Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a building energy system comprising a building enclosure having an insulated building envelope that incorporates at least one perimeter fenestration assembly, and an integrated mechanical system that provides heating and cooling. The integrated mechanical system comprises a cold thermal storage tank, a hot thermal storage tank, and a heat pump that transfers heat from the cold thermal storage tank to the hot thermal storage tank. The building enclosure also comprises an air stratified ventilation system comprising at least one upper exhaust outlet and at least one lower supply intake. The upper exhaust outlet incorporates a heat exchanger that recovers heat from outgoing air. The heat exchanger is connected to the cold thermal storage tank. Energy performance of the at least one fenestration assembly may vary or be automatically controlled such that the heating and cooling loads of the integrated mechanical system are at least partially balanced.

Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a building energy system comprising a building enclosure having an interior and exterior. The building enclosure comprises an insulated building envelope that incorporates perimeter windows with a centre-of-glass R-value of R-4 or higher, at least one upper exhaust outlet and at least one lower supply intake that connect to the exterior of the building enclosure, and at least one central space that is connected to the lower supply intake and one or more perimeter rooms located adjacent to the central space. Each perimeter room comprises one or more lower wall vents that connect to the central space, and one or more upper vents connected to the upper exhaust outlet. The upper exhaust outlet incorporates a regulator to minimize ventilation air heat loss while maintaining indoor air quality. The regulator may comprise an automated damper and a motorized fan selectively operated based at least in part on measurements of air pollution contaminants.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A multi-fold leaf (30,31) joinery assembly has a joinery bogey unit (2) that is pivotally connected to a joinery leaf. A seal (20) is provided on a moveable edge of the leaf adjacent to the bogey unit, the seal being adjacent to a frame seal (25) for a head or sill of a frame of the assembly when the at least one leaf is in a closed position. The pivot connection is off-set so that the seal moves away from the frame seal when the leaf is opened, thus avoiding scrubbing.

Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members (32, 33) of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece (47) of similar material and vibrating the junction piece (47) at high speed while pressing the first second members (32,33) in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece (47). Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window-frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system (120) which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members (134, 135, 136, 137). Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A plant-growing container made of translucent plastics sheet material with a base and sides, and the sides extended at the top by a mulch mat that can be drawn about the stem of the plant at final planting. The container is marked circumferentially with a cutting line indicating an extent of the lower part of the container, which can be removed and discarded.

Abstract: A Metal air cell and cell system is provided. In general, the cell includes a cathode structure comprising opposing cathode portions and a space configured for receiving an anode structure. The anode structure includes a pair of rigid structures having plural apertures for allowing ionic communication and anode material between the rigid structures. A separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. The rigid structures of the anode structure facilitate removal of the anode structure from the cathode structure. In certain embodiments, anode structures are formed with bimodal gelling agents to promote an even distribution of anode material and electrolyte gel.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in one embodiment, to systems and methods relating to managing rights associated with digital content.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.

Abstract: Anti-virus state information for a file is stored within an associated data structure that is created and/or maintained by the file system of the computer. The data structure can be a file directory entry with the anti-virus state information being stored in unused fields of the entry. For file systems that maintain separate entities for the data and resource information of a file, the anti-virus state information can be stored in the resource entity or in a specifically created entity.