Apparatus and method for solar heat gain reduction in a window assembly
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a window assembly having a pane of material and a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers positioned in the pane of material, the micro-louvers positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher, the method comprising:
- positioning a first pane of material parallel to and spaced apart from a second pane of material, a gap defined between the first and second panes;
stringing a ribbon of micro-louver material through a plurality of slots defined in a frame, the ribbon forming a pattern defined by a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers extending substantially across the length of the window assembly;
positioning the ribbon of micro-louver material and the first and second panes such that the ribbon of micro-louver material is positioned in the gap defined between the first and second panes;
pouring curing material between the plurality of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers;
curing the curing material to create a pane of curing material, the plurality of micro-louvers encased therein, the pane of curing material positioned between the first and second panes.
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Abstract
A window assembly having at least one pane is presented for use in a building. Positioned within the pane are a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers which extend substantially across the length of the pane. The micro-louvers are positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher. The angle at and above which direct light is blocked can be selected to be approximately 30 or 45 degrees above the horizon, for example. The angle can be selected based on the latitude of the location of the window assembly, the time of day during which direct sunlight is blocked, etc. The micro-louvers may have reflective surfaces, be colored as desired, be opaque or translucent.
60 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a window assembly having a pane of material and a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers positioned in the pane of material, the micro-louvers positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher, the method comprising:
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positioning a first pane of material parallel to and spaced apart from a second pane of material, a gap defined between the first and second panes; stringing a ribbon of micro-louver material through a plurality of slots defined in a frame, the ribbon forming a pattern defined by a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers extending substantially across the length of the window assembly; positioning the ribbon of micro-louver material and the first and second panes such that the ribbon of micro-louver material is positioned in the gap defined between the first and second panes; pouring curing material between the plurality of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers; curing the curing material to create a pane of curing material, the plurality of micro-louvers encased therein, the pane of curing material positioned between the first and second panes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of manufacturing a window assembly having a pane of material and a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers positioned in the pane of material, the micro-louvers positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane, the method comprising:
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arranging a ribbon of micro-louver material on a frame;
stringing the ribbon through a plurality of slots defined on the frame;
creating a pattern of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers extending substantially across the length of the window assembly;positioning a first pane and a second pane of material parallel to and spaced apart from one another;
positioning the strung ribbon in a gap defined between the spaced apart first and second panes;placing curing material between the plurality of parallel, spaced-apart micro-louvers, substantially filling the spaces between the micro-louvers with the curing material; substantially filling the gap between the first and second panes with curing material; curing the curing material to create a cured pane, the plurality of micro-louvers encased therein, the first and second panes on opposing sides of the cured pane.
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Specification