High r-value window unit with vacuum ig unit and insulating frame

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art that the R value is a measure of the window's insulating properties. In particular, the value of R is the inverse of the value of U. In other words, the value U = 1 / the value of R. The term U value or U-factor (synonymous with heat transfer) is well understood in the art and is used herein according to this well-known meaning . The U value is given here as BTU / hr / ft²/ degrees F, and can be determined in accordance with the "guarded hot box" method as described in and in accordance with ASTM C1199-91. Similarly, the R value is the inverse of the U value as explained above.

The R value for a monolithic glass pane (one glass sheet) is typically about 1.0. In addition, the R value for a glazing unit (IG) with two sheets of uncoated glass separated from each other is typically about 2.0 (i.e., the U value is about 0.5). When one of the IG glass sheets is coated with a low E coating (low emissivity), the R value may be increased (e.g., to about 3 or 4). The argon gas between the IG glass sheets may also increase the R value (and thereby reduce the U value).

Conventional IG units often use a metal spacer (s) as the edge of the units for the mutual separation of the glass sheets. However, this causes U values ​​to be higher (and therefore lower R values) at the edges of such IG units due to the conductivity of the metal spacer (s). It would be advantageous to avoid the use of metal spacers at the edges of the glass-based window unit, thereby reducing the conductivity of the separating structure. Prior to that, plastic spacers were used to solve this problem, but this resulted in leakage of gas (e.g., Ar) through the plastic, thereby leading to problems with durability and insulation.

Further, WO 03/095 785 A1 relates to a panel element comprising a frame made of a number of frame elements as well as a panel unit comprising at least one vacuum multi-layer pane and at least one single-layer sheet element. WO 00/05 474 A1 discloses an insulating window frame comprising a window frame made of four linear frame elements with connected edges angularly to the miter.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, a window unit may be provided that does not necessarily need a metal spacer in the IG unit. In certain example embodiments of the invention, the window frame has a spacer function / structure that may be of plastic or the like; e.g., a vinyl-based or other polymer-based material. Thus, in certain embodiments, a part of the frame can separate the two glass sheets of the window from each other.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, the window unit may comprise a vacuum IG unit (VIG) as an inner pane and a monolithic pane (e.g., with a low E coating)

-2EP 1 966 462 as an external glass. The air space can separate the inside and outside glass. Furthermore, in certain example embodiments, a highly insulated frame for supporting the inner and outer pane may be used. The VIG unit may be partially embedded or supported (e.g., by from about 1-6 inches, more preferably from about 1 to 3 inches, with an example of about 2 inches) in the insulating frame, so that the insulating frame separates the inner pane of the VIG unit from the windshield. external by reducing the conductivity around the edges of the window unit such that the R value can be increased (and the U value increased). In certain embodiments, the edges of the inner and outer glazing can be vertically offset from each other to further reduce the conductivity on the edge portions. In certain embodiments,

In certain embodiments, a window unit is provided comprising: an insulating frame in which the IG vacuum unit and a monolithic window are located, the IG vacuum unit includes first and second glass sheets separated from each other, which are separated from each other by a gap that is under pressure less than atmospheric, and the monolithic pane is separated from the vacuum unit GIG; where the frame comprises an insulating material that separates the IG vacuum unit from the monolithic pane.

In certain example embodiments of the present invention, a window unit is provided comprising: an insulating frame into which both the inner and outer pane are partially embedded, the inner pane includes an IG vacuum unit comprising first and second glass sheets separated from each other, which are separated from each other by a gap that is at a pressure less than atmospheric, and the outer pane contains a monolithic glass sheet separated from the vacuum unit GIG; wherein the frame comprises an insulating material that separates the outer surface of the vacuum unitIG from the inner surface of the monolithic glass sheet; and where along at least one upper edge, the bottom edge, and / or the side edge of the window unit,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF AN INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 illustrates that the window unit comprises a vacuum unit IG (VIG) I as an inner pane and a monolithic pane 3 as an outer pane. The air space 5 separates the inner and outer glass. The space may be at atmospheric pressure in certain embodiments, although it may instead be filled with gas and / or be at a lower than atmospheric pressure in various embodiments. In some embodiments, a low E coating for IR reflection may be on the surface of a monolithic glazing 3 directed to the air gap 5, although such a low E coating is optional in certain example embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary low E coatings are described in US Patent Nos. 6,936,347,

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The IG 1 vacuum unit, which is the inner pane in Fig. 1, comprises an inner glass substrate 7 and an outer glass substrate 9. The edges of the opposite vacuum substrates IG 7 and 9 are hermetically sealed by at least one edge or peripheral gasket 4. "Peripheral" and the "edge" gasket does not mean here that the gasket (i) is on the absolute edge or edge of the unit, but instead means that the gasket is at least partly at or near (e.g., within about two inches) of the edge at least one substrate of the VIG unit. In certain embodiments, the IG vacuum unit includes first and second opposed glass substrates 7 and 9 (toughened or unhardened) that are separated from each other by spacers or posts 24, which maintain a low pressure space 26 between the substrates. In certain embodiments, the substrates 7 and 9 are soda-lime glass float. The hermetic peripheral or edge gasket 4, located between the substrates 7 and 9, seals the low pressure space 26 from the surrounding atmospheric pressure. The circumferential / edge gasket 4 may be located completely between opposing substrates as shown in Figure 1. However, the perimeter / edge gasket 4 may instead be partly between the substrates 7 and 9, and partly in the Stirrup area (not shown) on the periphery of the unit. in un illustrated cases where the glass sheets 7 and 9 have different sizes. Emptying space 26 eliminates or reduces heat transfer between glass substrates 7 and 9 due to conduction and gas convection. In addition, the radial heat transfer between the substrates 7 and 9 can be reduced to a low level by providing an optional coating (s) with low E on the surface of one or both of the sheets 7, 9. In this way, high levels of thermal insulation can be obtained. Low gas thermal conduction can be obtained when the pressure in space 26 is reduced to, e.g., equal to or less than about 0.5 x 10 "³ Torr, more preferably less than about 0.1 mTorr, or 10 "⁴Torr, and most preferably less than about 10 "^s Torr atmospheric pressure. The hermetic sealing system 4, comprising one or more edge seals, essentially eliminates any gas or air input or output to / from the low pressure space 26. The spacer system or posts 24 are located between the substrates 7 and 9 to maintain the separation of the two approximately parallel glass sheets 7 , Relative to atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, all spacers 24 are approximately the same size and / or material. However, in other embodiments, there may be different sizes of spacers 24 in the same vacuum unit IG. In certain embodiments, the density of the spacers (i.e., the number of spacers per surface area) may be greater in certain areas than in other areas, or alternatively, the density of the spacers may be approximately uniform throughout the unit. For purposes of exemplary and non-limiting example, exemplary VIG units that may be used for a VIG 1 unit in the embodiment of Fig. 1 are illustrated and / or described in US Patent Nos. 6,372,312, 6,365,242, 6,399,169, 6,336,984, 6,497,931, and / or 6,692,600.

In some embodiments, a high insulating foam core insulation frame 30 may be used to support the inner and outer pane 1, 3. In certain embodiments, the foam acts as an insulation to provide an insulating function and structure for supporting the glazing 1, 3. An insulating frame 30 may be a window frame in certain example embodiments of this invention, and may have a polymer-based cover (e.g., a vinyl) surrounding the foam core in certain examples. The VIG 1 unit may be partially embedded or inserted (e.g., by from about 1-6 inches, more preferably from about 1 to 3 inches, with an example of about 2 inches) in the foam frame 30, so that the insulating frame containing the foam 30 separates the inner pane of the VIG 1 unit

-4EP 1 966 462 from the monolithic pane 3 thereby reducing the conductivity around the edges of the window unit such that the value R (and increase the value U) can be increased.

In certain embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1, the inner edges of the outer pane 1 and 3 can be vertically slid apart to further reduce the conductivity of the edge portions. The VIG units tend to have some conductivity between the two of their glass sheets in the edge region close to the seal 4. However, the vertical offset between the bottom edge (and possibly also the top and / or side edges) of the VIG 1 unit and such a monolithic glazing 3 helps reduce the conductivity between the edges of the panes 1 and 3 for the whole window unit, thus improving its R value. The VIG 1 glass is on the inside in certain example embodiments, to avoid temperature fluctuations on the inside of the window unit and to protect the VIG unit against possible damage from outside the building in which the window unit is located. It is also noted that a fairly long grip "B" between the bottom edge of the VIG unit and the upper edge of the bottom frame preferably impedes the passage of heat and / or cold around the edge of the VIG 1 by a possible sealing edge seal 4. The distance of the grip "B" is from about 1 to 5 inches, more preferably from about 1-3 inches (e.g., 2 inches) in certain example embodiments of this invention.

In certain embodiments, the combined R value of the window unit is at least about R-8, and more preferably at least about R-10 (as compared to the much lower R values ​​of conventional IG units).

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the outer monolithic pane 3 may be glued to the window frame / frame 30 by the adhesive in area 40, which may also act as a seal. The lower stop 44 on which the outer pane 3 rests in the first L-channel 46 is optional. The L-channel 46 is defined in the frame / window frame 30, with the vertical portion of the duct 46 receiving the pane 3 and the horizontal portion of the duct allowing insertion and / or removal of the optional limiter 44. The adhesive can also be placed in the duct 46 to keep the pane 3 on place. The second L-channel 48 is also located in the window frame or frame 30. The second L-channel 48 is also defined in the frame / window frame 30, with the vertical portion of the duct 48 receiving the VIG 1 glass and the horizontal portion of the duct allowing insertion and / or removal of the optional limiter 50 in the frame. The adhesive can also be placed in the channel 48 to keep the VIG 1 glass in place. Again, the VIG 1 pane is held in place by the adhesive in areas 50a in some cases.

To obtain a high R value for the entire window unit, it typically has good insulating properties in the three main window areas; namely in the middle of the window (e.g., a living hole minus a margin of about 2.5 inches near the side line), a window edge (e.g., a rim of 2.5 inches of the day aperture near the side line), and a frame (e.g., an opaque structural component surrounding the glass that holds the glass at location). These three areas work in parallel for heat transfer, and one area with very high thermal conductivity will allow undesirably large amounts of heat to pass through this channel. Typically, many layers of glass were used to reduce heat transfer through the glass center, although low E coatings and a gas such as Ar were also used. The low-conducting edge spacers are typically used to reduce the conductivity at the edge.

The VIG 1 unit uses two sheets of glass 7 and 9 with an optional coating with a low E on one of the glass sheets to obtain a glass R of about 10 or more in the center of the glass. In addition, the VIG 1 unit may have an edge seal of adhesive glass 4 on or near the periphery

-5EP 1 966 462 seal two glass sheets together, allowing an easy path of heat transfer from one glass sheet to another. The window of Fig. 1, however, overcomes this problem by means of the VIG unit by incorporating the edges of the VIG 1 unit into an insulating frame / window frame 30 with a fairly long grip B. Combining the glass insulating properties along the path length around the VIG unit (twice the grip length) of the gun like a thermal barrier. The larger grip B results in a larger R value for the window unit. In some embodiments, the frame 30 has a core of highly insulating foam such as a polyisocyanurate (e.g., R-6.5 per inch) - two inches will provide a R value of about 13. A protective layer of fiber-reinforced plastic or wood veneer can also be used as a foam core coating, with structural channels 46 and 48 designed to follow heat transfer isotherms in a frame system. The outer surface of the frame system can, according to expectations, achieve maximum temperatures from -50 degrees F to plus 150 degrees F, so that the outer frame film can be designed to be flexible to absorb such maximum temperatures without causing significant warping for limited periods of time. The outer monolithic pane 3 helps to shield the VIG 1 unit against certain temperature extremes. such that the outer film of the frame can be designed to be flexible to absorb such maximum temperatures without causing significant warping for limited periods of time. The outer monolithic pane 3 helps to shield the VIG 1 unit against certain temperature extremes. such that the outer film of the frame can be designed to be flexible to absorb such maximum temperatures without causing significant warping for limited periods of time. The outer monolithic pane 3 helps to shield the VIG 1 unit against certain temperature extremes.

In certain embodiments, the entire window unit of the example of Fig. 1 can be characterized by the following R values. First, the center of the glass: VIG = 10, the outer pane of low E = 2; together, the center of the glass has about R-12 or more. Second, the edge of the glass (rim 2.5 "): 4 inch heat path on 4 mm glass has about R-6. Third, window frame: R-13 for foam minus losses due to thermal bridges of the R-10 structure. the combined total thermal resistance of the entire window is around R-8 or above, more preferably around R-10 or above. The final R-value of the entire window depends on the height and width of the window, glass thickness, grip depth "B" on the VIG unit, and the bridging size thermal in frame 30.

It is noted that the large edge grips on the VIG unit can reduce the high stresses caused in the glass by the maximum temperature differences between the inside and outside temperatures. This will reduce the likelihood of glass cracking in extreme climates. In addition, the outer monolithic pane (3) can also be used to reduce the temperature difference inside and outside. In addition, large edge grips on the VIG can reduce the relative area of ​​very cold glass (VIG outer pane) to a much warmer glass (VIG internal pane). Further, the stresses can be distributed more uniformly over the large edge area of ​​the window unit.

While the invention has been described with reference to the ego, which is now considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, it is intended that various modifications and equivalent solutions be included within the scope of the appended claims .

The values ​​of inches given in the description can be converted into centimeters by multiplying by

2.54.

KANCEIA-1A LEGAL "ATENTOWA" BELLEPAT "

Izabela Szycnulska-Hawranek ul. Słowackiego 44, 37-700 ΡπτβΤ'πνέΙ tel. (016) 7J2-37-77 fax: (016), 75-72-87 tel., (0608) 503-081 e-maf <a href="mailto:fceilepat@op.pl">teliepat@op.pl</a> NIP · 795-207-16-72 REGON: 180350516

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