METHODOLOGY FOR EVACUATING THE SAME

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/248,661 filed on October 30, 2015, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to vacuum insulated glass units including a vacuum chamber plug. More specifically, the present disclosure introduces technology for vacuum insulated glass units and vacuum insulated glass unit pumping systems that remove gas from vacuum chambers of the vacuum insulated glass units.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] According to embodiments, a vacuum insulated glass unit is disclosed. In

embodiments, the vacuum insulated glass unit includes a first glass pane, a second glass pane, a vacuum chamber plug, and a plug bonding layer. In embodiments, the first and second glass panes each include a vacuum chamber side opposite an outer side. In embodiments, the first glass pane is coupled to the second glass pane and a vacuum chamber is disposed between the first glass pane and the second glass pane. In embodiments, the first glass pane includes an evacuation hole extending therethrough. In embodiments, the evacuation hole includes a blind wall, a shoulder surface, and a through wall. In embodiments, the blind wall extends between the outer side of the first glass pane and the shoulder surface. In embodiments, the through wall extends between the vacuum chamber side of the first glass pane and the shoulder surface. In embodiments, the vacuum chamber plug includes a seating portion having a seating surface and an insertion portion extending from the seating surface. In embodiments, the plug bonding layer is positioned between the shoulder surface of the evacuation hole and the seating surface of the vacuum chamber plug when the vacuum chamber plug is positioned within the evacuation hole. In embodiments, the plug bonding layer is compositionally configured to fuse upon absorption of laser radiation to bond the vacuum chamber plug and the evacuation hole and hermetically seal the vacuum chamber. [0004] In accordance with embodiments, a vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a first glass pane, a second glass pane, a vacuum chamber plug, a vacuum cup, a plug suspension system, and a vacuum pump. In embodiments, the first and second glass panes each include a vacuum chamber side opposite an outer side. In embodiments, the first glass pane is coupled to the second glass pane and a vacuum chamber is disposed between the first glass pane and the second glass pane. In embodiments, the first glass pane includes an evacuation hole extending therethrough. In embodiments, the vacuum chamber plug is structurally configured to plug the evacuation hole and hermetically seal the vacuum chamber. In embodiments, the vacuum cup is fluidly engageable with the vacuum pump. In embodiments, the vacuum cup is structurally configured to engage the outer side of the first glass pane such that the vacuum cup covers the evacuation hole. In embodiments, the plug suspension system is engageable with the vacuum chamber plug to suspend the vacuum chamber plug apart from the evacuation hole. In embodiments, the vacuum pump is structurally configured to remove gas from the vacuum chamber when (i) the vacuum pump is fluidly engaged with the vacuum cup, (ii) the vacuum cup is covering the vacuum chamber plug and the evacuation hole, and (iii) the vacuum chamber plug is suspended apart from the evacuation hole. In embodiments, the plug suspension system is structurally configured to disengage the vacuum chamber plug after gas is removed from the vacuum chamber such that the vacuum chamber plug is directed into the evacuation hole to close the vacuum chamber.

[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of evacuating a vacuum insulated glass unit is disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes engaging a vacuum chamber plug with a plug suspension system. In embodiments, the method includes positioning a vacuum cup along an outer side of a first glass pane, such that the vacuum cup covers the vacuum chamber plug and an evacuation hole extending through the first glass pane. In embodiments, the first glass pane is coupled to a second glass pane. In embodiments, the first and second glass panes each comprise a vacuum chamber side opposite an outer side. In embodiments, the first glass pane is coupled to the second glass pane and a vacuum chamber is disposed between the first glass pane and the second glass pane. In embodiments, the method includes removing gas from the vacuum chamber located between the first glass pane and the second glass pane using a vacuum pump. [0006] Although the concepts of the present disclosure are described herein with primary reference to some specific vacuum insulated glass unit and pumping system configurations, it is contemplated that the concepts will enjoy applicability to vacuum insulated glass units and pumping systems having any configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 A is a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system and a vacuum insulated glass unit depicting a vacuum chamber plug spaced apart from an evacuation hole according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0009] FIG. IB is a schematic illustration of a schematic illustration of the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system and the vacuum insulated glass unit of FIG. 1A depicting a vacuum chamber plug positioned in an evacuation hole according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0010] FIG. 2 is schematic illustration of a glass pane of the vacuum insulated glass unit of FIGS. 1 A and IB according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0011] FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration of the glass pane of FIG. 2, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

[0012] FIG. 4 is schematic illustration of the vacuum chamber plug of FIGS. 1A and IB according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figs. 1A and IB are schematic illustrations of a vacuum insulated glass unit 100 and a vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200. The vacuum insulated glass unit 100 comprises a first glass pane 110, a second glass pane 120, a vacuum chamber plug 170, and a plug bonding layer 180. The first glass pane 110 is coupled to the second glass pane 120 and each comprise a perimeter 119, 129 and a vacuum chamber side 112, 122 opposite an outer side 114, 124. The vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 110 faces the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120 and a vacuum chamber 102 is positioned therebetween.

[0014] The first glass pane 1 10 and the second glass pane 120 may comprise any glass composition suitable as a vacuum insulated window. For example, the first and second glass panes 1 10, 120 may comprise soda-lime glass, for example, soda-lime float glass, alumino silicate glass, borosilicate glass, Gorilla® Glass, or the like. The first glass pane 1 10 and the second glass pane 120 may also comprise tempered glass, for example, heat tempered glass, chemically tempered glass, or the like. The first and second glass panes 1 10 may also comprise any thickness, for example, between about 3 mm and about 12 mm, such as 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, or the like.

[0015] Referring now to Figs. 1A, IB, and 2 the first glass pane 110 comprises an evacuation hole 160 extending therethrough. The evacuation hole 160 comprises a blind wall 164, a shoulder surface 162, and a through wall 166. The blind wall 164 extends between the outer side 114 of the first glass pane 110 and the shoulder surface 162 and may comprise a diameter of between about 0.1 mm and about 100 mm, for example between about 10 mm and about 60 mm, between about 35 mm and about 50 mm, or the like. The through wall 166 extends between the vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 1 10 and the shoulder surface 162 and may comprise a diameter of between about 5 mm to about 90 mm, for example, between about 15 mm and about 55 mm, between about 25 mm and about 35 mm, or the like.

[0016] Referring also to Fig. 3, the evacuation hole 160 may extend though the first glass pane 110 at any location along the outer side 114 and the vacuum chamber side 1 12. For example, the evacuation hole 160 may be positioned closer to the perimeter 1 19 of the first glass pane 110 than a pane center 1 11. Further, the evacuation hole 160 may be positioned adjacent a corner of the perimeter 119 of the first glass pane 110. While the first glass pane 1 10 is depicted as comprising the evacuation hole 160, it should be understood that the second glass pane 120 may also or alternatively comprise the evacuation hole 160. Further, the vacuum insulated glass unit 100 may comprise multiple evacuation holes 160, for example, extending through the first glass pane 110 and the second glass pane 120.

[0017] Referring now to Figs. 1A, IB, and 4, the vacuum chamber plug 170 may comprise an outer surface 171 opposite an insertion surface 179, a seating portion 172, and an insertion portion 176. The seating portion 172 may comprises a seating surface 174 and a seating wall 175. The seating wall 175 may extend between the outer surface 171 and the seating surface 174. Further, the insertion portion 176 may extend outward from the seating surface 174, terminating at the insertion surface 179. The insertion portion 176 may comprise an insertion wall 178 extending between the seating surface 174 of the seating portion 172 and the insertion surface 179. Further, the vacuum chamber plug 170 may comprise any glass composition, for example, the same glass composition as one or both of the first and second glass panes 110, 120, for example, soda-lime glass, such as soda-lime float glass, alumino silicate glass, borosilicate glass, Gorilla® Glass, or the like.

[0018] In operation, the vacuum chamber plug 170 is structurally configured to engage the evacuation hole 160 and plug the evacuation hole 160 to hermetically seal the vacuum chamber 102. When the vacuum chamber plug 170 is engaged with the evacuation hole 160, the seating wall 175 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 faces the blind wall 164 of the evacuation hole 160, the insertion wall 178 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 faces the through wall 166 of the evacuation hole 160, and the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 faces the shoulder surface 162 of the evacuation hole 160. Further, when the vacuum chamber plug 170 is engaged with the evacuation hole 160, the outer surface 171 may be flush with the outer side 114 of the first glass pane 1 10 or may be offset from the outer side 1 14 of the first glass pane 110.

[0019] Referring again to Figs. 1A, IB, and 4, the plug bonding layer 180 may be positioned between the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160 when the vacuum chamber plug 170 is positioned within the evacuation hole 160. For example, the plug bonding layer 180 may be positioned between the shoulder surface 162 of the evacuation hole 160 and the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170. Moreover, the plug bonding layer 180 may be positioned between the seating wall 175 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the blind wall 164 of the evacuation hole 160 and may be positioned between the insertion wall 178 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the through wall 166 of the evacuation hole 160. When the vacuum chamber plug 170 is positioned apart from the evacuation hole 160, the plug bonding layer 180 may be coupled to the vacuum chamber plug 170, for example, the seating surface 174, the insertion wall 178, and/or the seating wall 175. Further, when the vacuum chamber plug 170 is positioned apart from the evacuation hole 160, the plug bonding layer 180 may be coupled to the shoulder surface 162, the blind wall 164, and/or the through wall 166 of the evacuation hole 160.

[0020] The plug bonding layer 180 may comprise a low melting point glass, a glass frit, a low-emissivity material (e.g., the material of a low-emissivity layer 144), a metal solder (e.g., indium solder, or the like), an inorganic material, such as Sn0 ₂ , ZnO, Ti0 ₂ , ITO, Zn, Ce, Pb, Fe, VA, Cr, Mn, Mg, Ge, SnF ₂ , ZnF ₂ , and combinations thereof. The plug bonding layer 180 may be transparent or opaque. The plug bonding layer 180 may comprise a softening temperature within a range of temperatures that are at least partially exclusive of a range of softening temperatures of each of the first and second glass panes 110, 120 and the vacuum chamber plug 170. For example, the plug bonding layer 180 may comprise a softening temperature lower than a softening temperature of the first and second glass panes 110, 120 and the vacuum chamber plug 170 such that the plug bonding layer 180 may fuse without deforming adjacent portions of the first and second glass pane 110, 120 or the vacuum chamber plug 170. The plug bonding layer 180 comprises a thickness of between about 0.1 μηι and about 100 μιτι, for example, 1 μιτι, 3 μιτι, 5 μηι, 10 μιη, 15 μηι, 25 μιτι, 50 μηι, or between about 0.5 μηι and about 5 μηι.

[0021] The plug bonding layer 180 is compositionally configured to fuse upon absorption of radiation at wavelengths between about 300 nm and about 1600 nm, for example, about 750 nm and about 1600 nm, about 420 and about 750 nm, or the like, output by a bonding laser operating at between about 1 W and about 25 W, such as between about 10 W and about 20 W to bond the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160 and hermetically seal the vacuum chamber 102. Further, the plug bonding layer 180 may be compositionally configured to absorb at least 10% of the energy output by the bonding laser at a predetermined wavelength. Further, an index- matching adhesive may be positioned between the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160, for example, after laser bonding. The index-matching adhesive may comprise any index matching material and may comprise an index of refraction the same or similar to the index of refraction of the first glass pane 110 and the vacuum chamber plug 170.

[0022] Referring now to Figs. 1 A, IB, and 2, the vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 110 may comprise an interior surface 118 and a glass pane periphery 116 positioned along the perimeter 1 19, for example, adjacent the perimeter 119. The glass pane periphery 116 may extend from the interior surface 118 and terminate at a periphery surface 1 17. The interior surface 118 may be offset from the periphery surface 117 such that the vacuum chamber 102 is disposed between the interior surface 118 of the first glass pane 1 10 and the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120. The glass pane periphery 116 may be integral with the vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 1 10. For example, the interior surface 118 may be chemically etched, laser etched, or the like, such that the interior surface 118 is integral with the glass pane periphery 1 16. While the first glass pane 110 is depicted as comprising the glass pane periphery 116, it should be understood that the second glass pane 120 may also or alternatively comprise the glass pane periphery 1 16. Further, the glass pane periphery 116 may comprise a discrete component, such as a glass gasket ("glasket"), glass shim, or other spacing device positioned between and coupled to the vacuum chamber sides 1 12, 122 of the first and second glass panes 110, 120.

[0023] As depicted in Figs. 1 A, IB, and 2, the vacuum insulated glass unit 100 may further comprise a plurality of spacers 130 positioned between the vacuum chamber side 1 12 of the first glass pane 110 and the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120. The plurality of spacers 130 comprise an end surface 132 that faces the vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 1 10 or the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120. The plurality of glass spacers 130 are structurally configured to maintain separation of the first glass pane 110 and the second glass pane 120 when the vacuum chamber 102 comprises a pressure below atmospheric pressure, for example, after gas is removed from the vacuum chamber 102. The plurality of spacers 130 may comprise glass, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof and may be integral with the vacuum chamber sides 112, 122 or may be comprise discrete components coupled to the vacuum chamber sides 1 12, 122. Integral glass spacers 130 may be formed by chemically etching or laser etching the vacuum chamber sides 112, 122 of the first and/or second glass panes 110, 120. Alternatively, glass bump spacers may be formed according to the laser- induced methods provided in U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0247063 the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. Further, one or more spacers 130 may be coupled to or extend integrally from the insertion surface 179 of the vacuum chamber plug 170.

[0024] The vacuum insulated glass unit 100 may further comprise a pane bonding layer 140 positioned between and engaged with the first glass pane 110 and the second glass pane 120, such that the pane bonding layer 140 couples the first glass pane 110 to the second glass pane 120. For example, the pane bonding layer 140 may be positioned between and engaged with the periphery surface 117 of the glass pane periphery 116 of the first glass pane 110 and the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120. The pane bonding layer 140 may also be disposed on the end surfaces 132 of the plurality of glass spacers 130. The pane bonding layer 140 may comprise a low melting point glass, a glass frit, a low-emissivity material, a metal solder, such as indium solder, an inorganic material, such as Sn0 ₂ , ZnO, Ti0 ₂ , ITO, Zn, Ce, Pb, Fe, VA, Cr, Mn, Mg, Ge, SnF ₂ , ZnF ₂ , and combinations thereof. Further, the pane bonding layer 140 may comprise a thickness of between about 0.1 μηι and about 100 μηι, for example, 5 μπι, 10 μιτι, 15 μιτι, 25 μιτι, 50 μιτι, or the like.

[0025] The pane bonding layer 140 is compositionally configured to fuse upon absorption of radiation at wavelengths between about 300 nm and about 1600 nm, for example, about 750 nm and about 1600 nm, about 420 and about 750 nm, or the like, output by a bonding laser operating at between about 1 W and about 25 W, such as between about 10 W and about 20 W and seal the first glass pane 110 to the second glass pane 120. Further, the pane bonding layer 140 may comprise a softening temperature within a range of temperatures that are at least partially exclusive of a range of softening temperatures of each of the first and second glass panes 110, 120. For example, the pane bonding layer 140 may comprise a softening temperature lower than a softening temperature of the first and second glass panes 110, 120, such that the plug bonding layer 180 may fuse without deforming adjacent portions of the first and second glass pane 110, 120. While the vacuum insulated glass unit 100 is depicted as comprising the pane bonding layer 140, it should be understood that the first glass pane 110 may be coupled to the second glass pane 120 using glass sealing systems and methods of which may be learned from conventional or yet-to-be developed teachings related to glass coupling and sealing.

[0026] As depicted in Figs. 1 A and IB, a low-emissivity layer 144 may be positioned on the vacuum chamber side 112 of the first glass pane 1 10, the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120, or both. For example, the low-emissivity layer 144 is depicted positioned along the vacuum chamber side 122 of the second glass pane 120 in Figs. 1 A and IB. The outer side 114 of the first glass pane 110, the outer side 124 of the second glass pane 120, or both may also include the low-emissivity layer 144. The low-emissivity layer 144 comprises a low- emissivity material, for example, a tin oxide, such as indium tin oxide and fluorine- doped tin oxide, silver, metallic silver, metallic nickel, silicon nitride, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, gold oxide, or combinations thereof. The low-emissivity layer 144 is compositionally configured to reflect radiant heat and permit transmission of visible radiation upon exposure to solar radiation. The vacuum chamber plug 170 may also comprise the low-emissivity layer 144, for example, disposed along the insertion surface 179.

[0027] Referring again to Figs. 1 A and IB, the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200 comprises a vacuum cup 210, a plug suspension system 220, and a vacuum pump 250 and is structurally configured to remove gas from the vacuum chamber 102 of the vacuum insulated glass unit 100. The vacuum cup 210 is fluidly engageable with the vacuum pump 250. For example, a vacuum tube 240 may be fluidly coupled to the vacuum cup 210 and the vacuum pump 250 and may extend therebetween. The vacuum pump 250 may comprise any pumping system structurally configured to remove gas from a contained space, for example, the vacuum chamber 102. In operation, the vacuum pump 250 may remove gas from the vacuum chamber 102 when the vacuum pump 250 is fluidly engaged with the vacuum cup 210, the vacuum cup 210 is covering the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160, and the vacuum chamber plug 170 is suspended apart from the evacuation hole 160.

[0028] The vacuum cup 210 is structurally configured to engage the outer side 1 14 of the first glass pane 110 such that the vacuum cup 210 covers the evacuation hole 160. The vacuum cup 210 comprises a cup rim 212 and a cup wall 214. The cup rim 212 is sealably engageable with the outer sides 1 14, 124 of the first and second glass pane 1 10, 120 to generate a hermetic seal along the cup rim 212, for example, between the cup rim 212 and the outer side 114 of the first glass pane 1 10. The cup rim 212 may comprise an elastomeric material or other material configured to generate a hermetic seal. Further, the cup wall 214 may be selectively magnetic, for example, the cup wall 214 may include one or more magnetic regions, for example, electromagnets.

[0029] The vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200 may also comprise one or more discrete magnetic regions 270 positioned adjacent the cup wall 214, for example, within or outside the vacuum cup 210. The discrete magnetic regions 270 are structurally configured to output a magnetic force. For example, the discrete magnetic regions 270 may comprise electromagnets, ferromagnets, alcnico magnets, samarium cobalt magnets (SmCo), neodymium iron boron magnets (NdFeB), or the like. The discrete magnetic regions 270 may be

magnetically actuatable to selectively and intermittently output a magnetic force and may be mechanically actuatable, to move in and out of positions adjacent the cup wall 214. For example, when the discrete magnetic regions 270 comprise permanent magnets (e.g., ferromagnets, alcnico magnets, SmCo magnets, NdFeB magnets, or the like), they may be mechanically actuatable to selectively output a magnetic force into the vacuum cup 210.

[0030] The plug suspension system 220 is structurally configured to engage the vacuum chamber plug 170 and suspend the vacuum chamber plug 170 apart from the evacuation hole 160 (Fig. 1A). The plug suspension system 220 is also structurally configured to disengage the vacuum chamber plug 170, such that the vacuum chamber plug 170 is directed, for example, propelled or dropped into the evacuation hole 160 to close the vacuum chamber 102 (Fig. 1A). For example, the plug suspension system 220 may engage the vacuum chamber plug 170 during a gas removal process and may disengage the vacuum chamber plug 170 after gas is removed from the vacuum chamber 102.

[0031] As depicted in Figs. 1 A and IB, the plug suspension system 220 may comprise a plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230, each comprising a suspension surface 232, an alignment wall 234, and a tapered insertion surface 236. The suspension surface 232 extends between the alignment wall 234 and the tapered insertion surface 236. The plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 are structurally configured to suspend the vacuum chamber plug 170 apart from the evacuation hole 160 by engaging the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 with the suspension surface 232 of each of the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230.

[0032] Further, the alignment wall 234 of each of the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 is structurally configured to engage the seating wall 175 of vacuum chamber plug 170 when the suspension surface 232 of the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 is engaged with the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170. The alignment wall 234 of the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 may provide a boundary intermittently encircling the seating wall 175 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 to maintain alignment between the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160 when the vacuum chamber plug 170 is positioned apart from the evacuation hole 160.

[0033] Referring still to Figs. 1 A and IB, the tapered insertion surface 236 of each of the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 may comprise a tapered or angular shape structurally configured to guide the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160 when the plurality of discrete suspension wedges 230 are actuated from engagement with the vacuum chamber plug 170 (Fig. 1A) to disengagement with the vacuum chamber plug 170 (Fig. IB). For example, to disengage the vacuum chamber plug 170, the discrete suspension wedges 230 may translate along the outer side 114 of the first glass pane 110 away from the evacuation hole 160. As the discrete suspension wedges 230 translate away from the evacuation hole 160, the vacuum chamber plug 170 may slide along the tapered insertion surfaces 236, which direct the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160. Further, the discrete suspension wedges 230 may each comprise a magnetic or ferromagnetic material compositionally and structurally configured to move upon exposure to a magnetic force. For example, the discrete magnetic regions 270 and/or the cup walls 214 of the vacuum cup 210 may generate a magnetic force to attract the discrete suspension wedges 230 away from the evacuation hole 160, for example, toward the cup walls 214 to disengage the discrete suspension wedges 230 from the vacuum chamber plug 170.

[0034] The plug suspension system 220 may also comprise other plug suspension

mechanisms. For example, the plug suspension system 220 may comprise an actuating arm removably engageable with the vacuum chamber plug 170. The actuating arm may be coupled to the cup wall 214 and removably engaged with the outer surface 171 of the vacuum chamber plug, for example, using an adhesive. The actuating arm may suspend the vacuum chamber plug 170 apart from the evacuation hole 160 during a gas removal process and may insert the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160 after gas is removed from the vacuum chamber 102. Further, the adhesive coupling the actuating arm to the outer surface 171 may comprise a weaker adhesion strength than the plug bonding layer 180, such that the actuating arm may be removed from engagement with the outer surface 171 after the vacuum chamber plug 170 is conded to the evacuation hole 160. Moreover, the plug suspension system 220 may comprise an actuating screw removably engageable with the vacuum chamber plug 170.

[0035] Referring still to Figs. 1A and IB, the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200 may further comprise a plug engagement weight 260 removably positioned on the outer surface 171 of the vacuum chamber plug 170. The plug engagement weight 260 is structurally configured to assist entry of the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160 using gravity when the plug suspension system 220 disengages the vacuum chamber plug 170. For example, the plug engagement weight 260 may direct the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160 as the discrete suspension wedges 230 are translated away from the evacuation hole 160. Further, the plug engagement weight 260 may also be positioned along the outer surface 171 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 while bonding the plug bonding layer 180 to the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the shoulder surface 162 of the evacuation hole 160 to help maintain intimate contact between the plug bonding layer 180 and each of the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the shoulder surface 162.

[0036] Further, the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200, for example, the vacuum cup 210, may be moveable along multiple axes, for example, in a heightwise, a widthwise and a lengthwise direction to locate the one or more evacuation holes 160 of the vacuum insulated glass units 100 during an assembly process. For example, the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200 may comprise a pumping system actuator

communicatively coupled to one or more location sensors. The location sensors may be structurally configured to locate the evacuation holes 160 of the vacuum insulated glass unit 100 and provide location information receivable by the pumping system actuator. Further, the pumping system actuator may be structurally configured to move the vacuum insulated glass unit pumping system 200, for example, the vacuum cup 210, into a position covering the evacuation hole 160.

[0037] Referring again to Figs 1 A and IB, a method of evacuating the vacuum insulated glass unit 100 is contemplated. First, the vacuum chamber plug 170 may be engaged with the plug suspension system 220, for example, using the discrete suspension wedges 230, to suspend the vacuum chamber plug 170 apart from the evacuation hole 160. Next, the vacuum cup 210 may be positioned along an outer side 114 of the first glass pane 1 10 such that the vacuum cup 210 covers the evacuation hole 160 and the vacuum chamber plug 170. The vacuum cup 210 may be fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump 250, for example, using the vacuum tube 240. The vacuum pump 250 may then be actuated to remove gas from the vacuum chamber 102 positioned between the first glass pane 110 and the second glass pane 120.

[0038] Once a desired amount of gas is removed from the vacuum chamber 102, the plug suspension system 220 may be disengaged from the vacuum chamber plug 170 to direct, for example, propel the vacuum chamber plug 170 into the evacuation hole 160. Further the plug bonding layer 180 is positioned between the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the evacuation hole 160 before or after the vacuum chamber plug 170 is positioned in the evacuation hole 160. Next, the plug bonding layer 180 may be laser welded to fuse the plug bonding layer 180 and seal the vacuum chamber plug 170 over the evacuation hole 160. For example, the plug bonding layer 180 may be positioned between the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 and the shoulder surface 162 of the evacuation hole 160 and may bond the seating surface 174 of the vacuum chamber plug 170 to the shoulder surface 162 of the evacuation hole 160 to hermetically seal the vacuum chamber 102 at a pressure below atmospheric pressure.

[0039] It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the present disclosure being "configured" in a particular way, to embody a particular property, or to function in a particular manner, are structural recitations, as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is "configured" denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component. [0040] For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the term "about" is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term "about" is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0041] Having described the subject matter of the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is noted that the various details disclosed herein should not be taken to imply that these details relate to elements that are essential components of the various embodiments described herein, even in cases where a particular element is illustrated in each of the drawings that accompany the present description. Further, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these aspects.

[0042] It is noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term "wherein" as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the present invention, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term "comprising."

[0043] It is noted that, while methods are described herein as following a specific sequence, additional embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular sequence.