Presentation given to AGC North America on 8-24-07
Light Regulating1 Insulated Glass
Larry Silverberg
Professor
Mech. & Aero. Engineering
NC State, Raleigh, NC 27613
919 515 5665
lmsilver@ncsu.edu
1Regulation
of Natural Light by an Electrical Device - from a 2-Way Switch to Full-Automation.
Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (1-2)
Method
Venetian blind hangs in insulated glass.
2. An electrostatic switch, when turned on, places
static electricity on aluminum slats inside the air
space.
3. This induces an opposite charge on the glass
creating an attraction force between the slats and
the glass that causes the slats to rotate toward the
glass (open).
4. The electrostatic switch, when turned off, removes
the static electricity from the slats, which allows
the slats to naturally fall (close) by gravity. Electric
operation ranges from a simple on-off switch to full
automation.
1.
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (2-2)
PROPERTIES

One electrostatic transformer operates a unit of any size.

The number of part types in the air space is 4: slats, ladders, tabs, and
hooks. The slats are the only moving parts.

Electrostatic actuation is electrically capacitive so power consumption 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 operation –
comparable to fire detectors & garage door openers.

The system is standardized for insulated glass.

Other methods are confined to small-scale use because of user costs.

Unique technology that can satisfy industry warrantees.
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Light Regulation Technologies

Light Regulating Insulated Glass
– Integrated system of electrically controlled blinds and insulated
glass.
– Non-drawing slats

Electro-Chromatic Glass
– Glass matrix that changes from clear to opaque.
– High power consumption, short lifetime

Conventional Motorized Shading
–
–
–
–
Motorized systems in windows and doors.
Currently available
After-market installation.
Can not offer competitive warrantees.
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Field Testing
Open
Closed
LR-IG window-wall in a board room
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Architectural Opportunities
Accessibility
 High Humidity
 Low Maintenance


Controlling Light
Partitioning Space
 Safety/Security


Hygiene and Allergies

Energy Efficiency

Disabilities
Lobbies, Cathedral/Vaulted Rooms
Health Spas, Indoor Pools, Bathrooms
Hotels, Office Buildings, Hospitals,
Nursing Homes, Schools
Stadiums, Theatres, Auditoriums,
School Day-Lighting, Entertainment
Rooms
Office Clusters
Hospitals, Mental Institutions, Nursing
Homes, Day Care Centers, Young
Children’s Rooms
Food Preparation Areas, Clean Rooms,
Hospitals, Schools, Bedrooms
(HVAC/ Day-Lighting), Office Buildings,
Schools, Public Buildings
All Applications
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Business

Producers
Investment: 200K set up per line
Return: 1M per year
– 100 ft2/hr x 8hrs/shift x 250 shifts/yr x hrs x 5$/ft2
– assumes fully occupied 8-hr shifts
– neglects wastage

1 Supplier – to oversee LR-IG
– Set up lines
– supply parts & equipment
– Provide customer support to glass producers
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Major Producers of Insulated Glass
in North Carolina
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Short-Term Goals

Redesign

Production Line

Business Plan
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Tasks*

Day Lighting

Production



Wire Grid Lamination
Automated Tab Insertion

Quality Assurance Testing

Set up Day Lighting Lab
Lighting Criteria
Measurement System
Simulation
Geometry Optimization


Redesign

Identify & Measure Failure Modes
Installation at a Demonstration Site
Training & Procedures

Set up Production Line
Roll Forming
Ladder & Tab Redesign
Transformer

Day Lighting Guidelines


Architectural Spaces
Guidelines Planning
Documentation

Business








*Tasks go through preliminary & final design reviews with external reviewers, & certain documentation
procedures.
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
End of Slide Presentation
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Research Plan: Organizational Chart (GoldenLEAF)
Louis Martin-Vega
Marvin Malecha
Leon Silverstein
Dean, College of
Engineering, NCSU
Dean, College of
Design, NCSU
CEO, Arch Aluminum
& Glass
Board
of
Directors
Admin
Assistant
Larry Silverberg
Wayne Place
Prof of MAE
NCSU
Prof of Architecture
NCSU
Assistant
Engineer
Assistant
Designer
Engineering
Graduate
Students (7)
Design
Graduate
Students (4)
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Research Plan: Graduate Student Thesis/Dissertation Topics (GoldenLEAF)
Day Lighting
Production Line & Quality
Assurance
PhD Design (1-3) Slat Geometry
Optimization
MS Design (1-2) Lighting Criteria
& Testing
MS Eng (2-3) Ladder & Tab
PhD Eng (1-3) Automated Assembly
MS Eng (2-3)
Quality Assurance Criteria
& Testing
MS Eng (2-3)
Installation & Training
Redesign
MS Eng (1-2)
MS Eng (2-3)
Roll-Forming of Slats
Laminated Wire Grid
Business
PhD Design (2-4) Architectural Spaces
PhD Design (2-4) Day Lighting Guidelines
PhD
MS
Design
3
1
Engineering
1
6
Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg
Production and Field Testing of a New Technology for Light Regulation
Introduction
Production Procedure
Electrostatic Induction
The light regulating system consists of a
Venetian blind sealed between the panes of
insulated glass.
Figures below show side view of slats and
glass in open & closed positions.
The blinds open and close electro-statically.
The electrostatically actuated blinds replace the
manually operated system of pulleys, gears,
and gear box.
Slats open by
electrostatic
Induction.
Objective
The main objective was to evaluate every aspect
of the design through manufacture and field
testing.
Method
Field 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.
1. Set up rotating table.
2. Assemble slats, ladders and tabs
3. Remove the slat racks
4. Assemble the air spacer and install
Slats close
By gravity.
5. Install glass
6. Perform functional test
7. Seal unit
8. Store unit
Results
Demonstrated the feasibility of light regulating
technology in field tests.
Verified affordability and quality production.
2005