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 first and second gas permeable panes defining an evacuated gap in communication with a vacuum source; a first exterior pane spaced from the first gas permeable pane defining a first pressurized gap in communication with a source of pressurized gas; and a second exterior pane spaced from the second gas permeable pane defining a second pressurized gap in communication with the source of pressurized gas.

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 first and second gas permeable panes defining an evacuated gap in communication with a vacuum source; a first exterior pane spaced from the first gas permeable pane defining a first pressurized gap in communication with a source of pressurized gas; and a second exterior pane spaced from the second gas permeable pane defining a second pressurized gap in communication with the source of pressurized gas.

A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit includes an array of spacers provided between at least a pair of substrates, such as glass substrate. Certain example embodiments relate to a VIG window unit including spacers (e.g., pillars) of or including a metal alloy. The metal alloy of the spacer may be an amorphous metal alloy (e.g., Zr and/or Cu based amorphous alloy). Such metal alloy spacers advantageously reduce the thermal conductivity of the spacer array and can increase the center of glass R-value of the VIG window unit.

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.

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 first and second gas permeable panes defining an evacuated gap in communication with a vacuum source; a first exterior pane spaced from the first gas permeable pane defining a first pressurized gap in communication with a source of pressurized gas; and a second exterior pane spaced from the second gas permeable pane defining a second pressurized gap in communication with the source of pressurized gas.

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.

A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.

A door is provided that includes a door panel having a periphery and opposite first and second panel surfaces, stiles and rails collectively surrounding the panel, and sealant. The stiles have channeled stile surfaces extending across a thickness of the stiles and facing one another. The rails have channeled rail surfaces extending across a thickness of the rails and facing one another. The channeled stile surfaces and the channeled rail surfaces include channels with open ends that receive the periphery of the panel, first grooves positioned at first interfaces of the first panel surface and first edges of the open ends of the channels, and second grooves positioned at second interfaces of the second panel surface and second edges of the open ends of the channels. The sealant is received in the first and second grooves, preferably forming a water-proof seal.

A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.

The present invention refers to a Vacuum Insulating Glazing (VIG) able to provide excellent thermal insulation to the transparent components of curtain walling systems in buildings and to cabinets for domestic or commercial refrigerators, and to a process for its manufacture.