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System Performance | System Description | Case Study |
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System Performance
Okatech uses a triple-pane system, with both a gas-filled cavity, for thermal insulation improvement, and a metal mesh section, to both reflect and transmit light using specific patterns. The metallic screen performs as a louver-like grid that provides seasonal solar protection, blocking high sunlight during the summer and allowing low sunlight to penetrate in the winter. These patterns create a play of light across the panes, causing glow in areas and shadows in others, and depending on the density and pattern of the web, allow different degrees of privacy and views through the glass unit to be generated. Given that the metal grid is a directional total solar transmittance device, each Okatech panel must be calculated and designed specifically for the consumer, such that the gas can be changed for different levels of thermal and acoustic insulation. The wire mesh can be of different thickness, pattern, density, and type of metal. For a more advanced lighting analysis and project specific results, we recommend using the Lightsolve program (under development).
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Performance data for all systems in the same category. Comparison to systems in other categories, selected through the matrix filtering process.
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System Description
Two inner sections make up the Okatech insulating glass: one filled with gas, the other with a system of metal wires. The gas can be air or a better insulating gas such as Argon. This section is between 8mm and 12mm thick. The metal section, 2mm to 8mm thick, consists of stretched bronze or stainless steel wires of different thicknesses, intertwined in various patterns to reflect and transmit light. These grids use natural aluminum, and are powder-coated, anodized, patinated, or color-printed. A pane with a high performance coating separates the two cavities. Together with the outer panes, the thickness of the unit can be between 20mm and 35mm. The maximum width of the panes is 2m, with a maximum 4m height. These panes should not have a surface area greater than 7 square meters. No special maintenance is necessary to keep Okatech in working condition, though the thickness of the product must be considered when initially installing the system. Because the system consists of a screen that provides daylight and thermal insulation, it can potentially decrease the building’s energy consumption through a reduction of the usage of electric lighting, heating and cooling. |
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