Thermally insulating multipane glazing structure

• US 5,784,853 A
• Filed: 07/08/1996
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benjamin E. Rich
• Original Assignee: Southwall Technologies, Inc. (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Inventors: Hood, Thomas G., Millar, Peter J., Iles, Roger F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilkens, Kevin D.
• Application Number:
  US08/676,816
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 52/202, 52/203, 52/204.5, 52/204.53, 52/204.57, 52/204.591, 52/204.6, 52/308, 52/786.1, 52/786.11, 52/786.13, 52/788.1
• US Class Current: 52/786.13
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/54 Slab-like translucent elements floors for transmitting light E04B5/46; translucent or open-work ceilings E04B9/32, E04B9/34; translucent roof coverings E04D3/06, E04D3/28
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2003/6638 with coatings
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66323 comprising an interruption of the heat flow in a direction perpendicular to the unit
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets
• 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

Abstract

Multipane, insulating glazing structures having exceptional thermal insulation performance are provided. The multipane structures comprise two substantially parallel rigid glazing sheets spaced apart by an interior spacer which includes a physically stable body of low thermal conductivity, closed cell, foamed polymer.

Claims

1. A multipane window glazing structure comprising three substantially parallel sheets of glazing held in spaced adjacent relationship to each other by peripheral spacers, the first and third of said three sheets of glazing being rigid glass or plastic and representing exterior faces of said structure and the second of said three sheets of glazing being a flexible transparent plastic sheet contained on the interior of said structure, the peripheral spacer between the first and second sheets of glazing comprised of a body of a physically stable closed cell foam polymer having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.8 BTU/in×

ft² ×

hr×

°

F. extending around the periphery of the first and second glazing sheets and adhered to an additional spacer body having a hollow cross-sectional tubular structure which also extends around the periphery of the first and second glazing sheets, said additional spacer body being formed from a material other than physically stable closed cell foam polymer, said additional spacer body and said closed cell foam body together sized to span the spaced relationship between the first and second sheets of glazing with one of said closed cell foam body and said additional spacer body being adhered to the first glazing sheet and the other of said closed cell foam body and said additional spacer body being adhered to the second glazing sheet.

2. The multipane window glazing structure of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the closed cell foamed polymer is less than about 0.5 BTU/in×

ft² ×

hr×

°

F.

3. The multipane window glazing structure of claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the closed cell foamed polymer is less than about 0.2 BTU/in×

ft² ×

hr×

°

F.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of foamed polycarbonate, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyphenylene oxide and foamed polyvinyl chloride.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the polymer has a density of from about 3.0 lb/ft³ to about 25 lb/ft³.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible transparent plastic sheet is a flexible plastic film which carries a wavelength-selective, reflective coating on one of its surfaces.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the plastic film is comprised of polyethylene terephthalate.

8. The multipane glazing structure of claim 1 additionally comprising a peripheral seal surrounding and enclosing the edges of said sheets and the spacers, said peripheral seal comprising (a) a layer of curable sealant adhered to the edges of the sheets of glazing and to the outer surface of the spacers, and (b) a continuous gas-impermeable tape adhered to and overlaying said layer of sealant.

9. The multipane glazing structure of claim 8, wherein the sealant is a polyurethane.

10. The multipane glazing structure of claim 9, wherein the polymer has a density of at least about 3.0 lb/ft³.

11. The multipane glazing structure of claim 1, wherein a gas selected to reduce heat transfer is contained and enclosed within said structure.

12. The multipane glazing structure of claim 11, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of krypton, argon, sulfur hexafluoride, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

13. The multipane glazing structure of claim 11 wherein said gas further contains oxygen in an amount of about 1.0 to 10% by volume.