An insulating glass unit (10) is formed from a plurality of transparent layers (16, 18, 20), in which at least one illuminable panel (20) is arranged between at least two mineral glass panels (16, 18). The mineral glass panels (16, 18) are held at a defined distance from one another by at least one spacer element (14). The illuminable panel (20) is held at least on one longitudinal marginal edge (24) by the spacer element (14). The spacer element (14) is formed by at least one hollow profile (15), which preferably comprises a plurality of adjoining hollow chambers (26, 28). The outer mineral glass panels (16, 18) each adjoins at least two lateral surfaces of the hollow profile (15). The illuminable panel (20) rests on or against the intermediate hollow chamber (28). An illumination element (32) is arranged within the intermediate hollow chamber (28).

This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer.

This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer.

The system includes a series of operable louvers mounted on a four-sided frame and connected on each side to the operating mechanism that allows for easy opening and closing of the louvers. Every part of the system that is exposing to the exterior of the building is separated from the interior part of the system by a low heat conductivity material as a thermal barrier. Each operable louver is composing of a four-sided main frame, two panes of glass (inner and outer) and a coupling mechanism on each side that connects to the operating mechanism. The main frame acts as the thermal break as well as a system that absorbs the energy created when an outside object impacts the window from the outside. The system incorporates sealing devices between all moving parts to eliminate water and air infiltration. The operating system allows for easy opening and closing of the window by rotating each louver with the crank mechanism assisted by springs.

A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.

An apparatus for selectively viewing a projection includes a first pane having a top margin and a bottom margin, an angled panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein one of the top edge and the bottom edge is situated proximate the first pane; and a projector configured to project onto one of the first pane and the angled panel. The first pane and the angled panel are spatially connected by a rim at the top and bottom margins of the first pane and the top and bottom edges of the angled panel.

A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.

A spacer for insulating glass panes comprises a profile body made using a first plastics material, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section with first and second side walls arranged in parallel, each having a free end and an inner wall extending between the first and the second side wall, and a vapor diffusion barrier made of a poorly heat conducting material, extending from the free end of the first side wall to the free end of the second side wall, wherein the vapor diffusion barrier is arranged substantially in parallel to and spaced apart from the inner wall. The profile body together with the vapor diffusion barrier encloses a cavity of the spacer which is optionally configured to accommodate a desiccant.

A glass panel unit includes a first panel, a second panel, a frame body and a reduced pressure space. The reduced pressure space is surrounded with the first panel, the second panel and the frame body other than an exhaust path capable of exhausting gas to an outside, and sealed in a reduced pressure state. In a state where the inner space has been formed, the seal includes a protruding portion positioned outside of edges of a first surface of a first substrate and a second surface of a second substrate. The protruding portion has a length, along the thickness directions of the first substrate and the second substrate, longer than a prescribed interval.

The present disclosure relates to pillars useful in the fabrication of insulated glass units, particularly, vacuum glazing, insulated glass units. The invention also relates to insulated glass units containing said pillars. The present disclosure provides a pillar for use in a vacuum insulated glass unit wherein the pillar includes a body. The body includes a plurality of first structures, at least one first void region between the plurality of first structures; and a first land surface region located between the plurality of first structures and at least one first channel having first and second ends and a first channel opening proximate the first surface of the body. The first channel is in fluid communication with the local environment through at least one of its first and second ends, and the at least one first void region is in fluid communication with at least one of the local environment in a direction parallel to the first surface and the at least one first channel. The height of the plurality of first structures is less than the depth of the first channel.