JPH04250285A - Unit structural body fitted with insulating window glass, and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve thermal conductivity at the place of the edge of a low thermal conducting spacer assembly for an insulating glazing unit. CONSTITUTION: In the low thermal conducting spacer assembly 150 having a type that a plurality of glass sheets 12, 14 are separated and maintained by an edge assembly 152 giving a sealing chamber 18, into which a gas is introduced, between these sheets, the edge assembly has a U-shaped spacer 158 while being bound together with the glass sheets, and a diffusion path having large gas diffusion resistance is formed into the formed chamber. The edge assembly has an RES value of at least 10. A pair of the glass sheets are given and a separating member having resiliency, a sealing material and a moisture permeable desiccant-containing material are selected. These member and materials are assembled, and the low thermal conducting spacer assembly having the RES value of at least 10 and having the edge assembly having the long diffusion path is formed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an insulating unit structure, a part for an insulating window glass fitting unit structure, and a method for manufacturing the same, and particularly relates to a part for an insulating unit structure, an insulating window glass fitting unit structure, and a method for manufacturing the same. The invention relates to an insulating glazing unit having a flexible edge, i.e. a folding body which provides the unit with a high resistance to heat flow at the edge of the unit. [Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] It is well recognized that insulating glazing unit structures reduce heat transfer between the outside and inside of a house or other structure. It is being A commonly used measure of insulation value is the "U value." U value is unit temperature (°F) per hour (Hr) and unit area (square foot) (Ft2).
It is measured in British thermal units (BTU), (BTU/Hr・Ft2・°F). It is recognized that the lower the U value, the better the thermal insulation of the unit structure, ie the greater the resistance to heat flow and the less heat is conducted through the unit structure. Dew. Another measure of insulation value is the "R value", which is the reciprocal of the U value. Yet another measure is the resistance to heat flow (RES), expressed in Hr·°F/BTU of one inch around the unit structure, or (Hr·°F/BTU/in). Conventionally, the insulation property given to an insulating unit structure, for example, the U value, is the U value measured at the center of the unit structure.
It was a value. Recently, it has been recognized that the U value of the edge of a unit structure must be considered separately to determine the overall thermal performance of the unit structure. For example, a unit structure with a low center U value but a high edge U value may exhibit no moisture condensation in the center of the unit structure during the winter, but may exhibit condensation or water condensation at the edges of the unit structure near the frame. can even produce thin ice lines. Condensation or ice at the edges of the unit structure indicates that heat is being lost through the unit structure and/or frame, ie, the edges have a large U-value. If water from condensation or melting ice runs down from the unit structure into the wood frame, the wood will rot if not maintained. Also,
A large temperature difference between the warm center and the cold edge can increase the stress on the edge and cause the glass to break. The U value of framed and unframed unit structures and methods for determining it are discussed in more detail in the section entitled "Description of the Invention." For many years, the structural materials and designs used to manufacture insulating glazing units and frames have been improved to provide framed units with low U-values. Ta. Several types of unit structures currently available and selected thigh center and edge U values are discussed in the following description. Among others, P. J. Kovacik
) et al., filed on January 22, 1990, PP
``Method and Apparatus for Bonding the Edges of Glass Sheets, One of which Has a Conductive Coating, and Articles Manufactured Therewith'' assigned to G Industries, Inc.
ofand Apparatus for Joini
ng Edges of Glass Sheets,
One of Which Has an Elec
troconductive coating and
the article made thereby
．． ), U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/
468,039, (1) edges of glass sheets welded together, (2) low emissivity coating on one sheet, and (
3) An insulating glass edge unit is taught that features argon in the space between the sheets. The unit structure taught therein has a measured center U of approximately 0.25
and a measured edge U value of approximately 0.55. Although this type of insulating unit structure is acceptable, there are limitations. For example, special equipment is required to heat and fuse the edges of the glass sheets together, and tempered glass is not used in the manufacture of this unit structure. US Pat. No. 4,807,439 teaches an insulating unit structure commercially available from PPG Industries, Inc. under the trademark SUNSEAL. This unit structure has a pair of glass sheets spaced approximately 1.14 cm (0.45 inches) apart around an organic solid, with air admitted into the chamber between the sheets. A unit structure so constructed has a measured center U value of about 0.35 and a measured center U value of about 0.59.
It is considered to have an edge U value of . Providing an insulating gas, e.g., argon, in the unit structure will reduce the U value of the center and edges, but over time the argon will diffuse through the organic solid and reduce the U of the center and edges. will increase the value to the previously mentioned value. The unit structure of US Pat. No. 4,831,799 has an organic solid and a gas barrier coating, sheet or film around the periphery of the unit structure to maintain argon within the unit structure. It is supposed to be done. The thermal performance of this unit structure is discussed in column 5 of that patent. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,431,691 and 4,87
Each of the No. 3,803 patents teaches a unit structure having a pair of glass sheets separated by a binding body having organic beads embedded therein. Although the unit structures of these patents have acceptable U values, they have drawbacks. In particular, those unit structures have short lengths of high resistance diffusion paths. The diffusion path is the distance that gas, such as argon, air, or moisture, must travel to enter and exit the chamber between the sheets. The resistance of the diffusion path is determined by the permeability, thickness, and length of the material. U.S. Patent No. 4,
No. 831,799, No. 4,431,691, and No. 4,873,803, the unit structures taught include short, high resistance diffusion paths between the metal strip or separator and the glass sheet. have The remainder of the binding body has a long length diffusion path of low resistance. US Pat. No. 3,919,023 discloses a binding structure for an insulating unit structure that provides a long length diffusion path of high resistance that is used to minimize argon losses. taught. A limitation of the binding body of this patent is the use of a metal band around the outer periphery of the unit structure. Since this metal strip conducts heat around the edge of the unit structure, this unit structure is considered to have a large edge U value. Although it is said that the influence of the frame U value on the U value of the window edge should be taken into account, a detailed consideration of frames with low U values is omitted. Because the present invention has low center and edge U values, is easy to manufacture, does not have the limitations or disadvantages of currently available insulating glazing unit structures, and can be used with any frame structure. This is because the present invention relates to an insulating window glass fitting unit structure that can be used for. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an insulating unit structure having a pair of glass sheets separated by a folding body to provide a gas-filled sealed chamber between the sheets. The binding body is structurally sound, maintaining the glass sheets isolated and fixed, yet subject to some degree of thermal expansion and It has an isolation member that accommodates contraction. A diffusion channel, e.g. a long thin diffusion channel, which is resistant to the gases in the room is provided between the separator and the glass sheet, and the bounding solid is determined using the ANSYS program and the unit It has large RES values at the edges of the structure. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an insulating unit structure. The method includes the steps of providing a binding body between a pair of glass sheets and providing a chamber between them. The binding solid is manufactured as follows. a pair of glass sheets, a structurally resilient separator, an encapsulant material, and a desiccant-containing material to provide a mating solid with a large RES and long, narrow diffusion paths as determined using the ANSYS program. Select moisture permeable materials. The glass sheets, standoff members, encapsulant materials, and desiccant-containing materials are assembled and measured using the ANSYS program to provide an insulating unit structure with high RES at the edges. Preferred insulating unit structures of the invention have an environmental coating, such as a low emissivity coating, on at least one sheet surface. An adhesive sealant on each of the outer surfaces of the separator member having a "U-shaped" cross section secures the sheet to the separator member. A strip of moisture permeable adhesive with a desiccant agent is provided on the inner surface of the isolation member. The invention further relates to isolation members that can be used in insulating unit structures. The isolation member may include a structurally resilient core, such as a moisture/gas impermeable film, such as a metal film, or polyvinylidene chloride or polyvinylidene fluoride, or polyvinyl chloride, or polytrichlorofluoroethylene. Plastic cores having halogenated polymeric films such as halogenated polymeric films are included. [0015] Additionally, the separator member has structural resilience and moisture/gas impermeability properties such as polyvinylidene chloride or polyvinylidene fluoride, or halogenated polymeric materials including polyvinylidene chloride or polytrichlorofluoroethylene. may be entirely made of a polymeric material having both. The present invention also relates to a strip for forming into isolation member stock for use in the manufacture of insulating unit structures. The strip contains moisture and/or moisture that is fixed on the surface of the substrate.
A metal substrate with a bead of gas permeable adhesive is included. The metal substrate after being formed into a standoff stock, eg, a U-shaped standoff stock, can withstand greater compressive forces than the beads. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a U-shaped standoff stock used to manufacture standoff frames for insulating unit structures. The method involves passing a metal substrate having a bead of moisture and/or gas permeable adhesive disposed on one surface between a pair of spaced forming rollers, and passing the metal substrate around the bead. and forming the separator stock into a standoff member stock having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, such as a U-shaped cross-section. The invention furthermore relates to a separator frame for an insulating unit structure, having grooves defining opposite outer side surfaces and having at least one continuous corner, and a method for manufacturing the same. . The method includes the steps of: providing sufficient pieces of standoff stock to produce a frame of a predetermined size; bending opposing surfaces of standoff stock inwardly while bending the standoff stock in its recesses; The process includes bending and forming continuous corners. The process of forming a continuous corner is repeated until the ends are sealed together, for example by welding. [Description of the present invention] In the following description, the same numbers refer to similar members, and the unit structure is described as having two glass sheets, but as shown in FIG. Those skilled in the art will recognize that unit structures with multiple sheets are also contemplated. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, four general types of conventional binding bodies used in the manufacture of insulating glazing unit structures are shown. The unit structure 10 of FIG. 1 has a pair of glass sheets 12 and 14 separated from each other by a binding body 16, with a chamber 18 provided between the sheets. The binding body 16 has a hollow metal isolation member 20 containing a desiccant material 22 for absorbing moisture in the chamber, the isolation member having holes 23 (not shown in FIG. 1) that communicate the desiccant material with the chamber. (only one shown). marriage solid 16
further includes an adhesive type sealant 24, for example silicon, in the lower portion of the isolation member 20 as seen in FIG.
0 and the glass sheet together, and on top of the isolation member 20 is a seal 25, such as a butyl seal, to prevent insulating gas from entering the chamber 18. Unit structure 10
The binding solid 16 is made of cardinal glass (Cardi).
U.S. Pat. No. 2,768,475; No. 3,919,023; No. 3,974,823;
No. 4,520,611 and No. 4,780,164
It is also similar to the insulating unit structures taught in No. 1, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. The unit structure 30 in FIG.
and 14, the edges of which are welded together at 32 to provide a chamber 18. One of the glass sheets, for example sheet 12, has a low emissivity coating 34. The unit structure 30 shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured by PPG Industries, Inc. under the trade name OptimEdge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,539;
, 350,515, and the above-mentioned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 2, filed January 22, 1990. 07/
468,039 (whose teachings are included here for reference). With respect to FIG. 3, there is shown US Pat.
1,799, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, are shown. Unit structure 50 has glass sheets 12 and 14 separated by a tie body 52 to provide chamber 18 . The binding body 52 includes a moisture permeable foam material 54 having a desiccant 56 disposed therein to absorb moisture in the chamber 18, and a moisture permeable foam material 54 to prevent moisture in the air from entering the chamber 18. A moisture-impermeable seal 58 and a gas barrier coating, sheet, or film 60 between the foam material 54 and the seal 58 to prevent insulating gas from entering the chamber 18 . A unit structure similar to unit structure 50 is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
, No. 807,419, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 4 shows US Pat. No. 4,431,69
1 and 4,873,803, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. The unit structure 70 includes glass sheets 12 and 1 separated by a binding solid body 72.
4, giving a chamber 18. The binding body 72 has a moisture permeable adhesive 74 having a desiccant material 76 and a metal member 78 therein. Before teaching the fabrication of the insulating unit structures of the present invention, particularly the interlocking bodies, it is appropriate to fully understand the invention to consider heat transfer through insulated unit structures. I think that the. In the following discussion, U-values will be used to compare or estimate the resistance to heat transfer, ie, heat flow through a glazing unit structure, which reduces heat loss. As recognized by those skilled in the art, the lower the U value, the lower the heat transfer, and the higher the U value, the higher the heat transfer. The U value of the insulating unit structure can be determined by the following formula. (1) Ut=(Ac/At)Uc+(Ae/At)
Ue+(Af/At)Uf where U is the amount of heat in British Thermal Units (BTU/Hr·Ft2·°F) transferred in 1 hour at 1°F per square foot. A is the area of the problem in square feet. c indicates the center of the unit structure. e indicates the edge of the unit structure. f indicates a frame. t means the sum of all relevant factors. A typical insulating unit 90 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 having glass sheets 12 and 14 separated by a folding body 92 to provide a chamber 18. In FIGS. The binding body 92 is considered a general binding solid for the purposes of this description and is not limited by its design. With particular reference to FIG. 5, for purposes of this description unit structure 90
is the periphery 95 of the unit structure and approximately 7.62 mm from the periphery.
It has an edge region 94, which is the region between the 3.0 in. cm (3.0 in.) position, and a center region 96. The boundary between the edge region 94 and the center region 96 of the unit structure 90 is indicated by a dotted line 98 in FIG. The left half of the unit structure 90 shown in FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7, where numbers have been removed for clarity in the following discussion of heat transfer through the unit structure. . With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, in winter, heat from the interior of an enclosure, e.g.
4 and outward through central region 96. 7, in the central region 96 of the unit structure, the direction of heat flow is generally perpendicular to the isotherm of the major surfaces of the glass sheets 12 and 14, as illustrated by arrowed line 100 in FIG. There is. As it approaches the periphery 95 of the unit structure, the direction of heat flow changes as illustrated by the arrowed line 102, and at the periphery 95 of the unit structure, the direction of the heat flow changes as illustrated by the arrowed line 104.
The direction of heat flow is again perpendicular to the main surface of the glass sheet, as illustrated in . The frame attached around the unit structure affects the flow pattern, especially flow patterns 102 and 104.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the For purposes of this discussion, the effect of the frame on flow patterns 102 and 104 has been omitted, and it is believed that the above discussion is sufficient to provide background for understanding the present invention. Heat flow through the central region 96 of the unitary structure 90 will vary depending on the thermal properties of the sheets 12 and 14 and the distance between them and the gas in the chamber 18. Let us now consider the distance between the sheets, that is, the gap between the chambers. Approximately 0.63~1.27cm (0.250~
Chambers having a spacing of 0.500 inch) are considered acceptable for providing an insulating gas layer, with the preferred spacing depending on the insulating gas used. Krypton gas is preferred at the lower end of the range, and air and argon are preferred at the higher end of the range. Generally 0.63 cm (0.250
in) A spacing smaller than 1.27 cm (0.500 in) is insufficient width, e.g., for air or argon gas to provide a meaningful insulating gas layer; With krypton gas, for example, the flow of gas is sufficiently mobile to cause convection, so that it can be moved between glass surfaces, for example, between glass surfaces facing inside the house and glass surfaces facing outside the house. Heat is transferred between As previously mentioned, heat flow through the unit structure will also vary depending on the type of gas used in the chamber. For example, using a gas with a large thermal insulation value improves the performance of the unit structure, or in other words reduces the U-value of the center and edge regions of the unit structure. For example, argon has a greater thermal insulation value than air, although the invention is not so limited. All other things being equal regarding the structure of the unit structure, the use of argon will lower the U value of the unit structure. Another way to vary the thermal insulation value of the central region is to use sheets with large thermal insulation values and/or sheets with low emissivity coatings. Low emissivity coatings of the type that can be used in the practice of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 0, and No. 4,853,256, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Increasing the number of glass sheets also increases the number of chambers, thereby increasing the insulation effect in the central and edge regions of the unit structure. Next, heat loss in the edge region of the unit structure will be discussed. Regarding FIG. 8, an edge portion of the unit structure 90 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown there. letters A and E
is the point where the heat flow is approximately perpendicular to the glass surface. As one approaches the edge of the unit structure, the glass begins to behave like a surface extending to the edge, causing the heat streamlines 100 to curve or bend at the edge of the unit structure, as exemplified by numeral 102 in FIG. . This bending occurs at the edge region 94 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Between letters B and D,
Heat flow is primarily constrained by the fins 92 rather than by the glass at the edges of the unit structure. Regarding FIG. 9, curve 120
, 130, and 140 show the edge heat losses for different types of binding solids. FIG. 9 should not be interpreted as an absolute relationship, but as a general guide to better understand heat flow through a binding solid. Curve 120 illustrates the heat loss conditions for aluminum isolation members commonly used in the manufacture of binding bodies having high thermal conductivity, such as those of the type shown in FIG. Curve 130 illustrates the heat loss conditions for a bracket having a lower thermal conductivity than a bracket using aluminum isolation members, such as a bracket having a plastic isolation member similar in construction to the bracket shown in FIG. ing. Line 140 illustrates edge heat loss conditions for a glass edge unit of the type shown in FIG. Although it is contemplated that an interlocking solid having features of the present invention will provide heat loss conditions similar to curve 140 and within the shaded area between curves 130 and 140, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is not something that will be done. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the curve condition for the aluminum separator represented by curve 120 indicates that the aluminum separator at the edge of the unit structure (between points A and C) has very little resistance to heat flow. It provides no resistance and thus provides a cooler edge on the surface of the unit structure inside the house. The curve condition for an organic, e.g. polymeric, separator represented by curve 130 shows that the organic separator has a greater resistance to heat flow, provides a warmer glass surface inside the house, and provides a warmer glass surface at the edges of the unit structure. This has been shown to result in reduced heat loss. This is particularly illustrated by curve 130 between points A and C. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, welded glass sheet edges provide more resistance than a metal standoff assembly, but less resistance than a plastic tie. The temperature distribution between points A and C of the edge-welded unit structure is represented by line 140 which lies between lines 120 and 130 between points A and C in the graph of FIG. [0032] The heat losses for interlocking bodies using metal separators, especially aluminum separators, are greater than for glass. This is because aluminum separators have greater thermal conductivity (aluminum is a better conductor than glass or organic materials). The effect of the high thermal conductivity of the aluminum separator is also evident at point D, where the aluminum separator curve 120 experiences a higher temperature at the outer surface of the unit structure than curve 140 or curve 130. It shows that it has. The heat to maintain the higher temperature at D for the aluminum separator was conducted from inside the house, so at the edges of the unit structure, the edges of the unit structure with glass or organic separators This results in greater heat loss than the composite solids of the present invention, as discussed in detail below. [0033] The heat loss of a bracket with organic separators is less than that of a bracket with metal separators or welded glass. This is because the thermal conductivity of organic separators is lower. The effect of the lower thermal conductivity of the organic separator is illustrated by line 130 at point D, at which point it is at a lower temperature than the glass and metal separators, reducing heat passing through the organic separator. It is illustrated that the conduction losses are lower than for glass and metal separators. Units exhibiting large edge heat losses are subject to the formation of a thin layer of condensation or ice on the inside of the unit at the frame on very cold days. This ice or condensate may exist even if there is no moisture in the core of the unit structure. As discussed above, a unit structure with argon in the chamber and a polymeric conjugate has a low initial U value, but the U value increases as time passes. This is because polymeric separators cannot hold argon as a general rule. An additional film as taught in US Pat. No. 4,831,799 is required to maintain the argon. The disadvantage of the unit structure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,799 is that
As discussed above, the film has short diffusion paths. Argon retention can be improved by material selection. For example, HB Fuller 1191, HB Fuller 1081A, and PPG Industries 444
2-butyl sealant retains argon better than most polyurethane adhesives. Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an insulating unit structure 150 having a folding body 152 having features of the present invention.
is shown separating glass sheets 12 and 14 to provide a chamber 18. The binding body 152 has a moisture and/or gas impermeable adhesive-type sealant layer 154 for adhering the glass sheets 12 and 14 to the sides 156 of the metal standoff member 158 . The sealant layer 154 acts as a barrier to moisture and/or gases entering the unit structure, and serves to prevent gases, such as argon, from exiting the chamber 22. With respect to the loss of fill gas from the unit structure during use, the length of the diffusion path and the thickness of the sealant bead should be adjusted such that the fill gas loss rate matches the desired lifetime of the unit structure performance. Select in combination with gas permeability. The capacity of the unit structure to contain the fill gas is measured using the European method designated as DIN 52293. Preferably, the loss rate of fill gas is less than 5% per year, more preferably less than 1% per year. Regarding moisture intrusion into the unit structure,
The shape of the sealant bead is such that the amount of moisture penetrating through the surrounding components (i.e., the sealant bead and the isolation member) can be absorbed into the amount of desiccant within the unit structure over the desired life of the unit structure. selected to be. Preferred adhesive sealants for use in the isolation members of Figures 10 and 11 are ASTM
With F372-73 it should have a moisture transmission rate of less than 20 g mm/m2 day. Transmittance is 5g mm
More preferably, it is less than /m2 days. The relationship between the amount of desiccant in the unit structure and the transmittance of the sealant (and its shape) may be varied depending on the desired overall life of the unit structure. An additional adhesive sealant type layer or structural adhesive layer 155, such as, but not limited to, silicone adhesive and/or hot melt, is applied to the bottom (middle edge) 157 of the isolation member and the glass. It may be provided in the outer circumferential groove of the unit structure formed by the outer end of the sheet. The sealant may be of any type known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,431 (
It will be appreciated that the teachings may be of the type taught in (Incorporated herein for reference) and are not limiting to the present invention. A thin layer 160 of moisture-permeable adhesive 160 having a desiccant 162 therein for absorbing moisture in chamber 18 is applied to the inner surface of bottom side 157 of isolation member 158, as shown in FIG. given above. The desiccant is the base 157 and the same side 1
56 may be placed along the inner surface of the. Adhesive layer 16
Although a permeability of 0.0 is not critical to the present invention, it should be sufficiently permeable to moisture within the chamber 18 to allow the desiccant therein to absorb moisture within the chamber. be. Adhesive materials having a transmittance greater than 2 g mm/m2, as determined by ASTM, F372-73, referred to above, may be used in the practice of the present invention. marriage solid 1
52 has a low thermal conductivity path through the edges, i.e. a high resistance to heat loss, a long diffusion path, and some accommodation for the thermal expansion and contraction that typically occurs in some parts of an insulating glazing unit structure. The unit structure 150 has structural integrity with sufficient structural resiliency to provide a unit structure 150. In order to fully appreciate the great resistance to heat loss of the folded bodies of the present invention, the mechanism of heat conduction through the edges of the insulated unit structure will now be discussed. Heat loss through the edges of the unit structure is a function of the thermal conductivity of the materials used, their physical arrangement, the thermal conductivity coefficients of the frame and surface film. The thermal conductivity coefficient of the surface film is due to the heat transfer from the air to the glass on the warm side of the unit structure and the heat transfer from the glass to the air on the cool side of the unit structure. The surface film thermal conductivity coefficient depends on the weather and environment. Since weather and environment are governed by nature and not by unit structures, further discussion seems unnecessary. The effects of the frame will be discussed later, and now the thermal conductivity of the edge materials of the unit structure and their physical arrangement will be discussed. The resistance of the unit edges to heat loss for an insulating unit structure having sheet material separated by a folding solid is given by equation (2). (2) RHL=G1 +G2 +…+Gn +S1
+S2 +...+Sn In the formula, RHL is unit time (H
r), the heat loss (BT
U) is the resistance (Hr·°F/BTU/in). G is the resistance to heat loss of the sheet (Hr・°F/BT
U/in). S is the resistance to heat loss of the connecting solid (Hr・°F/B
TU/in). In the case of an insulating unit structure having two sheets separated by a single binding solid, equation (2) can be rewritten as equation (3). (3) RHL=G1 +G2 +S1 The thermal resistance of the material is given by equation (4). (4) R=L/KA In the formula, R is thermal resistance (Hr·°F/BTU/in). K is the thermal conductivity (BTU/Hr·in·°F) of the material. L is the thickness of the material measured along the axis parallel to the heat flow (
in). A is the area (in square inches) of the material measured along the axis transverse to the heat flow per unit length (in) of circumference. The thermal resistance of the parts of the interlocking solid lying in a line perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the unit structure is expressed by the formula (5).
) is determined. (5) S=R1 +R2 +...+Rn where S and R are as defined above. When the parts of the folding solid lie along an axis parallel to the main surface of the unit structure, the thermal resistance (S) is defined by the following equation (6). (6) S=1/(1/R1 +1/R2 +...+1
/Rn) where R is as previously presented. Combining equations (3), (5) and (6), the resistance of the edge of the unit structure 150 shown in FIG. 10 to heat flow can be determined by the following equation (7): Will. (7) RHL=R12+R14+2R154 +2
R156 + 1/(
1/R157 +1/R160 +1/R155) where RHL is as defined above. R12 and R14 are the thermal resistances of the glass sheet. R154 is the thermal resistance of the adhesive layer 154. R155 is the thermal resistance of the adhesive layer 155. R156 is the thermal resistance of the outer side 156 of the isolation member 158. R157 is the thermal resistance of the base 157 of the isolation member 158. R160 is the thermal resistance of the adhesive layer 160. Equation (7), which describes the component relationships for determining edge resistance to heat loss, is the approximate method used in standard engineering calculations. Computer programs are available that solve for the exact relationships governing heat flow or resistance to heat flow through the edges of a unit structure. One computer program available is Swanson Analyze Systems, Houston, Pennsylvania.
is Systems Inc. ) available from A
This is the thermal analysis package of the NSYS program. Figure 1~
The ANSYS program was used to determine the resistance to edge heat loss, or U-value, of unit structures similar to those shown in Example 4. Although the edge U value defined above is a measure of the overall effectiveness of the present invention, certain conditions not limited by the present invention, such as film thermal conductivity, glass thickness, and frame construction, depends heavily on Next, we will examine the edge resistance of the bound solid (excluding the glass sheet). The edge resistance of the binding solid is due to the glass and the sealing material layer 1 inside the unit structure.
54 to the interface between the glass and the outer sealant layer 154 of the unit structure, which is defined by the reciprocal of the heat flow per unit temperature rise per circumferential length of the three-dimensional unit. The glass encapsulant interface is assumed to be isothermal for ease of discussion. Support for the above view can be found in, among others, J. L. Wright and H. F. ``Thermal Resistance Measurement of Edge Sealing Parts and Sealing Materials of Window Glass Inset Structures Using a Protective Heating Plate Apparatus'' written by John Sullivan.
ce Measurements of Glazin
g System Edge-Seals and S
eal Materials Using a Gua
rded Heater Plate Apparat
us) (ASHRAE TRANSACTIONS 1
989, V. 95, Pt. 2) can be seen in the paper entitled. In the following description and claims, the factor in question is the resistance to heat flow (RES) of the binding body per unit length of circumference. As mentioned above, ANSY
The RES was determined using the S finite member code (code). The results of the ANSYS calculations depend on the assumed shape of the cross-section of the bound solid and the assumed thermal conductivity of its parts. The shape of such a cross section can be easily measured by examining the solid unit structure. The thermal conductivity or three-dimensional RES value of the part is determined by the ASHRAE value listed above.
It can be measured as shown in TRANSACTIONS. The following thermal conductivity values for three-dimensional materials are given in that document: Principles of He, edited by Frank Kreith.
Other values can be found in the 3rd edition (at Transfer). [Table 1] Materials
Thermal conductivity Butyl
0.24 W/mC
(0.011 BTU/Hr・in・°F) Silicone 0.36 W/mC
(0.017 BTU/Hr・in・°F)
Polyurethane 0.31 W/mC
(0.014 BTU/Hr・in・°F)
304 stainless steel 13.8 W/mC
(0.667 BTU/Hr・in・°F)
Aluminum 202. W/mC
(9.75 BTU/Hr・in・°F) 005
0] The RES calculated for the bound solids of the unit structures in FIGS. 1 to 4 will now be considered. The structure of the binding body 16 of the unit structure 10 of FIG.
0.025 in.) wall thickness, a lateral length of about 1.05 cm (0.415 in.) perpendicular to the major surfaces of glass sheets 12 and 14, and a lateral length of about 0.76 cm generally parallel to the major surfaces of glass sheets 12 and 14. (0.3 in)], a butyl adhesive layer 24 having a thickness of approximately 0.008 cm (0.003 in), and a cavity formed by the standoff member (20) and the glass sheets 12 and 14. It has a silicone structural sealant 16 that fills the cavity. ANSYS
When the 3D RES value of the unit structure 10 having the structure discussed above is calculated using a program, it is found that 4.5 mm per inch of outer circumference.
It was 65Hr・°F/BTU. The structure of the binding body 32 of the unit structure 30 in FIG.
It has an edge wall indicated at 32 having a thickness of n). The three-dimensional RES value of the unit structure 30 configured as described above is A.
Calculated using the NSYS program, it was 104 Hr°F/BTU per inch of circumference. The structure of the binding body 52 of the unit structure 50 shown in FIG. 3 consists of a pair of glass sheets 12 and 14 spaced apart by about 1.27 cm (0.50 inch) and having a thickness of about 0.0 cm bonded to the glass surface. It has a .64 cm (0.25 in) desiccant filled foam structural member, an aluminum coated plastic diffusion barrier, and a butyl edge seal approximately 0.64 cm (0.25 in) thick. The aluminum coating between the foam member and the sealant is too thin to be measured accurately. When the three-dimensional RES value of the unit structure 50 configured as described above is calculated using the ANSYS program, it is 104.0 Hr°F/BT per 1 inch of outer circumference.
It was U. A pair of glass sheets 12 and 14 spaced 1.143 cm (0.45 in) apart; a silicone adhesive layer 54 having a thickness of approximately 0.475 cm (0.187 in) with desiccant therein; , about 0.475cm (0.
A unit structure similar to the unit structure 50 of FIG. 3 having a butyl moisture-impermeable sealant 58 having a thickness of 187 in.) is approximately 84.7 Hr°F/BTU per inch of circumference using the ANSYS program. It is expected to have a stereoscopic RES value of . A comparison of the three-dimensional RES values for different configurations of unit structures of the type shown in FIG. 3 is provided to illustrate the effect that material variations and dimensions have on the three-dimensional RES values. The three-dimensional structure of the unit structure 70 of FIG. 4 consists of a pair of glass sheets spaced apart by about 1.143 cm (0.45 in), a distance of about 0.767 cm (0.767 cm) including a desiccant.
312 in.) wide adhesive butyl edge sealant and approximately 0.025 cm (0.010 in.) thick embedded therein.
with aluminum isolation members. When the three-dimensional RES value of the unit structure 70 configured as described above is calculated using the ANSYS program, it is 4.50 per inch of outer circumference.
Hr°F/BTU. [0055] A binding body 150 of the present invention shown in FIG.
The structure consists of a pair of glass sheets approximately 0.47 in. apart, approximately 0.010 in. thick and approximately 0.25 in. thick as shown in FIG.
Moisture and argon impermeable polyisobutylene layer 154 having a height of 64 cm (0.250 in), approximately 0.0 in.
A 304 stainless steel U-shaped groove 156 having a thickness of 18 cm (0.007 in), a middle or base having a width of approximately 1.09 cm (0.430 in) as shown in FIG. Approximately 0.6 as shown
outer sides each having a height of 4 cm (0.250 in);
approximately 0.32 cm (0.125 in) in height and approximately 1.05 cm (0.416 in) as shown in FIG.
A desiccant-impregnated polyurethane layer 160 having a width of , FIG.
Approximately 1.143 cm (0.450 cm) as shown in
The polyurethane second sealant 155 has a width of 1.5 in. and a height of about 0.125 in. A binding solid R of the unit structure 150 configured as described above
When the ES value was calculated using the ANSYS program, it was 79.1 Hr·°F/BTU per inch of outer circumference. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the isolation member of the present invention. The isolation member 163 has a structurally resilient core 164. In the practice of the present invention, the core may be non-metallic and is preferably a polymeric core, such as a glass fiber reinforced plastic U-shaped member 164 having a thin film 165 of insulating gas impermeable material. For example, if air, argon, or krypton is used in the chamber, thin film 165 may be metal. The construction of the gas barrier film as well as the separator is selected such that the unit structure contains a fill gas for the desired unit structure life. In a separator according to FIG. 11 using argon as the fill gas and polyvinylidene chloride as the barrier film, the preferred thickness of the polyvinylidene chloride will be at least 5 mils, and more preferably it will be greater than 10 mils. If a material other than polyvinylidene chloride is used as the barrier film, the appropriate thickness to maintain the fill gas for the desired unit structure life will be adjusted depending on the gas containment properties of the material. Ru. The filling gas retention properties of the unit structure according to the invention are according to the above-mentioned DIN 5229
Measured by 3. In the case of argon, the film 165 is
It may be a 0.000254 cm (0.0001 inch) thick aluminum film or a 0.005 inch thick polyvinylidene chloride film. As used herein, an argon impermeable material has a permeability to argon of less than 5%/year. The present invention includes a core 164 and a thin film layer 165 or several layers 164 and 1 to form a laminated structure.
65 is also taken into account. When an isolation member 163 having an aluminum film is used in place of the isolation member 155 of the unit structure 150 in FIG. 10,
The unit structure 150 in FIG. 10 has a three-dimensional RES value of approximately 1.
It is expected to be 20. This is an approximately 50% increase in the RES value by changing the isolation member to a plastic isolation member with a thin metal coating. Thickness 0.005
When using the isolation member 163 having a polyvinylidene chloride film of 100.degree. C., the unit structure 150 of FIG. The present invention provides isolation member 163 in FIG.
It is also contemplated that the body is made entirely of a polymeric material with moisture/gas impermeable properties. Such isolation member bodies may be reinforced (e.g. glass fiber reinforcement)
but would not include a film barrier (i.e., isolation member 163 would not include a thin film 165). Such polymeric materials include polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychloride, etc. Preferably, it will be a vinyl or halogenated polymeric material including polytrichlorofluoroethylene. Such an isolation member 163 made entirely of polymeric material may be similar to the isolation member of FIG. would have comparable large dimensional RES values. In addition to serving as a barrier to insulating gas in chamber 18, the isolation member of the present invention is structurally sound. "Structurally solid" as used in the claims and claims refers to a state in which the isolation members space the glass sheets apart while allowing local bending of the glass due to changes in air pressure, temperature, and wind pressure. The feature that maintains the glass sheets in a fixed spacing is that when the edges of the unit structure are secured in the glazing frame, the glass sheets do not move appreciably toward each other. This means that the isolating member prevents this from occurring.It is more applicable to the edges of residential unit structures that are attached to wooden frames than to the edges of commercial unit structures that are attached by applying force and fitting into metal curtain wall devices. It will be appreciated that the forces exerted are small. Being able to tolerate local bending means that when installing the type described, the peripheral portion of the glass is not subjected to any movement or movement other than rotation around its edges. This means that the isolation member allows for rotation while being restrained.The degree of structural rigidity is related to the type and thickness of the material.For example, metal may be thinner, while plastic may have the same structure. To be physically robust, it must be thicker or reinforced, such as with glass fibers. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to improve the performance of conventional unit structures. For example, if the isolation members of the unit structure in Figure 1 are replaced with stainless steel isolation members, the three-dimensional RES value will increase from 4.65 to 1 per inch of outer circumference.
It is expected to increase to 8.2 Hr·°F/BTU. If you change the metal thickness from 0.06 cm (0.025 in) to 0.
．． 0127 cm (0.005 inch), the three-dimensional RES value of the unit structure 10 in FIG.
Hr・°F/BTU. If the aluminum strip of the unit structure in Fig. 4 is replaced with a stainless steel strip, the binding solid R
ES value is 4.5 to 44.4Hr per inch of outer circumference.
Increases to °F/BTU. The unit structure 150 of the present invention having the isolation member assembly 152 shown in FIG. 10 is believed to have edge heat losses similar to that of line 140. The unit structure 150 of the present invention having the isolation member assembly 163 shown in FIG. 11 is between lines 130 and 140, but
It is considered to have an edge heat loss close to line 130. Although the binding bodies of the present invention have lower RES values than the RES values of binding bodies with organic separators of the type shown in FIG. 3, the binding bodies of the present invention have distinct advantages. In particular, the separating member is made of metal, gas- and moisture-impermeable plastic, metal-coated plastic core, metal-coated reinforced plastic core,
Gas moisture impermeable film coated plastic core, gas moisture film coated reinforced plastic core and therefore more structurally sound. The length and thickness of the diffusion channel, i.e. the gas- and moisture-impermeable adhesive sealant material, is longer in the unit structure of the present invention, so that when the diffusion channel is filled with the same type of material, The longer and thinner diffusion path of the invention reduces the rate of fill gas loss. The argon gas path connects the adhesive layer 154
(see FIG. 10), whereas in organic separators the diffusion path runs the entire width of the separator surface. In the unit structure of FIG. 3, a metal barrier is provided to reduce argon losses. Metal film coated on plastic or PVDC coated plastic has a short diffusion path of about 0.00254 to 0.007
It has a thickness ranging from 62 cm (0.001 to 0.003 in). The present invention provides long diffusion paths, e.g.
Diffusion paths larger than 0.0762 cm (0.003 in), and thin diffusion paths, e.g.
n) having a thinner diffusion path. The unit structure shown in FIG. 10 has a diffusion path length of approximately 0.64 cm (0.250 inch) and a diffusion path thickness of approximately 0.254 cm (0.010 inch). The length of the diffusion path is increased by increasing the height of the sides of the separator, and the thickness of the diffusion path is decreased by decreasing the gap between the sides of the separator and the adjacent glass sheet. be able to. In actual tests, the unit structure having the bound solid of the present invention and the unit structure having the bound solid shown in FIG. 3 had essentially the same RES value. The beads on the inside of the isolation member are believed to insulate the isolation member from convective cooling by the gas in the chamber. As discussed, the teachings of the present invention can be used to increase the volumetric RES value of a unit structure using the standoff member shown in FIG. A glass fiber reinforced plastic core 164 is molded and then sputtered with a thin film of aluminum 165 or a gas/moisture impermeable film such as a PVDC film is adhered in a conventional manner to prevent argon ingress and to provide a As discussed for unit structure 150 of 10, the path is essentially limited to the sealant or adhesive between the isolation member and the glass. The unit structure of the present invention provides an interlocking body with a metal isolation member, a metal-coated plastic isolation member, or a plastic isolation member, or a multilayer plastic isolation member that maintains an insulating gas other than air, such as argon; having a relatively large stereoscopic RES value or a low U value;
It can now be recognized that it has structural solidity. Next, the U value of the unit structure frame will be discussed. Frames also conduct heat; in some cases, for example, a metal frame conducts heat better than a unit structure's wrapper, and the edge heat loss through the frame is equal to the heat loss imparted to the unit structure's edges. This outweighs the increase in thermal resistance. Wood frames, metal frames with thermal barriers, plastic frames have greater resistance to heat loss, and the edge heat loss performance of the unit structure will be better. The present invention is not limited to a unit structure having two sheets, but can be applied to making a unit structure having two or more sheets, such as the unit structure 250 shown in FIG. 20. be able to. A method for manufacturing the window glass fitting unit structure of the present invention will be described next. Although it will be recognized that the unit structure of the present invention may be manufactured in any manner, it should be noted that the unit structure of the present invention may be manufactured in any manner, but is not limited to the following.
R AND APACER FRAME FOR AN
INSULATING GLAZING UNIT
AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
) entitled Stephen C. Mycera (Stephen)
C. Misera) and William R. Sesco (Wi
lliam r. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/
578,697 (the teachings of which are incorporated herein for reference) will be used to discuss the fabrication of unitary structures using a selection of three-dimensional parts. FIG. 1
2, a substrate 170 having a bead 160 of moisture permeable adhesive having a desiccant 162 mixed therein;
A border band 169 is shown having a . In a preferred implementation of the invention, the substrate maintains an insulating gas in the chamber;
A glazing unit structure that is impermeable to moisture and gas to prevent moisture from entering the room, has structural integrity and resilience to keep the glass sheets separated from each other, yet is insulating. It is made of a material that accommodates to some extent the thermal expansion and contraction that typically occurs in some parts of the body, such as metal or plastic composites as described above. In the practice of the present invention, the substrate is approximately 0.0178 cm (0.007 i
n) a thickness of approximately 1.588 cm (0.625 in), and a length sufficient to permit placement of the separator frame between the glass sheets, e.g., a 0.6 m (24 in) square shaped unit; The length of the structure was made from 304 stainless steel. Bead 160 is polyurethane with a desiccant mixed therein. Height approx. 0.32cm (1/
A bead approximately 3/8 inch wide and approximately 3/8 inch wide was applied to the center of substrate 170 in a conventional manner. It will be appreciated that the desiccant beads can be any type of adhesive or polymeric material that is moisture permeable and can be mixed with a desiccant. In this way, the desiccant can be contained within an adhesive or polymeric material and can be secured to the substrate while communicating with the chamber. Recommended material types are polyurethane and silicone, but the invention is not limited thereto. Additionally, Bead is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,023, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
It may also be a separator member dehydrator member as taught in . 0
No. 4,610,771, 4.806,22 on one or both sides of one or more sheets.
No. 0, No. 4,853,256, No. 4,170,4
No. 60, No. 4,239,816, and No. 4,71
It will now be appreciated that environmental coatings such as those taught in US Pat. No. 9,127, the patents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may also be provided. In the practice of the present invention, the metal substrate and beads after being formed into the separator stock have sufficient structural strength and resiliency to maintain the sheets apart, yet are not insulating. It accommodates to some extent the thermal expansion and contraction that typically occurs in some parts of a glazing unit structure. In one aspect of the invention, the separator is structurally more stable than the bead, i.e. the separator has sufficient structural or dimensional stability to maintain the sheets apart from each other, but Bead is not like that. Other aspects of the invention include both isolation members and beads. For example, the bead may be a desiccant in the preferred isolation member taught in Bowser, US Pat. No. 3,919,023. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, metal separators can be fabricated by a series of bends and shaped to withstand various compressive forces. The invention with respect to the bead 160 disposed on the substrate 170 is defined by molding the substrate 170 into a single-walled U-shaped standoff stock, and the resulting U-shaped standoff stock provides structural stability of the bead. It can withstand the value of compressive force that keeps the sheets apart regardless of the amount of compressive force it can withstand. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, measurements and values of compressive force and structural stability will vary depending on the usage of the unit structure. For example, when a unit structure is secured in place by clamping the edges of the unit structure to a curtain wall device, etc., the isolation members maintain the glass sheets apart while under the compressive force of the clamping operation. It must have sufficient strength to do so. When installed in a wooden frame rabbit and used with swage applied to seal the unit structure in place, the isolating member may be a glass unit like the unit structure's isolating member that is clamped in place. There is no need for great structural stability to keep the sheets apart. [0072] The edges of the band 150 are bent in a conventional manner;
Form the outer side 156 of the isolation member 158 shown in FIG. For example, the strip 170 may be passed between upper and lower rollers, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-16. With respect to FIG. 13, the band progresses from left to right between roll forming points 180-185. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited by the number of roll forming points or the number of forming rollers at those forming points. In FIG. 14, the roll forming point 180 has an outer circumferential groove 190 sufficient to accommodate a lower roller 190 having an outer circumferential concave surface 192 and a layer 160.
There is an upper roller 194 having a . Concave surface 192
is sized to begin bending the strip 170 into a U-shaped standoff, and the concave surface 198 of the lower roller 200 at the press point 181 shown in FIG. It is also shallow. 16, the lower roller 202 at the roll forming point 185 has a substantially U-shaped outer circumferential groove 202.
has. The separator stock leaving the roll forming point 185 is a U-shaped separator 158 as shown in FIG. It will be appreciated that the grooves of the upper forming roller may be shaped to form the bead material on the substrate. In the practice of the present invention, beads 160 were applied after the standoff stock was formed, eg, after the substrate was formed into the U-shaped standoff stock. This was accomplished by drawing the substrate through a die of a type known in the art to form the flat strip into a U-shaped strip. It will be appreciated that, all else being equal, an unpacked desiccant provides better thermal insulation than a desiccant in a moisture permeable material. However, in some cases, placing and handling bulk desiccant in isolation members is more constrained than handling desiccant in a moisture permeable matrix. Additionally, incorporating a desiccant into the moisture permeable matrix increases shelf life. because,
This is because when placed in a moisture and/or gas permeable material, the desiccant takes longer to become saturated with moisture than when exposed directly to moisture. The length of time depends on the porosity of the material. However, the present invention contemplates the use of both loose desiccant and desiccant in a moisture permeable matrix. The standoff stock 158 may be formed into a standoff frame for placement between the sheets. Figure 10
It will be appreciated that the layers 154 and 155 shown in Figure 1 may be applied to standoff stock or standoff frames. Although the invention is not limited by the materials used for layers 154 and 155, layer 154 has a large It is better to try to provide resistance. Layer 155 may be made of the same material as layer 154 or may be made of a structural adhesive, such as silicone. Before or after applying layer 154 and/or layer 155 to the standoff member, pieces of the standoff stock are cut and bent to form the standoff frame. Three corners, ie, three consecutive corners, may be formed and the fourth corner may be welded or sealed using a moisture and/or gas impermeable sealant. A continuous corner of a standoff frame incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIG.
and 19. However, the standoff frame may be formed by joining pieces of standoff stock and sealing the corners with a moisture and/or gas impermeable sealant, or by welding the corners together. That will be acknowledged. With reference to FIG. 18, a length of beaded standoff stock is cut and a notch 20 is placed in the standoff stock in a conventional manner at the expected bend line.
7 and crease 208. The area between the folds is recessed and a portion 212 of the outer edge 156 at the notch is bent inward, with the portions between the folds diagonal to each other, forming a continuous overlapping corner 22 as shown in FIG.
Give 4. Discontinuous corners, for example the fourth corner of a rectangular frame, may be sealed with moisture and/or gas impermeable material or welded. It will be appreciated that the bead at the corner may be removed prior to forming the continuous corner. Referring to FIG. 19, in the practice of the present invention, standoff frame 240 was formed from U-shaped standoff stock. The continuous corner 242 was formed by recessing the outer edge of the standoff stock and bending and folding the portion of the standoff stock at the recess to form a corner, eg, a 90° angle. When bending those portions of the standoff stock, the recessed portions 244 on the outer sides move inwardly. After the standoff frame is formed, a layer of sealant is formed on the outside surface of the side 18 of the standoff frame and a bead 26 is formed on the inside surface of the bottom side of the standoff frame. The unit structure 10 was assembled by placing and adhering the glass sheet to the standoff frame with the sealant layer 154 in a conventional manner. A layer of adhesive 155, if not previously applied on the frame, is applied either in the peripheral groove of the unit structure (see FIG. 10) or on the outer periphery of the unit structure. Argon gas is introduced into chamber 18 in a conventional manner to provide an insulating unit structure with a low thermal conductivity edge. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by the above discussion, which is given by way of example only.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a three-dimensional structure of a conventional insulating unit structure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a three-dimensional structure of another conventional insulating unit structure.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a three-dimensional structure of yet another conventional insulating unit structure.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a three-dimensional structure of yet another conventional insulating unit structure.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an insulating unit structure having a typical isolation member assembly.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing heat flow lines passing through the unit structure in the left half of the cross section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 with the heat flow lines removed.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing edge temperature distributions of unit structures having various types of bound solids.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a binding body having features of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the isolation member of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a border band incorporating features of the present invention having a moisture and/or gas permeable adhesive bead containing a desiccant;

13 is a side view of a roll forming point forming the edge band of FIG. 12 into separator stock incorporating features of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the roll forming point 14 of FIG. 13;

15 is a cross-sectional view of the roll forming point 15 of FIG. 13. FIG.

16 is a cross-sectional view of the roll forming point 16 of FIG. 13. FIG.

17 is a continuous corner perspective view of a standoff frame of the present invention made using the standoff section shown in FIG. 18; FIG.

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a notched and creased standoff stock piece prior to bending to form a continuous corner of the standoff frame shown in FIG. 17 incorporating features thereof in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; It is.

19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 18 illustrating another continuous corner of a standoff frame incorporating features of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing another embodiment of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Glass sheet 14 Glass sheet Room 18 150 unit structure 152 Bound solid 154 Sealant layer 155 Adhesive sealant layer 156 (outside) side 157 Base (middle side) 158 Isolation member 160 Adhesive layer 162 Desiccant

Claims (40)

[Claims] 1. An insulating unit structure of the type having a pair of glass sheets separated by a binding body to provide a sealed chamber containing gas between the sheets, wherein the binding body is structurally rigid. the binding body and the glass sheet are bonded together to form a diffusion path in the chamber with a high resistance to gas, and the binding body is determined using an ANSYS program. An improved insulating unit structure characterized in that it has a large three-dimensional RES value. Claim 2: The thickness of the diffusion path is 0.0254 cm (0.
．． 2. The unit structure according to claim 1, wherein the unit structure is smaller than 0.020 in. Claim 3: The length of the diffusion path is at least 0.32c.
3. The unit structure according to claim 2, having a length of m (0.125 inches). 4. The unit structure according to claim 1, which has a three-dimensional RES value of at least 10. 5. The unit structure according to claim 1, wherein the chamber contains an insulating gas. 6. The unit structure of claim 1, wherein at least one glass sheet has an environmental coating. 7. The unit structure of claim 1, wherein the isolation member has opposing surfaces, and the binding body further includes a sealant layer on the opposing surface of the isolation member. 8. The isolation member according to claim 7, wherein the isolation member has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and the binding body further includes a moisture-impermeable sealant on a surface of the intermediate base opposite the chamber. The unit structure described. 9. The isolation member has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the binding body is a moisture-impermeable material containing a desiccant material on at least a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the isolation member. The unit structure according to claim 7, further comprising a layer of. 10. Unit structure according to claim 1, wherein the isolation member is made of metal. 11. Unit structure according to claim 1, wherein the isolation member has a fiber reinforced glass fiber plastic core covered with a film which is a gas and moisture impermeable film. 12. Unit structure according to claim 1, wherein the isolation member has a plastic core covered with a film that is gas and moisture impermeable. 13. The unit structure of claim 12, wherein the film is a halogenated polymeric material. 14. The unit structure according to claim 12, wherein the film is a thin metal film. 15. The unit structure further includes three or more glass sheets, each of the sheets being separated by a binding solid, and the binding solid and a pair of adjacent sheets being joined together to form a long narrow diffusion path. , and each binding solid is AN
Determine using the SYS program the large binding solid R
The unit structure according to claim 1, having an ES value. 16. A method for manufacturing an insulating unit structure, the method comprising the step of providing an interlocking solid between a pair of glass sheets to form a chamber therebetween, the method comprising: providing a pair of glass sheets; and executing an ANSYS program. a structurally resilient isolation member, a sealant material, determined using a structurally resilient isolation member, a sealant material, which provides a binding body having a large binding volume RES value and a long forming path;
and a desiccant-containing moisture-permeable material, and assemble the sheet, separator, sealant material, and desiccant-containing material to form a bonded solid and a desiccant-containing material having a large bonded solid RES value as determined using an ANSYS program. An improved manufacturing method for an insulating unit structure comprising various steps for forming an insulating unit structure having a long diffusion path. 17. The assembly process comprises providing a separator member having a cross-sectional height of at least about 0.010 inches to form a long diffusion path, and a glass sheet adjacent the separator member. Approximately 0.02
17. The method of claim 16, including providing a sealant material having a thickness of 54 cm (0.010 in). 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of assembling includes forming the metal strip into a standoff member having a generally U-shaped cross section. 19. A forming step includes providing a metal strip, passing the metal strip through a plurality of forming rollers, and gradually forming a generally U-shaped cross-section as the strip passes between the forming rollers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising forming into a standoff member having: 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising shaping the bead while performing the gradual shaping step. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the assembly step includes cutting the U-shaped standoff member into pieces and joining the pieces together to form the standoff member frame. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of pleating at least one location on the standoff member at a corner of the standoff member frame. 23. The selection step comprises: a steel metal isolation member having a U-shaped cross-section; a thin layer of sealant on the outer side of the isolation member; and a desiccant-containing moisture on the inner surface of the base of the isolation member. applying a permeable adhesive, wherein the assembly step includes forming a standoff member frame from the standoff member, applying a sealant to an outer surface of the standoff member frame, and attaching the standoff member frame to a glass sheet. 17. The steps of: forming a peripheral groove spaced apart from the peripheral edges of the glass sheets, adhering the glass sheet to the sealant, and providing an adhesive in the peripheral groove during the process. The method described in. 24. Isolation member for an insulating unit structure consisting of a structurally sound, moisture and gas impermeable body. 25. The isolation member of claim 24, wherein the polymeric material of the impermeable body is a halogenated polymeric material. 26. The isolation member of claim 25, wherein the halogenated polymeric material is polyvinylidene chloride. 27. The isolation member of claim 25, wherein the halogenated polymeric material is polyvinylidene fluoride. 28. The isolation member of claim 25, wherein the halogenated polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride. 29. The isolation member of claim 25, wherein the halogenated polymeric material is polytrichlorofluoroethylene. 30. Claim 2, wherein the impermeable body comprises a core that is a structurally rigid, moisture and gas impermeable film.
4. The isolation member according to item 4. 31. The isolation member according to claim 30, wherein the film is metal. 32. The isolation member of claim 30, wherein the core is made of a polymeric material. 33. A substrate made of metal, further comprising a bead of desiccant-containing moisture and/or gas permeable adhesive disposed on the substrate, the structure having a lower structural stability than that of the substrate. 25. The isolation member of claim 24, comprising a bead with mechanical stability. 34. A metal substrate having organic beads on its surface and a plurality of upper forming rollers each having grooves, the distance between the outer surfaces of the grooves being approximately the predetermined distance between the inner surfaces of the separator member. Equally, the distance between the inner surfaces of the grooves is greater than the width of the bead, the depth of the groove is greater than the height of the bead, and a plurality of lower rollers are arranged in the downstream passage, each of the lower rollers a peripheral concave surface, the peripheral concave surfaces increasing in depth and width for the downstream rollers, one of the downstream rollers being sized to provide an isolation member having a predetermined U-shaped cross-sectional shape; has a groove,
and moving the substrate through the upper and lower forming rollers,
A method of forming a separator stock comprising steps of forming the substrate into a U-shaped separator stock. 35. A standoff frame for an insulating unit structure having a groove and at least one continuous corner for defining opposing exterior sides. 36. The standoff frame of claim 35, wherein the standoff frame has at least three sides, and at least one of the continuous corners has a portion of the outer side in the groove. 37. The standoff frame of claim 35, wherein a portion of the outer side is folded onto the inner surface of the groove. 38. Provide a standoff stock of sufficient length to create a frame of a predetermined size, insert a bend line into the length of standoff stock, and cut the outer surface at the line. isolation comprising the steps of slanting each other, bending portions of the isolation member stock at said lines to form corners, and performing said bending step to form a isolation member frame of the desired size and shape. How to form a member frame. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising pressing the material at the corners toward the inner surface of the standoff frame. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of notching an edge of the standoff stock adjacent the bend line, the notching step occurring prior to performing the bending step.