 15, in a way as not to be visible normally from the inside of the environment to be conditioned. This allows to use the thermoinsulated wall as a conventional glass wall that can be opened. Obviously in this case the upper transverse member 9 of the perimetric frame 5 provides appropriate openings suitable to suit, in the closing position of the glass wall, with corresponding opening made in the false ceiling 15 in front of the casing of the fan 20, in order to allow the cited air flow inside the chamber 21. [31] Alternatively the air outflow determined by the tangential fan 20 can be conveyed outside of the environment to be conditioned instead of inside the false ceiling 15.

[32] According to a further embodiment, not illustrated, a centrifugal fan instead of a tangential fan is arranged at an end of the box casing 11 so as to allow an axial suction and a radial outflow of the air. The inlet of the air flow occurs through suitable eyelets arranged in sequence along the entire length of the casing 11 and suitable to be shaped in a way as to obtain an even intake and a laminar air flow under the cited eyelets. All remaining technical features of the thermoinsulated wall according to the previously described embodiments can apply to this further embodiment.

[33] According to a further embodiment, illustrated in figure 5, the suction means comprise a helicoidal fan 200 associated with outflow means shaping a duct 28 arranged at an end of the box casing 11. The helicoidal fan 20, driven by a suitable motor member 29, is suitable to carry out an efficient suction of the air and a compact single outflow thereof from the duct 28. The air outflow 30 can thus be easily concentrated and conveyed as a compact flow with reduced diameter, preferably a few centimetres, making the transport of the air easier. The inlet of the air flow preferably occurs through suitable eyelets 31 arranged in sequence along the entire length of the casing 11 and suitable to be shaped in a way as to obtain an even suction and a laminar air flow under the cited eyelets 31.To this aim, for example, the eyelets 31 can have an extent suitably increasing throughout the length of the casing 11 from the end thereof close to the fan 20 to the opposite end.All remaining technical features of the thermoinsulated wall according to the previously described embodiments can apply to this further embodiment.

[34] The functioning of the device for the air circulation in a thermoinsulated wall according to the invention can be easily understood from the preceding description.

[35] Actuating the fan 20, the air of the internal environment is sucked inside the chamber defined by the space 21 through the opening 12, being possibly filtered by suitable filter means prearranged thereat. As illustrated by the arrows A, the inlet air flow crosses the space 21 in a substantially laminar way, particularly when the curtain 18 is completely unwound. So the air is exhausted through the passageway opening 23 from the tangential fan 20, in order to be discharged downstream through the suitable holes 17 of the stopping up grille 16 placed in the internal space 13 over the false ceiling 15.

[36] It is possible to provide that the thermoinsulated wall 1 to be inserted in a conditioning system equipped with a winter functioning and a summer functioning. According to the winter functioning, the air flowing from the stopping up grille 16, which undergoes a useful heating by effect of the solar irradiation through the panes 2, 3 is emitted again inside the environment to be conditioned through suitable recirculation outlets provided in the false ceiling 15, usefully contributing to the desired conditioning.

[37] On the other hand, in the summer, the air flowing through the internal space 13, heated by effect of the solar irradiation, is conveyed outside the building, preferably in a shady zone of the building.

[38] The thermoinsulated wall in hand attains the scope of performing in a simple and economic manner the air circulation, in particular making the installation and use easy. Such a result is reached mainly thanks to the curtain 18 that can be wound, suitable to define the ventilated chamber 21 for the circulation of the air sucked by the fan 20. Therefore the curtain 18 has the double effect of filtering efficiently the solar irradiation and of determining the laminar air flow upstream to the tangential fan 20.

[39] A characteristic of the wall according to the invention consists in the fact that every functional part is not only easily accessible, but also conveniently associable to both an existing fixed frame and a frame manufactured on purpose for the wall 1. In particular the tangential fan 20 that determines and controls the air flow adjacent to the wall 1 is prearranged inside an independent casing which can be easily screwed or otherwise connected to the frame fixed to the wall 1, without requiring modifications to possibly existing windows.

[40] Furthermore the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention can be interconnected in a very versatile manner to other systems for controlling the conditions inside the environment to be conditioned, for example anti-fire security systems or air quality control systems. To such an end prearranging suitable sensor means on the control unit of the tangential fan 20 is in fact enough. Such sensor means 21 can send suitable input signals to such auxiliary control systems prearranged in the environment to be conditioned.

[41] It is important to note that the thermoinsulated wall in hand has very advantageous thermal efficiency, in particular when the curtain 18 is completely unwound. Furthermore the thermoinsulated wall in hand has a very reduced acoustic impact, thanks to the presence of the panes 2, 3. The acoustic impact turns out to be minimum when the further protection pane 24 is prearranged.

[42] The structural simplicity and the consequent inexpensiveness of the wall in hand allow the use in a wide manner and in any embodiment.

[43] It is to note that the use of a helicoidal fan 200 for sucking the air increases the simplicity and the efficiency of the thermoinsulated wall according to the invention. In this embodiment the fan 200 does not need any special fitting extending along the length of the box casing 11 but can be housed in any position therein. In fact the space occupied by the fan unit is particularly reduced, even less than 3÷5 cm long. Further, any shape for the casing 11 can be used to house the compact duct unit containing the fan 200. For example, a simple square section for the casing 11 can be used. [44] The helicoidal fan 200 allows an efficient suction of the air and a compact outflow, which is easier to convey. Due to the compact structure and to the balanced outflow the obtainable flow rate can reach 2÷300 m³/hour for each fan unit. The helicoidal fan 200 being very compact, it can be easily installed in the window frames in construction or already existing. The helicoidal fan 200 turns out to be particularly convenient and economic to install.

[45] A characteristic of the wall in hand is also to allow a very easy modular mounting, for example for realizing continuous faςades, advantageous from both the technical point of view, for the aspects previously evidenced, and the aesthetic point of view, externally appearing with no difference when compared with the traditional glazed facades.

[46] It is eventually to note that the conditioning system according to the invention allows to optimally take advantage of the effect of the solar irradiation outside of the conditioned buildings. In fact during the winter, the heating resulting from the irradiation of the solar rays that reach the external pane of glass 3 can be usefully combined to the effect of the traditional devices for heating the insides. On the other hand, during the summer, the heating power associated to the air flowing through the chamber 21 can be discharged outside, without compromising the thermal efficiency of the conditioning systems of the traditional type prearranged inside the building.

[47] In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

[48] Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed byreference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

[Claim 1] Thermoinsulated wall comprising at least an internal pane of glass (2) directed inside an environment to be conditioned and an external pane of glass (3) directed outside said environment, arranged parallel and defining a chamber (4) comprised between said internal pane (2) and said external pane (3) suitable to be hermetically sealed; means (18) for dimming the solar rays of the type which can be wound, brought together with said internal pane (2) at the top of the same wall (1) and which can be driven between a wound non operating configuration and a completely unwound extended configuration, in order to define with respect to said internal pane of glass (2) a space (21) realising a chamber suitable to be crossed by a laminar air flow (A); suction means (20, 200) suitable to be prearranged at the top of said wall (1), connected with said chamber (21) defined by said dimming means (18), to create said air flow (A); a passageway opening (23) for the inlet of said air flow (23) from said environment to be conditioned, prearranged connected to said chamber (21), and outflow means (16, 28) prearranged downstream to said suction means (20, 200) for the outflow of said air flow (A) from said environment to be conditioned.

[Claim 2] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 1, characterized in that said passageway opening (23) is defined between said dimming means (18) prearranged in said extended configuration and at least a lower side of a perimetric frame (5) of said panes of glass (2, 3).

[Claim 3] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 2, characterized in that said dimming means (18) are constituted by a curtain that can be wound (18) suitable to be unwound on a parallel plane separated from said internal pane of glass (2) to define said space (21).

[Claim 4] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 3, characterized in that said curtain that can be wound (18) is driven through electrical driving means.

[Claim 5] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 3, characterized in that said suction means (200) comprise a helicoidal fanassociated with outflow means shaping a duct (28) connected to the box casing (11), the helicoidal fan (200) being driven by a motor member (29) arranged inside the duct (28), suitable to carry out the suction of the air from the environment to be conditioned and its compact outflow from the duct

[Claim 6] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 3, characterized in that said suction means comprise a centrifugal fan.

[Claim 7] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 3, characterized in that said suction means (20) comprise a tangential fan substantially extended for the entire length of the same thermoinsulated wall (1) and prearranged inside a casing (11) suitable to be fixed in a removable way to the frame of the thermoinsulated wall (1).

[Claim 8] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 7, characterized in that said casing (11) is open at a side for the inlet of said sucked air and at a side opposite to the previous one to allow the free outflow of the air sucked by said suction means (20, 200) through said space (21).

[Claim 9] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 5 or 6 or 8 , characterized in that said sucked air is suitable to flow through said outflow means (16, 28) in a false ceiling (15) prearranged in correspondence of the ceiling (14) of said environment to be conditioned.

[Claim 10] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 2, characterized in that said suction means (20, 200) are associated to an electronic control unit comprising sensor means exposed to said space (21) and suitable to detect determined characteristics of said air flow (A) crossing said space (21), in function of which the conditioning of the air in said environment to be conditioned can be controlled.

[Claim 11] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 10, characterized in thatsaid sensor means are suitable to monitor the quality of the air in said environment to be conditioned.

[Claim 12] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 10, characterized in that said electronic control unit is connected to a anti-fire security system and said sensor means are suitable to detect the presence of burnt particles, sending advise signals to said security system in case of fire.

[Claim 13] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 1, characterized in that said panes of glass (2, 3) defining said chamber (4) hermetically sealed are associated toa protection pane (24) arranged before said means for dimming (18) and mounted on a fastening frame (25) that can be opened through the aid of hinges (26) for enabling easy access to said space (21).

[Claim 14] Thermoinsulated wall according to claim 13, characterized in that said suction means (20, 200) are integrated in a space defined between a false ceiling (15) of said wall structure and in that an upper transverse member (9) of said perimetric frame (5) provides suitable openings suitable to suit, in the closing position of said glass wall that can be opened, corresponding openings made in the same false ceiling (15) in front of said housing of the suction means (20, 200), to allow the air flow (A) inside said chamber (21).

[Claim 15] Air conditioning system for internal environments of a building, characterized in that it comprises at least a thermoinsulated wall (1) according to one of the previous claims and that said air flow (A) exhausted by said suction means (20, 200) through said space (21) is suitable to be conveyed through the false ceiling (15) of said internal environments of said building, in order to flow alternatively inside said environments through suitable outflow outlets or directly outside of said building.