LIGHT WEIGHT HURRICANE WINDOW AND LAMINATE WITH HIGH STRENGTH SHEET

Abstract

A hurricane-resistant laminated pane comprises a first sheet of thermally strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm, a second sheet of chemically tempered glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 MPa, and a polymer interlayer adhered between the first sheet and the second sheet. A process for making such a pane and a window comprising such a pane are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A light weight hurricane-resistant laminated pane comprising: a first sheet of thermally strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm; a second sheet of chemically strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 MPa; and a polymer interlayer between the first sheet and the second sheet and adhered to the first sheet and the second sheet.

2. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet is a sheet of a soda lime silicate glass.

3. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet is a sheet of a soda lime silicate glass.

4. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet is a sheet of a boro-aluminosilicate glass.

5. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet is a sheet of an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass.

6. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet has a thickness in the range from 0.85 to 0.4 mm.

7. The laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet has a thickness in the range from 0.8 to 0.45 mm.

8. A window comprising a laminated pane according claim 1.

9. A process for forming a hurricane resistant laminated pane, the process comprising: thermally strengthening a first sheet of glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm; using a polymer interlayer, laminating the first sheet of glass with a second sheet of chemically tempered glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 MPa.

10. A hurricane resistant window comprising: an outer pane having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm; an inner laminated pane comprising a first sheet of thermally strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm and a second sheet of chemically tempered glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 MPa and a polymer interlayer between the first sheet and the second sheet and adhered to the first sheet and the second sheet.

11. The hurricane resistant window of claim 10 in which the first sheet of the laminated pane faces the outer pane.

12. The hurricane resistant window of claim 10 in which the second sheet of the laminated pane faces the outer pane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The following detailed description can be further understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a window or IGU according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of a window or IGU according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 (Prior Art) is a cross-sectional elevational representation of a prior art hurricane-resistant window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Various aspects of the disclosure will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-2, which illustrate aspects of laminated panes, and windows employing such panes and their components, features, or properties. The following general description is intended to provide an overview of the claimed devices, and various aspects will be more specifically discussed throughout the disclosure with reference to the non-limiting depicted aspects, these aspects generally being interchangeable with one another within the context of the disclosure.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, disclosed herein is a light weight hurricane-resistant laminated pane 12 and a window 100 employing such a pane. The pane 12 comprises a first sheet 20 of thermally strengthened glass having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm, a second sheet 30 of chemically tempered (chemically strengthened) glass having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 MPa, and a polymer interlayer 40 between the first sheet 20 and the second sheet 30 and adhered to the first sheet 20 and the second sheet 30. Based on testing comprised of impact followed by pressure cycling, the use of a thin second sheet 20 allows the second sheet to be successfully used in highly strengthened form (as high as multiple hundreds of MPa of surface compression), saving weight (by thinness) and providing a damage-resistant exposed fourth surface S4, while still providing hurricane resistant performance. The surface compression of the second sheet can be higher, including greater than 200, greater than 300, greater than 400, greater than 500, and even greater than 600 MPa and above.

[0026] The first sheet 20 can be a sheet of a soda lime silicate glass.

[0027] The second sheet 30 can also be a sheet of a soda lime silicate glass. Alternatively, the second sheet 30 can be a sheet of a boro-aluminosilicate glass, or a sheet of an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass. The thickness of the second sheet can be in the range of from 0.85 to 0.4 mm, or of from 0.8 to 0.45 mm.

[0028] An improved process of forming a hurricane resistant window comprises thermally strengthening a first sheet of glass 20 having a thickness in the range of from 2 to 24 mm and, using a polymer interlayer 40, laminating the first sheet of glass 20 to a second sheet of chemically tempered glass 30 having a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 1 mm and a surface compression of at least 100 Mpa.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the first sheet 20 of the laminated pane 40 can face an outer pane 10 of the hurricane resistant window 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the second sheet 30 of the laminated pane 40 can face the outer pane 10.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the various disclosed embodiments can involve particular features, elements or steps that are described in connection with that particular embodiment. It will also be appreciated that a particular feature, element or step, although described in relation to one particular embodiment, can be interchanged or combined with alternate embodiments in various non-illustrated combinations or permutations.

[0031] It is also to be understood that, as used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes examples having one such “component” or two or more such “components” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, a “plurality” or an “array” is intended to denote two or more, such that an “array of components” or a “plurality of components” denotes two or more such components.

[0032] Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, examples include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0033] All numerical values expressed herein are to be interpreted as including “about,” whether or not so stated, unless expressly indicated otherwise. It is further understood, however, that each numerical value recited is precisely contemplated as well, regardless of whether it is expressed as “about” that value. Thus, “a dimension less than 100 nm” and “a dimension less than about 100 nm” both include embodiments of “a dimension less than about 100 nm” as well as “a dimension less than 100 nm.”

[0034] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.

[0035] While various features, elements or steps of particular embodiments can be disclosed using the transitional phrase “comprising,” it is to be understood that alternative embodiments, including those that can be described using the transitional phrases “consisting” or “consisting essentially of,” are implied. Thus, for example, implied alternative embodiments to a device comprising A+B+C include embodiments where a device consists of A+B+C, and embodiments where a device consists essentially of A+B+C.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure can occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosure should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.