Abstract: Hidden frame airloop wall systems. The airloop wall systems disclosed here provide for systems that may accommodate various types of glass, including vision glass and spandrel glass. In some examples, the same airloop wall unit may accommodate both a vision glass panel and a spandrel glass panel. The disclosed airloop wall systems permit the use of glass of varying thickness, while at the same time presenting a consistent surface. Additionally, the window frame will be hidden from exterior view after the airloop wall system is installed.

Abstract: Exterior opaque hidden frame wall units and systems combining facing plates and composite insulated panels in a pressure-equalized Airloop system, permitting an opaque hidden frame wall unit without the need for intermediate stiffeners for resisting wind load, without exterior aesthetic problems associated with composite insulated panels, without a separate interior wall, and without interior condensation problems. Also provided are exterior opaque hidden frame Airloop wall units and systems with the air seal being isolated from the water seal on an offset vertical plane and away from the interior surface of the facing plate.

Abstract: An intermediate divider system for an exterior wall unit. The intermediate divider system allows for flexibility in aesthetic design of the exterior wall grid line pattern, while maintaining both wind load resistance and water-tightness performance.

Abstract: A foam panel housing erection method and utility distribution system is disclosed. Metal skin composite foam panels with matching side joint profiles are structurally engaged side by side. A stud running in the transverse direction of the panel span is secured to the wall near the interior panel side joint using a fastener penetrating through the interior female metal skin profile of the panel on the right side and the interior male metal skin profile of the panel on the left side. The hat shaped stud is secured in position to the panel using a fastener. The interior finish panel is fastened to the lower flange of the stud creating continuous utility distribution cavities in the transverse direction to the panel span. Since the spacing of the stud is in the longitudinal direction of the panel span, uniform stud spacing can be maintained regardless of the panel cover-width.

Abstract: A curtain wall system is assembled by a plurality of panels supported by a curtain-wall supporting mullion. The panels comprise one or more functional types of panels: transition panels and adjacent panels that can be joined at the top or/and bottom side of the transition panels because each of the panels has a male frame member is used to engage with the adjacent panels each having a female frame member. In each transition panel, a frame is assembled by a jamb frame member connecting with the upper frame member and the lower frame member. As a result, the curtain wall system can be easily erected in a bottom-up procedure, a top-down procedure, or the combination of the two.

Abstract: An airloop wall system with durable water-tightness performance is disclosed. The system comprises a base anchor member secured to a top surface of a first floor slab, a base track connected to the base anchor, a base flashing for repelling moisture, a first ceiling anchor member secured to a bottom surface of the first floor slab, a first ceiling track connected to the first ceiling anchor member, a slab edge panel attached to the base track and the first ceiling track, a second ceiling anchor member secured to a bottom surface of a second floor slab, a second ceiling track connected to the second ceiling anchor member, a panel sill frame attached to the base track, a panel head frame attached to the second ceiling track, two jamb frames, and a panel secured between the frames. Corners of the frames are miter-matched such that air spaces inside form an airloop.

Abstract: A curtain wall system is assembled by a plurality of panels supported by a curtain-wall supporting mullion. The panels comprise one or more functional types of panels: transition panels and adjacent panels that can be joined at the top or/and bottom side of the transition panels because each of the panels has a male frame member is used to engage with the adjacent panels each having a female frame member. In each transition panel, a frame is assembled by a jamb frame member connecting with the upper frame member and the lower frame member. As a result, the curtain wall system can be easily erected in a bottom-up procedure, a top-down procedure, or the combination of the two.

Abstract: An airloop wall system with durable water-tightness performance is disclosed. The system comprises a base anchor member secured to a top surface of a first floor slab, a base track connected to the base anchor, a base flashing for repelling moisture, a first ceiling anchor member secured to a bottom surface of the first floor slab, a first ceiling track connected to the first ceiling anchor member, a slab edge panel attached to the base track and the first ceiling track, a second ceiling anchor member secured to a bottom surface of a second floor slab, a second ceiling track connected to the second ceiling anchor member, a panel sill frame attached to the base track, a panel head frame attached to the second ceiling track, two jamb frames, and a panel secured between the frames. Corners of the frames are miter-matched such that air spaces inside form an airloop.

Abstract: When assembled to a building support structure to form a curtain wall system of adjoining panels, a preferred embodiment of the enhanced airloop wall system as shown in FIG. 2 comprises panel frame segments that, when assembled, form interconnected inner and outer airloop segments that separate and improve water seal and air seal functions and improve sealing performance, a circuitous path (e.g., “A”) at an enlarged air opening into an airloop to pressure equalize and limit water entry into the airloop, a two point fastener support of each panel assembly to allow interfloor deflections under seismic or other loads without excessive loads on the panel assembly, a structural hook-like protrusion for resisting building outward loads on panels separate from fasteners, a splitter in a drainage cavity in the outer airloop that creates a dual drainage path and a surface upon which droplets can collect.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a window perimeter frame and a window panel frame form a first exterior water flow-restrictor between the window perimeter frame and the window panel frame that forms an outer airloop that is maintained at the same pressure as the environment exterior to the building. A water restrictor and an air seal are provided between the airloop and the building interior such that the air seal does not have to cope with water from the exterior environment. Similar water restrictors and air seals are placed in between the window perimeter frame and building as well as between the window frame and window panel. A splined male member slidably placed in a female joint area attaches the perimeter frame to the window panel frame allowing relative displacement between the perimeter frame and panel frame member and installation of the frames from the interior of a building.

Abstract: Slidable connections from a support to a supported section combined with slidable end connections between adjoining supported sections allow relative motion between adjoining supported sections to be limited to less than the relative motion between adjoining supports. This is accomplished in an open-gap mullion embodiment for supporting a curtain wall assembly by providing an open gap between mullion sections equal to or less than a tolerable range for the curtain wall. When floor support deflections close the gap, further floor deflection causes an adjacent lower mullion section to provide support for the contacted upper mullion section. In a limited-gap embodiment, the gap between mullion section may exceed the tolerable motion of the associated curtain wall assembly, but a slidable gap-limiting means is provided to limit relative displacement between sections. In addition, the slidable mullion sections can be field installed without the need for field drilling and/or welding.

Abstract: A mullion connector connects a mullion to a building structure, the mullion connector having a first flange and a second flange in a plane generally perpendicular to the first flange with a first flange having a first fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the mullion in at least one direction and a second flange having an second fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the building in at least two generally perpendicular directions. By placing the second flange on a generally horizontal surface such as a building floor, and loosely fastening the second flange through the second fastener opening to a building anchor, the first flange opening may be attached to the mullion allowing up and down and rotational motion while the second flange opening allows in & out and left to right motion while supporting the mullion.

Abstract: When assembled to a building support structure to form a curtain wall system of adjoining panels, a preferred embodiment of the enhanced airloop wall system as shown in FIG. 2 comprises panel frame segments (e.g., upper frame segment) that, when assembled, form interconnected inner and outer airloop segments (e.g., inner loop segment) that separate and improve water seal and air seal functions and improve sealing performance, a circuitous path (e.g., “A”) at an enlarged air opening into an airloop to pressure equalize and limit water entry into the airloop, a two point fastener support of each panel assembly to allow interfloor deflections under seismic or other loads without excessive loads on the panel assembly, a structural hook-like protrusion for resisting building outward loads on panels separate from fasteners, a splitter in a drainage cavity in the outer airloop that creates a dual drainage path and a surface upon which droplets can collect.

Abstract: Slidable connections from a support to a supported section combined with slidable end connections between adjoining supported sections allow relative motion between adjoining supported sections to be limited to less than the relative motion between adjoining supports. This is accomplished in an open-gap mullion embodiment for supporting a curtain wall assembly by providing an open gap between mullion sections equal to or less than a tolerable range for the curtain wall. When floor support deflections close the gap, further floor deflection causes an adjacent lower mullion section to provide support for the contacted upper mullion section that would otherwise move outside a tolerable range. In a limited-gap embodiment, the gap between mullion sections may exceed the tolerable motion of the associated curtain wall assembly, but a slidable gap-limiting means is provided to limit relative displacement between sections.

Abstract: A mullion connector connects a mullion to a building structure, the mullion connector having a first flange and a second flange in a plane generally perpendicular to the first flange with a first flange having a first fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the mullion in at least one direction and a second flange having an second fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the building in at least two generally perpendicular directions. By placing the second flange on a generally horizontal surface such as a building floor, and loosely fastening the second flange through the second fastener opening to a building anchor, the first flange opening may be attached to the mullion allowing up and down and rotational motion while the second flange opening allows in & out and left to right motion while supporting the mullion.

Abstract: A window system using air loops to completely isolate air seals from water seals. As a result of the separation of air seals from water seals, the window system can tolerate imperfect seals anywhere in the system while maintaining high resistance to water infiltration.

Abstract: This invention relates to repairing the water leakage problem of panel joints in an exterior building surface. In addition, this method may also be used to project new panel joints. A long lasting effective repair method is provided by using two extruded component parts assembled in the field to cover up the existing panel joints such that a number of P.E. Cavities and air links are created to form P.E. Seals around the existing panel joints such that elements such as exterior water can no longer reach the leaking joints. Since P.E. Seals can tolerate a significant degree of imperfection without causing the water infiltration problem, the effectiveness of the repair work can be expected to last for a long time.

Abstract: This invention relates to exterior building wall systems utilizing multiple wall panels forming horizontal and vertical wall joints. Each individual wall panel consists of an essentially flat exterior facing member and four perimeter members structurally connected to the facing member. The design of the perimeter members and the combination of differential pressure seals and pressure equalized seals enable the system to prevent water from infiltrating into the building. In addition, this invention is easily disassembled and saves much time and expense.

Abstract: A system is provided, wherein the watertight performance of exterior wall perimeters is addressed such as the perimeters of a window, a door, or a curtain wall system. The perimeter sealant lines are classified into P.E. Seal bordering no differential air pressure and D.P. Seal bordering a differential air pressure. Long lasting watertight performance is accomplished by using P.E. Seal in the area of the water path and D.P. Seal away from the water path. The design is accomplished by using combinations of an inner transition member, an exterior perimeter member, pressure equalization holes, and pressure equalized wall cavities.

Abstract: This invention relates to an exterior curtain wall system assembled from multiple framed panels. The design utilizes externally framed panel design with concealed water drainage mechanism within pressure equalized wall cavities to eliminate the dependency of the sealing integrity of the shop and/or field applied sealant lines for watertight performance. The design also eliminates the accumulative thermal movement of the wall surface and facilitates the easiness of replacing an individual facing panel.