7658results about "Special door/window arrangements" patented technology

“Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and / or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.

Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

A chromogenic window panel assembly, and a chromogenic skylight each includes an outer panel and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic light pipe includes a light harvesting member and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof, a chromogenic aircraft window assembly, and a chromogenic window assembly each includes a panel having a particular panel contour corresponding to a surface contour and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic block includes two panels and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal.

A refrigerator includes French-style doors and a rotating mullion. The rotating mullion is mounted to one of the French-style doors through first and second hinge members. Each of the first and second hinge members include first and second hinge elements having corresponding cam members. The cam members include multiple lobes and extend about hinge pins that define an axis of rotation for the mullion. The multiple lobes actually define first and second detent positions for the rotating mullion. A spring biases the first cam member against the second cam member so that the rotating mullion is positively maintained in either the first or second position. The mullion is formed from mating halves, each including a portion of an integrally formed pin element. The pin element travels within a guide element to automatically rotate the mullion between the first and second positions during use.

“Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and / or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.

Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

The invention is an energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when the ambient temperature is low and substantially blocks solar radiation when the ambient temperature is high, especially when sunlight is directly on the window.

A refrigerator includes French-style doors and a rotating mullion. The rotating mullion is mounted to one of the French-style doors through first and second hinge members. Each of the first and second hinge members include first and second hinge elements having corresponding cam members. The cam members include multiple lobes and extend about hinge pins that define an axis of rotation for the mullion. The multiple lobes actually define first and second detent positions for the rotating mullion. A spring biases the first cam member against the second cam member so that the rotating mullion is positively maintained in either the first or second position. The mullion is formed from mating halves, each including a portion of an integrally formed pin element. The pin element travels within a guide element to automatically rotate the mullion between the first and second positions during use.

A parallel logging and recovery scheme for highly available main-memory database systems is presented. A preferred embodiment called parallel redo-only logging (“PROL”) combines physical logging and selective replay of redo-only log records. During physical logging, log records are generated with an update sequence number representing the sequence of database update. The log records are replayed selectively during recovery based on the update sequence number. Since the order of replaying log records doesn't matter in physical logging, PROL makes parallel operations possible. Since the physical logging does not depend on the state of the object to which the log records are applied, the present invention also makes it easy to construct a log-based hot standby system.

A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on an object such as a pole or roof, and includes one or more triple track rails. Also included are one or more connector brackets that are demountably attachable to the one or more triple track rails and to the object.

A multipane insulating glass for appliances having an inner-chamber temperature which is lower than the ambient temperature, in particular for viewing doors of refrigerators and freezers comprises at least two panes which are of approximately equal size and are arranged at a distance from one another. The distance is maintained by a spacer which runs continuously around the vicinity of the edge. One of the two outer panes is provided with an electrically conductive, transparent coating on its side which faces towards the space between the panes. In this glass, the coating, which is applied to the entire surface, is deactivated in the peripheral area of the pane, containing the contact surface for the spacer. Also, a process for producing coated flat glass materials for such insulating glass materials, as described above.

A rail mount is provided for positioning an electronic device such as a flat panel display that is mounted to a support arm. The rail mount includes a wall mount and lower and upper mounts received by the wall mount. The wall mount is adapted for attaching to a surface and includes a pair of elongated rails having an axis therebetween. The lower and upper mounts are received within the rails, and each includes a central opening aligned along the axis. An endcap of the support arm is received within the lower and upper mounts and is rotatable about the axis.

A door signaling system can warn a forklift driver on one side of a closed door that a pedestrian may be on the other side, thereby averting a collision between the forklift and the pedestrian. In some embodiments, the signaling system includes an elongate light prominently disposed along a perimeter of the doorway. In response to the pedestrian being at the door or in response to some other predetermined door-related event, the light warns the forklift driver of the situation or event. In some embodiments, the signaling system warns the driver by sounding a horn on the driver's vehicle or by shining a light upon tile door or against the floor.

The invention concerns a window including a window pane with one or more glass panes, a window frame in which the window pane is provided, at least one temperature sensor arranged in or at the periphery of the window pane, and an electric circuit connected to the temperature sensor mounted on or in the window frame. The electric circuit is configured to be connected to an operation unit which is configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane. The invention furthermore concerns a method for controlling a window wherein the electric circuit controls the means configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane based on a set of parameters. The parameters are determined on the basis of the orientation and geographical position of the window whereby the supply of free energy is optimised and the amount of energy supplied from energy sources in the room is reduced. In an embodiment the window can be controlled by means of an application configured to run on a mobile communication unit.

A modular shelving system that includes framework which provides structural integrity and distribution of electrical wiring, communication, data transmission and other services, and brackets and shelves which may be interlocked for stability purposes. The shelves exhibit increased strength to provide greater shelf spans between framework supports. The shelving system is suitable for universal application in laboratories, clean rooms and other rooms, and may also constitute a self-standing structure on which a room may be built.

A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which a plurality of shelf brackets are mounted. The shelving is stabilized in several ways. First, the brackets are provided with a shelf engaging recess. The recess is either designed to provide a tight fit for the shelf, or the recess is provided with a shim for tightening the fit. Second, the brackets are provided with a vertical member which engages the shelves. Preferably, the recess and the vertical member will engage the shelf at opposite ends of the shelf, securing the shelf to the bracket. When the shelf is attached to multiple brackets, the shelf will be prevented from pivoting on the bracket. The shelves can be further stabilized by securing the brackets against vertical displacement. This can be accomplished by securing the shelf brackets to the support strip with a locking pin. With the locking pin in place, the shelf bracket cannot be moved upward. Another way of securing the brackets is to provide a vertical stabilizer, comprising an elongated member, preferably of steel or aluminum, having an arm extending perpendicularly therefrom. The arm will fit tightly into a slot in a support strip. When the arm is in place, the elongated member will be positioned over and in contact with the base of the shelf bracket, so that the bracket cannot be moved upward. The vertical stabilizer will be held in place by the cover which fits over the support strips.

A safety gate for a doorframe, which is able to prevent small children from going into a restricted or dangerous area, has a lock that requires two different and independent steps to proceed the unlock process. Furthermore, after the lock is unlocked, the user still needs to lift the plate body before the pivotal movement of the plate body with respect to the first side bar is possible.

It is an object of the invention to provide a polishing pad capable of high precision optical detection of an endpoint during polishing in progress and prevention of slurry leakage from between a polishing region and a light-transmitting region during the use thereof even after the polishing pad has been used for a long period. It is a second object of the invention to provide a polishing pad capable of suppression of deterioration of polishing characteristics (such as in-plane uniformity) and generation of scratches due to a difference in behavior of a polishing region and a light-transmitting region during polishing. It is a third object of the invention to provide a polishing pad having a polishing region and a light-transmitting region with a concentration of a specific metal equal to or lower than a specific value (threshold value).

A structural channel system (100) includes a main structural channel rail (102), cross-channels (104) and cross-rails (106). A modular plug assembly (130) couples electrical power and communication signals to connector modules (132, 140, 144) which, in turn, control application of power to application devices (939, 969) based on the communication signals.

A crib railing includes a driving means, an opening / closing means and a railing coupling with the driving means and the opening / closing means. The driving means' seat has a top surface formed as a helical parabolic surface to allow the railing to automatically return at any angles relative to the driving means. The opening / closing means has an upper cover, a depressing means, a handgrip means, a slider, a lower cover and a linkage bar. The depressing means and handgrip means are single-handed operable at meantime, and can drive the linkage bar running through the handgrip means up and down to form an open or latch relationship with the railing. The handgrip means has a wedge with an inclined member to drive the slider to latch on a latch member of the railing. The invention provides the opening / closing movements of the driving means and opening / closing means and swiveling return of the railing.

A shelving system can include adjustable shelves. The shelves can be adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The shower organizer can have a hinged clamp which can include a tapered gasket configured to secure the shelving system to a shower head pipe. The shelving system can be further fitted with a suction cup attached to its lower end to further secure the organizer to a wall. The suction cup can be rotatably mounted to the lower end of the shower organizer so that the position of the suction cup may be adjusted such that the suction cup is positioned over a flat surface.

A door assembly that includes a single glass unit having at least first, second and third panels, a front surface, a rear surface, and an outside edge. At least one of the first, second or third panels is a transparent LCD panel on which media can be displayed. The single glass unit also includes a frame that at least partially surrounds the outside edge of the single glass unit, and electronic components in electrical communication with the LCD panel.

A device for integrating solar panels on a fixture, in particular a roofing framework, that includes a plurality of frames intended to accommodate the solar panels, added to the fixture, said frames being defined by a peripheral edge fitted with linear elements that project relative to the plane in which the frames are set; tightening means for holding said panels on the frames; and means for securing the frames to the fixture. The frames are openwork and cover or partially overlap each other on the edges which define them, laterally on the one hand and in the direction of the roof pitch on the other hand, the projecting linear elements with which they are fitted cooperating with each other to form a barrier seal.

A curtain wall including an extruded aluminum sill having a first channel for receiving a glazed panel, a sill anchor / access portion for securing the sill to a poured concrete slab or slab wall, and toward the interior side of the sill, a wireway is defined in part by the sill and in part by a wireway cover for concealing power and / or data / telecommunication cables. The wireway cover may also include outlet devices or plugs arranged in a longitudinally spaced relationship.

A window assembly having at least one pane is presented for use in a building. Positioned within the pane are a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers which extend substantially across the length of the pane. The micro-louvers are positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher. The angle at and above which direct light is blocked can be selected to be approximately 30 or 45 degrees above the horizon, for example. The angle can be selected based on the latitude of the location of the window assembly, the time of day during which direct sunlight is blocked, etc. The micro-louvers may have reflective surfaces, be colored as desired, be opaque or translucent.