High performance, thermally insulating multipane glazing structure
AssigneeSouthwall Technologies Inc.
InventorsThomas G. Hood, Steve M. Vincent, Robin Booth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Multipane, insultating glazing structures having exceptional thermal insulation performance are provided. The novel multipane structures comprise two substantially parallel rigid glazing sheets spaced apart by an interior spacer of a low thermal conductivity, closed cell, foamed polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the glazing sheets are present in a four-pane structure filled with an inert gas and sealed with a gas-impermeable, continous tape overlaying a curable, high modulus sealant. Methods for manufacturing the novel glazing structures are disclosed as well.
Claims30
A multiplane window glazing structure comprising two substantially parallel sheets of glazing held in spaced relationship to each other by a peripheral spacer, said spacer comprised of a body of a physically stable closed cell foamed polymer sized to substantially span the spaced relationship and having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.8.
A multiplane glazing structure comprising:
- two or more substantially parallel sheets of glazing held in spaced relationship to one another by peripheral spacers, wherein at least one of said spacers if a body of physically stable closed cell foam polymer having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.8 disposed between adjacent sheets;
- and
- a peripheral seal surrounding and enclosing the edges of said sheets and the spacers, said peripheral seal comprising (a) a layer of curable sealant adhered to the edges of the sheets of glazing and the outer surface of the spacers, and (b) a continuous gas-impermeable tape adhered to and overlaying said layer of sealant.
A high performance, thermally insulating glazing structure, said structure comprising:
- four distinct, substantially parallel glazing sheets, each spaced apart from the others by peripheral spacers, wherein the first and fourth of said sheets are glass and represent the exterior faces of said structure, and wherein the second and third of said sheets are transparent plastic, and are contained on the interior of said structure, said second and third of said sheets being separated from one another by a spacer comprised of a physically stable closed cell foamed polymer sized to span the spaced relationship between the second and third sheets and having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.8;
- a gas selected to reduce heat conductance contained between said first and fourth sheets;
- and
- a peripheral seal surrounding and enclosing the edges of the sheets of glazing and the spacers, said seal comprising a layer of curable sealant adhered to the sheets of glazing and the outer surface of the spacers, and a continuous gas-impermeable tape adhered to and overlaying the layer of sealant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.