Energy efficient window
A heat insulating window includes a pair of outer glass panes ( 10, 12 ) held apart by a spacing member ( 16 ) and surrounded by a frame. One frame member ( 26 ) serves as a dessicant concealing member which holds a removeable dessicant cartridge ( 44 ). The dessicant cartridge connects to a conduit system ( 42 ) providing gas communication to the air space between the glass panes ( 10, 12 ).
1 . A heat insulation window comprising:
(a) a pair of outer panes defining an air space therebetween;
(b) a spacing member disposed between the outer panes which maintain the panes in a spaced-apart relationship, the spacing member being hollow and defining openings permitting gas communication between the air space and the interior volume of the spacing member;
(c) a desiccant material contained within the spacing member; and
(d) a frame surrounding a perimeter of the window, wherein the frame comprises:
(i) at least one desiccant concealing member which is hollow and detachable from the frame;
(ii) a desiccant cartridge removably disposed within the desiccant concealing member and
(iii) conduit means for providing gas communication between the air space and the desiccant cartridge.
2 . The window of claim 1 wherein the conduit means provides gas communication between the interior volume of the spacing member and the desiccant cartridge.
3 . The window of claim 1 wherein the desiccant cartridge comprises an elongated cylindrical tube.
4 . The window of claim 1 wherein the desiccant concealing member is elongated and has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile.
5 . The window of claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional profile comprises two linear segments joining at a substantially right angle.
6 . The window of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises an outer channel member, an inner channel member, a web member disposed between the outer and inner channel members, wherein the desiccant concealing member is detachably connected to the inner channel member.
7 . The window of claim 6 wherein the desiccant concealing member is comprised of a resilient material and comprises a first lip and a second lip which each engage an undercut groove in the inner channel member.