Vacuum Insulated Tubes: Modular, Self-Supporting Exterior Enclosure Systems with Insulating, Evacuated Tubes having Solar Collector Rods. U.S, Patent # 9003727, Aybars Ascı / co-inventor
Aybars Ascı received a US Patent for a high performance enclosure system, which he led as a co-inventor during his tenure at SOM. Vacuum Insulated Glass unit is formed by two uniform-radiused-curved pieces of laminated glass, which are joined to form an evacuated chamber. The absence of air in a vacuum chamber eliminates conductive and convective heat transfer, creating a thermal buffer for both hot and cold climates. The enclosure system is self-supporting due to its structural cross section. The tubes geometry allows for the negative pressures of the vacuum chamber without any additional structural support thus eliminating potential thermal bridges. An active system is also part of the patent pending, whereby a solar collector located at the centroid of the tubes generates power as it minimizes radiant heat transfer through the system.