APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SOLAR HEAT GAIN REDUCTION IN A WINDOW ASSEMBLY

• US 20110088324A1
• Filed: 10/20/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Wessel
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Wessel
• Inventors: WESSEL, ROBERT B.
• Application Number:
  US12/908,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20110088324A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/70
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/663 Elements for spacing panes
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/673 Assembling the units E06B3/677 takes precedence ; making hollow glass sheets or bricks C03B23/24
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices

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.

Claims

1. A window assembly for use in a building, the window assembly comprising:

a pane of material, the pane having a length, height and width;

a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers positioned within the pane of material and extending substantially across the length of the pane, 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.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of micro-louvers are oriented horizontally.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the selected angle is approximately 30 degrees above the horizon.

4. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the selected angle is approximately 45 degrees above the horizon.

5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the angle is selected based on the latitude of the location of the window assembly.

6. An assembly as in claim 5 wherein the angle is selected based on the time of day during which direct sunlight is blocked.

7. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers have a width less than the width of the pane.

8. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers each have a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the thickness of the micro-louvers is in the range of 0.0001 inches to 0.0500 inches.

9. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers each have a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the thickness of the micro-louvers is in the range of 0.001 inches to 0.003 inches.

10. An assembly as in claim 9 wherein the width of each micro-louver is in the range of 1/32 inches to 1/16 inches.

11. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers are rectangular in cross-section.

12. An assembly as in claim 4 wherein the micro-louvers are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the micro-louvers.

13. An assembly as in claim 12 wherein the micro-louvers are 1/32 of an inch in width, and spaced apart from adjacent micro-louvers by 1/32 of an inch.

14. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers are reflective.

15. An assembly as in claim 13 wherein at least one surface of each micro-louver is reflective.

16. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the wherein the micro-louvers block direct sunlight between selected times of the day.

17. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers are made of a material selected from the group consisting of:

vinyl and polypropylene.

18. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the pane is made of a material from the group consisting of:

glass, resin, and plastic.

19. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the pane has a front and back face, the micro-louvers having a surface coincident with a face of the pane.

20. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a second pane positioned adjacent to the first pane.

21. An assembly as in claim 20 wherein the second pane abuts the first pane.

22. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a UV-blocking layer.

23. An assembly as in claim 1 further comprising an IR-blocking layer.

24. An assembly as in claim 20 further comprising a gap between the first and second pane, argon gas positioned between the first and second panes.

25. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein each micro-louver has a rear surface for facing the interior of the building, and wherein the rear surface is black in color.

26. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein each micro-louver has at least two surfaces of differing color.

27. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the micro-louvers are opaque.

28. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein the direct sunlight is completely blocked from transmission through the pane.

29. A window assembly for use in a building, the window assembly comprising:

a pane of material, the pane having a length, height and width;

a plurality of spaced-apart channels in the pane of material and extending substantially across the length of the pane, the channels having an interior surface; and

an opaque or translucent material coating the interior surface of the channels, the channels positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher.

30. An assembly as in claim 29 wherein the channels are additionally filled with the material.