Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.

Abstract: An apparatus, material and method for forming a brazing sheet has a composite braze liner layer of low melting point aluminum alloy and 4000 series braze liner. The low melting point layer of the composite braze liner facilitates low temperature brazing and decrease of the diffusion of magnesium from the core into the composite braze liner. The reduction of magnesium diffusion also lowers the formation of associated magnesium oxides at the braze joint interface that are resistant to removal by Nocolok flux, thereby facilitating the formation of good brazing joints through the use of low temperature controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB) and Nocolok flux. The apparatus also enables the production of brazing sheet materials with high strength and good corrosion property.

Abstract: A curtain wall for a building comprising: a frame anchored to the building and including a plurality of frame units; infill panels, which are supported by the frame units and at least partially define an outer face of the curtain wall; wherein the curtain wall comprises at least one drainage vent for venting fluid from inside the curtain wall to outside the curtain wall, the drainage vent comprising a fluid flow path, wherein an opening for the fluid flow path is provided in the outer face of the curtain wall.

Abstract: A ventilator for a window frame profile, the ventilator having an air intake opening and an air passage opening to ventilate a hollow member of a window frame profile, and a window frame profile system comprising a window frame profile and at least one such ventilator.

Abstract: A curtain wall system includes a vertical member and a horizontal member coupled to the vertical member at a joint. A vertical bridge gasket is coupled to the vertical member and includes a vertically-extending interior gasket, a vertically-extending thermal break gasket, and a vertical bridge member extending between the vertically-extending interior and thermal break gaskets. A horizontal bridge gasket is coupled to the horizontal member and joined to the vertical bridge gasket at a corner joint, the horizontal bridge gasket includes a horizontally-extending interior gasket, a horizontally-extending thermal break gasket, and a horizontal bridge member extending between the horizontally-extending interior and thermal break gaskets. The vertical and horizontal bridge gaskets cover the joint between the vertical and horizontal members.

Abstract: A preparation method for adhesive bonding of magnesium-containing aluminum alloy products includes a magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product including a matrix and a surface oxide layer overlying the matrix. The magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product also includes intermetallic particles at least proximal the surface oxide layer. The method also includes ablating at least some of the intermetallic particles via an energy source, and in the absence of melting of the matrix of the magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: The aluminum alloy product of an embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of outer regions and an inner region positioned between the outer regions. A first concentration of eutectic forming alloying elements in the inner region is less than a second concentration of eutectic forming alloying elements in each of the outer regions. Further, the aluminum alloy product has a delta r value of 0 to 0.10. The delta r value is calculated as follows: Absolute Value [(r_L+r_LT?2*r_45)/2] and the r_L is an r value in a longitudinal direction of the aluminum alloy product, the r_LT is an r value in a transverse direction of the aluminum alloy product, and the r_45 is an r value in a 45 degree direction of the aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: A framed assembly includes a first frame member defining a first inner channel, a second frame member defining a second inner channel and positioned adjacent the first frame member at a corner joint, and a corner cleat having a first leg received within the first inner channel and terminating at a first end of the corner cleat, and a second leg received within the second inner channel and terminating at a second end of the corner cleat. A passageway is defined in the corner cleat and extends between the first and second ends. The passageway places the first inner channel in communication with the second inner channel.

Abstract: A sliding door system includes a stationary door frame, a sliding door panel installed in the stationary door frame and movable between a closed and open position, and a handle assembly coupled to the sliding door panel. The handle assembly includes a rack housing installed within a vertical stile of the sliding door panel, a rack positioned within the rack housing and movable between stowed and extended positions, and a handle operatively coupled to a pinion engageable with the rack, the handle being pivotable about a pivot axis between first and second positions. Rotating the handle from the first position to the second position causes the pinion to move the rack to the extended position and into engagement with the stationary door frame, whereby the sliding door frame is forced away from the stationary door frame from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A window system for a building includes a panel and a first element assembly that supports the panel and includes a cross member and a pressure plate laterally offset from the cross member. A glazing pocket is defined between the cross member and the pressure plate, and a thermal separator is positioned within the glazing pocket and extends between the pressure plate and the cross member. The thermal separator includes a tongue extension and a rod gasket seals an interface between the tongue extension and the cross member.

Abstract: A sliding door system includes a stationary door frame, a sliding door panel installed in the stationary door frame and movable between closed and open positions, and a handle assembly coupled to the sliding door panel. The handle assembly includes a handle spindle extending into a vertical stile of the sliding door panel, a cam coupled to the handle spindle within the vertical stile and movable between stowed and extended positions, and a handle coupled to the handle spindle and rotatable about a pivot axis extending through the handle spindle between first and second positions. Rotating the handle from the first position to the second position causes the cam to move from the stowed position to the extended position and into engagement with the stationary door frame, whereby the sliding door frame is forced away from the stationary door frame from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, is a method of forming an O temper or T temper product that includes obtaining a coil of a non-ferrous alloy strip as feedstock; uncoiling the coil of the feedstock; heating the feedstock to a temperature between a recrystallization temperature of the non-ferrous alloy and 10 degrees Fahrenheit below a solidus temperature of the non-ferrous alloy; and quenching the feedstock to form a heat-treated product having am O temper or T temper. The non-ferrous alloy strip used in the method excludes aluminum alloys having 0.4 weight percent silicon, less than 0.2 weight percent iron, 0.35 to 0.40 weight percent copper, 0.9 weight percent manganese, and 1 weight percent magnesium.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding are disclosed. Generally, the methods include chemical and/or mechanically preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product to reduce the amount of magnesium oxides while maintaining any copper-containing intermetallic particles located proximal the surface of the 7xxx aluminum alloy product. After preparation, a functionalized layer may be produced thereon for adhesive bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an EDT texture to an aluminum sheet has a rolling stand with at least one EDT surfaced roll capable of rolling the sheet at reductions <1%. The rolling is conducted with residual or no lubrication and imparts a texture on the scale of about 1 ?m to the surface of the sheet at low roll force.

Abstract: A framed assembly includes a first frame member providing an inner vertical wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces and defining a slot, and a second frame member positioned adjacent the first frame member at a corner joint and providing a horizontal wall extending between opposing front and back surfaces of the second frame member. A clip having opposing front and back sides provides a backing plate extending from the back side and a projection extending from the front side. The backing plate is received within an interior of the first frame member via the slot, and the projection is received within an interior of the second frame member adjacent the horizontal wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously casting Al—Mg alloy sheet or plate product having a high amount of magnesium are disclosed. The Al—Mg products have 4 or 6 to 8 or 10 wt. % Mg and are resistant to both stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion.

Abstract: A window system for a building includes a panel and a first element assembly that supports the panel and includes a cross member and a pressure plate laterally offset from the cross member. A glazing pocket is defined between the cross member and the pressure plate, and a thermal separator is positioned within the glazing pocket and extends between the pressure plate and the cross member. The thermal separator includes a tongue extension and a rod gasket seals an interface between the tongue extension and the cross member.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and manufacture utilizes additive manufacturing techniques to produce architectural manufactures such as windows and doors. The manufactures may have a composite construction and may feature inclusions like metal plates and reinforcements. The model used for controlling the manufacturing process may be derived from digital scanning of the structure on which the manufacture is used. Optionally, a finite element analysis is used to test the model and alter it in response to stress and/or thermal requirements.

Abstract: A hinge for a bi-fold door is integrated with a pair of stiles. Each stile has a hinge flange integrated to the stile. Opposing stiles with opposing and aligned hinge flanges collectively create an integral hinge assembly that may be useful in thermal doors employing one or more thermal breaks.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly includes a door panel, a frame that supports the door panel and includes a bottom member with a lower profile and a top member with an upper profile, wherein the lower profile and the upper profile are parallel to one another. A lower sliding assembly is operatively coupled to a bottom of the door panel and engages the lower profile, and an upper sliding assembly is operatively coupled to a top of the door panel and engages the upper profile. A gasket interposes the door panel and a portion of the frame when the door panel is in a sealed position. The door panel is movable between the sealed position, where the gasket creates a sealed interface between the door panel and the frame, and a sliding position, where the door panel is moved laterally relative to the frame while remaining substantially perpendicular to a floor.