Collapsible element for façade systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023323729-A1
Application number	US-202318183300-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2023
Priority date	Apr 8, 2022
Publication date	Oct 12, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A façade system includes a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions, a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, and a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket. The collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A façade system, comprising:
a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions;
a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket; and
a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket,
wherein the collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state, and wherein the collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.

2 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element is naturally biased to the expanded state.

3 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element is naturally biased to the collapsed state.

4 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element includes two side walls that fold inward upon moving to the collapsed state.

5 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element includes two side walls that fold outward upon moving to the collapsed state.

6 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element includes two side walls and an inner wall interposing the two side walls, and wherein the two side walls and the inner wall divide the deep pocket into the four thermal chambers.

7 . The façade system of claim 6 , wherein the side walls fold outward and the inner wall folds toward one of the side walls upon moving to the collapsed state.

8 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element includes two side walls and a cross-member extending between the side walls, and wherein the size walls are folded over one another when in the collapsed state.

9 . The façade system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the side walls extends between the thermal break and the lateral side of the panel upon transitioning to the expanded state.

10 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element comprises a first portion and a second portion separate from the first portion, each portion providing a side wall securable to the mullion and interconnected with a foldable inner wall, wherein the foldable inner wall is engageable with the lateral side upon transitioning to the expanded state.

11 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element includes first and second foldable inner walls that divide the deep pocket into three thermal chambers upon transitioning to the expanded state.

12 . The façade system of claim 11 , wherein the collapsible element further includes:
opposing first and second side walls; and
a cross-member extending between and interconnecting the opposing first and second side walls,
wherein the foldable inner walls extend from corresponding transition points where the opposing first and second side walls meet the cross-member.

13 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the collapsible element is secured to mullion or the panel with an attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a coupling device, an interference fit, a snap-fit engagement, and any combination thereof.

14 . The façade system of claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a first panel and the system further comprises:
a second panel laterally offset from the first panel, wherein the glazing pocket is defined between the exterior and interior portions of the mullion and between lateral ends of the first and second panels;
first and second exterior gaskets providing corresponding sealed interfaces between the first and second panels and the exterior portion of the mullion; and
first and second interior gaskets providing corresponding sealed interfaces between the first and second panels and the interior portion of the mullion, wherein the first and second exterior and interior gaskets substantially seal the glazing pocket.

15 . A method of assembling a façade system, comprising:
coupling a first panel to a mullion, the mullion including:
an exterior portion and an interior portion;
a glazing pocket defined between the exterior and interior portions; and
a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions and thereby dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, wherein the first panel is received within the shallow pocket;
advancing a second panel into the deep pocket and toward the thermal break, wherein a collapsible element is arranged in the deep pocket and movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state; and
dividing the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers with the collapsible element in the expanded state.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the collapsible element is naturally biased to the expanded state and advancing the second panel into the deep pocket comprises collapsing the collapsible element to the collapsed state as the second panel advances into the deep pocket.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising advancing the second panel into the second pocket at an angle offset from perpendicular to the thermal break.

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising drawing the second panel partially out of the deep pocket and thereby allowing the collapsible element to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the collapsible element is secured to at least one of the thermal break and the lateral side of the panel with an attachment means selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a coupling device, an interference fit, a snap-fit engagement, and any combination thereof.

20 . A method of reducing heat transfer through the façade system of claim 1 , the method comprising:
dividing the deep pocket of the glazing pocket into the two or more thermal chambers with the collapsible element when the collapsible element is transitioned to the expanded state; and
reducing heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket with the collapsible element in the expanded state.

Assignees

• Arconic Tech Llc

Inventors

• Barbulescu Ion-Horatiu

Classifications

• E06B3/2632 Primary

  with arrangements reducing the heat transmission, other than an interruption in a metal section · CPC title

• E04B2/967 Primary

  Details of the cross-section of the mullions or transoms (E04B2/965 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E06B3/26303

  with thin strips, e.g. defining a hollow space between the metal section members · CPC title

• E06B2003/26325

  the convection or radiation in a hollow space being reduced, e.g. by subdividing the hollow space · CPC title

• E06B2003/26398

  with two metal sections clamping a pane · CPC title