Pump-Out Tube Seal Composition for Durable Vacuum Insulated Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum insulated glass perimeter sealing systems face issues such as significant de-tempering of glass substrates, high de-tempering rates, lack of durability, and increased manufacturing costs due to slow processing times and the need for heat soak testing.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum insulating panel with a pump-out tube seal made from 20-80 wt.% tellurium oxide, comprising more TeO3 than TeO4 by weight percentage, is used to improve the seal's hermiticity, moisture resistance, and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing systems are used for vacuum insulated glass, then the sealing function is provided, but significant de-tempering of glass substrates occurs and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sealant by specifying precise weight percentages of oxides (SiO2: 30-70%, B2O3: 5-30%, Al2O3: 5-20%, TeO2: 0.1-10%). This compositional adjustment allows the sealant to achieve proper adhesion and sealing performance without causing significant de-tempering of the glass substrates, thus resolving the contradiction between seal durability and glass tempering stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite sealant material containing multiple oxide components including silicon oxide, boron oxide, aluminum oxide, and tellurium oxide. This composite formulation combines the benefits of each component: SiO2 provides structural stability, B2O3 enhances glass bonding, Al2O3 improves mechanical strength, and TeO2 reduces de-tempering. The synergistic effect of these composite materials achieves both durable sealing and glass tempering stability.
2Productivity
If conventional seal materials are used, then sealing is achieved, but processing times are slow and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the sealant to achieve faster processing. The specific oxide ratios enable the sealant to cure or set more quickly while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The inclusion of TeO2 in controlled amounts (0.1-10% wt%) appears to accelerate the sealing process, reducing manufacturing cycle times and improving overall productivity without compromising seal quality.
3Reliability
If conventional seal materials are used, then basic sealing is provided, but hermiticity and moisture resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite sealant material where SiO2 forms a glassy matrix providing baseline hermeticity, B2O3 enhances chemical resistance and glass bonding, Al2O3 provides mechanical strength and barrier properties, and TeO2 contributes to moisture resistance. This multi-component composite structure creates a dense, cross-linked network that effectively blocks moisture and gas penetration, achieving superior hermiticity compared to conventional single-component sealants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the sealant with specific compositional characteristics tailored for the sealing interface. The localized presence of TeO2 (0.1-10% wt%) at the sealing interface provides enhanced moisture resistance exactly where needed, while the overall composite composition ensures hermetic sealing. This local optimization of material properties addresses the specific requirement of moisture and gas barrier performance at the critical sealing zone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved seal maintains vacuum hermeticity, retains compressive stress in thermally tempered glass, reduces de-tempering, and enhances the durability and manufacturing efficiency of vacuum insulated glass panels.
Implementation Method 1
the gap is at pressure less than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a pump-out tube seal... providing for one or more of the following advantages: improved seal hermiticity
Implementation Method 3
improved seal moisture resistance
Implementation Method 4
retains compressive stress in thermally tempered glass
Implementation Method 5
retains compressive stress in thermally tempered glass
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum insulating panel may include: a first substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of spacers provided in a gap between at least the first and second substrates, wherein the gap is at pressure less than atmospheric pressure; a pump-out/evacuation tube extending at least partly into an aperture in one of the substrates; and a pump-out/evacuation tube seal. The pump-out/evacuation tube seal may include at least one of: (a) from about 20-80 wt.% tellurium oxide, the tellurium oxide comprising TeO4 and TeO3, wherein the pump-out tube seal comprises more TeO3 than TeO4 by wt.%; and/or (b) tellurium oxide and from about 10-50 wt.% vanadium oxide, wherein the pump-out tube seal by wt.% comprises more tellurium oxide than vanadium oxide, and wherein the vanadium oxide comprises VO2 and V2O5, and wherein more V in the pump-out tube seal is in a form of VO2 than V2O5. A substantially donut-shaped laser beam may be used to heat pump-out tube material in order to form a pump-out tube seal.