Volume compensation device to be used with a double glazing unit and partition system including such device

Abstract

A compensation device which can be fluidically connected with at least one double-glazing unit (100) having an internal chamber (101) containing filling gas, the device comprising an operating chamber (20) with an opening (11) which can be fluidically connected with the internal chamber (101) of the double-glazing unit (100) so as to define with the latter an internal operating chamber. The first operating chamber (20) varies the volume between a minimum volume configuration and a maximum volume configuration so as to vary said operating volume. The device (10) comprises a flexible element (30) between a minimum configuration and a maximum configuration corresponding to the respectively minimum and maximum configuration of said operating chamber (20). The flexible element (30) is poorly permeable or substantially impermeable to a filling gas comprising at least 50% of argon, xenon or krypton or a mixture thereof.

Description

[0001] VOLUME COMPENSATION DEVICE TO BE USED WITH A DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT AND PARTITION SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of partitioning systems with double-glazing units such as shop windows, facades or the like, and it particularly relates to a self-compensating system and a compensation device which can be used in such partitioning systems.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] As known, double-glazing units consist of a pair of glasses arranged facing each other and sealed so as to internally form a closed chamber. Therefore, double-glazing units are used where there is required a high thermal insulation performance.

[0007] Double-glazing units used for providing partitioning systems such as for example windows, glass walls and building facades.

[0008] For such solutions, it is required that the double-glazing units last long over time, that is maintain the thermal insulation performance over time.

[0009] As known, such partitioning systems and the double-glazing units are subjected to continuous pressure and / or temperature changes due to the outdoor environment, indoor environment, and when the environments are passed through with different temperatures or pressures when transporting the double-glazing units through a mountain pass.

[0010] Therefore, the known double-glazing units deform continuously during the day due to the pressure / temperature changes mentioned above.

[0011] Such characteristic represents a problem from an aesthetic point of view, given that the deformation of the glass sheets will be immediately visible by the people due to the differentiated reflection of the light (or images).

[0012] Furthermore, the continuous daily deformation of the glass sheets also has a functional drawback given that it reduces the duration of the double-glazing unit. As a matter of fact, such continuous deformation promotes the deterioration of the sealing and the resulting migration of the gas from the internal chamber towards the external environment through the sealing.

[0013] There are known double-glazing units which have a so-called capillary duct for placing in fluid communication the internal chamber with the external environment. Therefore, such double-glazing units do not deform with the pressure / temperature change, resolving the aesthetic problem.

[0014] However, such double-glazing units do not allow for a high durability in the thermal insulation performance both due to the leakage of the insulating gas and due to the continuous entry of moist air into the internal chamber of the glass chamber, which significantly reduces the life of the dehumidifying salts and therefore the durability of the double-glazing unit.

[0015] A further drawback of such double-glazing units provided with a duct lies in the fact that they cannot be CE marked according to UNI EN 1279-6 standard given that the user cannot be offered any guarantee with regard to the amount of insulating gas present in the internal chamber given the direct communication between the inner and outer double- glazing units during transport and / or use.

[0016] There are known sealed double-glazing units that use glass sheets that have particularly considerable thicknesses and oversized to confer greater rigidity thereto and reduce the deformation of the sheets. Such double-glazing units partially reduce the deformation of the glass sheets and therefore they do not overcome the abovementioned drawbacks neither as regards the aesthetic appearance nor the wholeness of the seal. Furthermore, such double-glazing units are expensive and heavy.

[0017] Lastly, documents WO 2018 / 163783, WO 2014 / 131094 and EP 3783183 disclose systems which provide for an expandable reservoir. However, such systems do not work, cannot guarantee certain durability and do not allow for high durability.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing a partitioning system comprising at least one double-glazing unit that is highly functional and cost-effective.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning system comprising an double-glazing unit with certain minimum durability.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning a system comprising an double-glazing unit with high durability.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning system comprising an double-glazing unit with high thermal insulation capacity.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning system comprising an double-glazing unit with high aesthetic appeal.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide a partitioning system comprising an double-glazing unit that allows a safe transport thereof.

[0025] Another object is to provide a partitioning system comprising an double-glazing unit that complies with the UNI EN 1279-3 standard.

[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a volume compensation device which can be connected with an double-glazing unit that is highly functional and cost-effective.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a volume compensation device that is impermeable to noble gases, an in particular to argon.

[0028] These and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by a self-compensating partitioning system and by a compensation device as described and / or claimed and / or illustrated herein.

[0029] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined according to the dependent claims.

[0030] Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a partitioning system 1 with a double-glazing unit 100 and a compensation device 10;

[0033] FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the compensation device 10 of FIG. 1 in different operating steps;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a partitioning system 1 with a double-glazing unit 100 and a different embodiment of the compensation device 10;

[0035] FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the compensation device 10 of FIG. 5 in different operating steps;

[0036] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show some details of the system 1 which respectively comprise a double and single double-glazing unit 100;

[0037] FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are schematic views of different configurations of the system 1;

[0038] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are schematic views of different configurations of the system 1;

[0039] FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the compensation device 10 in different operating steps with a different embodiment of the flexible element 30;

[0040] FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 show the compensation device 10 in different operating steps with a further different embodiment of the flexible element 30;

[0041] FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of a partitioning system 1 with a double-glazing unit 100 and a compensation device 10 wherein the double-glazing unit 100 comprises a Venetian blind 140, with in FIG. 23 an enlarged view of FIG. 22.

[0042] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0043] With reference to the attached figures, herein described is a system 1 for partitioning an environment. The system 1 may comprise at least one double-glazing unit 100.

[0044] Suitably, the system 1 may be used for obtaining windows, glass walls, facades or the like. Preferably, the partitioning system 1 may be configured for separating an outdoor environment from an indoor environment. For example, the system 1 may allow to obtain glass facades of skyscrapers or flats, window walls of buildings, windows of shops or the like.

[0045] The double-glazing unit 100 may be of the per se known type and it may comprise at least one pair of glass sheets 110, 111 facing an internal chamber 101 interposed between the sheets 110, 111. The internal chamber 101 may be delimited by a peripheral profile 120, which may also act as a spacer between the sheets 110, 111, and by peripheral sealing means 130, generally made of polymeric material.

[0046] Preferably, the means 130 may comprise a primary sealing 131 which may be interposed between the profile 120 and the sheets 110, 111. Possibly, the means 130 may comprise a secondary sealing 132. The latter may for example be made of butyl or silicone or polyurethane.

[0047] The system 1 may comprise a compensation device 10. The device 10 may be fluidically connected with the internal chamber 101. In this manner, the device 10 and the double-glazing unit 100 may cooperate to define a single operating volume.

[0048] As better explained hereinafter, the device 10 may be configured to change such operating volume AO.

[0049] As a matter of fact, the pressure and / or temperature change inside or outside the double-glazing unit 100 will promote a change in the operating volume.

[0050] Advantageously, the device 10 may be configured to compensate such change in operating volume, thus preventing the internal volume of chamber 101 from changing. In other words, in the event of a change in the operating volume, the internal volume of chamber 101 may remain substantially intact.

[0051] Advantageously, the above may therefore allow to prevent the glass sheets 110, 111 of the double-glazing unit 100 from deforming.

[0052] This may allow to prevent a user from seeing deformed images on the sheets by conferring the double-glazing unit 100, the system 1 and the entire building a high aesthetic appeal.

[0053] Therefore, the glass sheets 110, 111 of the double-glazing unit 100 may have smaller thickness while maintaining the required durability. As a matter of fact, the thicknesses of sheets 110, 111 may be those normally used to comply with structural and energy requirements, given that there is no need for oversizing the thickness to stiffen the sheets 110, 111 and avoid their deformation.

[0054] In this manner, the double-glazing units 100 may be cost-effective and lightweight.

[0055] Furthermore, given that the sheets 110, 111 remain spaced apart, there may be provided Venetian blinds 140 inside the chamber 101. A example of such embodiment is shown in FIG. 22.

[0056] In particular, the glass sheets 110, 111 may have a mutual distance DI substantially equal to or slightly larger than the overall dimensions D2 of the blind 140 in order to reduce the total thickness of the double-glazing unit 100 and maintain the high thermal insulation characteristics. For example, the difference between DI and D2 may be smaller than 10mm, preferably of about 6 mm.

[0057] Thanks to the non-deformability , it will be possible to create glass chambers with slabs 110, 111 with reduced thickness and with reduced DI distance, with a reduced overall thickness of the double-glazing units, despite having the internal curtain 140.

[0058] Furthermore, avoiding the deformation of the sheets 110, 111 may also allow to prevent the continuous compression / expansion of the primary sealing 131 which leads to a rapid deterioration thereof.

[0059] Therefore, this may allow to ensure wholeness of the perimeter sealing 131 over time so that the leakage of the gas from the internal chamber 101 of the double-glazing unit 100 through the sealing is negligible. In this manner, the leakage of the gas from the system 1 may essentially occur through the device 10, and then through the flexible element 30, which will be better explained hereinafter.

[0060] Thanks to this characteristic, as better explained hereinafter, the double-glazing unit 100 and therefore the system 1 may maintain the effectiveness of the thermal insulation and therefore the durability of the system over time. Furthermore, as better explained hereinafter, the system 1 may ensure a certain and pre-determinable minimum durability.

[0061] The chamber 101 of the double-glazing unit 100 may comprise at least one opening 103 which may be fl uidica lly connected with the device 10.

[0062] Suitably, as better described below, the device 10 may comprise a chamber 20 which can be fluidically connected with the chamber 101. Preferably, the device 10 may be connected with the chamber 101 through opening 103.

[0063] In greater detail, the device 10 may comprise an opening 11 which can be fluidically connected with the opening 103.

[0064] In order to enable the connection between the opening 11 and the opening 103 there may be used connection elements 60, such as for example connection pipes, as better explained below.

[0065] Suitably, the chamber 20 may be fluidically isolated from the external environment. Also the chamber 101 may be fluidically isolated from the external environment.

[0066] In this manner , the chambers 101 and 20, and possibly the connection elements 60, may cooperate to define the operating volume which may be fluidically isolated from the external environment.

[0067] Should the connection elements 60 have a particularly small volume like in the case of small ducts, the operating volume may be substantially the sum of the volume of the chamber 101 and the volume of the chamber 20. Possibly, the connection elements 60 may be substantially non-deformable at the operating pressures. In this case, while contributing to the operating volume, they will not be subject to deformations and therefore will not change their internal volume.

[0068] Suitably, the chamber 20 may be a variable volume chamber. That is, the chamber 20 may change the configuration between a minimum volume configuration and a maximum volume configuration.

[0069] Advantageously, the volume change of the chamber 20 may determine the change in the operating volume.

[0070] Suitably, as better explained below, the chamber 20 may have a greater yielding than the chamber 101 (and the elements 60 if present). In this manner, in the event of a change in pressure and / or temperature between the internal and the external of the double-glazing unit 100, the chamber 20 may change the configuration thereof and therefore the volume thereof while the volume of the chamber 101 may remain substantially intact.

[0071] The volume change of the chamber 20 may be substantially equal to the change of the operating volume. In other words, the chamber 20 may act as a variable volume reservoir to change the total operating volume, therefore compensating the pressure and / or temperature changes between internal and external while maintaining the volume of the chamber 101 substantially intact.

[0072] Furthermore, given the possibility to change the operating volume, the internal pressure may always be substantially the same as the external pressure. This may advantageously allow to prevent the cyclic internal and external pressure differentials from promoting gas migration from internal chamber 101 towards the external and vice versa.

[0073] Thanks to this characteristic, the double-glazing unit may maintain the thermal insulation characteristics thereof intact over time, that is it may have a long service life.

[0074] The device 10 may have different configurations. Preferably it may comprise at least one variable volume chamber 20 which may be fluidically connected to chamber 101 by means of suitable elements 60, for example by means of PP or metal pipes.

[0075] The device 10 may be positioned in any position. For example, it may be arranged in the lower frame of the window, as shown in FIG. 1, or it may be arranged at the upper part, as shown in FIG. 14 or both above and below as shown in FIG. 15.

[0076] As a matter of fact, thanks to the elements 60, the device 10 and in particular the chamber 20 may be positioned in an area that is easily accessible, so as to facilitate the maintenance and replacement operations, and / or in an area concealed from view, so as not to jeopardise the aesthetic appearance of the system, and / or in a large area, so as to allow a high change in volume of the chamber 20.

[0077] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the opening 103 may be arranged at the spacer profile 120. The latter may comprise a plurality of hollow longitudinal profiles 126. This may allow to form a spacer peripheral frame.

[0078] Suitably, at least one of the hollow profiles 126 may comprise an opening, such as for example a circular hole, which may define the opening 103.

[0079] The conduit 60 may comprise an end 61 connected with the opening 11 and an opposite end 62 which can be connected with the opening 103 of the chamber 101. The end 62 may be free and it may be suitable to be operatively coupled with the opening 103 In any case, conduit 60 may allow the fluidic connection between the chamber 101 and chamber 20, preferably between opening 103 and the opening 11.

[0080] Possibly, there may be a conduit 104. The elements 60 may comprise the duct 104. The end of the latter may define the end 62.

[0081] The end of the conduit 104 may be at the opening 103 or it may be inserted through the opening 103. For example, there may be provided for an opening 103 passing through the profile 120 and / or the sealing 132.

[0082] The end of the conduit 104 may be inside profile 120 or it may be inside the chamber 101, for example as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. In any case, the end of the conduit 104 may be in fluidic communication with the chamber 101.

[0083] Possibly, should there be the conduit 104, the end of the latter may define the opening 103.

[0084] It is clear that the system 1 may have different configurations.

[0085] For example, the system 1 may comprise a double-glazing unit 100 with a single chamber 101 or with two or more chambers 101. The system may further comprise a single double-glazing unit 100 or a plurality of double-glazing units arranged adjacent to each other to form a facade.

[0086] There may be possibly provided for a support frame 150 for a double-glazing unit 100 to define a fixture. Possibly, there may be provided for a frame 150 for supporting a plurality of double-glazing units, for example to form a facade.

[0087] Furthermore, the system 1 may comprise one or more devices 10 connected with one or more chambers 101. Some configurations are schematically shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

[0088] For example, the system may comprise a single device 10 connected to a single chamber 101 (for example as shown in FIG. 11) or multiple devices 10 connected to a single chamber 101, or a device 10 connected to a plurality of chambers 101 which may be of the same double-glazing unit 100 or of different double-glazing units or more devices connected to multiple chambers 101.

[0089] Possibly, the device 10 may be fluidically connected with the previously installed double-glazing units. Therefore, it may be installed in partitioning systems already built / mounted. Possibly, the device 10 may be arranged distant from the double-glazing unit 100, for example it may be arranged above an existing frame, a cornice, in a casing for rollers of roller shutters or blinds, or the like.

[0090] Possibly, the device 10 may be arranged at a high distance from chambers 101 of the double-glazing units 100. In this case, the connection element 60 may be a long conduit, measuring from a few metres to a few tens of metres.

[0091] In this case, the advantages described above with reference to the positioning the device 10 spaced apart and distant from the double-glazing units, for example from the facades, may be even larger. For example, there may be positioned the devices 10 in a special room.

[0092] Thanks to this characteristic, the device 10 may be produced and moved independently and subsequently installed on a double-glazing unit 100 swiftly.

[0093] Suitably, there may be provided for connections to allow the fluidic connection of the conduit 60 with chamber 101. These connections may have different configurations.

[0094] Possibly, although not shown in the figures, there may be provided for valve means 70 interposed between the chamber 101 and the chamber 20. Preferably such valve means 70 may have the function of damping function in order to avoid too fast changes in the volume of the chamber 20.

[0095] Thanks to this characteristic, in the event of sudden pressure changes in the chamber 101, for example as it happens due to sudden push on the glass sheets 110, 111 due to wind, this may allow to prevent the chamber 20 from absorbing the corresponding volume change entirely.

[0096] As a matter of fact, in the latter case only the exposed sheet (for example the front one) will be wind resistant, while the unexposed (rear) sheet will not significantly contribute to the resistance.

[0097] On the other hand, thanks to the valve means 70, the gas in the chamber 101 may be partially retained therein so that the two glass sheets 110, 111 cooperate to resist the wind gusts.

[0098] Preferably the valve means may provide for circuits with reduced cross-sections so as to allow the through-flow of a predetermined maximum flow. In this manner, the atmospheric pressure changes, which are slow, may always be compensated by the chamber 20, while pressure changes from thrust such as wind, which are sudden, may not be compensated entirely by the chamber 20 so as not to jeopardise the mechanical strength of the double-glazing unit 100. Furthermore, preferably, the valve means may be arranged either along the conduit 60 or at the inlet 11 of the device.

[0099] Possibly, according to a different embodiment of the system 1, the valve means 70 may be arranged at the opening 103.

[0100] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the device 10 may comprise a flexible element 30. Such flexible element 30 may be substantially laminar as better explained below.

[0101] The flexible element 30 may change the configuration thereof between a maximum operative configuration in which volume of the chamber 20 is maximum and a minimum operative configuration in which the volume of the chamber 20 is minimum.

[0102] In greater detail, the flexible element 30 may fully or at least partially delimit the chamber 20 so that the change in the configuration of the flexible element 30 corresponds to the change in the volume of the chamber 20 between the maximum volume and the minimum volume configuration.

[0103] The flexible element 30 may vary its configuration between a maximum volume configuration and a minimum volume configuration which implies a constant surface extension while changing its shape. In other words, the flexible element 30 may not increase or reduce its surface area upon switching between the maximum volume and minimum volume configuration, that is it may vary the configuration while maintaining its surface extension constant.

[0104] The flexible element 30 may therefore maintain its surface extension upon switching between the maximum and minimum volume configuration.

[0105] The flexible element 30 mentioned above may therefore be non-elastic.

[0106] The expression elastic deformation is used to indicate that the change in configuration between a maximum volume configuration and a minimum volume configuration entails a change in surface extension, that is an expansion and / or contraction of the elastic element. An example of elastic deformation is the membrane of a latex balloon that varies its surface extension as it is inflated / deflated. Therefore, the expression "nonelastic" in the present document is used to indicate that the element 30 does not deform elastically, as defined above, with the expected load during operation.

[0107] Therefore, the flexible element 30 may change the configuration thereof between the maximum and minimum configuration of the chamber 20 without changing the surface extension of the flexible element 30.

[0108] Thanks to this characteristic, the device 10 may substantially always maintain the same surface extension of the flexible element 30 over time despite the continuous change in the operating volume.

[0109] Given that the potential migration of the gas occurs through the flexible element 30 and it is related to the surface extension of the surface exposed to migration. Therefore, the constant surface extension may allow to determine the certain minimum duration of the double-glazing unit and / or certain minimum duration to maintain determined performance. As a matter of fact, the flexible element 30 which does not increase its surface area prevents the increase of the porosity size, the free volume and the reduction of cross-section which would lead to an increase in the permeability of the flexible element.

[0110] Furthermore, should the flexible element 30 have a particularly low or substantially no permeability, the filling gas may be prevented from flowing through the flexible element 30. The permeability characteristics of the flexible element 30 may remain intact during all operational steps between the maximum volume configuration and the minimum volume configuration.

[0111] A further advantage of the surface constancy described above lies in allowing the use of layers of non-elastically deformable material, such as for example continuous metal layer or a metal oxide and / or continuous ceramic oxide layer suitably applied and / or deposited on a flexible layer.

[0112] The use of a metal layer, as better explained below, allows to obtain a flexible element 30 having a particularly low, almost zero, permeability to the filling gas.

[0113] Furthermore, the flexible element 30 may be obtained with particularly low overall thicknesses while allowing particularly low permeability to the filling gases (TAB. 2).

[0114] The use of thin, and therefore reduced weight, flexible elements 30 allows to minimise the impact of the specific weight of the flexible element 30 on the expansion of the chamber 20 with advantages for the effective operation of the device 10.

[0115] The flexible element 30 may have a greater yieldability than the yieldability of glass sheets 110, 111. The expression yieldability refers to the ease of switching between the maximum volume and minimum volume configurations. In other words, the force required to promote the switching between the maximum and minimum volume configuration of the flexible element 30 may be significantly less than the force required to deform the double- glazing units.

[0116] Therefore, as mentioned above, the flexible element 30 may change the configuration (and as a result the volume of the chamber 20) before the glass sheets deform (and therefore the volume of the chamber 101).

[0117] Preferably, the flexible element 30 may interact with the external pressure. For example, the outer surface 32 of the flexible element 30 may be subject to external pressure. The inner surface 31 of the flexible element 30 may be subject to internal pressure.

[0118] In this manner, in the event of a pressure and / or temperature change between the internal (that is in the chamber 101 and in the chamber 20) and the external (that is in the environment), the flexible element 30 may change in configuration while the chamber 101 may remain substantially intact, that is at a constant volume. In this manner, the glass sheets 110, 111 will remain parallel to each other with the advantages mentioned above in terms of aesthetics (as a matter of fact, optical deformations will be avoided) and thermal insulation.

[0119] The device 10 with the flexible element 30 may have different configurations.

[0120] The flexible element 30 may comprise or consist of a flexible membrane 42. For example, FIG. 1 shows a device 10 which comprises a substantially rigid part 41 and a flexible membrane 42. The membrane 42 and the rigid part 41 may cooperate to internally define the chamber 20.

[0121] The flexible membrane 42 may define the flexible element 30. The membrane 42 may therefore change the configuration thereof between the minimum configuration (FIG. 2) and the maximum configuration (FIG. 4) corresponding to maximum and minimum volumes of the chamber 20. As described above, such change in the configuration of the membrane 42 may be obtained without elastic deformations thereof.

[0122] Suitably, the rigid part 41 may comprise the opening 11 to allow the fluidic connection with the opening 103. Therefore, the opening 11 may be at a fixed part, simplifying the sealing operations.

[0123] On the other hand, the flexible element 30 may comprise or consist of a bag 45. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the device 10 may comprise the bag 45. The latter may be closed and internally define the chamber 20.

[0124] The bag 45 may be obtained with flexible material. In this case, the bag 45 may define the flexible element 30. In greater detail, the bag 45 may change the configuration thereof between the minimum configuration (FIG. 6) and the maximum configuration (FIG. 8). As described above, such change in configuration of the bag 45 may be obtained without elastic deformations thereof.

[0125] Suitably, the bag 45 may comprise the opening 11 to allow the fluidic connection with the opening 103.

[0126] The table below (TAB 1) shows some examples of changes in volume (determined based on the fluctuations in barometric pressure and temperature according to the DIN 18008-1 standard) of the filling gas:

[0127] B = width of the double-glazing unit 100;

[0128] H = height of the double-glazing unit 100;

[0129] S = thickness of the chamber 101;

[0130] VOL = internal volume of the chamber 101 with glass sheets parallel to each other;

[0131] Vmax = maximum volume of theoretical chamber 101 (that is considered without the presence of glass sheets or other containments and considered as the maximum summer volume of a double-glazing unit produced in winter);

[0132] AVmax = change in volume between VOL and Vmax, that is theoretical change;

[0133] Vmin = theoretical minimum volume of the chamber 101 (that is considered without the presence of glass sheets or other containments and considered as the minimum winter volume of a double-glazing unit produced in summer);

[0134] AVmin = change in volume between VOL and Vmin, that is theoretical change.

[0135] TAB 1A

[0136] The chamber 20 (or if there are multiple chambers 20) may therefore be dimensioned so that the switching between the maximum volume and minimum volume configuration compensate for the change in volume (AVmin and / or AVmax) that the internal chamber 101 (VOL) would have, so that the internal volume of the chamber 101 remains substantially constant and close to the VOL.

[0137] Suitably, the chamber 20 may have an internal volume equal to the sum of AVmin and AVmax. Possibly, such volume may be greater so as to compensate for any unforeseen leakages.

[0138] According to a particular aspect of the invention, irrespective of the configurations described above, the system 1 may be substantially impermeable to the filling gases of the chamber 101. This may allow to prevent the filling gas from flowing out from the operating volume. In other words, the filling gas may remain confined to the operating volume, that is the internal volume of the chamber 101, in the volume of the chamber 20 of the device 10 and possibly in the internal volume of the connection elements 60.

[0139] The system 1 may be substantially impermeable to the filling gases when the latter comprise noble gases. The use of such noble gases allows to obtain high thermal insulation capacities.

[0140] The filling gas may comprise one or more of the following gases: argon, xenon, krypton.

[0141] This filling gas is particularly appreciated given that it has high thermal insulation characteristics, much higher than the anhydrous ambient air normally used.

[0142] Suitably, the filling gas may consist of a single pure gas, or preferably, it may be a mixture of gases which comprises a significant amount of at least one of the above- mentioned pure gases.

[0143] The expression significant amount is used to indicate that at least 50% by volume of the filling gas consists of one of the pure gases mentioned above, preferably argon, xenon or krypton. Preferably at least 80 % by volume of the filling gas may be one or more of the pure gases mentioned above, for example a pure gas or a mixture thereof.

[0144] For example, filling gas may comprise a significant share of pure Argon gas. The use of such amount of Argon is particularly advantageous as it has a greater thermal insulation than air and it is cost-effective. Furthermore, the use of filling gas containing Argon is particularly effective when the thickness of chamber 101 is greater than 15 mm.

[0145] According to another example, the filling gas may comprise Krypton. The use of Krypton, although more expensive than Argon, is particularly advantageous given that such gas has a greater thermal insulation capacity than Argon. Such characteristic allows to obtain high thermal insulation values even in the chambers 101 having a reduced thickness, that is less than 15 mm.

[0146] According to another example, the filling gas may comprise Xenon. The use of Xenon, although more expensive than Krypton, is particularly advantageous given that such gas has a greater thermal insulation capacity than Krypton. Such characteristic allows to obtain high thermal insulation values even in the chambers 101 having a particularly reduced thickness, that is less than 9 mm.

[0147] Some examples of filling gases are reported below.

[0148] - 100% Argon;

[0149] - 5% Air / 95% Argon;

[0150] - 10% Air / 90% Argon;

[0151] - 100% Krypton;

[0152] - 5% Air / 95% Krypton;

[0153] - 10% Air / 90% Krypton;

[0154] - 12% Air / 22% Argon / 66% Krypton;

[0155] - 100% Xenon;

[0156] - 10% Air / 90% Xenon.

[0157] The double-glazing units are characterised by a nominal transmittance value (Ug) measured in W / m2K. Such nominal value is measured with a sensitivity to the first decimal place. The nominal value is the rounding down to the first decimal place of the true value of the transmittance according to the UNI EN 673 standard.

[0158] The double-glazing unit 100 may have high thermal insulation performance when its nominal Ug remains unchanged. The double-glazing unit 100 may have a sufficient thermal insulation performance when its nominal Ug increases by one tenth. The double-glazing unit 100 may have insufficient thermal insulation performance when its nominal Ug increases by two tenths.

[0159] For example, the double-glazing unit 100, if obtained with at least one low-emissive glass sheet, may have a nominal Ug at production of about 1.1 W / m2K. As long as the nominal Ug value is equal to 1.2 W / m2K (that is the increase in nominal Ug is one decimal place), the double-glazing unit 100 may have sufficient thermal insulation performance. As long as the nominal Ug value is equal to 1.1 W / m2K (that is there is no increase in nominal Ug), the double-glazing unit 100 may have a high thermal insulation performance.

[0160] Maintaining sufficient thermal insulation capacity corresponds to the durability of the double-glazing unit 100.

[0161] Generally, the system 1 may ensure a minimum duration for a predetermined and certain period of time. Predetermined given that it will allow to determine the duration of the system 1 before the installation thereof.

[0162] Such minimum period of time may vary.

[0163] Such certain minimum period of time may be particularly short considering the construction industry. For example, temporary structures of a few years there may be required a high insulation performance that is certain for the duration of the structure.

[0164] On the other hand, there may be generally required a durability with a significantly longer minimum period of time. In the construction technical field, there may for example be considered a relatively short minimum period of time ( 12.5 years minimum durability), an ordinary period (25 years minimum durability) or a long period of time (50 years minimum durability).

[0165] Advantageously, the system 1 may ensure both ordinary and long-lasting durability.

[0166] The leakage of noble gases (Ar, Xe and / or Kr) is directly related to the increase in the nominal Ug. In particular, the leak of noble gases from internal chamber 101 corresponds to an increase in Ug and a decrease in thermal insulation effectiveness.

[0167] TAB IB

[0168] A maximum leakage of noble gases (Ar, Xe and / or Kr) of about 10 % by volume with respect to the volume of the chamber 101 may result in an increase of Ug by one tenth, the maximum leakage of noble gases (Ar, Xe and / or Kr) of 5 % by volume with respect to the volume of the chamber 101 may not result in an increase of Ug by one tenth.

[0169] Advantageously, the system 1 may be configured so as to be less permeable to the filling gas, that is with an overall permeability comprised between 0.5 % and 2 % per year, or to be substantially impermeable to the filling gas, that is with a permeability to filling equal to or lower than 0.5 % per year.

[0170] TAB 1C

[0171] As shown in the table above, the durability of the system is determined by obtaining sufficient performance for a given time interval. A system with a given durability may then have sufficient or high isolation performance.

[0172] According to a further aspect of the invention, the double-glazing unit 100 may comply with the EN 1279-3 standard, 2018 Edition, October 2018 - Glass in building - Insulating glass units - Part 3: Long term test method and reguirements for gas leakage rate and for gas concentration tolerances

[0173] Thanks to this characteristic, the double-glazing unit 100 may be CE marked. As a matter of fact, such regulation provides for maintaining a determined performance for at least 25 years.

[0174] Furthermore, complying with such standard ensures that the gas leakage from the sealed perimeter of the double-glazing unit 100 is less than 5% of the volume of chamber 101 over 25 years. Basically, the double-glazing unit 100 according to such standard is a double-glazing unit with a durability of at least 25 years with a high thermal insulation.

[0175] The leakage of gas from the system 1 may essentially only occur through the device 10, and then through the flexible element 30.

[0176] To this end, the flexible element 30 may be scarcely permeable or preferably substantially impermeable with respect to the filling gas, that is with respect to Argon, Xenon and / or Krypton, and more preferably with respect to Argon.

[0177] The expression scarcely permeable flexible element 30 is used to indicate that such flexible element 30 has an overall permeability to the reference gas assessed under STP conditions of less than 0.04 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm).

[0178] The expression substantially impermeable flexible element 30 is used to indicate that such flexible element 30 has an overall permeability to the reference gas assessed under STP conditions of less than 0.01 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm).

[0179] Generally, the permeability of the flexible element 30 is considered between the internal and the external of the flexible element 30 regardless of the number and / or configuration of the layers which form the flexible element 30. In other words, the permeability may be assessed between the internal of the surface 31 and the external of the surface 32.

[0180] Suitably, as described above, the permeability of the reference gas (for example Argon, Xenon and / or Krypton) may be essentially performed exclusively through the device 10. Advantageously, there may be determined the amount of Argon, Xenon and / or Krypton flowing out from the system 1 in a given time interval considering the permeability of the flexible element 30.

[0181] This may allow to determine and ensure the minimum durability of the system 1 in a simple manner. Such minimum durability may be selected depending on the preferences.

[0182] The flexible element 30 may be single-layered or multi-layered.

[0183] For example, the flexible element 30 may comprise or consist of at least one layer made of one of:

[0184] - metal material, for example a metal sheet, for example aluminium, brass or silver sheet and their alloys;

[0185] - polymer material, for example known polymers or copolymers such as butyl, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene chloride copolymer or nylon;

[0186] - polymer material, for example known polymers such as Mylar, Kynar, Tedlar, ALTEF, Kapton, Saran;

[0187] - polymer material which has undergone metallization treatment. There may be possibly provided for a layer with protective function, for example protection function against lacerations and / or UV rays. Preferably, such protection layer may be made of polymer material.

[0188] The protection layer may facilitate the assembly operations for fixing the flexible element 30 to the other components of the double-glazing unit 100 and / or the device 10. For example, such protection layer may facilitate heat sealing and / or gluing.

[0189] The protection layer may be made with a material that may comprise or consist of Polyethylene, Nylon, Polypropylene, PET, PTFE. Possibly, the protection layer may be made with copolymers or blends.

[0190] It is clear that should the multilayer flexible membrane 30, the layers may be separated from each other, such as for example a polymeric film and an aluminium film, or they may be coupled to each other. For example, the flexible element 30 may consist of a multi-layer in which the gas barrier layer is obtained on the protection material, for example by means of a surface coating or lining treatment such as for example metal coated EVOH.

[0191] Reported below are some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the flexible element 30:

[0192] - a single layer consisting of a nylon film;

[0193] - a single layer consisting of a polyvinylidene chloride film;

[0194] - a multilayer consisting of a metallized coupled EVOH film (gas barrier function) with a polyethylene film (protection function and easy heat-sealing);

[0195] - a multilayer consisting of nylon (outer layer) - Polyethylene - Aluminium sheet - Polyethylene (inner layer) in which nylon acts as a barrier and material sufficiently resistant to lacerations, PE that is resistant to lacerations and which can be sealed, aluminium acting as a barrier and UV protection.

[0196] Possibly, the flexible element 30 may comprise at least one first and one second layer separated by an interspace 35. Preferably, such interspace may be closed. Such embodiment is schematically shown in the embodiments of FIG. 17 and FIG. 20.

[0197] In this case, the outer layer may comprise the outer surface 32 and the inner layer may comprise the inner surface 31.

[0198] Such configuration allows to minimise the effect of the weight of the flexible element and its inertia making the flexible element 30 sensitive to small pressure changes. Therefore, considering the same impermeability of the flexible element 30, the latter may have a greater yielding capacity and therefore a faster adaptability of the system 1 to changes in the internal operating volume.

[0199] Therefore, advantageously, migration of argon (and / or Xenon and / or Kripton depending on the configuration of the filling gas) from inside to outside may be disadvantaged, given that migration is promoted by the difference in concentration. The closed interspace therefore defines an intermediate space between the interior of the double-glazing unit and the external environment. Therefore, this may allow to obtain the same non-permeability performance using two layers with reduced permeability.

[0200] Possibly, the interspace may be filled with a filling gas containing argon, more preferably with a filling gas equal to that of the double-glazing unit. In this case, the above is even more effective. The interspace environment shall have an argon concentration equal to that of the inner chamber of the double-glazing unit with a minimum concentration difference. The migration from interspace to the outside will therefore occur first and subsequently a small (due to the little difference in concentration) migration from the internal to the external environment.

[0201] Possibly, the interspace may be filled with a gas having a high concentration of argon or with near-pure argon. In this case, the above effects may be even greater.

[0202] The table below (TAB 2) shows the permeability values in cm3 / (cm2• year • atm) of some examples of material that can be used for the flexible element 30.

[0203] TAB 2

[0204] "S" indicates the thickness of the sample layer obtained with the corresponding "material", that is the material of the sample layer. In other words, the permeability values refer to a layer consisting of a determined material with a determined thickness and shown in the table.

[0205] The expression "Silver Shield" is used to indicate a Norfoil® multilayer which comprises at least one metalized EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) layer and one PE layer. The expression "M-L F Bag 4Layers" is used to indicate a multilayer which comprises one layer made of PA, one layer made of PE, one layer of aluminium and one additional layer made of PE. The permeability value refers to its commercial thickness equal to 0.1mm.

[0206] The values marked with * identify values equal to or less than 0.01, the values marked with ** identify values equal to or less than 0.0005 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm).

[0207] The use of the flexible element 30 which is substantially impermeable, that is with an overall permeability to the reference gas assessed under STP conditions of less than 0.01 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm) may allow to obtain systems 1 of ordinary duration.

[0208] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the use of a metal layer may allow to obtain an impermeable flexible element 30 with a particularly reduced permeability. Such aspect is for example, highlighted by samples M and N.

[0209] According to a particular aspect of the invention, there may be used an impermeable flexible element 30 having an overall permeability assessed under STP conditions of less than 0.0005 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm).

[0210] In this case, the permeability to the filling gas may be so low as to ensure that the impermeability requirements of the system 1 are met substantially independently of the surface exposed to the permeability of the gas. The impermeable flexible element 30 may therefore have a permeability that is so low that it is completely impermeable and allow to obtain high thermal insulation performance for at least 50 years.

[0211] Such configuration has several advantages in industrial terms, allowing for the use of a single type of flexible element 30 for all devices. Therefore, this will simplify storage and construction operations and minimise the risk of error by an operator.

[0212] Example

[0213] TAB 3 below gives some dimensional examples of a bag 45 entirely made with the flexible element 30 where "Vol" indicates the internal volume, "overall dimensions" indicates the approximate size of the empty bag and "surface" indicates the surface exposed to the permeability of the gas. As described above, given that the flexible element is nonelastic, such exposed surface may remain substantially intact during the change in configuration between the maximum volume configuration and the minimum volume configuration.

[0214] TAB. 3

[0215] TAB 4 below shows the amount annual of Argon by volume [Vol / y] which permeates through different flexible elements 30 in the form of bag 45 obtained according to some examples of TAB 2 and the corresponding decrease in the volume of Argon in % after 25 years [25y] and after 50 years [50y],

[0216] TAB. 4 According to a particular aspect of the invention, the system 1 may allow to obtain a certain durability with a sufficient or high thermal insulation performance (TAB. 1C).

[0217] In the table above, the values relating to a bag 45 have been indicated with *, which allows to achieve a durability of at least 25 years and sufficient thermal insulation.

[0218] The values relating to a bag 45 have also been indicated with **, which allows to achieve a durability of at least 25 years and a high thermal insulation or a durability of at least 50 years. Such values allow to form particularly efficient systems.

[0219] Generally, the use of a material with a coefficient of less than 0.01 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm) allows to obtain a system of ordinary durability (min 25 years) in a way substantially irrespective of the surface extension of the flexible element 30.

[0220] Furthermore, it should be observed that sample N has values that are significantly different from samples L and M. As a matter of fact, as shown in the table above, the use of sample N allows to obtain a system that lasts long over time and with high insulating performance.

[0221] As shown in the table above, the use of sample L and M allows to obtain mediumterm durability for all volumes considered.

[0222] Generally, the use of a material with a coefficient of less than 0.0005 cm3 / (cm2• year • atm) allows to obtain a system of long-term durability and high insulating performance substantially independent of the surface extension of the flexible element 30.

[0223] Advantageously, in order to further increase the insulation performance of the double-glazing units 100, the chamber 20 may be dimensioned to contain, besides the gas required for volume compensations due to pressure / temperature changes, an additional amount of gas. The latter may therefore act to compensate the gas leaking from the system through the flexible element 30.

[0224] Suitably, such amount of added gas may be equal to the amount that theoretically flows out over the desired duration given in Table TAB. 4 or sealing the glass chamber. In this manner, the system 1 may ensure high performance for the desired time.

[0225] The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. Even though the invention has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numerals used in the description and in the claims are meant for improving the intelligibility of the invention and thus do not limit the claimed scope of protection in any manner whatsoever.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A compensation device for compensating the internal volume of a double- glazing unit, the device being fluidically connectable with at least one double-glazing unit (100) having an internal chamber (101) containing filling gas; the device comprising an operating chamber (20) with an opening (11) which can be fluidically connected with the internal chamber (101) of the double-glazing unit (100) so that said operating chamber (20) and said internal chamber (101) define an internal operating volume; wherein said first operating chamber (20) varies the volume between a minimum volume configuration and a maximum volume configuration so as to vary said operating volume; wherein the device (10) further comprises an element (30) at least partially delimiting said operating chamber (20), wherein said element (30) is flexible, said flexible element (30) being movable between a first configuration corresponding to the minimum volume configuration of said operating chamber (20) and a second configuration corresponding to the maximum volume configuration of said operating chamber (20); wherein said flexible element (30) is poorly permeable or substantially impermeable to a filling gas comprising at least 50% of argon, xenon or krypton or a mixture thereof.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said flexible element (30) maintains its surface extension upon switching between said first and second configuration.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flexible element (30) is non-elastic.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible element (30) is substantially impermeable to Argon, said flexible element (30) having a permeability to Argon lower than 0.02 cm3 / (cm2• year- atm).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible element (30) is substantially impermeable to Argon, said flexible element (30) having a permeability to Argon lower than 0.01 cm3 / (cm2• year- atm).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said flexible element (30) is impermeable to Argon, said flexible element (30) having a permeability to Argon lower than 0.0005 cm3 / (cm2• year- atm).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible element(30) comprises at least one first layer made of a metal material, preferably aluminium.

8. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said flexible element (30) comprises at least one first layer made of Multi-Layer Foil.

9. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said flexible element (30) consists of a single layer made of Multi-Layer Foil.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said flexible element (30) consists of a bag (45) internally defining said operating chamber (20).

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said flexible element (30) consists of at least one first and at least one second layer closed to internally form a closed environment (35).

12. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein one of said first and second layer comprises or consists of a metal layer.

13. Device according to claim 10 or 11 or 12, wherein said closed environment (35) is filled with a filling gas containing at least 90% of Argon.

14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising a substantially rigid portion (41) and a flexible membrane (42) cooperating with each other to internally define said chamber (20), said flexible element (30) consisting of said flexible membrane (42).

15. A partitioning system which comprises at least one double-glazing unit (100), the latter comprising:- an internal chamber (101) containing a filling gas;- at least one first and one second glass sheet (110, 111) mutually facing each other and spaced apart so as to comprise said internal chamber (101);- at least one perimeter spacer profile (120) designed to remain interposed between said first and second glass sheet (110, 111);- sealing means (130) interposed between said at least one first and one second glass sheet (110, 111) for sealing said internal chamber (101); wherein the system further comprises at least one device (10) for compensating the volume according to any one of the preceding claims, the latter being fluidically connected with said internal chamber (101) of said at least one double-glazing unit (100) to compensate volume changes; wherein said gas for filling said internal chamber (101) comprises at least 50% of argon, xenon or krypton or a mixture thereof.

16. System according to the preceding claim having a certain durability which can be predetermined so as to ensure a predetermined minimum duration.

17. System according to claim 15 or 16 having a durability of at least 25 years.

18. System according to the preceding claim having a durability of at least 50 years.

19. System according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein said double-glazing unit(100) has a high thermal insulation for at least 25 years.

20. System according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said double-glazing unit (100) complies with the EN 1279-3 standard, 2018 Edition, October 2018 - Glass in building - Insulating glass units - Part 3: Long term test method and requirements for gas leakage rate and for gas concentration tolerances.

21. System according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said filling gas comprises at least 90% of argon.

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