CN1452680A - Enhanced curtain wall system - Google Patents

Abstract

When assembled to a building support structure to form a curtain wall system of adjoining panels, a preferred embodiment of the enhanced airloop wall system copmrises panel frame segments that, when assembled, form interconnected inner and outer airloop segments that separate and improve water seal and air seal functions and improve sealing performance, a circuitous path at an enlarged air opening into an airloop to pressure equalize and limit water entry to the airloop, a two point fastener support of each panel assembly to allow interflow deflections under seismic or other loads without excessive loads on the panel assembly, a structural hook-like protrusion for resisting building outward loads on panels separate from fasteners, a splitter in a drainage cavity in the outer airloop that creates a dual drainage path.

Description

Enhanced Curtain Wall System

prior application

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/887,879, filed July 3, 1997, entitled "Air Loop Window System." This prior filed co-pending application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

technical field

This invention relates to curtain wall systems and, more particularly, to an improvement in a curtain wall system employing composite frame panels having a variety of facing materials such as those described by Ting in US Pat. Nos. 5,452,552 and 5,598,671. The structure disclosed in US Patent No. 5,452,552 is also called an exposed frame type air loop curtain wall system, and the structure disclosed in US Patent No. 5,598,671 is also called a hidden frame type air loop curtain wall system.

Background technique

In addition to providing an aesthetic appearance to the perimeter of modern multi-story buildings, the following are some of the main performance purposes of slab-supported curtain wall systems:

(1) provide a barrier or at least block the infiltration of excess outside air from around the edges of the panels into one or more interior environments within the building;

(2) Provides a barrier or at least blocks excess external rainwater or other external fluid/particles from penetrating into one or more interior spaces within the building around the edges of the panels, usually when liquids or particles tend to infiltrate with air seepage ;

(3) Provide resistance to structural loads, including in particular the weight of the supporting plates and resistance to seismic loads, wind loads, and thermal expansion/contraction loads, if any; and

(4) Provide a thermal barrier or at least block excessive heat transfer between outside air and one or more internal environments.

The above two US patents are primarily concerned with the use of an air annulus system to solve the problem of excess air and water infiltration or infiltration. Previous designs that dealt with water ingress typically required a nearly perfect seal against excess air and water ingress. The above-mentioned US patent describes an equal pressure air annulus having two seals that separate the functions of sealing water and air, providing acceptable air and water infiltration rates even with imperfect seals. Additionally, an embodiment of the air annulus system allows the panels to be assembled in the shop with perimeter panel frame extrusions to create a more reliable seal and create an internal air annulus of equal pressure along the edge of the veneer frame . After the panels and trim frame are erected on site, an external air annulus with equal pressure is created.

However, the prior air annulus system described still allows rainwater to reach the air seal under conditions such as very high winds. Water seepage occurs due to what can be considered an imperfect air seal in the air annulus system. Additionally, under negative wind load conditions (e.g., on the side of the building away from the wind and/or wind loads inside the building), the panels in the air ring hole systems described in U.S. Patents 5,452,552 and 5,598,671 are held tightly The fasteners are tensioned so that joint strength and sealing pressure can be reduced. Further, repeated, negative wind loads can cause the fixing screws to loosen or elongate, posing a risk of one or more panels falling from the building.

Additionally, panel frames cannot provide the desired thermal insulation for some applications. Furthermore, if the structure of the building deforms even slightly, earthquakes and other loads can fracture or loosen the panels and damage the seals. Thus, although considerable improvements have been made to achieve certain objectives of curtain wall systems, including in particular the two patents mentioned above, there remains a need for an improved system.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of a reinforced curtain wall system is to improve the performance of an air loop curtain wall system in one or more of the following areas: air/water penetration resistance, structural performance under negative wind load conditions, and thermal insulation properties. The enhanced curtain wall system achieves the stated purpose by providing one or more of the following features: an inner air annulus and an outer air annulus which separate the functions of water and air sealing, drainage and sealing; A circuitous path restricts water entry to at least one air annulus at the air inlet; an air inlet large enough to equalize the pressure in the air annulus with the ambient; two points for each plate assembly in combination with the sliding seal Type brackets and gap dimensions that allow lateral sloshing deflection between floors under earthquake or other loads without causing significant stress in the slab assembly; with the structure of the mullions, the structure is used to resist external wind loads on the slabs, limiting External loads on fasteners; separators in the discharge cavity in the outer air ring hole, which form a double discharge path and a surface on which water droplets can collect; heat transfer interruptions in the plate frame, the The heat transfer interruption zone increases the resistance to heat transfer between the building interior and the external environment; and the insert member is clamped to facilitate the installation and removal of the panel assembly.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an exterior wall system including one embodiment of an improved air loop wall system;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the horizontal wall joint of one embodiment of the improved air annulus wall system;

3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing a vertical wall joint of one embodiment of the improved air annulus wall system.

In the drawings, it should be understood that like reference numerals denote like parts or features.

Detailed ways

In order to better explain the working principle of the present invention, the following terms will be used herein:

Curtain Wall Panel or Panel Assembly: One of a plurality of panels or panel assemblies having an architectural finish, or a curtain wall element of a building secured and nominally sealed to a panel frame, usually in a workshop with the perimeter portion of the facing element secured and sealed to the sections of slab frames;

Internal Air Annulus: An air cavity forming an annulus substantially around and near the perimeter of the facing element and generally within the panel frame;

Outer Air Annulus: an air cavity substantially forming an annulus around each facing element adjacent to the Inner Air Annulus;

Water Seal: A sealing line in the path of external water towards the interior space of a building that serves to limit water ingress when little or no differential air pressure is passed across the sealant line; and

Air Seal: A seal line within and away from the path of external water that serves to limit the infiltration of air into the building.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an enhanced air loop curtain wall system 10 comprising an assembly of composite curtain wall panels (e.g., panels 11a to 11f) constructed of a building (for clarity, shown in Not shown) structural members or spaced vertical mullions 14 supports. Although FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a reinforced curtain wall system 10 in which the facing or curtain wall element of each curtain wall panel 11a to 11f is constructed from isolated double glass segments, the reinforced curtain wall system may also include facing elements such as and other solid materials. Although the curtain wall panels 11a to 11f shown in FIG. 1 are generally square, substantially flat panel assemblies, other assembled shapes of panels may be used. However, the shape of the individual panels must allow the composite panels to be joined together to form part of the building's curtain wall.

Two types of wall joints are typically formed between adjacent curtain wall panels, a nominally horizontal wall joint 12 (e.g., between the facing panels 11a and 11b ) and a nominally vertical wall joint 13 (e.g., between the facing panels 11a and 11b ). between 11a and 11c). However, many other types of wall joints can be formed and used, such as non-linear joints, linear joints oriented diagonally or in other directions, or joints made to accommodate wall protrusions or irregular panel edge geometries .

FIG. 2 shows a typical partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a horizontal wall joint 12 between panels 11a and 11b, taken along line 2-2 shown in FIG. The upper veneer 15 joins the lower frame section 16 near its lower edge, forming part of the glass pane 11a. A horizontal wall seam 12 is shown formed between a lower frame section 16 and an upper frame section 18 which is attached to the upper portion of a lower veneer panel 17 forming part of the lower panel assembly 11b. The two panel assemblies 11a and 11b are typically located on the exterior of the associated building and are each attached to the building/building structure using a pair of fasteners 34 so that each panel is supported by two spaced apart vertical mullions. The lower frame segment 16 is typically shop assembled to the upper veneer panel 15 and the upper frame segment 18 is typically shop fitted to the lower veneer panel 17 .

Although frame segments such as lower frame segment 16 are preferably extruded aluminum, alternative frame segments could be manufactured using different manufacturing equipment and many other materials. Other fabrication means and/or other materials of construction may include other metals, elastomers, injection molded plastics, and composites.

As shown in Figure 2, the upper frame section 18 is attached to one or more vertical mullions 14 or other building-related support structure using one or more screws 34, although rivets, nuts and bolts, hooks may also be used and slits, clips or other means of attachment. The screws 34 preferably form a 2 "point" connection, attaching each end (or locations/points near each end) of the upper frame section 18 to two different L-shaped attachment flanges 14a (referred to in FIG. Shown in dotted lines is part of one flange 14a, also shown in FIG. Other support structure shapes can also be used, including a T-shaped protrusion, an I-shaped protrusion (for example, where outward loading places the fastener in shear rather than tension), no protrusion (where the fastener directly attached to box-like support structures or other shaped support structures), floor beams and cross beams.

The preferred two-point fastener attachment of the upper frame segment 18 to the protruding L-shaped flange 14a provides a number of advantages. Since each threaded fastener hole 34a in the raised flange 14a does not penetrate into the building's interior air cavity (one interior air cavity IS is shown in Figure 3), each fastener 34 does not require a separate airtight seal and eliminates this potential source of leakage of air from the external environment E to the interior space IS (eg conditioned space) or from the external environment to the interior space IS. The lack of pressure differential across the threaded fastener bore 34a also minimizes water infiltration into the interior space IS and any attendant corrosion problems.

Another advantage of the preferred two-point fastener attachment is that it can be removed after removing other members that will be described later, clamped with clips or other detachable members (such as water sealing member 26 and rain screen member). 27) allows easy access to the screws 34 for plate removal, maintenance or repair/replacement. The initial installation of the screws 34 is also simplified prior to installation of the clamped members, allowing the reinforced curtain wall system to be erected essentially from within the building without scaffolding, for example, from the interior space IS shown in Figure 3 through the The upper panel space reaches the outside of the upper frame section 18 for attachment to the mullion 14 .

Another advantage of the preferred two-point fastener attachment and gap dimension D (shown in FIG. 3 ) is that the two screws 34 are oriented such that the attached frame sections follow the pinned joints under deformation loads between floors. The link moves, for example, laterally with a horizontal member in the plane of the plate 11a without failure under a deflected seismic load. In other words, the lower frame segment 16 sliding over the air/water seals 24 and 25 fits the point of support along the distance between the mullions 14 without appreciable stress or strain on the glass facing element 15 or other panel member. Relative movement in the horizontal direction (or movement of the screw holes 34a in the raised flange 14a). Some relative movement of the two support points along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction between the vertical mullions 14 can also be somewhat accommodated without undue stress or strain on the plates, e.g. the lower part of the plate assembly 11a Can pivot on seals 24 and 25 and/or swing slightly in and out to and from vertical mullions 14 . The loads on the facing elements 15 and the air/water seals (eg, 24 and 25 ) can be significantly reduced during periods of lateral deformation of the mullion due to strong seismic loading compared to other fixing/attachment methods. Because enhanced air annulus systems, such as those described herein and in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 08/887,879, do not require perfect seals to function as a water barrier to the outside environment, even air /Water seals 24 and 25 are breached after a seismic event and the system remains resistant to water ingress.

In a preferred embodiment, the design gap D of the present invention (as shown in Figure 3) allows for relative movement of the slabs during horizontal deflection or sideways swing between floors, for example due to wind or seismic loads on the building. A design gap D is provided between the mullion 14 and the vertical edge of the panel near the bottom of the panel. The allowable sideways or lateral sway between floors of a general high-rise building (eg, in an earthquake event) is specified to be about L/200, where L is the distance or height between floors. For example, for a floor-to-floor height of 12 feet, the building structure is designed to allow about 3/4 inch of side-to-floor sway between floors (under extreme loads). Thus, a 6 foot square panel would be subject to a sideways support deflection of about 3/8 inch. The design gap D is usually chosen to accommodate the extreme deflection of the plate, at least about 3/8 inch in this example, but the design gap D can be 3/4 inch or more. If a more rigid building structure is being designed, the design gap D can also be 1/4 inch or less, or some failure at these extreme deflections can be accepted, or a smaller plate can be used.

In addition to the design gap D, fasten each panel frame to the mullions 14 near the two top corners (in the upper frame element 18) using movable or acceptable movable attachments (such as fasteners) and seals . As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower frame section 16 can move horizontally within the design gap D relative to the spline 50 without hitting the mullion 14 during lateral swing. As a result, lateral swaying of the building (within the extent of the gap "D") is absorbed by the system without causing destructive stresses in the curtain wall panels. In order to maintain acceptable sealing function while allowing some free relative movement between the panel frame and the support frame (e.g. Other materials for the layer material, such as elastic foam, elastomers such as Teflon or molybdenum disulfide powder. However, other types of movable or receptive seals may also be used, such as lubricated elastomeric seals, grease, putty or other caulks and elastomeric adhesives.

As shown in FIG. 2 , an air cavity 20 is generally formed within the floor 11 b and is generally adjacent the upper edge of the bottom trim element 17 . The air cavity 20 is the top section of the internal air annulus around the base plate 11b. The top frame section 18 of the base plate 11a is similar to the top frame section of the panel 11a (not shown in FIG. 2 for clarity), and is generally also similar to the lower frame section 16, so that each protrusion or portion of the top frame section is inclined. The butt ends are attached to one or more ipsilateral frame segments 36 or 38 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) to form a substantially continuous internal air annulus around the circumference of each plate.

The primary purpose of the one or more air holes or openings 23 in the lower frame section 16 is to serve as air inlets, but may also serve other purposes. The air openings or openings 23 are generally sized to allow air to flow into the interior air annulus such that the pressure in the interior air annulus (including interior air annulus segments 19 and 20) is substantially equal to that of the outside or building environment E air pressure. In other words, the air openings 23 are typically sized such that the "worst case" of air flow through the air openings does not produce a significant pressure drop across the air openings, e.g., a maximum pressure drop across the air openings of about 0.1 inches of water column, less than 0.05 inches of water column in the more typical case, and preferably less than 0.03 inch of water column in the worst case of air flow.

Worst case air flow through the air opening 23 into the inner air ring hole is usually caused by a combination of environmental, design and sealing factors, the most important factor usually being air leakage through an imperfect facing element air seal 31 . The area most likely to have an imperfect seal is at the mitered corner of the hermetic seal 31, various estimates (or actual test data) can be used to predict the hermetic seal under various conditions of different pressures across the imperfect hermetic seal Air leakage at the corners of the piece/plate assembly. Another potential leak path is around the fitted barrier GS. As an option to reduce air leakage around the assembled barrier GS, a secondary seal 46a (eg, packing) is placed between the panel frame sections 16, 18 and the assembled barrier. Other factors that can cause air to flow into the inner air annulus include drainage of water (possibly including condensation) out of the inner air annulus, imperfections in other seals, rapid increases in atmospheric pressure in the external environment, and rapid thermal expansion of the inner air annulus. As an example of sizing the air opening 23, it may be estimated that the imperfections at the ends of the auxiliary and/or air seal or at the four mitered end seams are each equal to a circular opening of about 5 square millimeters, through which Perfect sealing or corner air penetration is the main reason why air enters or exits the air opening 23 . To minimize any pressure drop across the air opening, one approach is to size the air opening at least about 20 times larger than an equivalent imperfect seal, or have a dimension of at least about 100 square millimeters, or one preferably has at least The air openings are about 3/8 inch in diameter, more preferably at least about 1/2 inch in diameter. To provide for other air flow factors, drainage, and to further ensure that the pressures in the inner air annulus are truly equalized, the preferred embodiment includes three air openings 23 having a diameter of at least about 3/8 inch.

Since a further purpose of the at least one air opening 23 is to allow rain or other water to escape (perhaps simultaneously with air entry) into the inner air annulus, the at least one air opening should be in the lower frame section 16 shown in FIG. 2 and have a diameter of at least about 1/8 inch, and preferably at least about 1/4 inch in diameter. However, the optimum location for the at least one air opening 23 is near the center of the lower frame section 16 to provide the primary air flow purpose (ie, a drainage path out of the vicinity of the side frame sections 36 and 38 shown in FIG. 3 ). Other air openings 23 may be provided in other frame sections or locations to further ensure that the air pressure in the inner air ring hole is substantially equal to the pressure in the external environment E. In another embodiment, one or more portions of the inner air annulus may be discontinuous (e.g., for lower building edge panels) and additional air openings may be required (e.g., on the sides of the inner air annulus) near the lower portion of the section) for air entry and/or drainage from the inner air annulus. In another embodiment, at least two air holes are located in the lower frame section 16 near each mitered corner of the panel. The double corner position of the air openings 23 allows water to be conveniently expelled from at least one air opening 23 at one end and air to enter the other air opening 23 . Placing the preferred third air opening 23 between the double corners at the air opening in the lower frame section 16 or on another lower frame section allows water to drain conveniently from both ends (e.g., from the side or vertical section water entering through imperfect water seals in ), and enough air flows in through the third or intermediate air opening 23 so that the air pressure in the inner air ring hole is substantially equal to the air pressure in the external environment E.

Also in the preferred embodiment, as shown by the tortuous or circuitous path arrow "A" in FIG. Around the barrier member 16a, the clipped rain screen or barrier member 27 and the second or L-shaped barrier or protrusion 16b. The rainscreen members 27 and the protrusions 16a and 16b form alternating path barriers which impede the straight flow of air (and possibly entrained water) from the environment E to the air opening 23 . Additionally, alternating path baffles provide multiple surfaces due to the less dense surrounding baffles compared to denser water droplets and particles that are "thrown" outward to and collect on alternating channel baffles The air can change direction more easily so the water or particles it carries will hit the surface. Water droplets collecting on the baffle will coalesce and discharge outwards (eg, on the discharge surface 27a) to the environment E and/or downwards to the storm gutter 35, also carrying the particles in the discharged water.

Although the L-shaped baffle protrusion 16b is preferably located at or near one of the illustrated air openings 23 (e.g., the L-shape tends to increase the detour of the air path "A"), the L-shaped baffle protrusion is essentially the side rib 36a and 38a (see FIG. 3 ) and the continuation of the top rib 18a protruding from the upper frame section 18 (they are not shown as L-shaped in the figure). Portions of the L-shaped protrusion 16b spaced from the air opening 23 need not be L-shaped since little or no air enters at the spaced distance from the air opening. Accordingly, a linear upper protrusion 18a is shown in the preferred embodiment. If only a portion of the lower protrusion 16b is L-shaped in the vicinity of the air openings 23, while the rest (spaced apart from any air openings) is straight, drainage from the outside of the building from the lower protrusion 16b will tend to divert to a straight line The protruding portion, thereby further minimizing the problem of re-entrainment of water/particles in the vicinity of the air opening 23 . In a preferred embodiment, portions of the L-shaped baffle protrusions 16b extend at least 1/16 inch on either side of the air opening 23 and are spaced at least about 1/16 inch apart from alternating path baffles/protrusions, Preferably at least about 1/8 inch, but preferably no more than about 1/2 inch apart, and generally protrude into first seam space 21 by at least about 1/4, preferably at least about 9/16 inch.

In alternative embodiments, many other baffle shapes, spacings and protrusion lengths are possible. Increased baffle length, smaller spacing, and thicker shape may be required when little water is expected to enter the air openings 23, but the opposite should be expected if lower cost and closer passages for pressure equalization are desired. condition. Although the preferred embodiment utilizes extruded aluminum for the outer protrusion 16a, second or L-shaped protrusion 16b and the rainscreen member 27, one or more of these members may be constructed of other materials such as other metals, wire screens Mesh, porous materials and elastomers. Other materials have advantages in the range of increasing impingement water retention/drainage and reducing re-entrainment water/particle problems.

The rainscreen member 27 and the rain seal bracket 26 are clipped or otherwise removably attached to the tabs 18b and 18c on the upper frame section 18 . This clip-on configuration facilitates installation and removal of the flashing member 27 and rainseal bracket 26, and provides easy access to screws 34 or other attachment means for installing or removing the entire panel. Although clip attachment is the preferred means of attachment, alternative embodiments may attach the rainscreen or seal bracket by means of a pin connection, hook and slot, adhesive or fasteners.

The air openings 23 in alternative embodiments can have different shapes and sizes, for example, several openings sized primarily for air flow have at least about 3/8 inch plus a separate drain hole near the water passage (e.g., on a diagonal A hole with a diameter of about 1/4 inch or less near the corner) is the preferred diameter. Other alternative embodiments could include an air hole in most (if not all) frame segments, replace the circular air opening 23 shown with air opening slits, place a screen or filter over the air opening 23 to further minimize water ingress, and to place secondary baffles in or near the air openings 23, or inside the lower annulus segment or space 19, to further minimize water ingress.

Outside the top annulus section 20 and the lower annulus section 19 of the inner air annulus, the air cavity or outer air annulus portion within the horizontal wall joint 12 is basically divided into two regions of the outer air annulus, the second One or wet joint space 21 and a second or dry joint space 22 . The first seam space 21 simultaneously serves as a drainage path (the bottom section of the first area of the outer air ring hole of the top plate 11a) and the top section of the first area of the outer air ring hole of the bottom plate 11b. The second seam space 22 simultaneously serves as the bottom section of the second area of the outer air ring hole of the top plate 11a and the top section of the second area of the outer air ring hole of the bottom plate 11b.

A rain or water seal 24 is placed between the third protrusion 16c of the lower frame section 16 and the inner baffle or rain seal bracket 26 . Water seal 24 is preferably attached to rain seal bracket 26 and extends some distance from both ends of upper frame section 18 toward the center of panel 11a or 11b, but water seal 24 may not be continuous across the entire width of the panel. Additionally, the clamping attachment of the inner baffle 26 to the protrusion 18c of the upper panel frame section 18 does not seal against air seepage. Therefore, outside air can enter the first and second seam spaces 21 and 22 and be equalized to the air pressure in the external environment E, similar to the upper annular segment 20 and the lower annular segment 19 of the inner air annular. In other words, air can pass between the outer air ring hole and the inner air ring hole, making the pressure between the inner air ring hole and the outer air pressure equal, but water can be effectively prevented from entering the second seam space 22 . In another embodiment, an additional air passage may be provided between the first and second region seam spaces 21 and 22 in a location away from the drainage path, if desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the reinforced curtain wall system, the panels or facing glass elements 17 of the bottom panel 11b are nominally sealed to the upper frame section 18 by a panel water seal 32 and a panel air seal 33 . The wall joint 12 between the panels 11 a and 11 b is nominally sealed by a frame-type water seal 24 and a frame-type gas seal 25 . Since some or all air and water seals may be discontinuous and/or assembled in situ or on site, there is an opportunity for bypass, misalignment, dust or other causes of leakage and must generally be assumed to occur on large buildings Some imperfect seal between multiple boards. However, as discussed herein and in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/887,879, the present invention allows for imperfect seals.

In the preferred embodiment, panel water seals 32 and 30 are closed cell foam seal tapes such as Norton tape available from Norton Utility Plastics, currently St. Gobain Utility Plastics of Wayne, NJ. . However, alternative embodiments may use other types of seals or water flow restrictors. The preferred plate hermetic seals 33 and 31 are insertable type gasket seals which are usually constructed of EPDM material. However, alternative embodiments may use other types of seals or airflow restrictors.

In the preferred embodiment, frame water seal 24 and frame air seal 25 are closed cell foam sealing tape, such as Norton tape similar to panel water seals 30 and 32 . However, alternative embodiments may use other types of seals or flow restrictors.

In the preferred embodiment, the lower frame section 16 has a female seam slot 51 which engages a male seam strip 50 projecting from the upper frame section 18 . The mating surfaces of the seam groove 51 and the seam stave 50 provide opposing sealing surfaces of the frame air seal 25 . Similarly, the mating surface of the water seal member 26 and a third or water seal protrusion 16c of the lower frame section 16 provides a sealing surface for the frame water seal 24 . In alternative embodiments of the reinforced curtain wall system, other connecting elements and mating surfaces may be provided.

The ditch gap 35 in the first region of the outer air ring hole 21 can be used to direct any water (e.g., water splashed on the flashing member 27) to one or both mitered ends, where the water can The plate assembly 11b is guided downward in the vertical frame section. The trough protrusions 18a can also serve as an additional surface against which water droplets are thrown as incoming air is forced to turn around the L-shaped protrusions 16b of the lower frame section 16, rather than at the frame water seal 24 or rain seal. on the bracket 26. The groove protrusion 18a may also be used to divide the lower portion of the first section 21 of the outer air annulus into two drainage grooves or channel gaps 35 . The formation of two drainage grooves 35 tends to reduce water splashing/re-entrainment and provide a slightly outwardly contained path for drainage. Alternative embodiments of the enhanced curtain wall system may eliminate the double channel gap 35 formed by the trough protrusion 18a or provide other drainage paths.

As an option to improve the thermal insulation performance of the curtain wall system of the present invention, one or more thermal breaks may be used in some or all of the panel frame sections (16, 18, 36 and 38) and at other locations (eg, lower heat transfer disruption zone 28 shown in lower frame segment 16 and upper heat transfer disruption zone 29 shown in upper frame segment 18). Plastic materials, although less thermally conductive, may be preferred for the heat transfer disruption, other substantially rigid materials with sufficient structural strength and limited thermal conductivity may also be used for the heat transfer disruption such as 28 and 29 . Additionally, the aluminum-plastic interface between the heat transfer disruptions 28, 29 and the frame segments 18, 16 may be roughened or coated to further reduce thermal conductivity. The heat transfer disruptions 28 and 29 are preferably fabricated or shop assembled into the frame segments 18 and 16 using a pour-and-debridge method, but other methods of fabrication or assembly are possible, including hand insertion .

The process of erecting or installing panels on a building or building structure typically begins with a panel near the base of the building and continues with adjacent panels. The watertight support member 26 and the rainscreen member 27 are typically shipped separately from the rest of the panel assembly. The preferred process requires three major steps to install a panel, e.g. first placing the lower portion of the panel into an engaged slat 50/slot 51 location with the previously installed panel underneath (not shown in Figure 2 for clarity) out), secondly fasten only the upper frame section 18 so that the panel (e.g. panel 11b) is secured to two adjacent mullions 14 using fasteners 34, and then thirdly attach the water seal/rainscreen member 26 , 27 is placed/engaged/clamped into place on the upper frame section 18. After three main steps, it is ready to bring an adjoining plate (for example plate 11a) into the engaged position shown in FIG. 1 .

Figure 3 shows a typical partial cross-sectional view of a vertical wall joint 13 between panels 11a and 11c taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 . The vertical wall joint 13 is typically formed when the left side panel 11a and right side panel 11c are installed on site (ie attached to a building or building structural member).

Right frame member 36 is the right vertical segment of the panel frame section of panel assembly 11a. The right air cavity 37 is the right vertical segment of the inner air annulus hole of the plate assembly 11a. The left frame member 38 is the left vertical section of the panel frame of the panel assembly 11c. The left air cavity 39 is the left vertical segment of the inner air annulus hole of the plate assembly 11c. The left vertical section of the panel frame of panel assembly 11a is generally identical to left frame member 38 and the right vertical section of the panel frame of panel assembly 11c is generally identical to right frame member 36 . However, alternative embodiments of the reinforced curtain wall system may use different or other framing members.

Although the following discussion generally refers to the left side panel assembly 11c in order to avoid a lot of repetition when discussing the right side panel assembly 11a, the space inside the vertical joint 13 is generally divided symmetrically into left and right chambers or areas, i.e., the first vertical joint Seam space 40 and second vertical seam space 41. The first seam space 40 serves as the right vertical segment of the first area of the outer air annulus hole of the panel vertical assembly 11a. The second vertical seam space 41 serves as the right vertical segment of the second area of the outer air annulus hole of the panel assembly 11a. The vertical water seal 42 is partially attached to the vertical water seal member 43 and is positioned to form a possibly continuous water seal (for the other part of the water seal 24, see Fig. 2). In another embodiment, the vertical sealing member 43 is a protrusion from the mullion 14 . Other alternative embodiments of the vertical water seal 42 are also possible. Due to the circuitous path V shown in Figure 3, ambient air must take a tortuous path to reach the vertical water seal 42, and there is a lack of appreciable pressure differential across the vertical water seal, even if the water seal is discontinuous or imperfect , can also improve the resistance to water seepage.

The glass finish of the panel 11a is sealed by a vertical panel water seal 44 (seals the vertical panel frame section 36) and a vertical panel gas seal 45 (seals the assembled barrier GS attached to the vertical panel frame 36). Element 15 is sealed to vertical frame section 36, nominally forming a continuous air and water panel seal with air and water panel seals 30-33 shown in FIG. Typically factory installed plate seals (such as vertical plate water and gas seals 44, 45) and assembled barriers GS tend to reduce seal imperfections due to uncontrollable field conditions. As an option to increase air and water penetration resistance, a secondary seal 46a is placed between the vertical panel frame 36 and the assembled barrier GS clamped. As another design choice to improve thermal insulation performance, similar to the heat transfer disruptions 28, 29 shown in Fig. 2, for example, a vertical heat transfer disruption 47 can be fabricated or fitted to the panel frame member by a pouring and re-bridging process 36 in. As a design option to further improve thermal insulation performance, the mullion 14 may be assembled from two extrusions ( 14 and 43 ) separated by a heat transfer disruption 48 . In another embodiment, the mullion 14 is essentially a single extrusion (having a similar shape to the illustrated extrusions 14 and 43) and incorporates a heat transfer disruption created by the infusion and rebridging process ( Similar to the heat transfer interruption zone 43). In a preferred embodiment, the sides of the plate support flange 49 of the mullion 14 are within the outer air ring bore 41 as shown. In this arrangement, since the opening formed by the fastener 34 does not penetrate into the interior space of the building, there is no air leakage through the opening. Impenetrability increases the airtightness of reinforced curtain walls, which also improves thermal insulation and water resistance.

Vertical air seal 46 functions similarly to air seal 25 shown in FIG. 2 . Like air seal 25 , vertical air seal 46 is spaced from vertical water seal 42 .

Similar to the discussion regarding the comparable horizontal seams, the spacing and other dimensions of the vertical seams 13 may vary in other embodiments. In addition, the multi-chamber air annulus system separates the functions of water and air sealing so that the curtain wall system of the present invention is more tolerant of imperfect sealing.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment can also achieve the following performance improvements:

The invention simplifies the formation of continuous air ring holes, seals and heat transfer disruptions. Several substantially continuous air ring holes and nominally continuous seals are conveniently formed by miter fitting similar vertical and horizontal frame segments. In addition, it is also possible to miter fit the heat transfer discontinuity to maintain the continuity of the heat discontinuity function. Although the raised portions of the frame segments may have different functions (or little or no function) at different locations around the air annulus, a similar structure for each segment simplifies erecting, sealing and forming substantially Continuous, equal pressure air rings.

The invention allows increasing the resistance to negative wind loads. In prior art curtain wall systems, one or more slab-mounted fasteners in tension or shear provide the primary structural resistance against negative wind loads, which results in failure of the fasteners due to repeated cyclic loading or the possibility of loosening and seal failure. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is attached to and detached from the two screw fasteners 34 through the structural cooperation of the legs 52 of the vertical frame 36 (see FIG. 3 ) and the vertical water-tight support member 43 attached to the mullion 14, so that Provides primary structural resistance against negative wind loads. Thus, negative wind loads or other outward loads on the panels 11a and 11c are transferred directly to the mullions 14 (via the vertical watertight support members 43) without significant or excessive loading on the fasteners 34 . In another embodiment, a separate bearing surface may be added to the vertical water seal support member 43 in addition to the vertical water seal 42 .

The primary role of the fasteners 34 is presently limited essentially to supporting the weight of the panels so as to reduce cyclic loading (and possible fastener relaxation) and improve long-term sealing, structural and thermal performance. In an alternative embodiment of a reinforced curtain wall system, a panel frame protrusion or portion of a panel frame section is hooked on the building side of a supporting structure protrusion or surface, such as a panel frame protrusion hooked on to provide the vertical heat shown in Figure 3. on the inner surface of the insulator 48 . Many other hook or panel retention shapes and mating surfaces that allow fasteners or other attachment means to take on the primary role of supporting the weight of the panels are possible in alternative embodiments.

The invention also improves the watertightness of the horizontal and vertical joints 12,13. Before the foreign water reaches the water seals 42 and 24, the rain screen 27 and the water sealing members 26, 43 (see Figs. 2 and 3) are employed to drain most of the foreign water. A small amount of water that occasionally splashes on the flashing member 27 will flow in the gutter gap 35 (see FIG. 2 ) to the vertical seam and drain down into the space 40 (see FIG. 3 ). This discharge occurs within the pressure equalized outer air annulus, so that there is no significant accumulation of water in the trench gap 35 and the draining action is almost immediate. Horizontal water seal 24 (shown in FIG. 2 ) may be continuous (eg, connected) with vertical water seal 42 (shown in FIG. 3 ). These seals limit the penetration of wind driven rainwater into the first air regions 22 (shown in FIG. 2 ) and 41 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the outer air annulus apertures. Thus, the second air annulus is a dry annulus, so air seals 25 (FIG. 2) and 46 (FIG. 3) are not normally exposed to water. Since the inner air annulus spaces 19, 20 (Fig. 2) and 37 (Fig. 3) are equal pressure spaces, although the seal may be imperfect, since there is no differential air pressure to drive the water across the imperfect seal, Seals 30, 32 (Fig. 2) and 44 (Fig. 3) thus form an effective water seal. In the case of a water seal 30, if the opening in the water seal 30 is large enough to create a static head of water sufficient to overcome the capillary forces that tend to hold water at the imperfect water seal, gravity can provide The driving force of water pushing through the water seal 30 . However, any water that penetrates even an imperfect water seal 30 must be quickly drained through the air opening 23 into the trench gap 35 . As a result, there is substantially no accumulation of water in the space 19, and the seals 31, 33 (see FIG. 2) and 45 (see FIG. 3) are generally not exposed to water. Since the air seals (eg 31 and 25) are separated from the corresponding water seals (eg 30 and 24) around the panels, the air and water seal functions are similarly separated, and the curtain wall system can tolerate significant seal line imperfections, And there will be no obvious water seepage problems. In addition, the air and water seals of many facing elements can be assembled in a workshop, which often reduces the chance of imperfect seals and further increases air and water tightness.

In alternative embodiments, the same design principles can be applied to other curtain wall systems, for example, to the concealed frame type air loop system disclosed in US Patent No. 5,598,671. For example, air openings are similarly sized and provided for air intake and drainage purposes. In other alternative embodiments, protruding structural members (such as elements similar to the vertical water seal member 43) can secure the panels against negative wind loads (or other building outward loads), essentially attaching the structure The load on the device is limited to a steady gravity load. A structural flange similar to the flange 49 of the mullion 14 may provide a panel securing structure that does not require a seal to prevent air and/or water seepage.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, and some alternative embodiments have also been shown and/or described, changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention. Accordingly, all changes, modifications and alternative embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are to be embraced in the present invention.

claims

(Amended in accordance with Article 19 of the Treaty)

CLAIMS 1. A wall system supporting a plurality of panels by one or more structural supports, said wall system comprising:

a nominally horizontal panel frame member attached to one of said panels;

a nominally vertical panel frame member attached to one of said panels and said horizontal panel frame member to form a panel assembly; and

a fastener securing said panel assembly to said one or more structural supports,

Wherein at least one of said panel frame elements comprises a load-bearing surface which can engage a surface which is attached to said one or more structural supports and which acts against all elements having a member in a direction outside the building In addition to any resistance provided by the fasteners, the bearing surface resists the majority of the force on the panel assembly.

2. The wall system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seals located at one or more adjacent portions of said panel assembly, wherein said bearing surface engages a protrusion of a mullion , the seal may restrict fluid flow after the force is applied to the plate assembly.

3. The wall system of claim 2, wherein said protrusion is a vertical wall sealing member attached to said mullion and said bearing surface is also a sealing surface.

4. A wall system supporting a plurality of wall panels by one or more building structural supports, said wall system comprising:

one or more nominally horizontal panel framing elements attached to one of said panels;

one or more nominally vertical panel frame elements attached to one of said panels and at least one of said horizontal panel frame elements so as to form a substantially continuous a frame, and substantially forming a board assembly; and

one or more fasteners capable of attaching the panel assembly to the one or more building structure brackets, wherein at least one of the fasteners passes through a fastener opening, and wherein, Both ends of the fastener are substantially exposed to ambient air.

5. The wall system of claim 4, wherein the fasteners utilize fastener openings in the protrusions of the mullions, wherein both sides of the fastener openings are substantially exposed to the The air of the external environment.

6. A method for installing a panel assembly on a building, the method comprising:

positioning a first panel assembly element adjacent to another panel assembly element previously installed on the building;

supporting said first panel assembly element substantially by one or more structural support members using one or more fasteners; and

Movement of the first panel assembly out of the building is substantially limited by means other than the fastener.

7. A method for installing a panel assembly on a building, the method comprising:

positioning an upper panel assembly element at a desired location adjacent to at least two other panel assembly elements fastened to the building structure, wherein, prior to fastening the upper panel assembly to the building structure, the the upper panel assembly elements structurally cooperate with the lower panel assembly elements; and

After the positioning step, the upper panel assembly element is fastened to the building structure using two fasteners, wherein a majority of the end faces of the fasteners are exposed to ambient air pressure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said upper panel assembly element is also structurally engaged with a support structure protrusion that is secured to said building structure when said upper panel assembly element is secured to said building structure. Movement of the upper panel assembly out of the building is restricted before and after.

9. A wall system supporting a plurality of panels by one or more structural supports, said wall system comprising:

at least one nominally horizontal panel frame element, each panel frame element attached to a first panel;

at least one nominally vertical panel frame element each attached to said first panel and at least one said horizontal panel frame element so as to form a substantially continuous frame assembly around said first panel ;

a plurality of seals located adjacent one or more adjoining portions of the panel frame elements; and

one or more fasteners capable of supporting said panel assembly by said one or more building structure supports when both ends of said fasteners are substantially exposed to ambient air pressure, as well as

Wherein at least one of said panel frame elements comprises a bearing surface cooperating with a structural support surface for resisting forces acting on said panel assembly having a member in the direction outside the building, said bearing surface resisting most of the force.

10. A panel assembly supporting a plurality of panels by a structural support, said panel assembly comprising:

a panel frame element attached to one of said panels;

means for supporting said panel frame element, said means for supporting being attachable to said structural support; and

a constraining frame element attachable to said structural support,

wherein said plate frame element is substantially restrained by said constraining frame element from having an exterior building element along said means for supporting before and after said means for supporting attaches said plate frame element to said support structure direction to move.

11. The panel assembly of claim 10, wherein said means for supporting includes a fastener attaching said panel frame member to said structural support.

12. A panel assembly supporting a plurality of panels by a structural support, said panel assembly comprising:

a panel frame element attached to one of said panels; and

means for supporting said panel frame element, which means is attachable to said structural support,

Wherein said means for supporting is exposed to ambient air at substantially all outer surfaces of said means for supporting.

13. The panel assembly of claim 12 wherein said means for supporting is a fastener.

14. The panel assembly of claim 13, wherein the fastener is a screw.

Claims (19)

1. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith plate by one or more structure stands, and described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of at least one nominal level, this plate framework element is attached in described all plates; And

Nominally the plate framework element that at least one is vertical, this plate framework element are attached to the plate framework element of described plate and at least one described level, so that form a continuous substantially framework around every block of plate, this framework forms a board component,

Wherein, the plate framework element of at least one described level comprises two securing member supporting-points that are used for securing member, described supporting-point is supported the weight of described board component basically by one or more described structure stands, and when one or more described structure stand deflection, between described one or more structure stands and described board component, provide the minimum clearance size that allows described board component activity.

2. wall system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described securing member is a screw, and described gap size is the sideshake at least about 1/8 inch when measuring near the bottom of described board component.

3. wall system as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, it also comprises near a plurality of seals of one or more adjacent parts that are positioned at described board component, and described seal can flow in limit fluid after the described structure stand deflection.

4. wall system as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described screw is attached near the top of described board component the vertical munnion, and the bottom of described plate uses a lath and groove to connect the board component that is connected to an adjacency.

5. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith plate by one or more structure stands, and described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of two nominal levels, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally two vertical plate framework elements, each plate framework element are attached to the plate framework element of described plate and at least one described level, so that form a board component,

Wherein, at least one described plate framework element comprises a bearing surface, this bearing surface can cooperate a structure stand surface, is used for the power of barrier effect on the described board component that has a member along the outward direction of building, and described bearing surface stops the major part of described power.

6. wall system as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, it also comprises a plurality of seals that are positioned at the office, one or more adjacency section of described board component, wherein, described bearing surface cooperates a projection of munnion, and described seal can limit fluid flow after described power puts on described board component.

7. wall system as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, described projection is one to be attached to a vertical wall containment member of described munnion, and described bearing surface also is a sealing surfaces.

8. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith wallboard by one or more building structure supports, and described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of two nominal levels, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally two vertical plate framework elements, each plate framework element are attached to one and the plate framework element of at least one described level in described all plates, so that form a continuous substantially framework around every block of plate, and form a board component basically; And

One or more securing members, under the situation of the fastener openings that the potential path that flows to interior construction spacing is not provided for the external environment air, described securing member can be attached to described board component described one or more building structure support.

9. wall system as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, the fastener openings in the projection of described securing member use munnion, and wherein, the both sides of described fastener openings are exposed to described external environment air basically.

10. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith wallboard by one or more structure stands, and described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of two nominal levels, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally two vertical plate framework elements, each plate framework element is attached to one and the plate framework element of at least one described level in described all plates, so that around every block of plate, form a continuous substantially framework, this framework consists essentially of a board component, wherein, described adjacent plate assembly comprises an inner air annular distance and an outside air annular distance substantially around every block of plate;

A plurality of seals, described seal are positioned at one or more adjacent parts of described board component; And

At least one air openings between described air annular distance,

Wherein, when at least one described seal imperfection, the size of described air openings can keep the pressure in the two air annular distances to be substantially equal to pressure in the external environment.

11. wall system as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, the pressure differential in the described two air annular distances is basically in 0.1 inches of water(in H of the pressure in described external environment.

12. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith wallboard by one or more structure stands, described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of at least one nominal level, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally the plate framework element that at least one is vertical, each plate framework element is attached to one and the plate framework element of at least one described level in described all plates, so that around every block of plate, form a continuous substantially framework, this framework consists essentially of a board component, wherein, the adjacent plate assembly comprises an inner air annular distance and an outside air annular distance substantially around every block of plate;

At least one air openings between two described air annular distances; And

Be attached to the baffle plate of at least one described plate framework, wherein, described baffle plate forms a circuitous flow path between an air annular distance and described external environment.

13. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith wallboard by one or more structure stands, described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of at least one nominal level, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally the plate framework element that at least one is vertical, each plate framework element are attached to one and the plate framework element of at least one described level in described all plates, so that around every block of plate, form a continuous substantially framework; And

One framework projection, this framework projection form many flow path of the liquid at least one described air annular distance.

14. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith wallboard by one or more structure stands, described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of at least one nominal level, each plate framework element is attached in described all plates;

Nominally the plate framework element that at least one is vertical, each plate framework element are attached to one and the plate framework element of at least one described level in described all plates, so that around every block of plate, form a continuous substantially framework; And

At least two securing members, described securing member are used for described board component is attached to described one or more structure stand; And

The plate framework element that one usefulness clip is clamped, this plate framework element forms a rainproof screen.

15. wall system as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, the described plate framework element of clamping with clip is positioned to before described two securing members of dismounting it be pulled down usually.

16. one kind is used for a board component is installed in method on the building, this method comprises:

One board component element is positioned at the desired location place of another board component element on adjacency one side of described building;

Use is no more than two securing members, supports described board component element by one or more structure support members basically; And

After described fixing step, a rainproof screen member is attached to described board component element.

17. one kind is used for a board component is installed in method on the building, this method comprises:

One upper board component element is positioned at the desired location place, this position is in abutting connection with at least two other board component elements that are fastened in the building structure, wherein, before described upper board assembly was fastened to described building structure, described upper board component element structurally was coupled to a bottom board component element; And

After described positioning step, use two securing members that described upper board component element is fastened to described building structure.

18. method as claimed in claim 17, it is characterized in that, described upper board component element also structurally is matched with a supporting construction projection, and this supporting construction projection is before described upper board component element is anchored on described building structure and limit the motion outside building of described upper board assembly afterwards.

19. one kind is supported the wall system of polylith plate by one or more structure stands, described wall system comprises:

The plate framework element of at least one nominal level, each plate framework element is attached to one first plate, and wherein, the plate framework element of described level comprises a heat transfer discontinuity area;

Nominally the plate framework element that at least one is vertical, each plate framework element is attached to the plate framework element of described first plate and at least one described level, so that around described first plate, form a continuous substantially frame element, wherein, the abutment frame assembly forms an inner air annular distance and an outside air annular distance basically around every adjacent plate;

A plurality of seals, described seal are positioned near one or more adjacent parts of described plate framework element;

One or more securing members, under the situation of the fastener openings that the potential path that flows to interior construction spacing is not provided for the external environment air, described securing member can support described board component by described one or more building structure supports;

The plate framework element that one usefulness clip is clamped, this plate framework element forms a rainproof screen;

One framework projection, this framework projection form many flow path of the liquid at least one described air annular distance;

At least one air openings between two described air annular distances, when at least one described seal imperfection, this opening is enough to the pressure differential between air annular distance and the external environment is constrained to water column less than 0.1 inch; And

At least one baffle plate, this baffle plate are attached at least one described plate framework element, and wherein, described baffle plate forms a circuitous flow path between an air annular distance and described external environment,

Wherein, the plate framework element of at least one described level comprises two securing member supporting-points, and support the weight of described board component basically by the one or more described structure stand that described board component is anchored on described securing member supporting-point place, and when one or more described structure stands move, the minimum clearance size that allows described board component activity is provided between described one or more structure stands and described plate, and

Wherein, at least one described plate framework element comprises a bearing surface, and this bearing surface cooperates a structure stand surface, is used for barrier effect in the power that has along the direction outside building on the described board component of a member, described carrying and stop the major part of described power.

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