GB1169556A - Window Structure - Google Patents

Abstract

1,169,556. Multiglazed units. LITHONIA LIGHTING Inc. 19 Aug., 1966, No. 3543/69. Divided out of 1169555. Heading E1R. [Also in Division H1] The specification relates to heat absorbing windows for air-conditioned buildings. Fig. 1 (not shown) illustrates part of a building with concrete floor containing air conditioning ducts (outlet 25) and the heat absorbing windows 20. Each window, at ceiling level, is connected to a first stage cooling circuit by ducts 27, 28 (typical operating temperature 65-75‹F) and, at floor level, is connected to a second stage circuit by ducts 30, 31 (T= 85-90‹F). Fig. 2 shows a window 20 with outward facing glass 33 and similar inward facing panel 35. The inner panel 75 is cooled by a cascade 2-stage Peltier cooler the sections of which are electrically in parallel. Heat is rejected at junctions 50 to a series of spaced copper strips 39 which terminate in fins 46 immersed in the first stage coolant. The cooler may be energised via conductor 49, 57 by a Seebeck generator structurally carried by a panel 32 of I.R. absorbing glass in the centre of the window. The absorbing junctions 43' of the generator may be blackened for more efficient operation. Heat from the generator is rejected to a metallic film 52 which also receives heat for the I.R. absorbent panel 32. This heat is rejected to the second stage coolant via fins 54. An A.C. energised heater 58 is provided on the inside of the outer panel for occasions when the light-heat input to the generator is inadequate. An electroluminescent film and a photo-conductive film may replace the heater to give supplemental heat and to modify the light through the window. To avoid using the heater with the consequent risk of bending the window, D.C. may be fed to the leads, between the Peltier and Seebeck devices (in parallel with the generator output). The I.R. absorbing panel 32 in the centre of the window divides the structure into two zones; the air space 34 between the panel 32 and the outer panel 33 may reach a temperature of 200‹F whereas the air space 36 between the center and inner panels 32, 35 is cooler, the interior of the inner panel being kept at 75‹F.