Light Regulating 1 Insulated Glass

1. 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.

2. Light Regulation by Electrostatic Means (1-2) Method Venetian blind hangs in insulated glass. An electrostatic switch, when turned on, places static electricity on aluminum slats inside the air space. 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). 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. Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

3. 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

4. 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

5. Field Testing Open Closed LR-IG window-wall in a board room Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

6. Architectural Opportunities • Accessibility Lobbies, Cathedral/Vaulted Rooms • High Humidity Health Spas, Indoor Pools, Bathrooms • Low Maintenance Hotels, Office Buildings, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Schools • Controlling Light Stadiums, Theatres, Auditoriums, School Day-Lighting, Entertainment Rooms • Partitioning Space Office Clusters • Safety/Security Hospitals, Mental Institutions, Nursing Homes, Day Care Centers, Young Children’s Rooms • Hygiene and Allergies Food Preparation Areas, Clean Rooms, Hospitals, Schools, Bedrooms • Energy Efficiency (HVAC/ Day-Lighting), Office Buildings, Schools, Public Buildings • Disabilities All Applications Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

7. 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

8. Major Producers of Insulated Glassin North Carolina Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

9. Short-Term Goals • Redesign • Production Line • Business Plan Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

10. Tasks* • Production • Wire Grid Lamination • Automated Tab Insertion • Quality Assurance Testing • Identify & Measure Failure Modes • Installation at a Demonstration Site • Training & Procedures • Day Lighting Guidelines • Architectural Spaces • Guidelines Planning • Documentation • Business • Day Lighting • Set up Day Lighting Lab • Lighting Criteria • Measurement System • Simulation • Geometry Optimization • Redesign • Set up Production Line • Roll Forming • Ladder & Tab Redesign • Transformer *Tasks go through preliminary & final design reviews with external reviewers, & certain documentation procedures. Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

11. End of Slide Presentation Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

12. Research Plan: Organizational Chart (GoldenLEAF) Louis Martin-Vega Dean, College of Engineering, NCSU Marvin Malecha Dean, College of Design, NCSU Leon Silverstein CEO, Arch Aluminum & Glass Larry Silverberg Prof of MAE NCSU Wayne Place Prof of Architecture NCSU Board of Directors Admin Assistant Assistant Engineer Assistant Designer Engineering Graduate Students (7) Design Graduate Students (4) Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

13. Research Plan: Graduate Student Thesis/Dissertation Topics (GoldenLEAF) Production Line & Quality Assurance 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 Business PhD Design (2-4) Architectural Spaces PhD Design (2-4) Day Lighting Guidelines Day Lighting PhD Design (1-3) Slat Geometry Optimization MS Design (1-2) Lighting Criteria & Testing Redesign MS Eng (1-2) Roll-Forming of Slats MS Eng (2-3) Laminated Wire Grid Design Engineering PhD 3 1 MS 1 6 Light Regulating Insulated Glass - Silverberg

14. Production and Field Testing of a New Technology for Light Regulation Production Procedure 1. Set up rotating table. Introduction The 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. Electrostatic Induction Figures below show side view of slats and glass in open & closed positions. Slats open by electrostatic Induction. Objective The main objective was to evaluate every aspect of the design through manufacture and field testing. 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 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. Slats close By gravity. Results Demonstrated the feasibility of light regulating technology in field tests. Verified affordability and quality production. 2005