Collapsible element for façade systems
AssigneeArconic Technologies LLC
InventorIon-Horatiu BARBULESCU
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A façade system includes a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions, a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, and a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket. The collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.
Claims20
A façade system, comprising:
- a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions;
- a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket;
- and
- a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket,
- wherein the collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state, and wherein the collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.
A method of assembling a façade system, comprising:
- coupling a first panel to a mullion, the mullion including:
- an exterior portion and an interior portion;
- a glazing pocket defined between the exterior and interior portions;
- and
- a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions and thereby dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, wherein the first panel is received within the shallow pocket;
- advancing a second panel into the deep pocket and toward the thermal break, wherein a collapsible element is arranged in the deep pocket and movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state;
- and
- dividing the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers with the collapsible element in the expanded state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.