CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Number 62/429,589, filed on December 2, 2016, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[002] The modern construction industry uses glass for a wide range of purposes. In particular, twentieth century architecture has created a demand for glass space- delimiting and space-dividing walls, banisters, roofs, concrete construction elements, and numerous other structural elements. In some cases, buildings, including skyscrapers, are covered with glass and/or hardened glass with reinforcing inserts.

[003] Glass is also suitable for increasing the level of comfort in the interiors of buildings, most frequently by heating. The simplest method of doing this is by making use of the greenhouse effect, as glass permits light to pass through it in addition to providing heat radiation.

[004] The use of glass in the construction industry has spread to an extraordinary extent in recent decades, and this is primarily a consequence of the material's multiple advantages. For example, glass is aesthetically pleasing, has great strength, and is environmentally friendly. Due to its elegance, interior designers use it in kitchens, bathrooms (e.g., for drying devices), as well as other rooms of a home, where it is primarily used for surfaces, space delimiting, horizontal and vertical planar heating surfaces, fireplaces, and/or furnishings (e.g., shelves, anti-condensation devices, heated furniture, etc.).

[005] An even more recent development is the use of solar collectors, which are not only able to provide backup heating for the interior of buildings, but are also capable of producing hot water.

[006] Heatable glass surfaces (e.g., radiators) were first used in order to satisfy aesthetic demands. For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,523,566, titled "Glass Electrical Heating Panel," filed February 2, 1945, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, proposes electrically powered heating panels made from glass. The perimeter of the rectangular heat-resistant glass panel has an electrically conducting band, along the middle of which are glass ribbons into which resistance wires are embedded and powered from the frame. The neighbouring ribbons are separated from each other by strips that do not conduct electricity. Its disadvantage is that it is only able to radiate a small amount of heat and the surface of the panel is not smooth.

[007] Patent specification number CA 1179000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, presents an electrically heated glass panel. Its heating is provided by an electrically conducting thin film layer. The layer has a resistance of from 1 to 10 Ohms per square centimeter. The glass panel is contained within a ribbon- shaped, electrically conducting frame around its perimeter, and this provides the thin film layer on the entire surface of the panel with a power supply. Nevertheless, its heating ability is limited.

[008] Patent specification registration number EP 0 497 720, titled "Glass Heating Panel," filed January 28, 1992, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, presents a single-layer heating panel and is the first to propose the use of silver oxide (among other possibilities) for soldering together the electrically conducting parts serving as the heating resistance. One side of the glass panel is formed as a homogenous resistance, which, in some cases, has an insulation layer. Its disadvantage is that its field of application is extremely narrow. For example, it is unsuitable for use in floor heating or for windows.

[009] Patent specification registration number FR 2,908,261 , titled "Heating Panel for Electric Heater in e.g. Bath Room, Has Front and Rear Plates Spaced From Each Other to Provide Space Between Hating Element and Rear Plate, and Joint Placed at Periphery of Panel to Ensure Sealing Between Plates," filed November 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a panel assembled from two panes. Of the two, the front pane is always made from glass and the rear pane may be made from glass or plastic. There is a relatively large distance between the panel layers, and a water- and air-tight connection runs around their perimeter. Its advantage is that it may be reliably used in the case of bent glass surfaces and in very damp environments. However, its heating ability is limited.

[0010] One feature common among the above disclosures of the related art is that the heating surfaces must be established during installation using the knowledge of the conditions onsite. Apart from this, the level of transparency (pellucidity) is never perfect, and the heating ability of the heating surface is never even. [0011] Utility model specification registration number HU 4268, titled "Multi Purposal Glass-Panel," filed May 28, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses that an illuminating panel that transmits external light may be made into a full-value heating panel if the panel has a glass pane layer that forms a heat mirror. A glass panel that originally had the function of a window therefore may also fill the role of a room radiator and as auxiliary heating in cases when other forms of heating are already available.

[0012] However, the HU 4268 disclosure does not make it possible to completely leave out modern building engineering devices, for example, satisfying requirements for dehumidification, nor does it prevent the heat radiated by the panel from heating the walls of the building instead of heating the airspace. In addition, it is still not able to emit heat completely evenly.

[0013] There thus remains an unmet need in the art for a heating glass structure with improved performance and even heat distribution, especially for the space delimiting and space dividing surfaces of buildings designed for human occupation, for the independent, regulated heating of the building, and for improving the level and feeling of comfort within it.

SUMMARY

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a heating glass structure configured to provide a beneficial, specific heating performance per square meter and fully even heat distribution. Example heating glass structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure are more efficient than other devices in the related art. Such device of the present disclosure may be used, for example, for glazing doors and windows without detracting from their aesthetic appearance.

[0015] According to some aspects, the heating glass structure may comprise a simple infrared heating radiator and/or a unidirectionally radiating, transparent, heat-insulating heating glass having a regulated temperature. Example heating glass structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may comprise more than one glass pane layer, including a primary heating glass pane which has a thin metal coating applied thereto. The metal coating may be in communication with an electricity supply. The metal coating may be stabilized on the primary heating glass pane with a fixing film, for example. A second glass pane layer may be fixed to the primary heating glass pane using a fixing film designed to adhere multiple layers of glass. According to some aspects, the primary heating glass pane, its metal coating, the fixing film, and the second glass pane layer may be connected to each other without any gaps therebetween. In addition, two or more heating glass structures may be connected to or proximal to each other to form, for example, a system of approximately right angled parallelogram panels.

[0016] According to some aspects, the metal coating may be supplied with power from a building's electrical energy network, for example, via at least one low electrical resistance current distribution rail, wherein the at least one rail comprises a surface diffusor layer. According to some aspects, the heating glass structure may further comprise a heat sensor and a control unit.

[0017] Additional advantages and novel features of these aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1A shows a top view of an example heating glass structure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1 B shows a side view of an example heating glass structure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a corner of an example heating glass structure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3A shows a top view of an example mirrored heating glass structure according to aspects of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3B shows a side view of an example mirrored heating glass structure according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a heating glass structure, which may comprise a simple infrared heating radiator and/or a unidirectionally radiating, transparent, heat-insulating heating glass having a regulated temperature. Example heating glass structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may comprise more than one glass pane layer, including a primary heating glass pane that has a thin metal coating applied thereto. The metal coating may be in communication with an electricity supply. The metal coating may be stabilized on the primary heating glass pane with a fixing film, for example. A second glass pane layer may be attached to the primary heating glass pane also via a fixing film. According to some aspects, the primary heating glass pane, its metal coating, the fixing film, and the second glass pane layer may be connected to each other without any gaps therebetween. In addition, two or more heating glass structures may be connected to or proximal to each other to form, for example, a system of approximately right angled parallelogram panels.

[0024] According to some aspects, the metal coating may be supplied with power from a building's electrical energy network, for example, via at least one low electrical resistance current distribution rail, wherein the at least one rail comprises a surface diffusor layer. According to some aspects, the heating glass structure may further comprise a heat sensor and a control unit.

[0025] Example heating glass structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may comprise a panel. The panel may have the shape of, for example, an approximately right angled parallelogram. The panel may comprise a primary heating glass pane layer, which has a thin, electrically conductive metal coating provided thereon, wherein the metal coating may be in communication with an electricity supply. Examples of metal coatings useful according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, metal oxides such as aluminium oxide (AI2O3), tin oxide (SnC^), and combinations thereof. It should be understood that any metal material known in the art for such purposes and that has acceptable electrically conductive properties may be used according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] According to some aspects, the metal coating may be applied to portions of the glass structure (e.g., the primary heating glass pane layer) using any acceptable method/process and/or devices known in the art. For example, the metal coating may be provided to one or more components of the glass structure using physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and/or any similar pyrolytic processes. [0027] According to some aspects, the metal coating may have a nanoscale thickness, that is, a thickness of between 1-100 nanometers. However, it should be understood that the thickness of the metal coating may be any suitable thickness that provides an acceptable function as described herein.

[0028] The metal coating may be stabilized on the primary heating glass pane layer using a fixing film. A second glass pane layer may be attached to the primary heating glass pane layer also using the fixing film, which is designed to adhere multiple layers of glass. It should be understood that any fixing film known for such purposes and that provides an acceptable function as described herein may be used according to aspects of the present disclosure. Example fixing films that may be used according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film.

[0029] According to some aspects, the fixing film may be provided by treating a certain material to provide the fixing film. For example, according to some aspects, the fixing film may be provided by subjecting a material (e.g., an EVA film) to a tempering process, for example, by heating the glass structure, including the material, in a tempering furnace to a temperature sufficient to temper the material, thereby providing the fixing film.

[0030] According to some aspects, the primary heating glass pane layer, its metal coating, the fixing film, and the second glass pane layer are connected to each other without any gaps therebetween.

[0031] According to some aspects, the second glass pane layer may comprise a common heat mirror coating designed to eliminate thermal emittance and reflect the heat radiating from the structure. According to some aspects, the heat mirror coating may reflect 80% of the radiating heat, optionally 85%, optionally 90%, optionally 95%, optionally 96%, optionally 97%, optionally 98%, optionally 99%, and optionally 100%.

[0032] According to some aspects, the primary heating glass pane layer may comprise at least one low electrical resistance current distribution rail. According to some aspects, the current distribution rail(s) and the primary heating glass pane layer may comprise a diffusor layer which may contain materials with high thermal conductivity therebetween, wherein the diffusor layer is configured to promote surface evenness of the heating current. The structure may further comprise a control unit coupled to both a power supply and the panel, and the structure may be configured to regulate the panel's surface temperature, such as to prevent overheating, and to enable remote operation. The structure may also comprise one or more heat sensors. [0033] It should be understood that the above combination of features may be configured to harmonize operation parameters, and may thereby realize a simple infrared heating radiator.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the structure may comprise a unidirectionally radiating, transparent heat-insulating heating glass pane that has a regulated temperature. In addition to the features discussed above, the structure may further comprise a third glass pane layer proximal to the second glass pane layers having a heat mirror coating that reflects the heat radiating from the structure as described herein.

[0035] The structure may further comprise a fourth glass pane layer having a metal coating on a first face thereof, wherein the metal coating is configured to protect against direct solar radiation. According to some aspects, the first face may be on the side of the fourth glass pane layer proximal the third glass pane layer.

[0036] The structure may further comprise a first spacer piece comprising one or more components fitted between the second glass pane layer and the third glass pane layer to provide a first gap, and a second spacer piece comprising one or more components fitted between the third glass pane layer and the fourth glass pane layer to provide a second gap. According to some aspects, the first gap may correspond to the size of the first spacer piece and the second gap may correspond to the size of the second spacer piece. According to some aspects, the first gap and/or the second gap may comprise a gas. Examples of gases include inert gases, such as argon.

[0037] According to some aspects, current distribution rail(s) may be connected to the power supply via cable clips, for example. According to some aspects, the control unit may be connected to one or more heat sensors, to the cable clips, to a remote operated thermostat, and/or to a control center. The control unit may also communicate with other device wirelessly.

[0038] It should be understood that the above features provide several advantages, among which include the ability to produce a significantly greater specific heating performance compared to other structures known in the related art (e.g., a heating performance improvement of as much as 1200 W/m ² ). Example structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may also provide an attractive aesthetic appearance and an even heat distribution. Such structures may also provide partial or complete dehumidification, thereby minimizing loss of the heat produced. For example, according to some aspects, less than 10% of heat produced by the structure is lost, optionally less than 9%, optionally less than 8%, optionally less than 7%, optionally less than 6%, optionally less than 5%, optionally less than 4%, optionally less than 3%, optionally less than 2%, and optionally less than 1 %.

[0039] In some examples, experiments have shown that 70% of the energy input is utilized through radiation and 30% is utilized through convection. It should be understood that as such, temperature distribution may be realized even in rooms with a high internal height.

[0040] From the point of view of operating buildings, devices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may reduce the flow of heat therefrom, especially in comparison to a traditional window. By using the structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, less energy may be required to maintain the glass surfaces at a stable temperature. As such, buildings comprising glass structures according to the aspects of the present disclosure may exhibit an exceptionally favorable energy balance.

[0041] Example structures of the present disclosure will now be discussed in detail, specifically in relation to the drawings.

[0042] FIGS. 1A and 1 B show a panel 15, which may have, for example, a cross- sectional shape of a right-angled parallelogram. One function of panel 15 may be to provide an infrared heating radiator.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1 B, a metal coating 1a may be electrically connected for example, to a primary heating glass pane layer 1. The metal coating 1a of the primary heating glass pane 1 may be provided with a power supply from current distribution rails 3 having a diffusor layer 2, wherein the current distribution rails 3 are coupled to a control unit 11 via cable clips 18, for example. Current distribution rails 3 may ensure that the heating current is evenly distributed over the metal coating 1 a, and therefore, over much of or the entire surface of the panel 15. The fixing film 4 may stabilize the metal coating on the surface of the primary heating glass pane layer 1 , and the fixing film 4 may also be used to protect the second glass pane layer 5. The heating glass pane layer 1 , the fixing film 4, and the second glass pane layer 5 may be coupled to each other so that there is no gap between them, for example, via lamination.

[0044] A control unit 11 is also shown in FIG. 1. In particular, a control unit 11 may be provided between power supply 14 and the primary heating glass pane layer 1 , and may be coupled to a heat sensor 10 and cable clips 18. The control unit 11 may be configured to sense, process, and optimize heating parameters, and may also be configured to continuously regulate the heat output as well as to maintain an information exchange communication with the control center 13. The structure may further comprise a thermostat 12 configured to determine and harmonize values of the temperature range of the primary heating glass pane layer 1.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a second example structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a corner of a panel 15. It should be understood that the panel 15 depicted in FIG 2 is out of scale in order to show components that may otherwise be difficult and/or impossible to visualize (e.g., a coating, film, heat mirror).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, a metal coating 1a of the primary heating glass pane layer 1 may be connected to power supply 14 via the control unit 11. The metal coating 1a may be provided with power from the distribution rails 3 having the diffusor layer 2. As in the example shown in FIG. 1 , the primary heating glass pane layer 1 , the fixing film 4, and the second glass pane layer 5 shown in FIG. 2 may be arranged such that there is no gap between them.

[0047] In the example structure shown in FIG. 2, the direction of heat radiation may correspond, at least in part, to a third glass pane layer 8 having a heat mirror coating 8a. The third glass pane layer 8 may be provided on the outer side of the second glass pane layer 5 (i.e., the side of the second glass pane layer 5 opposite the side facing the primary heating glass pane layer 1), at a distance corresponding to a first gap 7. The structure may further comprise a fourth glass pane layer 9 having a conventional metal film coating 9a configured to protect against solar infrared energy. The fourth glass pane layer may be provided at a distance from the third glass pane layer 8 approximately equal to the size of a second gap 17.

[0048] In the example structure shown in FIG. 2, the panel 15 may be configured to set the direction of propagation of heat at least in part due to the spacers thereof. For example, one or more spacers creating a gap may be provided on an outer side of the second glass pane layer 5 and/or on the outer side of the third glass pane layer 8 (i.e., the side of the third glass pane layer 8 opposite the side facing the second glass pane layer 5). According to some aspects, the structure may comprise first spacer(s) 6 that provides the first gap 7 and second spacer(s) 16 that provide the second gap 17. According to some aspects, the first and/or second gaps may be insulated, that is, may substantially prevent gasses from entering and/or leaving the gap. For example, the one or more spacers may be fixed to their respective glass pane layers using an adhesive. It should be understood that insulation may be provided using any adhesive known in the art to be suitable for such purposes and able to provide acceptable insulation, including, for example, a rubber adhesive (e.g., 3M™ Black Super Weatherstrip Adhesive), a urethane glue, and combinations thereof.

[0049] According to some aspects, the heat mirror coating(s) may be configured to provide illuminating glass panels built into the external walls of buildings as heat- insulating glass structures. These structure may provide exceptionally economic heating, e.g., they may radiate heat only into the internal spaces of a building with at least 98% efficiency, optionally 99% efficiency, such that energy is unable to escape without being utilized. It should be understood that the structure may also be used in different applications, for example, for heating spaces with extreme climatic conditions, spaces with a high degree of humidity (e.g., a pool, aquarium, and/or sauna), as a heated floor, as heating for sterile rooms, simple interior design purposes, and even as bulletproof space delimiting glass.

[0050] In addition, heating glass structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may enable noiseless or near noiseless performance. For example, unlike conventional radiant heat sources, such heating glass structures may make little or no noise during operation (e.g., there are no hums, pings, or whooshing noises typically associated with conventional radiant heat sources).

[0051] According to some aspects, the heating glass structure may include additional or alternative features that enable the structure to reflect light while preserving many or most of the physical characteristics of the original light. That is, the heating glass structure may include, for example, one or more features that enable the structure to act as a mirror.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the heating glass structure may include a primary heating glass pane layer 1 with a metal coating 1 a fixed on a first face and/or a second face thereof, wherein the heating glass pane layer 1 obtains its power supply from current distribution rails 3 supplemented with a diffusor layer 2. The metal coating 1a may be the same as the metal coating 1a as described herein. A fixing film 4 as described herein may stabilize the metal coating 1a on the surface of the primary heating glass pane layer 1. [0053] The heating glass structure may also comprise a second primary heating glass pane layer 19 fixed to the primary heating glass pane layer 1 by the fixing film 4. For example, the second primary heating glass pane layer 19 may be fixed to the first face of the heating glass pane layer 1 , the first face of the heating glass pane layer 1 having the metal coating 1 a fixed thereon. The heating glass pane layer 1 , the fixing film 4, and the second primary heating glass pane layer 19 may be laminated to each other so that there is no gap between them.

[0054] The second primary heating glass pane layer 19, for example, may comprise a reflective substance. For example, the second primary heating glass pane layer 19 may be provided with a silvering layer 19a that acts as a mirror. According to some aspects, the silvering layer 19a may be provided within the lamination. For example, the silvering layer 19a may be provided on a face of the second primary heating glass pane layer 19 that faces the primary heating glass pane layer 1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the heating glass structure may also include a second glass pane layer 5 fixed to the primary heating glass pane layer 1 via the fixing film 4. The second glass pane layer 5 may be fixed to a second face of the primary heating glass pane layer 1 opposite the first face. The second face of the primary heating glass pane layer 1 may or may not include the metal coating 1a. The second glass pane layer 5 may include a heat mirror coating 5a, which may function as the heat mirror coating 8a described herein. That is, the heat mirror coating 5a may reflect radiating heat. The heat mirror coating 5a may be provided on a face of the second glass pane layer 5 that is opposite the primary heating glass pane layer 1. The three layers (i.e., the heating glass pane 1 , the second primary heating glass pane 19, and the second glass pane layer 5) may be provided with the fixing film 4 such that there are no gaps between them, for example, via lamination.

[0056] A control unit 11 as described herein can also be seen in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 being physically located between the power supply 14 and the primary heating glass pane layer 1 , and connected to the heat sensor 10 and the cable clips 18, as described herein. FIG. 3 also shows a control center 13 and a thermostat 12, as described herein.

[0057] In addition to the properties of the heating glass structure described herein, the mirrored heating glass structure may beneficially reduce or eliminate the potential for condensation of water vapor on the mirrored surface.

[0058] While the aspects described herein have been described in conjunction with the example aspects outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example aspects, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

[0059] Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for."

[0060] Further, the word "example" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. Nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.