Low Thermal Conducting Spacer Assembly for an Insulating Glazing Unit
AssigneeVitro Flat Glass LLC
InventorsWilliam Davis II, Bradley P. Boone, Roxana Shabani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spacer for an insulated glazing unit (IGU) is provided herein, along with an IGU and methods of making the spacer and IGU. The spacer imparts high thermal insulation to the IGU. Also provided are methods of preparing an insulating glazing unit, as well as methods of preparing a spacer for an IGU.
Claims20
A method of preparing a spacer for an insulated glazing unit, comprising roll-forming a metal sheet into an elongate unit comprising:
- an elongate corrugated portion comprising two or more longitudinal ridges;
- a first elongate lateral wall, having a major planar portion and extending from a first major edge of the corrugated portion;
- a second lateral elongate wall, having a major planar portion and extending from a second major edge of the corrugated portion in the same direction as the first elongate wall;
- a first lip extending from the first elongate lateral wall opposite the corrugated portion and extending towards the second elongate lateral wall;
- and
- a second lip extending from the second elongate lateral wall opposite the corrugated portion and extending towards the first elongate lateral wall and defining a gap between the first lip and the second lip;
- the corrugated portion comprising two or more longitudinal ridges, with a first lateral valley portion between and connecting the first elongate lateral wall and an adjacent ridge and defining a first lateral valley, a second lateral valley portion between and connecting the second elongate lateral wall and an adjacent ridge and defining a second lateral valley, and one or more central valley portions between and connecting adjacent longitudinal ridges and defining one or more central valleys, each ridge comprising a plurality of walls, with peak portions connecting adjacent walls.
The method of claim 11, wherein the spacer is formed in a continuous, automated process in a single manufacturing line.
A spacer for use in an insulated glazing unit formed from a single sheet of stainless steel or tin-plated steel, comprising lateral walls connected by a central portion comprising from two to four longitudinal ridges, wherein the width of the spacer is no more than 35% the linear width of the metal folded to form the spacer, and wherein, when assembled in an insulating glazing unit, has a Res-value ((in-hr-° F.)/BTU) of at least 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, or 215.
An insulated glazing unit comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having a No. 1 surface, an opposite No. 2 surface and marginal edges, the second panel having a No. 3 surface and an opposite No. 4 surface and marginal edges;
- and a spacer having a central portion comprising from two to four longitudinal ridges, an internal side, and an opposite external side, the spacer including a lips affixed with adhesive to marginal portions of the No. 2 surface and the No. 3 surface of the second panel and supporting the first and second panel in a spaced-apart configuration, with the internal side of the spacer, the No. 2 surface of the first panel, and the No. 3 surface of the second panel defining a sealed compartment, and wherein when assembled in the insulating glazing unit, has a Res-value ((in-hr-° F.)/BTU) of at least 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, or 215.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.