INSULATING GLASS UNIT AND A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND SEALING SAME

• US 20160348419A1
• Filed: 05/24/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLC
• Inventors: McHugh, Michael Patrick, Peters, Michael Eric
• Granted Patent: US 10,337,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6612 Evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66304 Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/67313 by bending
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6775 Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/22 Glazing, e.g. vaccum glazing

Abstract

An insulating gas unit, and a method and apparatus for filling and sealing the insulating gas unit with an insulating gas, such as argon or krypton. The insulating glass unit includes a spacer frame having at least one elongated or oblong opening dimensioned to receive a gas filling nozzle. A mating elongated or oblong plug is dimensioned to be received within the opening in order to seal the insulating space of the insulating gas unit. A dimpling tool engages with the plug to form dimples that secure the plug in the opening.

Claims

1. An insulating glass unit comprising:

a spacer having at least one oblong opening formed therein;

two panes of glass connected to opposite sides of a spacer frame to form an insulating space therebetween; and

at least one oblong plug dimensioned to be received by the at least one oblong opening.

2. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein said oblong opening has a width less 4 mm and a maximum length less than 12 mm.

3. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein said oblong opening is discorectangle-shaped.

4. An insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the oblong plug includes:

an oblong-shaped bottom wall;

an annular oblong-shaped side wall extending upward from the bottom wall; and

a flange extending from the upper end of the side wall,

wherein the bottom wall and the side wall define an inner recess.

5. An insulating glass unit according to claim 4, wherein the bottom wall and side wall are discorectangle-shaped.

6. An insulating glass unit according to claim 4, wherein a cross-section of the side wall is tapered such that a perimeter of the side wall decreases from the upper end of the side wall to a bottom end of the side wall.

7. An insulating glass unit according to claim 4, wherein the flange is bent at an angle of around 1-5 degrees from horizontal.

8. A method for filling and sealing an insulating glass unit having an insulating space located between a pair of glass panes spaced apart by a spacer frame, the method comprising:

forming an oblong-shaped opening in the spacer frame;

inserting a gas filling nozzle through the opening to inject insulating gas into the insulating space;

removing the gas filling nozzle from the opening after injection of the insulating gas;

inserting an oblong-shaped plug into the opening to seal the insulating space; and

securing the plug in the opening by forming one or more dimples in the plug.

9. A method for filling and sealing according to claim 8, wherein the step of forming one or more dimples in the plug includes:

inserting a dimpling tool into a recess formed in the plug, and

rotating the dimpling tool to form the one or more dimples.

10. A dimpling tool for locking a plug within an opening to seal an insulating space of an insulating glass unit, the dimpling tool comprising:

an engagement portion including;

a stem; and

a head located at a distal end of the stem and extending transverse thereto,

wherein the head is comprised of;

a pair of opposing flat sides, and

a pair of opposing convex curved sides.

11. A dimpling tool according to claim 10, wherein said dimpling tool further comprises a handle to facilitate gripping the dimpling tool.

12. A gas filling nozzle for filling an insulating space of an insulating glass unit with insulating gas, the gas filling nozzle comprising:

an interface portion adapted for fluid connection with a vacuum source, a pressure sensing device, and an insulating gas supply; and

an insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted through an opening to the insulating space, wherein the insertion portion includes;

a vacuum tube fluidly connected to the vacuum source,

a pressure monitor tube fluidly connected to the pressure sensing device, and

a gas supply tube fluidly connected to the insulating gas supply.