VISION4
Models the combined optical and thermal performance of glazing systems and provides information on the energy flow and temperatures which result from imposed environmental conditions. VISION4 is part of the FRAMEplus Toolkit for the thermal analysis of windows, walls and doors. VISION4 can also calculate the velocity field within window glazing cavities to better predict condensation resistance. VISION4 simulations (when combined with FRAME) are an equal alternative to testing to determine the U-value, condensation resistance and solar heat gain coefficient of windows and doors. VISION4 was used to produce the window information in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals and is referenced in several national window standards.
Keywords
fenestration, solar optical characteristics, thermal performance, windows, glazing
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
Basic-level understanding of heat transfer.
Users
Over a thousand users in 20 countries.
Audience
Window and glazing manufacturers, building designers and specifiers, analysts determining window ratings.
Input
Glazings, coatings and tints (entered manually or retrieved from a library of 600 products); interpane cavity spacing and fill gases (pure gases or mixtures); glazing tint angle; solar radiation intensity; environmental conditions (ASHRAE, CSA, or user-defined indoor temperature, film coefficient, outdoor temperature, wind speed, cloud cover).
Output
Solar-optical properties for any solar spectrum, U-values, solar heat gain coefficient, visible light transmission, solar transmission, graphs of glazing temperatures and spectral transmission, velocity field within the glazing cavity.
Computer Platform
PC-compatible, 386 or higher, running DOS or Windows.
Programming Language
C
Strengths
VISION4 is now part of the FRAMEplus computer toolkit. VISION4 files can be used as input for FRAMEplus in order to analyze total window performance. VISION4 files can be combined with FRAME4 to assess the potential for condensation. VISION4 graphs are very useful in identifying heat build-up due to solar radiation.
Weaknesses
Requires FRAME to determine total window properties.
Contact
Company: |
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Address: |
650 Riverbend Drive |
Telephone: |
(519) 743-8777 |
Facsimile: |
(519) 743-8778 |
E-mail: |
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Website: |
Availability
VISION is part of the FRAMEplus Toolkit. The Toolkit sells for $295. US ($350. CDN).