FR2503782A1 - Double-glazing window assembly - contains passages which communicate air-gap with outside to prevent internal condensation - Google Patents

Abstract

The double-glazing window comprises at least two panes of glass (3,4) which are sealed to an outer frame and spaced apart e.g. by a moulding (2). The moulding along the top edge of the window frame contains passages (5) which communicate the air-gap (A) between the panes of glass with the outside allowing air in the gap (a) to adapt to changes in temperature and humidity so preventing internal condensation. The passages (5) are pref. capillaries which allow water vapour out of the air-gap but prevent air circulating freely within it.

Description

 The subject of the invention is a manufacturing process and my tagetes multi-wall insulating panels intended in particular for glazing constructions, and the panels obtained.

 The object of the invention relates in particular to the technical sectors of the means of thermal and acoustic insulation, to the construction of buildings, greenhouses ...

 The importance and the interest of the muitiparoi insulating panels used mainly to carry out the glazing of the buildings, are well known, as well in terms of thermal insulation as 1 acoustic insulation. These panels generally consist of at least two plates or two walls fixed or connected at their periphery1 either directly by welding or by means of one or more sealants, or in cooperation with the assembled profile sides forming a frame which is adapted and fixed in the openings of buildings or other openings to be fitted.

 An important drawback of these panels, the design of which is based on the joint sealing between the walls or plates, is frequently found in the fact that on the walls or plates of the panel, condensations are formed which unpleasantly alter the transparency and presentation, and sometimes foams, which cannot be prevented by the adsorbent product, for various reasons, the volume between the walls is no longer sealed. For example, when the plates or walls are welded, ruptures occur in the welds which are fragile when it comes to building closings; or else the singing products lose their effectiveness over time; or the adhesives or seals are permeable when they are attacked by certain oils (in particular paints) or by the solvents that often contain cleaning and wood treatment products. In the latter case, migrations of solvent or of oil are observed through the bonding or sealing product.

 To remedy these drawbacks according to the method and the means of the invention which are set out below, it has been considered that the aforementioned panels delimit at least partially, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings1 separate volumes or separate atmospheres, namely: internal volume (A) between the walls or plates (B and C) and two external atmospheres (D and E) on either side of the walls or plates. Generally, although not necessarily, one of the external atmospheres is outside the premises or structures equipped with panels (Dex), the other atmosphere (-x) being inside said premises or structures.

 There is usually a different humidity level for each internal volume and external environments, and the condensation of humidity (which we want to avoid) in the internal volume, comes on the one hand from the temperature difference between the internal volume and the coldest plate or wall (generally but not necessarily on the side of the external environment), and, on the other hand, the difference in humidity between the internal volume and the external environment which is the coldest (atmosphere on the outside or atmosphere on the inside). There is no condensation when the internal volume and the external atmospheres are in balance of temperatures and pressures.

 According to the invention and its method, it was desired, depending on the case and the circumstances, to prevent, minimize or delay the formation of condensation and possibly of foams. For this purpose, provision has also been made for the production of multi-wall panels according to the invention, comprising at least one plate or wall made of plastic or synthetic material, which is itself constituted by two walls joined by spacers forming a multiplicity of cellular intervals. longitudinal between the walls. A double wall plate of this kind, often called "PDP is known in the trade, in particular the double wall plate extruded in polycarbonate under the registered trademark" MAKROLON ". It then arises in this case not only the problem of condensation or foam between single or double wall plates, but also the problem of condensation in the cell structure of the double wall plate (s).

 The method according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks and it is characterized in the first place in that, during the assembly and fixing of the plates or walls, in particular by direct welding or with a metal spacer, or by means of products or sealants, or even by means of profiles, according to techniques known per se, at least one and generally several outlets with a unidirectional effect towards the outside are formed, between the internal volume between the plates or walls and one of the external atmospheres on the panel, chosen taking into account the differences in temperature and humidity.

 Another characteristic of the invention lies in the fact that when the plates or walls are assembled and fixed by direct welding or with an intermediate metal spacer, or else by means of one or more sealants or sealants. sealing, or even using assembled profiles forming a frame, we form, in the interface or in the Interfaces between on the one hand the plates or walls and, on the other hand, the welds, spacer, products this sealing, profiles , ..., the evacuations at the upper part and preferably in the upper corners or near the upper corners of the panels, these evacuations being of the capillary type allowing the escape to the external atmosphere, vapors from water, solvent or other vapors which may be in the internal vclume, by the effect of pressure differences between said internal volume and the external environment without the possibility of an effect of air circulation or re-entry of vapor from the outdoor atmosphere rne up to the Internal volume.

 According to another characteristic, the evacuations of the capillary type with unidirectlonnel effect towards outside, are arranged by placing, during the assembly and the fixing of the plates, thin tubes whose hollow section allows only the escape of vapors.

 According to another characteristic, the evacuations of the capillary type with unidirectional effect towards the outside, are provided by allowing, during the assembly and fixing of the plates, to remain in the interface or interfaces between the faces of the plate. finding on the ambient side towards the outside or inside of the room as the case may be, and the corresponding contact faces of the spacers, or sealants or frame profiles, several fractions of contact surfaces not coated or bonded by means of the sealant, so that these interruptions forming non-watertight locations constitute the capillary-type outlets with a unidirectional effect allowing the vapors to escape.

 According to another characteristic of the process, at least one double-walled plate is used to constitute the purlin, and, before the said plate is assembled and fixed, the ends of the walls are perforated on the side of the wall. cellular recesses, the perforations opening into the internal volume of the panel, establishing for each cellular recess, in confusion with the capillary type evacuations with a uni-directional effect towards the outside, a relative circulation of air preventing all or for the essential the formation of condensation.

 These characteristics and others will emerge from the description cyl follows.

To set the subject of the invention, without however limiting it, in the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 schematically illustrates the internal volume formed between the two parcels or plates of a panel, and the environments external to this panel, on either side of the walls, with condensation against one of the walls, due to temperature differences and hygrometric degrees.

 Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 show in section the main known types of assembly of the plates or walls of panels executed according to the invention with one of the outlets with unidirectional effect towards the outside, in the form of 'a thin tube of the capillary type whose dimension has been exaggerated for clarity of the drawings.

 FIG. 7 shows, in a front view with a section in height, a panel of the type illustrated in FIG. 6, for which assembled profiles are used forming a frame in which the walls or plates are maintained and fixed, with thin capillary type tubes mounted in the corners for evacuation to the outside.

 Figure 8 shows a partial front view, and in section considered along line 8-8 of Figure 9 a panel of the type illustrated in Figure 6 using assembled profiles forming a frame in which are held and fixed the walls or plates, with uncoated contact surfaces forming interruptions which constitute unidirectional outlets to the outside.

 Figures 9 and 10 show, on a much larger scale, cross sections considered along lines 9-9 and 10-10 of Figure 8.

 The figure it shows by an overall perspective view, with partial sections and sections, an embodiment of an insulating panel according to the invention comprising a double wall squeegee.

 FIG. 12 is, on a much larger scale, a partial plan view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

 Figure 13 is also on a large scale, a cross-sectional view, with interruption in height, considered along line 13-13 of Figure 11.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, we de
now written under non-limiting elms of realization
glossy in the figures of the drawings.

Illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, by way of example, different
types of multi-wall panels that can be fitted with outlets
with unidirectional effect towards the outside according to the procedure of 1 '
invention.

In Figure 2, we see the upper part of a panel (PA)
composed of two walls (Pa - Pb) made integral by any means with a metal profile or spacer (Pc) forming a frame
internal; the peripheral space between the walls, outside
of said frame being filled with sealant (Pd).

In Figure 3, we see the upper part of a panel (PB)
composed of two walls (Pe - PS) between which, near the pe
riphery is arranged a flexible barrier (P) soaked with product
desiccant, and a sealant (Ph) is applied between
the walls outside the barrier (Pg).

In Figure 4, we see the upper part of a panel (PC)
composed of two walls (Pi - Pj) kept spaced apart by a frame
(Pk) consisting of a metal section of U-section which is
welded against the walls; the internal space between the walls being filled with a neutral gas.

In Figure 5, we see the upper part of a panel (PD)
composed of two spaced walls (Pi - Pm) one of which has a peripheral periphery (Pr) offset to be applied by welding
on another wall; the internal space between the walls being filled with a neutral gas.

In Figure 6 we see a panel (1) of the type which made the
, and previous patent filings of which the Depositing Company is also the holder. The panel (1) is composed of a frame (2) of general U-shaped section with a central block (2a) delimiting between it and the wings (2b) spaces in which the insulation walls (3 - 4) are engaged. ).

In all of these embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, we want to insert unidirectional effect evacuations of the capillary tube type (b) which are preferably, but not limited to the number of them, each being arranged in the upper part of a panel and yuan. an angle as best seen in Figure J. tr tubes generally have a hollow section of the order of 4 to 6 / 10ths of a millimeter
and are made of semi-rigid material or material to be able to be bent without closing off. The dimension of the hollow section is calculated by experience to allow only the passage from the interior space between the walls towards the outside of the walls, water, solvent and other vapors, but not in reverse.

 Care is taken when mounting that the ends of the tubes (5) clearly protrude beyond the frame (2) so as not to be blocked by sealants or the like.

 In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the evacuations of the capillary type with a unidirectional effect towards the outside of the panel, are provided while allowing to remain, during the assembly of the walls or plates (3 - 4) with the frame. profile (2>, in the interface or interfaces between the faces of the plate or wall located on the ambient side towards the outside or inside of the room, and the corresponding contact faces of the spacers or products of sealing, or profiles of the frame, several fractions (F) of contact surfaces not coated or bonded by means of the sealing or joining product, so that these interruptions forming non-watertight locations constitute the capillary-type discharges b effect unidirectional ensuring the escape of vapors but not vice versa, the introduction of particles into the space between the walls.

 Preferably, but not limited to, the interruptions (F) are made as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, that is to say with fractions (F1 - F2) located near the upper corners of the panel, which put in communication , as illustrated in FIG. 10, the internal volume (A) and an uncoated strip (G) which extends between the external wing (2bl) and the plate (3), on the side of the external atmosphere with which metPmmunication the internal volume. A fraction or interruption is formed in the center at (F3) to connect the uncoated strip (G) and the external atmosphere. The interruption (F3) is formed for example by stopping the border or junction cord (H) which is deposited along the edges of the profile wings and of the adjacent plate or wall.

 As can still be seen in particular in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, whether the outlets with a unidirectional effect towards the outside are thin tubes or non-watertight interruptions, filtration is provided in the form of a thin pad, of thin sheet of felt, cotton , filaments or other materials or materials allowing vapors to circulate but preventing passage to the internal volume or space (A), dust, micro-particles and other similar elements. We see in particular in Figures 8 and 9 a thin sheet / filtration placed in front of the interruption (F3). A plug in the capillary tubes (5) has not been illustrated for clarity of the drawings.

 According to another embodiment illustrated without limitation in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the insulating panel (7) is of the type comprising a profiled frame (8) whose space grooves (8a) receive the insulation walls which are formed in this case, a plate (9) made of glass or similar material and a plate (10j of plastic or synthetic material known commercially under the name "PDP" (double wall plate). This PDP plate "is formed two walls (10a - lob) joined by spacers (10c) defining a plurality of cellular intervals (10d) preferably oriented in the vertical direction or direction of flow.

 To avoid the phenomenon of condensation in the cell structure and ensure the evacuation of vapors, it is planned before mounting and fixing each "PDP" on the frame, to perforate the face of said plate located inside of the panel, and preferably near the upper and lower ends of the plate (10), so that there is for each interval (10d) or cell, an upper orifice (lOe) and a lower orifice (10f) opening in the interior volume of the panel.

 These orifices or perforations can be produced in any known manner, for example by cookie cutter, heated metal tips, etc. They must be fine enough not to harm the solidity of the "PDP" plate, but executed neatly so not to be blocked. On the other hand, the outer face of the plate "P D P" must remain intact.

 As can be clearly seen in Figure II in particular, this creates an air circulation between the cells and the interior volume which avoids, minimizes or delays the formation of condensation and other deposits.

 Of course, the perforations (10th - 10f) are complementary to the unidirectional capillary type evacuations (tubes or sealing interruptions) and the "PDP" plate can be placed either on the interior side of the room to be insulated or on the exterior side, depending on use cases.

 Generally speaking, if there is a temperature equilibrium between the atmospheres on either side of the insulation panel, the volume between the insulation walls must be brought into communication with the coldest ambience on average . For example, in temperate countries, for the openings of constructions, the volume will be communicated between the walls with the atmosphere outside the building. In the case of premises containing a cold room, the volume will be communicated between the walls inversely with the interior atmosphere of the building.

 The advantages clearly emerge from the description, it is emphasized in particular - Elimination of all the difficulties linked to the permeability of the sealants.

 r Elimination of difficulties linked to the manufacture of waterproof panels.

- Suppression of control operations.

- Significant reduction in the manufacturing cost due to the fact that we remove desiccants, neutral gas and controls and only gold. decreases the amount of sealant.

- Possible use of plates or walls even very permeable to water vapor without affecting the quality of the transparency and the durability of the panel.

- Lower insurance costs for manufacturers.

 It is emphasized that the subject of the invention considered as a process or products, and / that it emerges from the description and the claims, applies equally to panels which are assemblies produced separately and which are then adapts and fixes in the fixed or mobile openings of the buildings or other openings to be fitted, only to the panels which are executed, mounted, in situ in the said openings, for example when one or more plates or walls (single or PDP) near the plate or walls (single or PDP) already fitted to the openings, leaving one or more gaps (internal volume) between the said plates or walls.

 The invention is in no way limited to that of its modes of application any more than to those of the embodiments of its various parts which have been more particularly indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS one or more sealants or sealants, or even using assembled profiles forming a frame, this process being characterized in that, during the assembly and fixing of the plates or walls (3 - 4) in particular by the 'one of the aforementioned means, at least one and generally several evacuations (5 - Fi - F2 - F3) with unidirectional effect towards the outside are formed, between the internal volume (A) between the plates or walls (3 - 4 ) and one of the atmospheres external to the panel, chosen taking into account the differences in temperatures and hygrometric degrees. -1- Process for manufacturing and mounting multi-wall insulating panels intended in particular for glazing constructions, and the panels obtained which are carried out with at least two plates or walls fixed or connected at their periphery either directly by welding or with a spacer metallic intermediate, or with F3) at the upper part and preferably at the upper corners or near the upper corners of the panels, these capillary type pond evacuations allow exhaust to the external environment, vapors of water, solvent or other vapors which can be in the internal volume by the effect of pressure difference between the said internal volume and the external environment, without the possibility of air circulation or vapor re-entry effect from the tern environment, up to 'to the internal volume. -2- A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when lson assembles and that lton fixes the plates or walls by direct welding or with an intermediate metal spacer, or by means of one or more sealants or sealants, or again by using assembled profiles forming a frame, the plates or walls are formed in the interface or in the interfaces between, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the welds, spacers, sealants, profiles,. .., the evacuations SS - F1 - F2 -3- A method according to any one of claims 5.es 2 and 2, characterizes in that the capillary type evacuations has eCf- and unffi-directional towards the outside, are threatened by placing, during the assembly and Fixing plates, thin tubes (8) lont 1 hollow section allows only the exhaust vapors.  @es spacers, or products of s @ ement or profiles of the frame, several fractions' F1 - F2 - FJG) contact surfaces not coated or linked by means of the sealing pro ut so that these interruptions forming the non-watertight locations, constitute evacuations; u capillary type with unidirectional effect allowing the escape of vapors.    Method according to any one 4-2S revenginations 1 and 2, characterized in that the capillary type outlets with unidirectional effect towards the outside, are maged by l @ issant subsist, during the assembly and the fixing of the plates, in the interface cu 12S interfaces between es aces Jo the plate being located on the ambient side towards the outside or inside inside the local as the case may be, and the corresponding contact faces As far as non-watertight interruptions, a buffer r or a thin sheet (60 of felt, cotton, filaments or other materials or materials allowing the vapors to circulate and preventing the passage to the internal volume, of dust, insects, or micro-particle. -5- A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, @, characterized in that one places in the outlets a directional outward, both in the form of tubes -6- A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterized in that one uses to form the panel, at least one double wall plate (10) and, before mounting and fixing of the said plate, we perfone, on the side of the wall (10a) inside the panel, the ends of the cell recesses, the perforations (10e - 10f) opening in the internal volumes (10d) of the panel, establishing for each cell recess, in conjunction with the capillary type evacuations with a unidirectional effect towards the outside (5 - Fl - F2 - F3G), a relative air circulation preventing wholly or essentially the formation of condensation.  -i- A method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4,:, characterized in this street the hollow section of the tubes: in: (5) the thickness of the non-watertight interruptions (F1 - F2 - F3 ), the by orations (10th - 10f) of the louble puroi plates, have an imitation of the order of 4 to b tenths of a millimeter.