Photoelectrolytically-desiccating multiple-glazed window units
First Claim
1. A multiple-glazed window unit having at least two sheets and a means to space said sheets from one another to provide an airspace between the sheets, the improvement comprising:
- a photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating over at least a portion of at least one surface of the unit exposed to the airspace and subject to the accumulation of moisture present in the airspace thereon, whereupon said photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating promotes the photoelectrolysis of said accumulated moisture into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple-glazed window unit of the type which includes two or more sheets maintained in spaced relationship to each other by a spacing assembly to form an airspace wherein surfaces of the unit in contact with the airspace are subject to the accumulation thereon of moisture and/or organic contaminants present in the airspace is rendered self-desiccating of accumulated moisture and/or self-cleaning of accumulated organic surface contaminants by coating such surfaces with a photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating and/or a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating. Upon exposing the coatings to actinic radiation, at least a portion of the accumulated moisture is removed by photoelectrolysis and/or at least a portion of the organic contaminants are removed by photocatalytic decomposition. A desiccant may or may not be associated with the airspace to assist in maintaining a moisture-free airspace. Exterior surfaces of the unit may also be rendered self-cleaning of accumulated organic surface contaminants by coating such exterior surfaces with a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating.
130 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A multiple-glazed window unit having at least two sheets and a means to space said sheets from one another to provide an airspace between the sheets, the improvement comprising:
a photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating over at least a portion of at least one surface of the unit exposed to the airspace and subject to the accumulation of moisture present in the airspace thereon, whereupon said photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating promotes the photoelectrolysis of said accumulated moisture into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28)
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24. A multiple-glazed window unit having at least two sheets and a means to space said sheets from one another to provide an airspace between the sheets, the improvement comprising:
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a) a photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating deposited over at least a portion of a first surface of the unit exposed to the airspace and subject to the accumulation of moisture present in the airspace thereon, whereupon said photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating promotes the photoelectrolysis of said accumulated moisture from said first surface primarily into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas; b) at least one hydrophilic coating associated with said photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating to increase contact between said moisture present in the airspace and the photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating; c) a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating over at least a portion of a second surface of the unit exposed to the airspace and subject to the accumulation of organic surface contaminants present in the airspace thereon whereupon said photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating promotes the photocatalytic decomposition of said organic surface contaminants primarily into carbon dioxide and water vapor, wherein said first surface and said second surface may be the same or a different surface; and d) a sodium ion diffusion barrier layer interposed between a source of sodium ions and a coating selected from the group consisting of said photoelectrolytically-desiccating coating and said photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating to prevent sodium ion poisoning of said coating. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification