US4928448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally insulating window and method of forming
Assignee: VACUUM ENERGY Inc
•
Filing: 1988-05-02
•
Granted: 1990-05-29
•
Expires: 2008-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A thermally insulating window (2) is created by filing the space (16) between two window panes (4, 6) with a gas exhibiting low thermal conductivity at a moderately low pressure so to substantially eliminate convection heat flow through the insulating region but not so low as to substantially reduce conduction heat flow through the insulating region. Doing so greatly increases the thermal insulating qualities of the window without the problems associated with evacuating the region to extremely low pressures. The seal (14, 50) at the edge (10, 12) of the window panes can define one or more barrier regions (44, 46) which reduce air leakage into the insulating region.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradley L. Phillip
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:53
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/66; E06B3/6612; E06B3/663; E06B3/66304; E06B3/66309; E06B3/67; E06B3/6715; E06B2003/6638; E06B3/66333; E06B3/66342; E06B3/66347; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/24; Y02A30/249; Y02B; Y02B80/00; Y02B80/22; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window panes to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; and a first gas filling the insulation region at a first pressure of about 100-200 torr to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the insulating region but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the insulating region, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window panes to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; and a first gas filling the insulation region at a first pressure of about 100-200 torr to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the insulating region but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the insulating region, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the gas has a thermal conductivity at said low pressure of less than half of the thermal conductivity of air at like conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the first gas is a fluorocarbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the first pressure is about 100-200 torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes spacers between the first and second window panes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 further comprising an evacuation tube passing through the edge seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The insulating structure of claim 6 wherein the evacuation tube is sealable by crimping.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the edge seal is configured to be forced against the first and second window panes by virtue of the ambient pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the edge seal includes outer and inner sealing elements and a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The insulating structure of claim 9 wherein the buffer region contains a second gas at a second pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the first gas in the insulating region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The insulating structure of claim 10 wherein the second pressure is about the ambient pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the first gas is incorporated into an aerogel material within the insulating region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The insulating structure of claim 1 further comprising a low emissivity film positioned between the outer surfaces of the first and second window panes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: a window enclosure including first and second panes defining an insulating region; a gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure of about 100-200 torr to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the insulating region but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the insulating region, the gas having a thermal conductivity as said first pressure less than one half of that of air; an edge seal sealably connecting the first and second panes; and the edge seal including a buffer region defined between outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second surfaces, the buffer region containing the gas at a second pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the gas in the insulating region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: a window enclosure including first and second panes defining an insulating region; a gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure of about 100-200 torr to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the insulating region but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the insulating region, the gas having a thermal conductivity as said first pressure less than one half of that of air; an edge seal sealably connecting the first and second panes; and the edge seal including a buffer region defined between outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second surfaces, the buffer region containing the gas at a second pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the gas in the insulating region.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps: positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; selecting a first gas; choosing a first pressure of about 100-200 to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the first gas but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the first gas, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and filling the insulating region with the first gas at the first pressure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps: positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; selecting a first gas; choosing a first pressure of about 100-200 to about 10 -3 to 10 -4 torr, which is sufficiently low to substantially eliminate convective heat flow through the first gas but not so low as to substantially reduce conductive heat flow through the first gas, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and filling the insulating region with the first gas at the first pressure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the positioning step is carried out using glass window panes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the placing steps includes the step of selecting an edge seal configured so that ambient pressure enhances the seal by forcing the edge seal against the first and second window panes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the sealing step includes the step of applying a protective material to an outer surface of the edge seal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the edge seal placing step includes the step of positioning outer and inner spaced apart sealing elements between the first and second window panes to define a buffer region therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the sealing elements positioning step includes the step of filling the buffer region with a second gas at a second pressure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the filling step is carried out using the first gas incorporated into a aerogel material to fill the insulating region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the filling step is carried out using an evacuation tube passing through the edge seal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the filling step is carried out by mechanically crimping the evacuation tube after the insulating region has been filled with the first gas to the first pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of placing a low emissivity film between the outer surfaces of the first and second window panes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window panes to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the buffer region containing the first gas at a second pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the first gas in the insulating region.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window panes to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the buffer region containing the first gas at a second pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the first gas in the insulating region.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window pane to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the buffer region containing a second gas at the first pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the first gas in the insulating region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window pane to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the buffer region containing a second gas at the first pressure to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the first gas in the insulating region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window pane to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulation region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the edge seal including an intermediate sealing element positioned within said buffer region to define outer and inner buffer regions containing third and fourth gases at third and fourth pressures respectively.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: an enclosure including first and second spaced-apart window panes and an edge seal sealably connecting the window pane to define a sealed insulating region between the window panes; the edge seal including outer and inner sealing elements and having a buffer region defined between the outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second window panes; a first gas filling the insulation region at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at said first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and the edge seal including an intermediate sealing element positioned within said buffer region to define outer and inner buffer regions containing third and fourth gases at third and fourth pressures respectively.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The insulating structure of claim 27 wherein the third and fourth pressures are different.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The insulating structure of claim 27 wherein the fourth pressure is about the first pressure and the third pressure is about the ambient pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insulating structure of claim 29 wherein the third and fourth gases are the first gas.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insulating structure of claim 30 wherein the first gas is incorporated into an aerogel material within the insulating region.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
115 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: a window enclosure including first and second panes defining an insulating region; a gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the gas having a thermal conductivity at said first pressure less than one half of that of air; an edge seal sealably connecting the first and second panes; and the edge seal including inner and outer buffer regions defined between outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second surfaces, the inner and outer buffer regions containing the gas at about the ambient pressure and at about the first pressure respectively to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the gas in the insulating region.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
115 words
A thermally insulating window comprising: a window enclosure including first and second panes defining an insulating region; a gas filling the insulating region at a first pressure, the gas having a thermal conductivity at said first pressure less than one half of that of air; an edge seal sealably connecting the first and second panes; and the edge seal including inner and outer buffer regions defined between outer and inner sealing elements and the first and second surfaces, the inner and outer buffer regions containing the gas at about the ambient pressure and at about the first pressure respectively to act as a barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the gas in the insulating region.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The window of claim 32 further comprising a mechanical sealable evacuation tube passing through the edge seal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The window of claim 33 wherein the edge seal is configured to be forced against the first and second panes by the ambient pressure.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps; positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; the edge seal placing step including the step of positioning outer and inner spaced apart sealing elements between the first and second window panes to define a buffer region therebetween; and filling the insulating region and the buffer region with a first gas at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps; positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; the edge seal placing step including the step of positioning outer and inner spaced apart sealing elements between the first and second window panes to define a buffer region therebetween; and filling the insulating region and the buffer region with a first gas at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps: positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; the edge seal placing step including the step of positioning outer and inner spaced apart sealing elements between the first and second window panes to define a buffer region therebetween; the sealing element positioning step including the step of positioning an intermediate sealing element between the first and second window panes and between and spaced apart from the outer and inner sealing elements to define outer and inner buffer regions therebetween; filling the insulating region with a first gas at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and filling the outer and inner buffer regions with third and fourth gases at third and fourth pressures.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for making a thermally insulating window comprising the following steps: positioning first and second window panes parallel to one another at a chosen separation to define an insulating region therebetween; sealing the insulating region, the sealing step including the step of placing an edge seal between the first and second window panes; the edge seal placing step including the step of positioning outer and inner spaced apart sealing elements between the first and second window panes to define a buffer region therebetween; the sealing element positioning step including the step of positioning an intermediate sealing element between the first and second window panes and between and spaced apart from the outer and inner sealing elements to define outer and inner buffer regions therebetween; filling the insulating region with a first gas at a first pressure, the thermal conductivity of the first gas at the first pressure being substantially less than that of air; and filling the outer and inner buffer regions with third and fourth gases at third and fourth pressures.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the outer and inner buffer regions filling step is carried out using the first gas at ambient and first pressures respectively.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |