초록 ▼

Curtain walls according to embodiments of the present disclosure integrate a variety of energy producing and/or energy saving features and may be used to clad buildings to achieve net zero energy or low energy ratings. A curtain wall may comprise: a support frame; a grid assembly attached to the sup

Curtain walls according to embodiments of the present disclosure integrate a variety of energy producing and/or energy saving features and may be used to clad buildings to achieve net zero energy or low energy ratings. A curtain wall may comprise: a support frame; a grid assembly attached to the support frame; and, panels and cassettes each comprising a prefabricated unit attached to a frame; wherein the assembly is configured for ease of attachment of the frames carrying the prefabricated units. A wide range of different panels and cassettes with different functions can be integrated into the curtain wall, such as glazing, electrochromic, solar, photovoltaic (PV) and aluminum.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A curtain wall for an energy efficient building comprising: a support frame;a grid assembly system attached to said support frame; anda multiplicity of panels and cassettes attached to said grid assembly system, said multiplicity of panels and cassettes each comprising a prefabricated unit attach

1. A curtain wall for an energy efficient building comprising: a support frame;a grid assembly system attached to said support frame; anda multiplicity of panels and cassettes attached to said grid assembly system, said multiplicity of panels and cassettes each comprising a prefabricated unit attached to a frame;wherein said grid assembly system is configured for ease of attachment of said frames carrying said prefabricated units; andwherein said grid assembly system comprises vertical metal struts with steel pins, each of said steel pins comprising a cylindrical end and a spring-loaded plunger, said vertical metal struts with steel pins being configured to engage with said frames of said panels and cassettes, said cylindrical end being captured in a locking slot of said frame and said spring-loaded plunger being captured by a circular aperture in said frame. 2. The curtain wall as in claim 1, further comprising sheathing between said grid assembly system and said support frame. 3. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of panels and cassettes are chosen from the group consisting of vision glass cassettes, electrochromic window cassettes, photovoltaic panels, spandrel panels, and aluminum metal panels, 4. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of panels and cassettes includes a heat exchange panel. 5. The curtain wall as in claim 4, wherein said heat exchange panel is connected to an HVAC system of said energy efficient building. 6. The curtain wall as in claim 4, wherein said heat exchange panel is plumbed into a hot water system of said energy efficient building. 7. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said panels and cassettes include a photovoltaic panel. 8. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic panel is electrically connected to an electrical grid of said energy efficient building. 9. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said support frame comprises tube steel. 10. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said support frame comprises steel studs. 11. The curtain wall as in claim 1, wherein said grid assembly system comprises horizontal metal struts configured to couple with hooks attached at top and bottom edges of each of said frames of said panels and cassettes. 12. The curtain wall as in claim 1, further comprising gaskets between said panels and cassettes and said grid assembly system. 13. A curtain wall for an energy efficient building comprising: a support frame;a grid assembly system attached to said support frame;a multiplicity of panels and cassettes attached to said grid assembly system, said multiplicity of panels and cassettes each comprising a prefabricated unit attached to a frame; anda thermal siphon plenum;wherein said grid assembly system is configured for ease of attachment of said frames carrying said prefabricated units. 14. A method of assembling a curtain wall for an energy efficient building comprising: providing a support frame;attaching sheathing to the exterior side of said support frame;applying an exterior waterproofing membrane to the exterior side of said sheathing;attaching a grid assembly system to said support frame, said sheathing being positioned between said support frame and said grid assembly system; andattaching a multiplicity of cassettes and panels to said grid assembly system, said cassettes and panels each comprising a prefabricated unit attached to a frame;wherein said grid assembly system comprises horizontal metal struts configured to couple with hooks attached at top and bottom edges of each of said frames of said panels and cassettes and wherein said grid assembly system comprises vertical metal struts with steel pins, each of said steel pins comprising a cylindrical end and a spring-loaded plunger, said vertical metal struts with steel pins being configured to engage with said frames of said panels and cassettes, said cylindrical end being captured in a locking slot of said frame and said spring-loaded plunger being captured by a circular aperture in said frame. 15. The method as in claim 14, wherein sections of said curtain wall are preassembled before attaching to the exterior of said energy efficient building. 16. The method as in claim 14, further comprising, after completing assembly of said curtain wall, removing individual panels and cassettes without disturbing adjacent panels and cassettes. 17. The curtain wall as in claim 13, wherein said grid assembly system comprises vertical metal struts with steel pins, each of said steel pins comprising a cylindrical end and a spring-loaded plunger, said vertical metal struts with steel pins being configured to engage with said frames of said panels and cassettes, said cylindrical end being captured in a locking slot of said frame and said spring-loaded plunger being captured by a circular aperture in said frame. 18. The curtain wall as in claim 13, wherein said grid assembly system comprises horizontal metal struts configured to couple with hooks attached at top and bottom edges of each of said frames of said panels and cassettes.