In-situ Repair of Hermetically Sealed Insulated Glass Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for repairing or replacing failing hermetically sealed insulated glass units in high-rise buildings are costly, disruptive, and expose the interior to weather elements, as they require removing and reinstalling entire window units, which is dangerous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that retains the outer glass panel in place while removing and replacing the inner panel and separator, applying new separators to maintain a hermetically sealed cavity, and optionally upgrading with UV coatings or heavy gas injection, allowing for in-situ repair and enhancement without exposing the interior to outside elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire insulated glass unit is removed and replaced with a new unit, then the hermetic seal failure is resolved and insulating performance is restored, but the building interior is exposed to weather elements and tenant relocation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The insulated glass unit is divided into separable components: the outer glass panel remains in the frame while the inner glass panel and spacer are removed and replaced. This segmentation allows repair without complete removal, preventing weather exposure while restoring hermetic seal integrity through replacement of only the failed inner components.
Solution Approach 2:
The failing inner glass panel and spacer are extracted from the assembly while the outer glass panel is retained in place. This extraction approach removes the source of hermetic seal failure without requiring removal of the entire unit, thereby maintaining building envelope integrity and preventing weather element exposure during repair.
2Reliability
If the entire insulated glass unit is removed and replaced, then insulating performance is restored, but repair costs and operational disruption are extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the insulated glass unit into replaceable inner components and a retained outer panel, the repair scope is reduced from complete unit replacement to partial component replacement. This segmentation directly lowers material costs, labor requirements, and tenant disruption while maintaining insulating performance through restoration of the hermetic seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer glass panel is recovered and retained for continued use, while only the failed inner panel and spacer are discarded and replaced. This selective replacement approach recovers valuable materials and reduces waste disposal costs while achieving the necessary insulating performance restoration.
3Ease of repair
If the entire insulated glass unit is removed from the exterior, then repair can be performed, but dangerous work conditions and loss of tenancy occur
Solution Approach 1:
The repair process is segmented into interior-only operations where the inner panel and spacer are accessed and replaced from inside the building. This eliminates the need for dangerous exterior work and allows continuous building occupancy while maintaining adequate access for repair personnel and equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for repairing or upgrading of existing insulated glass units already installed into a window framing or curtain wall system is provided. The method includes removing an inside glass stop from a window framing housing the insulated glass unit to provide access to an inner glass panel and detaching the inner glass panel from an outer glass panel via a breaking or altering of the separator, with the outer glass panel being retained in place within the window framing. The method also includes applying a new separator to the inner glass panel and/or the outer glass panel, reaffixing the inner glass panel to the outer glass panel while maintaining a space between the inner glass panel and the outer glass panel to form a hermetically sealed cavity therebetween, and reinstalling the inside glass stop back onto the window framing, to secure the inner glass panel in place.