Insulating window incorporating photovoltaic cells and a pressure equalization system

Abstract

A heat insulating window comprises a pair of outer glass panes, held apart by a spacing member and surrounded by a frame enclosing at least one photovoltaic cell. In a preferred embodiment a conduit system providing gas communication to the air space between the glass panes includes a desiccant.

1 . A heat insulation window comprising:
 (a) a pair of glass panes defining an interior air space therebetween;   (b) a spacing member disposed between said glass panes which maintain the panes in a spaced-apart relationship;   (c) at least one photovoltaic cell disposed between said glass panes; and   (d) a frame surrounding a perimeter of the window, wherein the frame comprises a conduit means for providing gas communication through the frame to the air space.   
     
     
         2 . The heat insulation window of  claim 1  wherein said conduit means comprises a desiccant. 
     
     
         3 . The heat insulation window of  claims 1  or  2  wherein said at least one photovoltaic cell is laminated to one of said glass panes. 
     
     
         4 . The heat insulation window of  claims 1 - 3  wherein said frame encloses an interior space and comprises an access means through said frame to said interior space. 
     
     
         5 . The heat insulation window of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the spacing member defines an internal volume in gas communication with the air space between the glass panes, and further comprising a dessicant disposed within the internal volume. 
     
     
         6 . The heat insulation window of  claim 5  wherein said at least one photovoltaic cell is electrically connected to a three pole disconnect direct current switch and an inverter. 
     
     
         7 . A heat insulation window comprising:
 (a) a pair of glass panes defining an air space therebetween and having a photovoltaic cell disposed within the airspace;   (b) a spacing member disposed between the glass panes which maintain the panes in a spaced-apart relationship, the spacing member being hollow and defining openings permitting gas communication between the air space and the interior volume of the spacing member;   (c) a desiccant material contained within the spacing member; and   (d) a frame surrounding a perimeter of the window, wherein the frame comprises:
 (i) at least one desiccant concealing member which is hollow and detachable from the frame; 
 ii) a desiccant cartridge removably disposed within the desiccant concealing member and 
 (iii) conduit means for providing gas communication between the air space and the desiccant cartridge. 
   
     
     
         8 . The window of  claim 7  wherein the conduit means provides gas communication between the interior volume of the spacing member and the desiccant cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . The window of  claim 7  wherein the desiccant cartridge comprises an elongated cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         10 . The window of  claim 7  wherein the desiccant concealing member is elongated and has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         11 . The window of  claim 10  wherein the cross-sectional profile comprises two linear segments joining at a substantially right angle. 
     
     
         12 . The window of  claim 7  wherein the frame comprises an outer channel member, an inner channel member, a web member disposed between the outer and inner channel members, wherein the desiccant concealing member is detachably connected to the inner channel member. 
     
     
         13 . The window of  claim 10  wherein the desiccant concealing member is comprised of a resilient material and comprises a first lip and a second lip which each engage an undercut groove in the inner channel member.