Insulated glazing units

Abstract

A hermetically sealed multi-pane window assembly comprises first and second windowpane sheets formed of transparent materials. A first sealing member has an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being hermetically attached around the periphery of the first windowpane sheet by diffusion bonding. A second sealing member has an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being hermetically attached around the periphery of the second windowpane sheet by diffusion bonding and the outer edge being hermetically attached to the outer edge of the first sealing member. A spacer assembly is disposed between the first and the second windowpane sheets for maintaining a gap therebetween, whereby a hermetically sealed cavity is defined between the first and the second windowpanes.

1 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit comprising:
 a first windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   a first sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the first windowpane sheet;   a second windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   a second sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the second windowpane sheet, the second surfaces of the first and second sealing members being bonded to one another to create at least one sealed cavity between the interior regions of the first and second windowpane sheets;   a spacer assembly including a third sheet formed of a transparent material and having a plurality of stand-off members disposed on opposite sides thereof, the spacer assembly being disposed within the sealed cavity between the interior regions of the first and second windowpane sheets with the stand-off members facing the inner surfaces of the first and second windowpane sheets for maintaining a gap therebetween; and   wherein the atmosphere within the sealed cavity is a vacuum.   
     
     
         2 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the third sheet is formed of two or more discrete layers. 
     
     
         3 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein one discrete layer is formed of a glass material and another discrete layer is formed of a different material. 
     
     
         4 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein a coating is embedded between the discrete layers, the coating being one of a low-emissivity coating, a U-V absorbing coating, a U-V reflecting coating, a color tint, an electrochromatic coating, an electrochromeric coatings and an anti-reflective coating. 
     
     
         5 . An insulating glazing unit comprising:
 a first windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   a second windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   at least one sealing assembly bonded between the periphery of the first windowpane sheet and the periphery of the second windowpane sheet to create at least one sealed cavity between the interior regions of the first and second windowpane sheets;   a spacer assembly disposed within the sealed cavity between the interior regions of the first and second windowpane sheets for maintaining a gap therebetween, the spacer assembly being slidable with respect to at least one of the first and second windowpane sheets; and   the spacer assembly including a third sheet formed of a transparent material and having a plurality of stand-off members disposed on at least one side thereof facing the inner surface of at least one of the first and second windowpane sheets.   
     
     
         6 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the stand-off members are disposed on both sides of the third sheet facing the inner surfaces of both the first and second windowpane sheets. 
     
     
         7 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the stand-off members are disposed on only one side of the third sheet facing the inner surface of either the first or the second windowpane sheet. 
     
     
         8 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the stand-off members are integrally formed as part of the third sheet. 
     
     
         9 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the stand-off members are formed separately from the third sheet and then affixed thereto before being placed within the sealed cavity. 
     
     
         10 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the third sheet is formed of glass. 
     
     
         11 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the third sheet is formed of a polymer material. 
     
     
         12 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the third sheet is formed of discrete layers of different materials laminated together. 
     
     
         13 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the third sheet is coated with at least one of a low-emissivity coating, a U-V absorbing coating, a U-V reflecting coating, a color tint, an electrochromatic coating, an electrochromeric coatings and an anti-reflective coating. 
     
     
         14 . An insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the sealing assembly further comprises:
 a first sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the first windowpane sheet;   a second sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the second windowpane sheet; and   wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sealing members are bonded to one another.   
     
     
         15 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit comprising:
 a first windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   a second windowpane sheet formed of a transparent material and having a periphery surrounding an interior region;   at least one sealing assembly bonded between the periphery of the first windowpane sheet and the periphery of the second windowpane sheet to create at least one sealed cavity between the interior regions of the first and second windowpane sheets, the atmosphere within the sealed cavity being a vacuum; and   a plurality of stand-off members disposed on the interior region of at least one of the first and second windowpane sheets for maintaining a gap therebetween within the sealed cavity, the stand-off members disposed on a particular windowpane sheet being slidable with respect to the other windowpane sheet.   
     
     
         16 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the stand-off members are disposed on only one of the first and second windowpane sheets. 
     
     
         17 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the stand-off members are disposed on both of the first and second windowpane sheets. 
     
     
         18 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the stand-off members are integrally formed as part of the windowpane sheet upon which they are disposed. 
     
     
         19 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the stand-off members are formed separately from the windowpane sheets and then affixed thereto before creation of the sealed cavity. 
     
     
         20 . A vacuum insulating glazing unit in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the sealing assembly further comprises:
 a first sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the first windowpane sheet;   a second sealing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being bonded to the periphery of the second windowpane sheet; and   wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sealing members are bonded to one another.