11Regulation of Natural Light by an Electrical Device - from a 2-Way Switch to Full-Regulation of Natural Light by an Electrical Device - from a 2-Way Switch to Full-

Automation. Automation.

Light RegulatingLight Regulating11 Insulated Glass Insulated Glass

Larry SilverbergLarry Silverberg Professor Professor Mech. & Aero. Engineering Mech. & Aero. Engineering NC State, Raleigh, NC State, Raleigh, NC 27613 919 515 5665 NC 27613 919 515 5665 lmsilver@ncsu.edu lmsilver@ncsu.edu

Presentation given to AGC North America on 8-Presentation given to AGC North America on 8-24-07 24-07

MethodMethod1.1.Venetian blind hangs in insulated glass. Venetian blind hangs in insulated glass. 2.2.An electrostatic switch, when turned on, An electrostatic switch, when turned on, places static electricity on aluminum slats places static electricity on aluminum slats inside the air space.inside the air space.3.3.This induces an opposite charge on the glass This induces an opposite charge on the glass creating an attraction force between the slats creating an attraction force between the slats and the glass that causes the slats to rotate and the glass that causes the slats to rotate toward the glass (open).toward the glass (open).4.4.The electrostatic switch, when turned off, The electrostatic switch, when turned off, removes the static electricity from the slats, removes the static electricity from the slats, which allows the slats to naturally fall (close) which allows the slats to naturally fall (close) by gravity. Electric operation ranges from a by gravity. Electric operation ranges from a simple on-off switch to full automation.simple on-off switch to full automation.

Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (1-Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (1-2)2)

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

PROPERTIESPROPERTIES One electrostatic transformer operates a unit of any size.One electrostatic transformer operates a unit of any size. The number of part types in the air space is 4: slats, ladders, tabs, The number of part types in the air space is 4: slats, ladders, tabs,

and hooks. The slats are the only moving parts.and hooks. The slats are the only moving parts. Electrostatic actuation is electrically capacitive so power consumption Electrostatic actuation is electrically capacitive so power consumption

is on the order of 0.0025$ per square foot per year. is on the order of 0.0025$ per square foot per year. A commercial building with 10,000 square foot of LR-IG windows costs 25$ per year of A commercial building with 10,000 square foot of LR-IG windows costs 25$ per year of operation – comparable to fire detectors & garage door openers. operation – comparable to fire detectors & garage door openers.

The system is standardized for insulated glass.The system is standardized for insulated glass. Other methods are confined to small-scale use because of user costs. Other methods are confined to small-scale use because of user costs. Unique technology that can satisfy industry warrantees. Unique technology that can satisfy industry warrantees.

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (2-Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (2-2)2)

Light Regulating Insulated GlassLight Regulating Insulated Glass– Integrated system of electrically controlled blinds and Integrated system of electrically controlled blinds and

insulated glass. insulated glass. – Non-drawing slatsNon-drawing slats

Electro-Chromatic GlassElectro-Chromatic Glass – Glass matrix that changes from clear to opaque. Glass matrix that changes from clear to opaque. – High power consumption, short lifetimeHigh power consumption, short lifetime

Conventional Motorized ShadingConventional Motorized Shading– Motorized systems in windows and doors. Motorized systems in windows and doors. – Currently availableCurrently available– After-market installation. After-market installation. – Can not offer competitive warrantees. Can not offer competitive warrantees.

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Light Regulation TechnologiesLight Regulation Technologies

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Field TestingField Testing

LR-IG window-wall in a board room

Open Closed

Architectural OpportunitiesArchitectural Opportunities AccessibilityAccessibility Lobbies, Cathedral/Vaulted RoomsLobbies, Cathedral/Vaulted Rooms High HumidityHigh Humidity Health Spas, Indoor Pools, BathroomsHealth Spas, Indoor Pools, Bathrooms Low MaintenanceLow Maintenance Hotels, Office Buildings, Hospitals, Hotels, Office Buildings, Hospitals,

Nursing Homes, SchoolsNursing Homes, Schools Controlling LightControlling Light Stadiums, Theatres, Auditoriums, Stadiums, Theatres, Auditoriums,

School Day-Lighting, Entertainment School Day-Lighting, Entertainment RoomsRooms Partitioning SpacePartitioning Space Office ClustersOffice Clusters Safety/SecuritySafety/Security Hospitals, Mental Institutions, Nursing Hospitals, Mental Institutions, Nursing

Homes, Day Care Centers, Young Homes, Day Care Centers, Young Children’s RoomsChildren’s Rooms Hygiene and AllergiesHygiene and Allergies Food Preparation Areas, Clean Food Preparation Areas, Clean

Rooms, Rooms, Hospitals, Schools, BedroomsHospitals, Schools, Bedrooms Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency (HVAC/ Day-Lighting), Office Buildings, (HVAC/ Day-Lighting), Office Buildings,

Schools, Public BuildingsSchools, Public Buildings DisabilitiesDisabilities All ApplicationsAll Applications

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

BusinessBusiness ProducersProducers

Investment: 200K set up per lineInvestment: 200K set up per lineReturn: 1M per yearReturn: 1M per year

– 100 ft100 ft22/hr x 8hrs/shift x 250 shifts/yr x hrs x 5$/ft/hr x 8hrs/shift x 250 shifts/yr x hrs x 5$/ft22

– assumes fully occupied 8-hr shiftsassumes fully occupied 8-hr shifts– neglects wastageneglects wastage

1 Supplier – to oversee LR-IG1 Supplier – to oversee LR-IG

– Set up linesSet up lines– supply parts & equipmentsupply parts & equipment– Provide customer support to glass producersProvide customer support to glass producers

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Major Producers of Insulated GlassMajor Producers of Insulated Glassin North Carolinain North Carolina

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Short-Term GoalsShort-Term Goals

Redesign Redesign Production LineProduction Line Business PlanBusiness Plan

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

TasksTasks** Day LightingDay Lighting Set up Day Lighting LabSet up Day Lighting Lab Lighting Criteria Lighting Criteria Measurement SystemMeasurement System SimulationSimulation Geometry OptimizationGeometry Optimization

RedesignRedesign Set up Production Line Set up Production Line Roll Forming Roll Forming Ladder & Tab RedesignLadder & Tab Redesign TransformerTransformer

**Tasks go through preliminary & final design reviews with external reviewers, & certain Tasks go through preliminary & final design reviews with external reviewers, & certain documentation procedures. documentation procedures.

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

ProductionProduction Wire Grid LaminationWire Grid Lamination Automated Tab InsertionAutomated Tab Insertion

Quality Assurance TestingQuality Assurance Testing Identify & Measure Failure ModesIdentify & Measure Failure Modes Installation at a Demonstration SiteInstallation at a Demonstration Site Training & ProceduresTraining & Procedures

Day Lighting GuidelinesDay Lighting Guidelines Architectural Spaces Architectural Spaces Guidelines Planning Guidelines Planning DocumentationDocumentation

BusinessBusiness

End of Slide PresentationEnd of Slide Presentation

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Research Plan: Organizational Chart (GoldenLEAF)Research Plan: Organizational Chart (GoldenLEAF)

Board of

Directors

Louis Martin-VegaDean, College of

Engineering, NCSU

Leon SilversteinCEO, Arch

Aluminum & Glass

Marvin MalechaDean, College of

Design, NCSU

Wayne PlaceProf of

Architecture NCSU

Admin Assistant

Engineering Graduate Students

(7)

Larry SilverbergProf of MAE

NCSU

Assistant Designer

Design Graduate Students

(4)Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Assistant Engineer

Research Plan: Graduate Student Thesis/Dissertation Topics Research Plan: Graduate Student Thesis/Dissertation Topics (GoldenLEAF)(GoldenLEAF)

Day LightingDay Lighting

PhD Design (1-3) Slat Geometry PhD Design (1-3) Slat Geometry Optimization Optimization

MS Design (1-2) Lighting Criteria MS Design (1-2) Lighting Criteria & Testing & Testing

RedesignRedesign

MSMS Eng (1-2) Roll-Forming of SlatsEng (1-2) Roll-Forming of SlatsMSMS Eng (2-3) Laminated Wire Grid Eng (2-3) Laminated Wire Grid

Production Line & Quality Production Line & Quality AssuranceAssurance

MS Eng (2-3) Ladder & TabPhD Eng (PhD Eng ( 1-3) Automated 1-3) Automated

AssemblyAssemblyMSMS Eng (2-3) Quality Assurance Eng (2-3) Quality Assurance

Criteria Criteria & Testing & TestingMS Eng (2-3) Installation & TrainingMS Eng (2-3) Installation & Training BusinessBusiness

PhD Design (2-4) Architectural SpacesPhD Design (2-4) Architectural SpacesPhD Design (2-4) Day Lighting PhD Design (2-4) Day Lighting

GuidelinesGuidelinesDesignDesign

EngineeringEngineeringPhD 3PhD 3 1 1MSMS 1 6 1 6

Light Regulating Insulated Glass - SilverbergLight Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

Production and Field Testing of a New Technology for Light Regulation

IntroductionThe light regulating system consists of a Venetian blind sealed between the panes of insulated glass.

The blinds open and close electro-statically. The electrostatically actuated blinds replace the manually operated system of pulleys, gears, and gear box.

ObjectiveThe main objective was to evaluate every aspect of the design through manufacture and field testing.

Production Procedure

1. Set up rotating table.

ResultsDemonstrated the feasibility of light regulating technology in field tests.

Verified affordability and quality production.

2005

Electrostatic Induction

MethodField testing was performed in the Talley Student Center of North Carolina State University. A set of eight units, each measuring about three feet by five feet, were produced and installed in the Talley Student Center Boardroom.

2. Assemble slats, ladders and tabs

3. Remove the slat racks

4. Assemble the air spacer and install

5. Install glass

6. Perform functional test

7. Seal unit

8. Store unit

Slats open by electrostatic Induction.

Slats closeBy gravity.

Figures below show side view of slats and glass in open & closed positions.