System and method for reducing heat transfer from a warm side to a cold side along an edge of an insulated glazing unit

Abstract

A spacer bar for use in glazing units employs two heat blockage portions. One heat blockage portion is implemented as a low thermal conductivity planar plastic s wall portion, wherein the other heat blockage portion is of an extended length and is implemented as a low thermal conductivity non-planar plastic lined metal wall portion. The non-planar plastic lined metal wall portion, preferably including irregularities, such as ridges, ribs, or the like.

1 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit, which associated insulating glazing unit includes opposed first and second glazed structures, the spacer bar comprising:
 a hollow elongated body including:
 an internal chamber;
 a first heat blockage portion adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of the first glazed structure; and 
 a second heat blockage portion adapted for engaging with a corresponding edge of the second glazed structure; 
 
   wherein the first heat blockage portion and the second heat blockage portion are adapted to envelope the internal chamber;   wherein the first heat blockage portion is a generally planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body; and   wherein at least one part of the second heat blockage portion is a generally non-planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body.   
   
   
       2 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 1 :
 wherein the at least one generally non-planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body comprises at least one irregularity;   wherein dimensions of the at least one irregularity are determined by given thermal performance of the spacer bar.   
   
   
       3 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the first heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body comprises a low thermal conductivity plastic member. 
   
   
       4 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body comprises a low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal member. 
   
   
       5 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 4  wherein the low thermal conductivity plastic lined metal member of the second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body comprises:
 a metal member including a first edge and a second edge; and   a plastic liner member fixedly attached to the metal member;   wherein a thickness of the plastic liner member exceeds a thickness of the metal member.   
   
   
       6 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 5  wherein the first and second edges of the metal member are adapted for engaging with respective edges of the generally planar wall portion of the first heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body. 
   
   
       7 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 6  wherein the first and second edges of the metal member each include a folded portion adapted for protruding in a direction generally orthogonal to the generally planar wall portion of the hollow elongated body. 
   
   
       8 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the first heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body opposes the at least one generally non-planar part of the second heat blockage portion of the hollow elongated body. 
   
   
       9 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of claim wherein the internal chamber of the hollow elongated body is filled at least partially with a desiccant. 
   
   
       10 . A spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the internal chamber of the hollow elongated body is filled at least partially with a thermally-insulative material.