Heated multiple-pane glass units

• US 3,911,245 A
• Filed: 04/15/1974
• Issued: 10/07/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roger D O'Shaughnessy
• Original Assignee: Roger D O'Shaughnessy
• Inventors: O'Shaughnessy, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Albritton, C. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/460,979
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 219/218,522,543 62/150,248 312/236 52/173
• US Class Current: 219/218
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6715 specially adapted for increased thermal insulation or for controlled passage of light E06B3/66323 takes precedence; coating of glass pains C03C17/00; devices or arrangements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/04 Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 5/10 responsive to mechanical injury, e.g. rupture of line, breakage of earth connection
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields

Abstract

A sealed insulating glass unit for refrigerator doors and windows, two adjacent glass panes of which are separated by no more than about 2 mm. to provide a thin air space, and heating elements disposed over at least one of the inner faces of the unit to inhibit frosting and fogging.

Claims

1. A multiple-pane glass unit comprising:

at least first and second glass panes in aligned, face-to-face relationship;

electrically insulating spacing material perimeterly disposed between said first and second glass panes to provide a confined space between said first and second glass panes, said space being of a width no more than about 2 mm.;

first and second electrodes in parallel relationship adherably bonded to one of the opposing faces of said first and second glass panes; and

an electrically conductive coating adherably bonded to said face having said first and second electrodes between said first and second electrodes, said coating providing an electrically conductive path between said first and second electrodes.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said spacing material is a compressible polymeric composition.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein the face of said second pane opposing the face of said first pane bears said first and second electrodes and the face of said first pane opposing the face of said second pane bears electrical conductive means bonded thereto, said electrically conductive means being adapted to conduct electrical current across at least a portion of the face bearing said electrically conductive means and then to one of said first and second electrodes, said first pane being of tempered glass whereby a crack in said first pane causes a discontinuity in said electrical conductive means thereby interrupting current flow to said second pane.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said first electrode comprises a first portion extending substantially but not completely along and adjacent to the edge of the pane to which it is adhered, and a second portion electrically connected to said first portion, said second portion being located inwardly of said first portion relative to the edge of said pane and parallel to said second electrode, and said electrically conductive coating is between only said second portion of said electrode and said second electrode.

5. The unit of claim 4 wherein said first pane bears said firSt and second electrodes.

6. A multiple-pane glass unit comprising:

first and second glass panes in aligned, face-to-face relationship, said first pane being of tempered glass;

a third glass pane in aligned, spaced, face-to-face relationship to said second glass pane;

electrically insulating spacing material perimeterly disposed between said first and second glass panes to provide a confined space between said first and second glass panes, said space being of a width no more than about 2 mm.;

first and second electrodes in parallel relationship adherably bonded to the face of said second glass pane opposing said first pane, said electrodes being covered by said spacing material;

an electrically conductive coating adherably bonded to said face of said second pane between said first and second electrodes, said coating providing an electrically conductive path between said first and second electrodes; and

electrical conductive means bonded to said face of said first pane opposing said face of said second pane adapted to conduct electrical current across at least a portion of said face of said first pane to one of said electrodes on said second pane whereby a discontinuity in said electrical conductive means causes interruption of current to said second pane.

7. The unit of claim 6 wherein said confined space between opposing faces of said first and second glass panes has a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

8. The unit of claim 7 wherein said confined space is filled with moist air.

9. The unit of claim 6 wherein said first spacing means comprises polyisobutylene.

10. The unit of claim 6 wherein said spacing material comprises polyisobutylene and a nonelectrically conductive carbon black.

11. The unit of claim 6 wherein said spacing material includes a dehydrating agent.

12. A multiple-pane glass unit comprising:

first and second glass panes in aligned, face-to-face relationship;

a third glass pane in aligned, spaced, face-to-face relationship to said second glass pane;

electrically insulating spacing material perimeterly disposed between said first and second glass panes to provide a confined space between said first and second glass panes, said space being of a width no more than about 2 mm.;

first and second electrodes adherably bonded to the face of said first glass pane opposing said second pane, said electrodes being covered by said spacing material, said first electrode comprising a first portion extending substantially but not completely along and adjacent to the edge of the pane to which it is adhered, and a second portion electrically connected to said first portion, said second portion being located inward of said first portion relative to the edge of said pane and parallel to said second electrode; and

an electrically conductive coating adherably bonded to said face of said first pane between only said second portion of said first electrode and second electrode.