Search

JP-3255743-U - Indirect indicator of inert gas leaks

JP3255743UJP 3255743 UJP3255743 UJP 3255743UJP-3255743-U

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an indirect indicator for detecting inert gas leaks in double-glazed glass units. [Solution] The device is configured as an independent three-dimensional structure intended to be placed in or near the internal gas space of a double-glazed unit, and includes a cover 1 on which a housing 2 with a selective layer is arranged, containing a photochemical compound 3 whose optical properties change in response to the presence of a gas other than an inert gas, and the cover is provided with an optically readable area 6 that can visually indicate when the inert gas concentration has fallen below a specified threshold. A medium for ensuring the reaction conditions of the photochemical compound, in particular a water source 4 for ensuring the function of the photochemical compound, is arranged within the cover or housing. Stability against ultraviolet irradiation and thermal cycling from -40 to +80°C is ensured. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

  • ヤクブ レハーク

Assignees

  • ヤクブ レハーク

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20260305

Claims (11)

  1. An indirect indicator of inert gas leakage, comprising an independent three-dimensional structure intended to be placed within or near the internal gas space of a double-glazed unit, the indicator comprising a cover (1) on which a housing (2) is disposed, the housing having a selective layer containing a photochemical compound (3) whose optical properties change in response to the presence of a gas other than an inert gas, and the cover (1) being provided with an optically readable region (6) that can visually indicate when the inert gas concentration has fallen below a specified threshold.
  2. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that a medium for ensuring the reaction conditions of the photochemical compound, particularly a water source (4) for ensuring the function of the photochemical compound (3), is disposed within the cover (1) or the housing (2).
  3. The indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the selective layer of the housing (2) is formed by a film that allows gases other than inert gases to diffuse from the voids of the double-glazed glass unit into the housing (2), while simultaneously restricting the passage of a medium, particularly moisture, into the voids of the double-glazed glass unit to ensure the reaction conditions of the photochemical compound (3).
  4. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an absorbent (5) for a gas other than an inert gas, particularly oxygen or carbon dioxide, is disposed inside the cover (1), inside the housing (2), or outside the cover (1) to suppress the indicator's response to short-term or limited supply amounts of these gases.
  5. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicator exhibits improved stability against ultraviolet irradiation by the addition of an ultraviolet absorber or stabilizer, and maintains its color response even after exposure to ultraviolet irradiation during the planned lifespan of the void.
  6. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicator exhibits improved stability over temperature cycles in the range of -40 to +80°C.
  7. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the presence of a gas other than an inert gas, mainly oxygen or carbon dioxide, is interpreted as an indicator of inert gas leakage.
  8. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicator is designed as a disc, film, or printed mark placed within a glass void or on a spacer profile.
  9. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hermetically sealed environment is initially filled with an inert gas selected from argon, krypton, xenon, or nitrogen.
  10. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an absorbent for gases other than inert gases is integrated into the desiccant medium of the spacer frame of the double-glazed unit, or is functionally connected to the desiccant medium.
  11. The indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gas other than the inert gas is, in this case, mainly oxygen or carbon dioxide.

Description

The technical solution relates, in particular, to the manufacturing and quality control of double-glazed glass units, as well as the filling of them with inert gas. Currently, complex and expensive equipment operating on the principle of spectrophotometric emission analysis is used to determine the concentration of inert gases within the voids of double-glazed units. These devices require generating an electrical discharge through the glass plates and then evaluating the spectrum of the emitted light. Such solutions are technically demanding, susceptible to variations in glass surface treatment (e.g., coatings), and often impossible for multi-chambered glass structures. Furthermore, oxygen indicators based on the chemical reaction between dyes and oxygen are known, such as the system developed by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd. (Patent US4169811). These indicators change color in response to the presence of oxygen and are used to verify the airtightness of food packaging. However, the aforementioned systems are not designed for environments involving long-term exposure to ultraviolet irradiation and large temperature fluctuations in double-glazed units, and cannot reliably indicate inert gas leaks under these conditions. At the same time, their structure and chemical composition do not allow for the measurement range to be adapted to the extremely low oxygen concentrations characteristic of the voids in double-glazed units; therefore, improvements are needed in both the display scale itself and the system's stability against optical and thermal stress. (Summary of technical solutions) The objective of the technical solution according to this invention is to create an indirect indicator for inert gas leaks that can be directly placed in the gap of a double-glazed glass unit and can directly, simply, and reliably control the integrity of the gas filling within the double-glazed glass unit in a visually readable manner without requiring a complex measuring device. The gist of the solution for indicating inert gas concentration is a device for indicating the concentration change of atmospheric gas, particularly oxygen or carbon dioxide, that gradually replaces the original inert gas after the airtightness of the void is compromised. The indicator is placed directly within the void of the double-glazed unit, particularly in the area adjacent to or near the spacer frame, or directly integrated into the inter-pane frame. The indicator includes an optically readable layer or element whose color or other optical properties change in response to changes in the concentration of a gas other than oxygen or the inert gas. The change in optical properties is based on oxidation-reduction reactions, fluorescence reactions, photoluminescence reactions, or other photochemical reactions, and the required level of sensitivity can be adapted by adjusting the reaction measurement scale so that the indicator reacts to the oxygen concentration typical of the void in the double-glazed unit. To ensure long-term functionality, the reaction layer is stabilized against ultraviolet irradiation and temperature cycling, thereby ensuring the service life of the double-glazed unit, i.e., an operating life equivalent to several decades. The moment the atmospheric gas concentration reaches a predetermined level, the indicator optically changes color or other optical properties, thereby indicating that the inert gas concentration has fallen below the required level. The term "indicator" means a housing, capsule, or similar three-dimensional body, the housing having a gas-permeable element, preferably a film, foil, or porous layer, on at least part of its walls, which allows for the selective diffusion of oxygen or other target gases from the internal gas space of the double-glazed unit into the microenvironment of the housing, while limiting the escape of media, particularly moisture, that ensure the reaction conditions of the photochemical compound. The housing includes the indicator element and may optionally include an oxygen or other target gas absorbing element, and may further include an observation cover that forms an external envelope of the device and simultaneously defines an optical interface for reading the indication. The observation cover may be formed as a separate component or as an integral part of the housing. The indicator element is positioned in an optically accessible portion of the housing so that its visual state can be observed through at least one glass pane of the double-glazed unit. The indicator can be reinforced with an oxygen absorbing element, which is positioned separately from the indicator element in the same microenvironment, and which preferentially absorbs oxygen or other target gases diffusing into the microenvironment, thereby suppressing the indicator's response to oxygen or other target gases for short periods or in limited quantities. The indicator can be attached to the inner surface of the glass or