Vacuum insulated glass units system

Abstract

Vacuum systems comprising vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units are provided. The vacuum spaces within the VIG units are connected to one another and to one or more vacuum pumps that are configured to operate during the service lives of the VIG units.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a vacuum insulating glass unit, the method comprising:
 multiple shot injection molding one or more spacers;   placing the one or more spacers between two glass sheets in a vacuum insulating glass unit, wherein the spacers contribute to the maintenance of a space between two glass sheets in a vacuum insulating glass unit; and   forming an edge seal around the space between the two glass sheets.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising evacuating the space between the two glass sheets to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the multiple shot injection molding produces at least two regions in the one or more spacers, the at least two regions having different compositions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions comprises a polymer that is not present in another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions comprises a filler that is not present in another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the at least two regions comprise the same polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions has a lower coefficient of friction than another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein water is less soluble in one of the at least two regions than in another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions has a greater resistance to degradation from ultraviolet light than another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions has a lower outgassing than another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions has greater wear resistance than another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3  wherein one of the at least two regions has greater compression strength than another of the at least two regions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the composition of one of the at least two regions can be bonded to one of the glass sheets with greater bond strength than the composition of another of the at least two regions.