FR3111984A1 - System for regulating the surface temperature of glazing that can be activated by electric current. - Google Patents

Abstract

System for regulating the surface temperature of glazing that can be activated by electric current System for regulating the surface temperature of one or more heated glazing (1), which can be activated by electric current, comprising: - at least one probe (3) configured to measure a surface temperature of the glazing, - at least one control unit (2) configured to send electrical control signals from the glazing (s) directly to the glazing (s), the control signals being adapted to bring the (s) ) glazing (s) at a surface temperature greater than or equal to a desired surface temperature (Tcv). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

System for regulating the surface temperature of glazing that can be activated by electric current.

The present invention relates to the field of heated glazing.

It can be glazing integrated into a room, such as a veranda, part of a building with glass walls, a public swimming pool, or even a roof.

It can also be insulated glazing, for example glass partitions, for hygienic separation, such as used for indoor or outdoor reception desks or for store checkouts.

The invention aims more particularly to provide a system for regulating the surface temperature of one or more interior or exterior heated glazing.

By “glazing that can be activated by electric current”, we mean a glazing one or more physical characteristics of which can be modified by the application of an electric current.

“Heated glazing” means glazing comprising at least one sheet of glass coated with one or more thin layers capable of producing heat by application of an electric current.

It is known to use glazing activated by electric current to produce heat.

Such heated glazing is, for example, double glazing or triple glazing.

In the case of double glazing, the inner pane, that is to say the sheet of glass which is in contact with the air inside the building, is coated with at least one thin heating layer on its outer surface. , i.e. the surface facing the outside of the building. The thin heating layer, generally made up of metal microparticles deposited on the surface of the glass, is connected to an electrical power supply. Under the effect of an electric current, the heating layer reaches a temperature typically between 20°C and 55°C and produces thermal radiation. The inner pane is usually made of tempered glass.

The outer window has on its inner surface, that is to say the one facing the inner window, a thin reflective layer adapted to reflect the thermal radiation produced by the heating layer.

The space between the two panes can be filled with an inert gas.

In the case of triple glazing, a third pane is arranged between the inner pane and the outer pane, in order to improve thermal insulation.

Glazing is likely to carry pathogens on its surface. For example, according to publication [1], coronaviruses infecting humans are likely to retain their infectivity on a surface, such as glass, for up to 9 days at room temperature.

However, the temperature of a surface affects the stability of organic or viral elements that may be deposited there. Thus, the publication [2] concludes that the SARS CoV-P9 coronavirus strain becomes non-infectious after exposure to 56°C for 90 minutes, 67°C for 60 minutes or 75°C for 30 minutes.

As regards the regulation of heated glazing used in the context of heating a room, the existing regulation systems typically operate only from an ambient temperature sensor and a temperature setpoint, generally determined by a user. . The control of the heated windows is then particularly simple: if the measured temperature is lower than the temperature setpoint, an identical electric current is delivered to all the heated windows. Once the temperature set point has been reached, the current is interrupted. It is therefore an operation that is not very advanced and does not make it possible to optimize either the electrical power consumed or the thermal comfort of the room equipped with heated glazing.

Patent application KR 20170051049A relates to a heated window control system. In a first embodiment, the system aims to prevent the formation of condensation on a given glazing. A power supply unit supplies the glazing, depending on the temperature and humidity of the room, so that it heats sufficiently and thus avoids condensation on it. In a second embodiment, the system aims to use a single power supply unit to control a plurality of heated windows.

However, in all cases, it is necessary during the initial implementation of the system that the characteristics of the glazing (dimensions, intrinsic electrical resistance) and of the electrical installation (power available) are pre-recorded. The system described in this application must therefore be configured manually according to the specificities of each room configuration and related electrical installation: it is therefore not a system that can simply be adapted to different configurations.

There is therefore a need for a system solution for regulating the temperature of heated glazing which makes it possible in particular to simplify the installation of the glazing and to improve their control.

The object of the invention is to at least partially meet this need.

To do this, the invention relates to a system for regulating the surface temperature of one or more heated glazing units, activatable by electric current, comprising:

- at least one probe configured to measure a surface temperature of the glazing,

- at least one control-command unit configured to transmit electrical control signals from the glazing(s) directly to the glazing(s), the control signals being adapted to bring the glazing(s) s) at a surface temperature greater than or equal to a desired surface temperature (Tcv).

By "surface temperature" is meant here and in the context of the invention the temperature as measured at the surface of the glazing.

By "glazing" is meant here and in the context of the invention, any type of glazed wall, configured with a single sheet of glass (single glazing), with two sheets of glass separated by a gas layer ( double glazing), with three sheets of glass spaced by two gas blades (triple glazing). It can be a glass door, a glass partition, a fixed, opening, sliding, pocket window, a window (wall, balcony, roof), a door- window, curtain wall, skylight, bow window…

Thus, the invention essentially consists of a system for regulating the surface temperature of one or more heated glazing units that can be activated by electric current only as a function of a surface temperature of the glazing that the user seeks to achieve.

Thus, the invention makes it possible not to depend on other parameters such as the characteristics of each glazing, the supply voltage or even the temperature of the environment.

The invention advantageously makes it possible to ensure effective decontamination of one or more glazings by precisely controlling the surface temperature of the glazing(s). Typically, the control signals sent directly to the heated glazing(s) can achieve a thermal boost.

Advantageously, the regulation system according to the invention can be used on any type of heated glazing configuration without it being necessary to carry out a specific electrical installation or to configure the regulation system. This stems from the control of the system by the control-command unit which controls the heated glazing solely according to the measurements provided by the surface temperature sensor.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control signals are configured so that the surface temperature of the glazing(s) is maintained at a surface temperature greater than or equal to the desired surface temperature for a duration greater than or equal to a duration desired.

The desired temperature and the desired duration are advantageously chosen so as to allow the decontamination of the heated windows under the effect of heat. The duration of decontamination depends in particular on the decontamination temperature. In the case of the SARS CoV-P9 coronavirus, the decontamination time can be 90 minutes for a decontamination temperature of 56°C, 60 minutes at 67°C or 30 minutes at 75°C:[2].

To ensure effective decontamination without limitation to a particular pathogen, the temperature and duration of decontamination can be 70°C and 45 minutes or 80°C and 30 minutes.

By significantly increasing the surface temperature of heated glazing for a limited period of time, in other words by applying a thermal boost to it, the invention advantageously makes it possible to eliminate or render non-infectious pathogens present on the surface. This ensures the decontamination of the glazing without having to regularly apply a disinfectant to the glazing.

The heated glazing may be heated laminated glazing, for example of the e-glas® 44-4 or 33-4 type. In this case, both sides of the glazing heat up. This is particularly advantageous for implementing a health protection device separating at least two people, for example in places open to the public or to a large number of people. The regulation system can in this case comprise a single glazing, for example a window protection partition, but the system can also comprise several glazings.

The heated glazing can also be heated double glazing with a single heating face, for example of composition 6 XN / 16 argon / 6 k-glass®, 33-2 / 16 argon / 6 k-glass® or 4 XN / 16 argon / 44-4 e-glas®. This is particularly suitable for living rooms with large glass surfaces such as a veranda.

The heated glazing can also be heated double glazing with two heated faces, for example of composition 44-4 e-glas® / 16 argon / 44-4 e-glass® or 6 k-glass® / 16 argon / 6 k- glass®. This is particularly suitable for premises comprising glazing partitions.

According to a particular embodiment, the glazing(s) are one(s) glazed wall(s) or partition(s).

Preferably, a user can modify the desired temperature either by physical interaction with the control-command unit or a separate interface connected to the control-command unit, or via a smartphone application.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the control-command unit comprises an interface configured to allow a user to choose a desired temperature.

Preferably, the glazing(s) each comprise a plurality of glazing surface temperature probes.

This advantageously makes it possible to measure the surface temperature of the glazing at different points of the glazing to verify that the desired temperature is reached over the entire surface of the glazing.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling a system according to the invention, comprising the steps consisting in:
a) determining a surface glazing temperature of one or more heated glazing units;
b) comparing the surface temperature to a desired temperature;
c) if the surface temperature is below the desired temperature, applying electrical power to the heated glazing until the surface temperature exceeds the desired temperature;
d) maintaining a surface temperature greater than or equal to the desired temperature for a time greater than or equal to a desired time.

Thus, the system acts according to the values communicated by the probe measuring the surface temperature of the glazing.

Monitoring the surface temperature of the glazing makes it possible on the one hand to ensure the effectiveness of the heat treatment to obtain the desired decontamination effect, and on the other hand to ensure that the surface temperature of the glazing does not exceed not an imposed limit. This is, for example, advantageous for ensuring compliance with normative constraints. This also makes it possible to choose a desired temperature according to the environment and/or the health constraints imposed, that is to say an adaptable temperature, which is not definitively fixed during the installation of the glazing.

Advantageously, the method does not depend on variables such as the system supply voltage or the temperature of the environment. This ensures strict maintenance at the desired temperature, as measured by the surface temperature probe.

Also, depending on the constraints of the surrounding room, control can be carried out to reduce the duration of the related decontamination treatment as much as possible. For example, in the case of glass partitions in a meeting office shared within a building, it may be advantageous to perform the fastest possible processing to allow participants in successive meetings to occupy the room. as quickly as possible. In other words, a “booster” type piloting of the heated glazing(s) can be carried out.

Advantageously, the method can be triggered according to a start-up time setpoint determined by a user.

Depending on the objective pursued when starting the decontamination process, the decontamination temperature and the decontamination time may vary.

Advantageously, the piloting process can be triggered in a single manner by a user either immediately or at a time determined by the latter, or even triggered recurrently according to a calendar and times determined by the user.

Finally, the invention relates to a use of the regulation system according to the invention for the decontamination of one or more glazings.

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a glazing equipped with a regulation system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of several glazing units fitted with a regulation system according to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates another glazing equipped with a regulation system according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph representing the evolution of the surface temperature of a glazing during the activation of a method according to the invention according to different configurations.

FIG. 5 is a graph representing the evolution of the surface temperature of a glazing during the activation of a method according to the invention.

detailed description

There is illustrated in Figure 1 a glazed partition 1 equipped with a surface temperature control system according to the invention.

The glass partition 1 is electrically powered by the control-command unit 2. The control-command unit 2 is connected to the surface temperature sensor 3 of the glass partition, preferably by an electrical connection. Sensor 3 measures the surface temperature of the glazed partition and communicates the measured values to control-command unit 2.

The control-command unit 2 is configured to send glazing control signals.

Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of glazed partitions 1 each equipped with a regulation system according to the invention. Each glazed partition is fitted with a control-command unit 2 and a surface temperature sensor 3.

In the example shown, each control-command unit 2 supplies and controls a single glazed partition 1. It is also possible for two or more glass partitions to be supplied and controlled by a single control-command unit 2. Similarly, it It is possible for the number of surface temperature probes 3 to be less than the number of glazed partitions 1.

FIG. 3 represents a glazed partition 1 equipped with a regulation system according to the invention comprising a control-command unit 2 and a surface temperature sensor 3.

To facilitate control of the regulation system by a user, a man-machine interface device such as a touch screen 4 can be provided on the control-command unit 2.

Figure 4 shows the evolution of the surface temperature of heated glazing during the implementation of a glazing decontamination process. The three curves illustrate three configurations which differ by the initial temperature of the glazing.

Initially, the surface temperature of the glazing is lower than the decontamination temperature T _cv . The regulation system then applies electrical power to the glazing until the surface temperature of the latter exceeds T _cv .

The control system then maintains the surface temperature of the glazing above T _cv for a time greater than or equal to the decontamination time T _tv .

The surface temperature of the glazing then drops freely.

Figure 5 illustrates more precisely the evolution of the surface temperature of a heated glazing during the implementation of a glazing decontamination process.

The surface temperature of the glazing is controlled so as to remain constantly greater than a value T _{min reg} itself greater than the decontamination temperature T _cv for a duration T _realreg greater than the decontamination duration T _tv .

T _minreg and T _realreg are chosen so as to create a safety margin and thus guarantee the application of the minimum decontamination temperature at any point of the surface to be treated.

The decontamination time T _tv as well as the time T _realreg do not depend on the ambient temperature or on other quantities such as the supply voltage or the characteristics of the glazing.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described; it is in particular possible to combine together characteristics of the examples illustrated within variants not illustrated.

Other variants and improvements can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.

List of cited references

[1] Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E. Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents [published correction appears in J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jun 8;:]. J Hosp Infect . 2020;104(3):246-251. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

[2] Duan SM, Zhao XS, Wen RF, et al. Stability of SARS coronavirus in human specimens and environment and its sensitivity to heating and UV irradiation. Biomed Environ Sci . 2003;16(3):246-255.

Claims (7)

System for regulating the surface temperature of one or more heated panes (1), activatable by electric current, comprising:
- at least one probe (3) configured to measure a surface temperature of the glazing,
- at least one control-command unit (2) configured to transmit electrical control signals from the glazing(s) directly to the glazing(s), the control signals being adapted to bring the glazing(s) ) glazing(s) at a surface temperature greater than or equal to a desired surface temperature (Tcv). System according to claim 1, the control signals being configured so that the surface temperature of the glazing(s) is maintained at a surface temperature greater than or equal to the desired surface temperature (Tcv) for a duration greater than or equal to a desired duration (Ttv). System according to one of the preceding claims, the glazing(s) being one or more glazed wall(s) or partition(s). System according to one of the preceding claims, the control-command unit comprising an interface (4) configured to allow a user to choose a desired temperature. System according to one of the preceding claims, the glazing(s) each comprising a plurality of glazing surface temperature probes. Method for controlling a system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps consisting in:
a) determining a surface glazing temperature of one or more heated glazing units;
b) comparing the surface temperature to a desired temperature;
c) if the surface temperature is below the desired temperature, applying electrical power to the heated glazing until the surface temperature exceeds the desired temperature;
d) maintaining a surface temperature greater than or equal to the desired temperature for a time greater than or equal to a desired time. Use of a system according to one of Claims 1 to 5 for the decontamination of one or more glazings.