Abstract: A vacuum insulating glazing unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass unit comprises first and second glass panes, each defining interior and exterior surfaces and lateral edges. The interior surfaces of the panes are opposing and spaced apart to define an inter-pane gap. A band of metal solder extends continuously between the interior surfaces and continuously around the peripheries of the panes but is inset from the lateral edges, thus defining an inter-pane cavity surrounded by the solder band and a channel disposed between the band and the lateral edges. The solder band is attached with hermetic glass-to-metal bonds to the interior surfaces of the panes, whereby the cavity is hermetically sealed with respect to the panes. A plurality of stand-offs is disposed within the cavity and extends between the interior surfaces. An adhesive material is disposed within the channel, extending between the interior surfaces and structurally bonding the panes across the inter-pane gap.