Glazings comprising first and second channel-section glazing elements are described. The first and second channel-section glazing elements are arranged to define a cavity in which is located an inner glazing element comprising a glass glazing element, in particular a soda-lime-silica glass sheet, channel-section glazing element or sheet of rolled glass having at least one fire polished edge. The inner glazing element divides the cavity into at least two spaces to improve the thermal and/or noise performance of the glazing. By using low emissivity coatings on one or more major surfaces of one or more of the glazing elements, the thermal performance may be further improved. Mechanical performance may be modified by the particular type of inner glazing element used. It is possible to retrofit existing glazings to improve the thermal and/or noise performance thereof.

A window system according to an aspect of the invention includes: a window frame; an inner window installed at an indoor side of the window frame; an outer window fixed to the window frame and spaced apart from the inner window with a predetermined distance at an outdoor side to form a hollow layer between the outer window and the inner window; an air-flowing opening formed between the outer window and the window frame to form a flow path in which air in the hollow layer flows or circulates; and an opening and closing device provided at one side of the inner window to open and close the inner window from the window frame. The outer window may include a tinted glass or a glass having a high absorption rate and a bracket for fixing the tinted glass to the window frame.

Infrared cloud detector systems and methods for detecting cloud cover conditions.

Transfer tapes and methods of making transfer tapes are described. In one aspect, the transfer tape comprises a template layer having a structured surface; a backfill layer disposed on at least a portion of the template layer, the backfill layer having a microstructured surface opposite the structured surface; and a layer disposed adjacent the microstructured surface, wherein the layer disposed adjacent the microstructured surface has a refractive index that differs from the backfill layer. The microstructured surface together with the adjacent layer functions as a diffusive layer, or in other words a diffusive interface. Also described are microoptical glazing and methods of making microoptical glazing as well as insulated glazing units and methods of making insulated glazing units.

The present invention provides an interlayer film for laminated glass which has excellent sound insulating properties even when the thickness is reduced, and also hardly causes optical unevenness.

An interlayer film for laminated glass includes at least one layer A containing a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the shear storage modulus of the layer A at 70° C. as measured by performing a dynamic viscoelasticity test at a frequency of 1,000 Hz in accordance with ASTM D4065-06 is 1 MPa or more, and a layer having a higher shear storage modulus than the layer A is provided on at least one surface of the layer A, and at least one surface of the interlayer film for laminated glass is in a state of having been shaped.

A glass unit including a spacer, a front glass pane attached to a front side of the spacer, a back glass pane attached to a back side of the spacer, and a pressure equalization conduit defined by and within the spacer, wherein the pressure equalization conduit has a first end and a second end, wherein the pressure equalization conduit contains a desiccant and is in fluid communication with an exterior of the glass unit at a first end port adjacent to the first end and with an interior space of the glass unit at a second end port adjacent to the second end. The glass unit may further include one or more intermediate layers contained within the interior space and one or more floating suspension systems for supporting the intermediate layers.

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.

A daylighting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a daylighting member including a first substrate having light transparency and a plurality of daylighting units having light transparency which are provided on a first surface of the first substrate, in which the daylighting unit has a reflective surface which reflects light incident to the daylighting unit, the light which is reflected on the reflective surface and emitted from a second surface of the first substrate has characteristics that the light proceeds toward a space on the same side as the side where the light is incident to the reflective surface among two spaces divided with a virtual plane as a boundary which is vertical to the second surface of the first substrate and parallel to an extension direction of the daylighting unit, and the daylighting member exhibits light absorption characteristics for absorbing a part of the light incident to the plurality of daylighting units.

A daylighting apparatus of the present invention includes: a daylighting sheet (13) that has first and second surfaces opposite to each other and that lets light in through the first surface and lets the light out through the second surface at a predetermined distribution of angles; and a visible light-reflecting sheet (15) that reflects part of visible light falling on the first surface of the daylighting sheet (13).

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.