This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.

Various embodiments herein relate to methods, structures, tools, installation systems, etc. for retrofitting a new electrochromic window in a pre-existing window recess. In many cases, the new electrochromic window is installed parallel to a lite of a pre-existing window, with the resulting structure including the new electrochromic window, the pre-existing window, and a pocket that forms between them. Installation of a new electrochromic window in tandem with a pre-existing window results in many benefits including improved insulation (e.g., due to the presence of the additional air pocket(s) and lite(s)), improved climate control (e.g., due to the ability to control the amount of sunlight entering the building via the electrochromic window), and enhanced aes thetics.

The invention relates to a method of providing vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units each comprising at least a first and a second glass pane and a plurality of support pillars distributed between opposing surfaces of said glass panes to provide a gap (8) between the glass panes. A plurality of pane elements are provided, and individual topographic representations (TOPREP_2a-TOPREP_2n) of each of said plurality of pane elements (2a-2n) are obtained based on input (4) from a measuring arrangement (3), and the topographic representations are stored in a data storage (DS). The stored topographic representations are processed and resulting surface distance characteristic between pairs of panes are estimated. Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) assemblies are thus provided based on estimated resulting surface distance characteristics. The invention additionally relates to a system for providing manufacturing layouts and a manufacturing facility.

The present invention provides an energy-saving plate and a method for manufacturing the same. The energy-saving plate of the present invention includes: at least one upper plate, at least one lower plate, at least one inner plate, and a plurality of support structures; a top edge of the upper plate and a bottom edge of the lower plate appear as a straight line; the inner plate is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, and adjacent plates are separated by the plurality of support structures; an exhausting opening is provided at a lateral side of the inner plate, which is a through-groove inter-penetrating upper and lower surfaces of the inner plate; the periphery of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the inner plate are sealed via a sealing material, so as to form vacuum layers between the plate layers; an exhausting pipe is arranged in the exhausting opening, with which the exhausting opening is sealed together via the sealing material, an open-end of the exhausting pipe is located inside the exhausting opening, and a closed-end of the exhausting pipe is located outside the exhausting opening and is located in the space formed between the upper plate and the lower plate. In the present invention, a total flat surface of the energy-saving plate is achieved without structure defects, thus enhancing the strength of the energy-saving plate.

The present invention provides an energy-saving plate and a method for manufacturing the same. The energy-saving plate of the present invention includes: at least one upper plate, at least one lower plate, at least one inner plate, and a plurality of support structures; a top edge of the upper plate and a bottom edge of the lower plate appear as a straight line; the inner plate is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, and adjacent plates are separated by the plurality of support structures; an exhausting opening is provided at a lateral side of the inner plate, which is a through-groove inter-penetrating upper and lower surfaces of the inner plate; the periphery of the upper plate, the lower plate, and the inner plate are sealed via a sealing material, so as to form vacuum layers between the plate layers; an exhausting pipe is arranged in the exhausting opening, with which the exhausting opening is sealed together via the sealing material, an open-end of the exhausting pipe is located inside the exhausting opening, and a closed-end of the exhausting pipe is located outside the exhausting opening and is located in the space formed between the upper plate and the lower plate. In the present invention, a total flat surface of the energy-saving plate is achieved without structure defects, thus enhancing the strength of the energy-saving plate.

Systems and methods for transparent organic photovoltaic devices are provided. In one embodiment, an organic semiconductor device comprises: a first glass sheet comprising a first ultra-thin flexible glass material; at least one transparent organic photovoltaic cell bound to the first glass sheet; and a second glass sheet applied to the at least one organic photovoltaic cell, wherein the at least one transparent organic photovoltaic cell is positioned between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet.

A dynamic multi-pane insulating assembly and system including methods for dynamically maintaining the thermal resistance value of the assembly and system. The dynamic multi-pane insulating assembly and system includes an interior pane and first and second exterior panes. The first exterior pane and a first side of the interior pane defines an evacuated gap in communication with a vacuum source and a second side of the interior pane and the second exterior pane defines a pressurized gap in communication with the source of pressurized gas.

A straight connector (1), for hollow profiled elements (2) of spacer frames, mullions, or transoms for insulated glass panes, has several connector legs (6, 7) extending in various directions from a central connection point (9). The connector legs have retaining elements (18) for engaging on a hollow profiled element (2). The straight connector (1) has a base plate (10), with a top side with a raised support base (12) for the hollow profiled elements (2) and on both sides thereof on the connector legs (6, 7) the fin-like retaining elements (18) are arranged one after the other in a row. The support base (12) is arranged, in a longitudinal direction, in the center and has a center stop (8) for the hollow profiled elements to be put on, on both sides and which hollow profiled elements are supported at the joint (26) by the support base.

A skylight assembly, having framing members that define an interior space and rafters that span the interior space between framing members, for supporting panes of glass, each pane having at least one structural glass panel and a thermal panel. The framing members each have a vertical portion and support assembly extending inwardly, including an upper support surface, a lower support surface, and a vertical step therebetween. A glass setting block made of a rubbery material rests upon the upper support surface, vertical step, and lower support surface. The structural glass panels are fully supported by the upper support surface. The thermal panel is supported by the lower support surface, and is sealed to the upper support surface by a spacer, forming an insulating glass unit therewith. The full support of the structural glass, independent of the support of the thermal panel, allows the skylight to be thermally insulated and walkable.

A skylight assembly, having framing members that define an interior space and rafters that span the interior space between framing members, for supporting panes of glass, each pane having at least one structural glass panel and a thermal panel. The framing members each have a vertical portion and support assembly extending inwardly, including an upper support surface, a lower support surface, and a vertical step therebetween. A glass setting block made of a rubbery material rests upon the upper support surface, vertical step, and lower support surface. The structural glass panels are fully supported by the upper support surface. The thermal panel is supported by the lower support surface, and is sealed to the upper support surface by a spacer, forming an insulating glass unit therewith. The full support of the structural glass, independent of the support of the thermal panel, allows the skylight to be thermally insulated and walkable.