Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VERTICAL AND SLOPED GLAZING FRAMING MEMBERS STRUCTURED
FOR ELECTRICAL WIRING
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to vertical and sloped glazing
systems.
Specifically, for vertical and sloped glazing framing members structured for
electrical
wiring.
[0002] The primary purpose of a vertical or a sloped glazing system is to
protect
the interior of the building from the outside environment. However, both
vertical and
sloped glazing systems can also fulfill an aesthetic purpose or provide other
utilitarian
functions. For example, a glass or transparent polymer vertical glazing
structure, such as
a curtain wall, or a sloped glazing system, such as a skylight roof, can
provide a view of
the surrounding area to the building occupants or provide natural light into
the building
interior.
[0003] Recently, there are both vertical and sloped glazing systems that
include
glazing that converts sunlight to electricity, for example, crystalline and
poly-crystalline
solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and semi-transparent organic PV panels and
films. It has
been suggested, that a recently developed class of visibly transparent polymer
solar cells
(PSC) that transmit visible light, but convert near-infrared photons into
electricity, could
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be used to cover building facades in the near future. In addition, some
vertical and sloped
glazing utilize electrochromic glass for electronically tinting the glazing.
All of the above
electrically producing or electrically consumptive glazing materials require
electrical
wiring.
[0004] One of the challenges in providing electrical wiring to
electrically
producing or consumptive glazing materials in both vertical and sloped glazing
systems is
to do so while not interfering with the glazing system's ability to provide an
airtight and
watertight structural barrier from the outside environment. Another challenge
is to
provide service access to the wiring for possible future repair and
maintenance. An
additional challenge is to accomplish both of these goals while not disturbing
the
aesthetic appearance of the glazing system.
[0005] Current attempts to solve the problem of routing electrical wiring
from the
glazing material into framing structure of the glazing system include drilling
holes into
the framing element directly behind the glazing. This can cause possible
problems with
water infiltration over time and often does not provide easy post-installation
access for
maintenance or repair. Other attempts to solve the problem include routing the
wires
through surface mounted objects. This can create an undesirable aesthetic
appearance.
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SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure describes vertical or sloped glazing systems
that
facilitates wire routing to electrically producing or consumptive glazing
materials such as
solar PV panels, visibly transparent PSC, or electrochromic glass, or any
other infill
material that employs electrical wiring or conduits, while attempting to
overcome the
above described challenges.
[0007] In one aspect, the glazing system includes vertical and horizontal
framing
members, glazing panels, and pressure bar assemblies. The vertical and
horizontal
framing members include framing member gutters, glazing supports projecting
upward
from the bottom of the gutters, and enclosed cavities below the gutters. The
bottom of the
vertical framing member gutter is aligned with the horizontal framing member
so it
intersects a portion of the horizontal framing member's enclosed cavity.
Electrical wire
can be routed between the vertical framing member gutter and the enclosed
cavity of
horizontal framing member through an aperture between the two elements. The
tops of
both the vertical and horizontal framing member glazing supports are aligned
in the same
plane to engage the pressure bars and to seat and secure a glazing panel.
[0008] Routing the electrical wire between the vertical framing member
gutter
and the enclosed cavity of the horizontal framing member allows the electrical
wire to
transfer from the exterior to the interior portion of the glazing system while
minimizing
the possibility of water infiltration into the interior structure of the
glazing system. For
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example, as positive pressure is applied by wind, rain, and other
environmental elements
to the glazing panel, any water infiltration will tend to be pressed against
the horizontal
framing member gutter and flow down the sides of the vertical framing member
gutter
until it hits the bottom sill and is drained out through weep holes. In order
to help reduce
the possibility of air and moisture penetration and improve acoustical
performance, and
to prevent electrical wires chaffing against metal edges, any voids between
the electrical
wire and the aperture can be sealed with a flexible water proof or water
resistant material.
For example, the void can be sealed with silicon caulking or an elastomeric
washer,
grommet, or gasket.
[0009] The back surface of the horizontal and vertical framing members can
be
made removable so that the electrical wiring can be accessed and serviced from
inside the
building. An aperture can be drilled between the vertical and horizontal
framing member
enclosed cavities in order to route the electrical wire between them. This in
combination
with the removable back surfaces of the horizontal and the vertical framing
member,
facilitates routing wire between the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity
within
the interior building structure and allows the electrical wires to be routed
invisibly
throughout the entire glazing system.
[0010] The novel structure described above can be applied to a wide range
of
vertical and sloped glazing systems. For example, the glazing system can be
applied to a
stick-built vertical curtain wall where the vertical frame members are
vertical mullions,
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and the horizontal framing members are horizontal mullions. In addition, the
novel
structure can be applied to skylights and other sloped glazing systems, for
example,
hipped-end skylight, polygon shaped skylights, pyramid skylights, and
greenhouses
where the vertical framing members are sloped rafters and the horizontal
framing
members are purlins. The novel structure can be applied to modular vertical
and sloped
glazing systems, for example, modular skylight structures. The novel structure
can be
applied to pre-glazed, pre-assembled vertical or sloped glazing systems, for
example,
unitized curtain walls. In addition, the novel structure can be applied to pre-
assembled
glazing framing structures that are not pre-glazed.
[0011] This Summary has introduced a selection of concepts in simplified
form
that are described in more detail in the Description. The Summary is not
intended to
identify essential features or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a side cutaway view portion illustrating the
relationship
between the vertical and the horizontal frame members in the prior art.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a novel structure that can be
applied to
both vertical and sloped glazing systems.
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[0015] FIG. 4 shows a side view of FIG. 3.
[00161 FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of FIG. 3 showing a partial
cutaway
on the horizontal framing member for clarity.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a partial exploded view of FIG. 3.
[00191 FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of the glazing section of FIG.
3
showing two vertical framing members.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a section of a vertical glazing system in accordance
FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a section of a sloped glazing system in accordance
with
FIG. 3
[0022] FIG. 11 shows the sloped glazing section of FIG. 10 with the
pressure
bars, face caps, and gaskets removed for clarity.
[0023] FIG. 12 shows a hipped-end skylight in accordance with FIGS. 3 and
11.
[0024] FIG. 13 shows a pyramid skylight in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 11.
[00251 FIG. 14 shows a polygon shaped skylight in accordance with FIGS. 3
and
11.
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DESCRIPTION
[00261 For the purpose of this disclosure, the terms "left" or "right" are
used as
relative terms in relation to the figures. These terms are not used to denote
absolute
direction, or orientation and do not imply a preference or limitation for a
particular
orientation. Throughout this disclosure, the term "horizontal framing member"
is used to
denote a horizontal mullion in a vertical glazing system or a purlin in a
sloped glazing
system. The term "vertical framing member" is used to denote a vertical
mullion in a
vertical glazing system or a rafter in a sloped glazing system.
[0027] Throughout this Description, reference is made to the figures,
where like
numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views. FIGS. 1-2 show
portions of
a glazing system 10 known in the art. FIG. 1 shows a side cutaway view of a
portion of
the glazing system 10 illustrating the relationship between a vertical framing
member 11
and a horizontal framing member 13. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of FIG. 1.
In FIGS.
1-2, the vertical framing member 11 can be a vertical mullion, for example, in
a curtain
wall or vertical glazing system, or a rafter, in a skylight or a sloped
glazing system. The
horizontal framing member 13 can be a horizontal mullion, for example, in a
vertical
glazing system. Alternatively, the horizontal framing member 13 can be, for
example, a
purlin, a crossbar member, or a skylight crossbar, in a sloped glazing system.
A glazing
panel 15 is secured to the vertical framing member 11 and the horizontal
framing member
13 by a pressure bar assembly 17. The glazing panel 15 can be a sheet of
glass, or
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alternatively electrically producing or consumptive glazing material such as
solar PV
panels, visibly transparent PSC, or electrochromic glass, or other infill
materials that
employ wiring or conduits. The vertical framing member 11 and the horizontal
framing
member 13 are aligned squarely so that the vertical framing member gutter 19
aligns with
the horizontal framing member gutter 21. In FIG. 1, the vertical framing
member gutter
19 is hidden and shown as a region adjacent to the glazing panel 15. The
horizontal
framing member gutter 21 is hidden in FIG. 2 and shown as a region adjacent to
the
glazing panel 15 above the broken lines.
[0028] One of the challenges presented by the arrangement of FIGS. 1-2 is
that
there is no direct manner for routing the wire into interior of the building
without risking
water leakage. Because of limited access, routing a wire into the vertical
framing member
enclosed cavity 23 or the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 25, both
which
potentially access the interior of the building, would require drilling a hole
into either
cavity on the surface parallel to the glazing panel 15. Pressure on the
exterior structure
creates positive pressure on these surfaces creating the potential for water
leakage.
100291 FIGS. 3-8 show portions of a novel structure, which can be applied
to both
vertical and sloped glazing systems and any infill that employs electrical
wiring or
conduit connectors. This glazing system 100 overcomes the challenges presented
by
FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of the glazing system
100. FIG.
4 shows a side view of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6
shows a
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side perspective view of FIG. 3 showing a partial cutaway on the horizontal
framing
member 105; the glazing is removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a partial
exploded view of
FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of a portion of the glazing
system 100
showing two of the vertical framing members 103.
[0030] Referring
to FIGS. 3-7, the glazing system 100 includes a vertical framing
member 103, a horizontal framing member 105, a pressure bar assembly 107, a
vertical
framing member gutter 109, a horizontal framing member gutter 111, a vertical
framing
member enclosed cavity 113, and a horizontal framing member enclosed cavity
115. In
FIGS. 3-5, the vertical framing member gutter 109 projects outwardly from the
vertical
framing member enclosed cavity 113 and forms a first seating surface for a
glazing panel
117. The horizontal framing member gutter 111 projects outwardly from the
horizontal
framing member enclosed cavity 115 and forming a second seating surface for
the
glazing panel 117. The vertical framing member gutter 109 is deeper than the
horizontal
framing member gutter 111. The top edges of the vertical framing member gutter
109 and
the horizontal framing member gutter 111 are aligned in the same plane in
order to seat
and secure a glazing panel 117. In FIGS. 3-7, the difference in depth between
the vertical
framing member gutter 109 and the horizontal framing member gutter 111 creates
an
offset between the vertical framing member enclosed cavity 113 and the
horizontal
framing member enclosed cavity 115 so that a portion of the vertical wall of
the vertical
framing member 103 aligns with the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity
115.
This allows for the possibly of electrical wire 119 to be routed from the
vertical framing
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member gutter 109 into the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 115. A
wire-
receiving aperture 121 can be positioned in, and passing between, a region
where the
vertical framing member gutter 109 intersects the portion of the horizontal
framing
member enclosed cavity 115. In order to help reduce the possibility of air and
moisture
penetration and improve acoustical performance, and to prevent electrical
wires chaffing
against metal edges, any voids between the electrical wire and the aperture
can be sealed
with a flexible water proof or water resistant material. For example, the void
can be
sealed with silicone caulking or an elastomeric washer, grommet, or gasket.
[0031] Routing the electrical wire 119 between the vertical framing member
gutter 109 into the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 115, in the
above
described region, allows the electrical wire 119 to transfer from the exterior
portion to an
interior portion of the glazing system 100 while minimizing the possibility of
water
infiltration into the interior structure of the glazing system 100. For
example, as positive
pressure is applied by wind, rain, and other environmental elements to the
glazing panel
117, any water infiltration will tend to be pressed against the horizontal
framing member
gutter 111 and flow down the sides of the vertical framing member gutter 109
until it hits
the bottom sill and is drained out through weep holes. Direct pressure is not
applied
against the wire-receiving aperture 121.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows the electrical wire 119 routing down into the vertical
framing member gutter 109. The electrical wire 119 is routed into the
horizontal framing
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member enclosed cavity 115 through an wire-receiving aperture 121. The wire-
receiving
aperture 121 and wire are hidden from view in the horizontal framing member
enclosed
cavity 115 and are denoted by broken lines.
[0033] In FIG. 4, the cutaway section of the vertical framing member 103
shows
the electrical wire 119 running down the vertical framing member gutter 109
and shows
the relationship between the vertical framing member enclosed cavity 113, the
vertical
framing member gutter 109, the electrical wire 119, and the horizontal framing
member
enclosed cavity 115. Similarly in FIG. 6, a cutaway section of the horizontal
framing
member 105 reveals the electrical wire 119 entering the horizontal framing
member
enclosed cavity 115 through the wire-receiving aperture 121. The interior of
the vertical
framing member 103 is hidden. A broken line shows the position of the vertical
framing
member gutter 109 and the vertical framing member enclosed cavity 113 in
relationship
to the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 115.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a top cutaway view of FIG. 4 illustrating the
horizontal
framing member gutter 111 in relation to the glazing panel 117, the vertical
framing
member gutter 109 in relation to the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity
115, and
the electrical wire 119 routing from the vertical framing member gutter 109
through the
wire-receiving aperture 121 in the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity
115.
[0035] In FIG. 6, a horizontal framing member back surface 123 is
removable in
order to facilitate servicing the electrical wire 119 from inside the
building. The
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horizontal framing member 105 can also hold junction boxes, transformers, and
other
equipment associated with the electrical wires 119. These are easily
assessable by
removal of the horizontal framing member back surface 123. In addition,
removing
horizontal framing member back surface 123 also allows for drilling the wire-
receiving
aperture 121 from the inside of the building during fabrication of the glazing
system 100.
A vertical framing member back surface 125 can also be made removable. An
second
wire-receiving aperture 121a can be drilled between the vertical framing
member
enclosed cavity 113 and the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 115, as
shown in
FIG. 6 in order to route the electrical wire 119 between the two closed
cavities. The
combination of the second wire-receiving aperture 121a between the closed
cavities and
the removable back surfaces of both the horizontal framing member 105 and the
vertical
framing member 103 facilitates routing the electrical wire 119 between the
vertical
framing member enclosed cavity 113 and the horizontal framing member enclosed
cavity
115 within the building structure. This structure allows the electrical wires
119 to be
routed invisibly throughout the entire glazing system.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows the horizontal framing member back surface 123 and the
vertical framing member back surface 125 removed from the horizontal framing
member
105 and the vertical framing member 103. FIG. 8 shows a portion of the glazing
system
100 with two of the vertical framing members 103. The vertical framing member
103 on
the left hand side of FIG. 8 and the horizontal framing member 105 have their
back
covers removed to illustrate how electrical wire 119 can be routed through the
horizontal
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framing member enclosed cavity 115 and the vertical framing member enclosed
cavity
113 and are protected from the elements. On the right hand portion of FIG. 8,
the
electrical wire119, which originates from the glazing panel 117, is routed
through the
vertical framing member gutter 109 through the wire-receiving aperture 121
between the
vertical framing member gutter 109 and the horizontal framing member enclosed
cavity
115. The electrical wire 119 is routed through the horizontal framing member
enclosed
cavity 115 through the second wire-receiving aperture 121a on the left hand
portion of
FIG. 8 into the vertical framing member enclosed cavity 113.
[0037] Referring
back to FIGS. 3, and 5-7, the vertical element of the pressure bar
assembly 107 is secured to a vertical framing member glazing support 127.
Similarly, in
FIGS. 3-7, and 6-7, the horizontal element of the pressure bar assembly 107 is
secured to
the horizontal framing member glazing support 129. This secures the glazing
panel 117 to
the vertical framing member 103 and the horizontal framing member 105. In
FIGS. 3-5,
gaskets 131 between the framing members and the glazing panel 117 and between
the
pressure bar assembly 107 and the glazing panel 117 provide a water resistant
seal. The
gaskets 131 are typically an elastomeric material such as silicon. Referring
to FIG. 3, the
height of the vertical framing member glazing support 127 is lengthened by an
amount
equal to the additional depth added to the vertical framing member gutter 109
in order for
the top of both the vertical framing member glazing support 127 and the top of
the
horizontal framing member glazing support 129 to lie in the same plane. This
helps to
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ensure that the pressure bar assembly 107 will lie in the same plane as, and
provide equal
pressure to, the glazing panel 117.
[0038] The novel structure described for FIGS. 3-8 can be applied a wide
range of
vertical and sloped glazing systems. FIG. 9 shows the glazing system 100
applied to a
stick-built vertical curtain wall. The vertical curtain wall includes the
vertical framing
member 103, the horizontal framing member 105, and the glazing panel 117 and
includes
the novel arrangement of framing members as previously described.
[0039] FIGS. 10-11 show the glazing system 100 applied to a sloped glazing
system. FIG. 10 shows a section of the sloped glazing system including the
glazing
panels 117, pressure bar assembly 107, vertical framing members 103 in the
form of
rafters, and horizontal framing members 105 in the form of purlins. FIG. 11
shows the
portion of the glazing system 100 with the pressure bar assembly 107 and the
glazing
panels 117 of FIG. 10 removed for clarity. Referring to FIG. 11, the vertical
framing
member gutter 109 is deeper than the horizontal framing member gutter 111. The
top
edges of the vertical framing member 103 and the horizontal framing member 105
are
aligned in the same plane in order to seat and secure a glazing panel 117 as
illustrated in
FIG. 10. In FIGS. 11, the difference in depth between the vertical framing
member gutter
109 and the horizontal framing member gutter 111 creates an offset between the
vertical
framing member enclosed cavity 113 and the horizontal framing member enclosed
cavity
115 so that a portion of the vertical wall of the vertical framing member 103
aligns with
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the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity 115. This facilitates the wire
routing
described for FIGS. 3-8.
[0040] FIGS. 12-14 show other typical sloped glazing systems where the
novel
structure described for FIGS. 3-11 can be applied. FIG. 12 shows a hipped-end
skylight,
FIG. 13 shows a pyramid skylight, and FIG. 14 shows a polygon shaped skylight
with the
vertical framing members 103 and the horizontal framing members 105 arranged
in
accordance with FIGS. 3 and 11. The vertical framing members 103 and portions
of the
horizontal framing members 105 are hidden from view and represented in the
figure by
broken lines.
[0041] Both vertical and sloped glazing systems that facilitate wire
routing to
electrically producing or consumptive glazing materials has been described. It
is not the
intent of this disclosure to limit the claimed invention to the examples,
variations, and
exemplary embodiments described in the specification. Those skilled in the art
will
recognize that variations will occur when embodying the claimed invention in
specific
implementations and environments. For example, it is possible to implement
certain
features described in separate embodiments in combination within a single
embodiment.
Similarly, it is possible to implement certain features described in single
embodiments
either separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. It is the intent
of the
inventor that these variations fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
While the
examples, exemplary embodiments, and variations are helpful to those skilled
in the art in
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understanding the claimed invention, it should be understood that, the scope
of the
claimed invention is defined solely by the following claims and their
equivalents.
=
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