WO2020176931A1 - Procédé de fabrication d'une unité de vitrage isolée sous vide - Google Patents

Procédé de fabrication d'une unité de vitrage isolée sous vide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020176931A1
WO2020176931A1 PCT/AU2020/050191 AU2020050191W WO2020176931A1 WO 2020176931 A1 WO2020176931 A1 WO 2020176931A1 AU 2020050191 W AU2020050191 W AU 2020050191W WO 2020176931 A1 WO2020176931 A1 WO 2020176931A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panes
glass
during
tempering
pairing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2020/050191
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Cenk Kocer
Original Assignee
The University Of Sydney
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2019900669A external-priority patent/AU2019900669A0/en
Application filed by The University Of Sydney filed Critical The University Of Sydney
Publication of WO2020176931A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020176931A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C8/00—Enamels; Glazes; Fusion seal compositions being frit compositions having non-frit additions
    • C03C8/24—Fusion seal compositions being frit compositions having non-frit additions, i.e. for use as seals between dissimilar materials, e.g. glass and metal; Glass solders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/061—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of metal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/05—Interconnection of layers the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C23/00—Other surface treatment of glass not in the form of fibres or filaments
    • C03C23/007—Other surface treatment of glass not in the form of fibres or filaments by thermal treatment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C27/00—Joining pieces of glass to pieces of other inorganic material; Joining glass to glass other than by fusing
    • C03C27/06—Joining glass to glass by processes other than fusing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C27/00—Joining pieces of glass to pieces of other inorganic material; Joining glass to glass other than by fusing
    • C03C27/06—Joining glass to glass by processes other than fusing
    • C03C27/08—Joining glass to glass by processes other than fusing with the aid of intervening metal
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C27/00—Joining pieces of glass to pieces of other inorganic material; Joining glass to glass other than by fusing
    • C03C27/06—Joining glass to glass by processes other than fusing
    • C03C27/10—Joining glass to glass by processes other than fusing with the aid of adhesive specially adapted for that purpose
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/6612—Evacuated glazing units
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/6617—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together one of the panes being larger than another
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/66304—Discrete spacing elements, e.g. for evacuated glazing units
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/66309—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit
    • E06B3/66333—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit of unusual substances, e.g. wood or other fibrous materials, glass or other transparent materials
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/66309—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit
    • E06B3/66342—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit characterised by their sealed connection to the panes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/66309—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit
    • E06B3/66342—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit characterised by their sealed connection to the panes
    • E06B3/66357—Soldered connections or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/673—Assembling the units
    • E06B3/67326—Assembling spacer elements with the panes
    • E06B3/67334—Assembling spacer elements with the panes by soldering; Preparing the panes therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/673—Assembling the units
    • E06B3/67339—Working the edges of already assembled units
    • E06B3/6736—Heat treatment
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/677—Evacuating or filling the gap between the panes ; Equilibration of inside and outside pressure; Preventing condensation in the gap between the panes; Cleaning the gap between the panes
    • E06B3/6775—Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/03—3 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/04—4 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/40—Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/10—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular acoustical properties
    • B32B2307/102—Insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
    • B32B2307/304—Insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2419/00—Buildings or parts thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2203/00—Production processes
    • C03C2203/10—Melting processes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/663—Elements for spacing panes
    • E06B3/66309—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit
    • E06B2003/6638—Section members positioned at the edges of the glazing unit with coatings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
    • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
    • E06B3/673—Assembling the units
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • Y02A30/24—Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
    • Y02A30/249—Glazing, e.g. vacuum glazing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B80/00—Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings
    • Y02B80/22—Glazing, e.g. vaccum glazing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vacuum-insulated glazing unit.
  • the present invention has particular application in the field of commercial production of vacuum insulated glazing units, and it will be convenient to describe the invention herein in this exemplary context. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular application, but may also be employed in domestic or industrial applications or in the production of other glass-based containment devices.
  • Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) units are typically constructed from two flat float glass panels or panes that are paired, separated by an evacuated gap or cavity and hermetically sealed at their edges. A pump-out tube is also fitted to one of the panels. Through this tube the gap between the glass panes is evacuated to a pressure of 0.001 Torr (0.1 Pa) or lower. To maintain a well-defined distance between the panes, and minimise the stresses resulting from atmospheric pressure, a regular array of small spacers (typically disk shaped, 0.5 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in height) is placed between the panes.
  • the primary aim of current manufacturing processes is to form a hermetic edge seal, which is possible using a solder glass material (or glass frit paste that melts at high temperatures).
  • This step in forming the seal requires the VIG unit to be placed in a furnace and heated to temperatures ranging from 300-500°C depending on the solder glass material. Including the heating and cooling times, the complete heat cycle is a 2-4 hr process.
  • the manufacturing process includes a step to place spacers and to outgas the glass surfaces as a matter of cleaning the glass (this latter process is a 1-3 hr step during evacuation of the internal gap). Accordingly, current manufacturing processes are time consuming and require significant energy use in running the furnaces.
  • a method of manufacturing a vacuum insulated glazing unit including steps of:
  • each pane has an inner side and an outer side, and wherein a surface region is defined along a periphery of each of the inner sides of the panes, the surface region bounding an interior region of the inner side of each of the panes; depositing a sealing medium on each of the surface regions of each of the panes;
  • the cavity is evacuated to a pressure of about 0.001 Torr (0.1 Pa) or below vacuum during the step of forming the edge seal.
  • the sealing medium is comprised of solder glass.
  • the step of pairing the panes includes:
  • panes subjecting the panes to a temperature which is lower than a temperature to which the panes are subjected during the step of tempering the panes;
  • panes subjecting the panes to a pressure which is lower than a pressure to which the panes are subjected during the step of tempering the panes.
  • the temperature of the panes during the step of pairing the panes is in the range of about 25°C - 400°C and the pressure during the step of pairing the panes is about 0.001 Torr (0.1 Pa).
  • the method further includes steps of:
  • the step of forming the edge seal occurs during the step of pairing the panes such that the temperature to which the panes are subjected causes non-bonded portions of the solder glass of each pane to fuse together thereby sealing the cavity.
  • the steps of tempering each of the panes and pairing the panes includes conveying each of the panes through an in-line furnace.
  • the method further includes a step of outgassing each of the panes to clean the panes.
  • the step of outgassing each of the panes occurs during the step of tempering the panes.
  • the step of outgassing each of the panes occurs during the step of pairing the panes.
  • the step of outgassing each of the panes includes inducing a plasma within the cavity.
  • the method further includes a step of arranging a spacer assembly on at least one of the interior regions of the panes to maintain the cavity between the interior regions of the panes, wherein the step of arranging the spacer assembly occurs prior to or during the step of tempering the panes.
  • the spacer assembly includes an array of support spacers.
  • the step of arranging the spacer assembly includes screen printing the array of support spacers.
  • FIG. 1 is a flowchart that schematically illustrates steps associated with a method of manufacturing a vacuum insulated glazing unit according to a preferred embodiment.
  • VOG vacuum insulated glazing
  • a pair of glass panes are provided and prepared.
  • Each glass pane has an inner side and an outer side.
  • An edge surface region is defined along a perimeter or periphery of each of the inner sides of the glass panes and bounds an interior region of the inner side of each of the glass panes.
  • the glass panes are cut to be the same size.
  • a hole is drilled near one corner of one of the glass panes in order to accommodate a pump-out tube for evacuating a cavity between the interior regions when the glass panes are paired in a later step 140.
  • the glass panes are then washed and dried.
  • the glass panes may be paired in a vacuum chamber.
  • the edges of the glass panes may be held apart whilst the cavity is evacuated and an edge seal is formed.
  • a sealing medium comprised of solder glass is deposited or pre-coated onto each of the surface regions of each of the glass panes.
  • the solder glass may be pre-coated using screen printing, or with an automated dispenser.
  • the region surrounding the hole for the pump-out tube may also be pre-coated with solder glass at this stage. It will be appreciated that the pump-out tube may also be installed during this step 110.
  • the solder glass is formulated such that its coefficient of thermal expansion is a good match to that of the underlying glass pane with respect to the strain change during the cooling stage from the temperature point of softening, which reduces mechanical stresses in the structure during manufacture.
  • the solder glass is formulated to withstand high temperatures and not crystallize during the subsequent tempering step 130 which may reach temperature conditions of about 700-800°C.
  • the aim of using pre-coated tempered glass is to take advantage of the softening point temperature of the solder glass.
  • the softening point would be about 350-380°C.
  • the edge seal can be formed, with an acceptable rigidity and strength, by only raising the unit temperature to the softening point of the pre-coated solder glass.
  • Solder glass inherently has a much lower softening temperature than soda-lime float glass. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that solder glass to solder glass should fuse at lower temperatures than solder glass to soda-lime float glass.
  • the step of tempering in the subsequent step 130 will ensure that the solder glass to soda-lime glass bond is strong.
  • a spacer assembly having an array of support spacers is arranged on one of the glass panes.
  • the array of support spacers will be positioned between the interior regions of the glass panes during pairing in a later step 140 in order to maintain the separation of the glass panes under the action of atmospheric pressure; which is about ten tonnes per square meter.
  • the spacers can be produced from a high strength material, such as alloy steel, ceramics, and specific glassy materials.
  • the spacers can be printed or laser etched onto the interior region of one of the glass panes.
  • the design (size and shape) of the spacer and the spacing of the array should be optimised to prevent stresses and strains reaching levels that cause failure of the spacer and/or glass.
  • the optimisation according to a preferred embodiment is based on the use of 3 mm thick glass, spacers at 0.5 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in height, which results in an optimised array separation of 25 mm, and a U-value (winter conditions defined by the ASTM 1991 standard) of 0.8 W m 2 K 1 (a lowE coating of emissivity 0.04 has been used).
  • this optimised design option is used so as to not exceed the Australian Standards AS 1288“long-term loading of float glass” limit of 8 MPa.
  • the glass panes are conveyed through a thermal tempering furnace or“in-line” furnace; that is, a furnace that has a well-defined and environmentally (temperature and pressure and gas composition) controlled volume.
  • a thermal tempering furnace or“in-line” furnace that is, a furnace that has a well-defined and environmentally (temperature and pressure and gas composition) controlled volume.
  • the glass panes are tempered as a next step 130.
  • This step 130 marks the start of a continuous production line.
  • the solder glass melts and fuses or bonds with the surface region of each of the glass panes.
  • the solder glass should remain in a vitreous state during a cooling stage after tempering, as the solder glass needs to be re-melted in the next step 140.
  • the glass panes are conveyed through a closed continuous furnace that will progress the glass panes through as the pressure is lowered to about 0.1 Pa.
  • the temperature may be maintained at about 300°C or other desired temperature.
  • the evacuation system is attached to the glass pane.
  • An all-metal cup may be attached over the pump-out tube and used to evacuate the cavity.
  • a metal gasket may first be installed before the placement of the cup.
  • the all-metal evacuation cup is connected to a pumping system that moves with the glass panes as it is transported through the production line.
  • the outer annular region of the all-metal cup is evacuated to prevent it from moving on the surface of the glass pane.
  • evacuation means such as a glass tube
  • a glass tube requires a ring of solder glass to seal it to the glass pane.
  • an electrically activated tip-off coil would be positioned around the pump-out tube prior to the installation of the tube.
  • the evacuation tube is also connected to a pumping system that moves with the sample as it is transported through the furnace.
  • the glass panes are paired by lowering one of the glass panes on top of the other. Even though the glass panes have a pre-coat of the solder glass, there may be benefit from the deposition of a small bead of additional solder glass around the edges of one of the glass panes.
  • the components for the pump-out tube may rather be installed at this step 140 of the method.
  • the glass panes are paired so that the interior regions of each of the inner sides of the glass panes are generally aligned and opposite each other to define the cavity therebetween and so that non-bonded portions of the solder glass are generally aligned and opposite each other.
  • the temperature of the glass panes is increased. This increase can be quite rapid, because the tempered glass used in the glass panes can withstand much larger transient stresses due to lateral temperature non-uniformities than annealed glass.
  • the temperature is increased to the point at which the non-bonded portions of the pre-coated solder glass around the edges of the glass panes melts and fuses together to form the edge seal. If a glass tube is used to evacuate the unit, a solder glass seal must be made at this point between the tube and the outer surface of the glass.
  • the tip-off coil that surrounds the pump-out tube may be energized in this process to raise the local temperature of region of the glass pane around the tube, thus assisting in the formation of this seal.
  • the temperature of the entire assembly is then reduced, by only a small amount, prior to the commencement of the evacuation process.
  • steps of outgassing each of the panes and evacuating the cavity are simultaneously performed. It will be appreciated, however, that the step of outgassing each of the panes may occur during the tempering step 130 by virtue of the temperature of the tempering oven which may desorb most if not all contaminants off the surfaces of the glass panes.
  • a factor in determining the optimum temperature is establishing an edge seal that is of the correct thickness, and thus, reducing the stresses at the edge seal.
  • the cavity is then partially evacuated to an optimum pressure for plasma cleaning. Within the continuous furnace, the glass panes pass through a section where a conductive plate is positioned just above or in contact with the glass pane.
  • a plasma is induced within the cavity of the unit.
  • the time required for the plasma cleaning will be short compared to the other steps in the manufacturing process.
  • the plasma is then turned off, and the cavity is evacuated to the required pressure, preferably about 0.1 Pa.
  • the use of a plasma treatment to clean the glass panes will reduce significantly the time and heating required to outgas the glass surface, and thus, ensure that the vacuum will be stable over long periods of service.
  • the temperature of the unit is reduced and the end of the pump-out tube is melted and sealed off.
  • the temperature at which the pump-out tube is sealed is preferably somewhat lower than the highest temperature at which the unit is pumped in order that any outgassing that occurs after the tube is sealed should not excessively degrade the internal vacuum of the unit.
  • the unit is then cooled towards room temperature. The rate of decrease of the temperature of the unit can be quite large because of the ability of the tempered glass panes to withstand significant transient mechanical stresses.
  • a gasket of metal or glass could be placed on top, where this gasket extends some distance out from the edge of the glass. During the tempering process the gasket would bond well with the solder glass edge due to the high temperatures. Once the glass panes are paired, the gasket from both glass panes would align and the edge of the gaskets would then be“welded” together to form a hermetic seal.
  • Various methods could be used to“weld” the gasket edges together: such as direct linear welding, ultrasonic welding, and combinations.
  • a gasket of metal or glass would be placed between the glass panes, between the solidified solder glass layers, at a width that is less than the solder glass layer.
  • the metal glass would be heated rapidly to melt only the surface contact of the solder glass to form a bond to the gasket.
  • the method according to the embodiment described above permits the manufacture of VIG units using tempered glass. It also results in a very substantial reduction in the time necessary to manufacture VIG units compared with the existing single-step batch manufacturing process.
  • the described embodiment retains all of the advantages of the single-step process of enabling tight controls to be maintained on the thickness of the solder glass in the edge seal region.
  • the embodiment has been described in the context of in-line manufacture, the principles inherent in the method should be equally applicable to a batch manufacturing process.
  • specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative and/or equivalent implementations exist.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'une unité de vitrage isolée sous vide, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant : à fournir une première vitre et une seconde vitre, chaque vitre présentant un côté interne et un côté externe, et une région de surface étant définie le long d'une périphérie de chacun des côtés internes des vitres, la région de surface délimitant une région intérieure du côté interne de chacune des vitres ; à déposer un milieu d'étanchéité sur chacune des régions de surface de chacune des vitres ; à tremper chacune des vitres pour renforcer les vitres et à amener le milieu d'étanchéité à se lier aux régions de surface de chacune des vitres ; à apparier les vitres pour définir une cavité entre elles ; et à former un joint d'étanchéité de bord entre les régions de surface de chacun des côtés internes pour sceller la cavité. 12
PCT/AU2020/050191 2019-03-01 2020-03-02 Procédé de fabrication d'une unité de vitrage isolée sous vide WO2020176931A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2019900669 2019-03-01
AU2019900669A AU2019900669A0 (en) 2019-03-01 A method of manufacturing a vacuum insulated glazing unit

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060228500A1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2006-10-12 The University Of Australia Glass panel
US7204102B1 (en) * 1999-04-17 2007-04-17 University Of Ulster Method of sealing glass
WO2012058938A1 (fr) * 2010-11-03 2012-05-10 Luoyang Landglass Technology Co., Ltd. Procédé pour rendre étanche un verre à vide et produit de verre à vide
US20150376935A1 (en) * 2013-02-28 2015-12-31 Guardian Industries Corporation Window units made using ceramic frit that dissolves physical vapor deposition (pvd) deposited coatings, and/or associated methods

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7204102B1 (en) * 1999-04-17 2007-04-17 University Of Ulster Method of sealing glass
US20060228500A1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2006-10-12 The University Of Australia Glass panel
WO2012058938A1 (fr) * 2010-11-03 2012-05-10 Luoyang Landglass Technology Co., Ltd. Procédé pour rendre étanche un verre à vide et produit de verre à vide
US20150376935A1 (en) * 2013-02-28 2015-12-31 Guardian Industries Corporation Window units made using ceramic frit that dissolves physical vapor deposition (pvd) deposited coatings, and/or associated methods

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