The present invention provides a panel assembly, a refrigerator, and home appliances. The panel assembly of the present invention comprises: a first panel formed of a glass material; a second panel spaced apart from the first panel and formed of a glass material; a plurality of spacers provided between the first panel and the second panel so as to maintain a gap between the first panel and the second panel, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a sealing member disposed between the first panel and the second panel for sealing a space between the first panel and the second panel; an exhaust hole provided in at least one of the first panel and the second panel so as to discharge air such that the space between the first panel and the second panel becomes a vacuum insulation space; and a cover member covering the exhaust hole.

A spacer is interposed between a pair of glass substrates facing each other. The spacer is disposed in contact with the pair of glass substrates. The spacer includes a center portion having a plate shape or a columnar shape, and both end portions protruding from both end surfaces of the center portion. At least any one of the both end portions has a spherical cap shape, or a spherical zone shape or a truncated conical shape. A radius A of a base portion at each of the both end portions is equal to a radius B of the center portion, or is smaller than the radius B.

A method of vacuum sealing a sacrificial panel to a structural panel, such as to form a walkway, is disclosed. The method comprises providing a sacrificial panel having a first side and a second, opposing side, providing a plurality of dots, applying the plurality of dots in a spaced relationship onto the first side of the sacrificial panel, applying a double-sided tape about the periphery of the first side of the sacrificial panel, providing a structural panel, placing the structural panel onto the first side of the sacrificial panel, wherein the dots create a gap between the sacrificial layer and the structural layer, and the double-sided tape provides an airtight seal between the sacrificial layer and the structural layer. The method further comprises providing a needle coupled to a vacuum device, inserting the needle into the gap between the sacrificial layer and the structural layer and operating the vacuum device to remove air from the gap between the sacrificial layer and the structural layer.

A laminated vacuum insulating assembly extending along a plane, P, defined by a longitudinal axis, X, and a vertical axis, Z, including: a first glass pane with thickness Z1, an inner pane face and an outer pane face and a second glass pane with thickness, Z2, an inner pane face and an outer pane face; wherein the thicknesses are measured in the direction normal to the plane, with a set of discrete spacers positioned between the first and second glass panes, a hermetically bonding seal sealing the distance between the first and second glass panes over a perimeter thereof; and an internal volume, V, defined by the first and second glass panes and the set of discrete spacers and closed by the hermetically bonding seal and where there is an absolute vacuum of pressure of less than 0.1 mbar; and where the inner pane faces face the internal volume, V.

An insulated glazing unit includes a first laminated pane including two glass sheets, each no more than 2 mm thick, that are bonded to one another by an intermediate adhesive layer, a second structural laminated pane providing the mechanical strength required for the flight conditions of an airplane, in particular resistance to bird strike and control of glazing unit deformation under pressure difference conditions during a flight on either side of the insulated glazing unit, and a gas gap between the first and second laminated panes, the first laminated pane being provided with a heating system.

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.

The present invention relates to variable optical transmission windows and window panels (VLTP) which are used for architectural applications such as building entryway systems and windows. The optical transmission of the VLTPs is reversibly changed by applying an electrical voltage. This disclosure includes combination of more than one VLTP in a single window which darken to different colors. This disclosure is directed to the use and powering of such panels in door and windows. The doors and windows having these VLTPs may also have other electronic devices which provide added user functionality.

A manufacturing method of a glass panel unit of the present invention includes a bonding step, a pressure reduction step, and a sealing step. In the bonding step, a first substrate and a second substrate are hermetically bonded together with a seal having a frame shape. In the pressure reduction step, a pressure in an inside space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate is reduced through an exhaust port. In the sealing step, sealant disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate is deformed, and the sealant thus deformed seals an opening of the exhaust port.

A multi-layer laminate includes a glass panel unit, an intermediate film, and a transparent plate. The transparent plate is assembled to the glass panel unit via the intermediate film. The glass panel unit includes a first and second glass panel, and an evacuated space. The evacuated space is interposed between the first and second glass panel. A method for manufacturing the multi-layer laminate includes a step. The step includes exhausting a gas from a bag, loaded with the glass panel unit, the intermediate film, and the transparent plate, to cause the bag to shrink and thereby assembling, using the bag thus shrunk, the glass panel unit and the transparent plate via the intermediate film. The step includes raising a pressure inside the bag from a pressure at an initial stage of heating while increasing a temperature of the intermediate film to a predetermined temperature at which the intermediate film softens.

A home appliance includes a refrigerator including a panel assembly. The panel assembly includes: a first panel formed of a glass material; a second panel spaced apart from the first panel and formed of a glass material; a plurality of spacers provided between the first panel and the second panel so as to maintain a gap between the first panel and the second panel, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a sealing member disposed between the first panel and the second panel for sealing a space between the first panel and the second panel; an exhaust hole provided in at least one of the first panel and the second panel so as to discharge air such that the space between the first panel and the second panel becomes a vacuum insulation space; and a cover member covering the exhaust hole.