METHODS OF FABRICATING A PRESSURE COMPENSATED INSULATED GLASS UNIT

• Main Authors: FRANK, TREVOR, TAYLOR, RYAN, PARKER, RONALD M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 17.02.2016
• Subjects: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES, OR VITREOUSENAMELS; CHEMISTRY; DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES,FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS,BLINDS, GATES; GLASS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS; LADDERS; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; METALLURGY; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS,MINERALS OR SLAGS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; TRANSPORTING

Methods and apparatus for fabricating pressure compensated insulated glass units (IGUs). In one example, a method assembles an IGU from a first lite, a second lite and a spacer registered with and between the first and second lite, while at least the space between the first and second lites and within the perimeter of the spacer contains a heated or cooled inert gas. In another example, a method provides a vented IGU, heats or cools the vented IGU, introduces inert gas into the interior volume of the vented IGU, and seals vent ports before the IGU comes to ambient temperature. In another example, a method introduces or removes inert gas from an IGU by penetrating a seal of the IGU and then reseals the IGU. In another example, an apparatus for fabricating an IGU comprises a temperature control unit configured to heat or cool an inert gas and an IGU press wherein the apparatus is configured to introduce a heated inert gas or a cooled inert gas into the IGU as the hermetic seal of the IGU is formed.