Abstract:
An insulative separation element bridges first and second conductive spacer ends of a spacer frame of an active or insulated glazing unit. The insulative separation element includes first and second outer sections dimensioned for placement into the first and second conductive spacer ends. The insulative separation element includes an intermediate section connecting the first and second outer sections. The intermediate section has opposing first and second faces dimensioned for abutment with and insulative separation of the first and second spacer ends, respectively.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/664,992 filed Jun. 27, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Insulated glazing units (“IGU”), as that term is used herein, means two or more layers of glass, which are sometimes called glass lite panels, separated by a spacer frame along the edge and sealed to create a dead air (or other gas, e.g., argon, nitrogen, krypton) space between the layers. The spacer frame includes spacers, which are conventionally hollow tubes, also called spacer tubes, of a conductive material, such as but not limited to aluminum or steel, but which may not be hollow in some instances and which may be made of polymeric materials. The spacer frame, in some instances, may include a spacer key, which is sometimes called a spacer connector that is inserted into ends of spacers to bridge the ends together. Active glazings, which form a part of the IGU and which include electrochromic glazings, may be applied or deposited to one of the glass lite panels. An electrochromic glazing may have a laminate structure (see copending U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011/0261429 A1 and 2011/0267672 A1 and copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/906,456 and 13/906,487, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties). For example, the electrochromic glazings may include a series of thin films that are applied or deposited to one of the glass lite panels. Electrochromic glazings or coatings include electrochromic materials that are known to change their optical properties in response to the application of an electric potential which can create coloration or tinting within the electrochromic glazings. Common uses for these glazings include architectural windows, as well as windshields and mirrors of automobiles. Further details regarding the formation of IGUs can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,372,610 and 7,593,154, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
         [0003]    As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, electrically conductive busbars are typically applied along the surface of one of the glass lite panels such that upon assembly of an IGU, the busbars are either outside an IGU spacer/polyisobutylene (“PIB”) seal (or “spacer seal” as that term is used herein) to form an IGU thermal break cavity; or the busbars are mainly inside the spacer seal. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an IGU  1  may have a glass panel  2  on which a busbar  3  is applied such that the busbar  3  is mainly within a perimeter defined by sides of a spacer  5  and a spacer seal  4  placed between the spacer  5  and the glass panel  2  having approximately the same perimeter as the spacer  5 . As shown, in such a configuration, the busbar  3  must be applied to extend under the spacer seal  4  to a region outside the perimeters of the spacer seal  4  and the spacer  5  to allow for the formation of a busbar solder tab  7  on an end of the busbar that provides a contact area to which a wire  9  can be soldered to provide a sufficient solder joint  8  for a consistent electrical connection. The busbar solder tab  7  must be placed such that there is sufficient clearance between the solder joint  8  and the spacer  5  to prevent electrical shorting due to undesired contact between the spacer  5  and the solder joint  8  during the assembly process or during slight movements that may occur over the useful life of the IGU. In addition, sufficient clearance is needed to provide space for a solder gun tip to land and create a solder joint and, in some instances, to permit the addition of a sealant onto the busbar and busbar solder tab after soldering to either or both prevent solder tab corrosion and prevent argon or other inert gases from exiting a cavity of the IGU defined by the spacer  5  and the spacer seal  4  as well as the spacer seal  14  opposing the spacing seal  4 . 
         [0004]    To provide sufficient clearance, the spacer  5  has been dimensioned to have a smaller perimeter than IGUs that do not require electrical connectivity. However, in certain architectural frame configurations, one or both of the smaller perimeter spacer and corresponding spacer seal is visible within the viewable area of the frame unless an obscuration mask is applied, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,610, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, which may be used to improve the aesthetic look of such an architectural glazing frame system but which may add cost while still causing a reduction in the viewable area of the frame as compared to IGUs not requiring electrical connectivity. 
         [0005]    Thus, there exists a need for an electrical interconnection to busbars in an IGU cavity without requiring a reduction in the perimeter of a spacer to accommodate for such a connection. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, an insulated glazing unit may include a non-conductive spacer key and a conductive spacer, which may be metallic. The spacer may be split into first spacer and second spacer sections. The spacer key may bridge the first and second spacer sections. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, an insulative separation element may bridge first and second conductive spacer ends of a spacer frame of an active or insulated glazing unit. The insulative separation element may include first and second outer sections dimensioned for placement into the first and second conductive spacer ends of the spacer frame. The insulative separation element may include an intermediate section that may connect the first and second outer sections. The intermediate section may have opposing first and second faces dimensioned for abutment with and insulative separation of the first and second spacer ends, respectively. 
         [0008]    In some arrangements, either or both of the first and second outer sections may have a base and may have opposing rails spaced apart and extending from and parallel to the base. The opposing rails and the base may define a fillable space. In some arrangements, the opposing rails may be dimensioned for compressive engagement with one or both of the first and second conductive spacer ends of the active or insulated glazing unit. 
         [0009]    In some arrangements, a plurality of fins may extend from the rails. In some arrangements, the fins may extend at a first angle along a first portion of the rails and may extend at a second angle along a second portion of the rails. 
         [0010]    In some arrangements, an underside of the base opposite the opposing rails may include cavities therein. In some arrangements, the intermediate section may define a bore through which material may pass from either of the first and second outer sections to the other of the first and second outer sections. 
         [0011]    In some arrangements, an exterior of the intermediate section may define a groove. In some such arrangements, the insulative separation element may include a removable cover receivable in the groove. In some arrangements, the groove of the intermediate section may be formed on and may be bounded by inner and outer sides and a first end of the intermediate section in which the first end may be opposite a second end of the intermediate section such that a cross-section of the groove has a U-shape. In some arrangements, a cross-section of the removable cover may have a shape corresponding to the U-shape cross-section of the groove of the intermediate section. In this manner, upon placement of the removable cover onto the intermediate section, three surfaces of the removable cover may be flush against each of the inner and outer sides and the first end of the intermediate section, respectively. In some arrangements, the groove may form an insulative shoulder at the second end of the insulative separation element. In some arrangements, one of the intermediate section and the removable cover may include a protrusion or other type of embossment and the other of the intermediate section and the removable cover may include a protrusion groove dimensioned for receiving the protrusion such that when the protrusion is received in the protrusion groove, the removable cover is lockingly engaged with the intermediate section. 
         [0012]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include one or more fins may extend from at least one of the first and second outer sections. In some arrangements, the fins may extend from only an end portion of either or both of the first and second outer sections. In some arrangements, one or more of the fins may extend at an angle towards the intermediate section. 
         [0013]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include compressible protrusions or other type of bump or embossment extending from the outer sections. Such compressible protrusions may provide a press fit with the first and second conductive spacer ends of the spacer frame. 
         [0014]    In some arrangements, the intermediate section may be a shoulder that may extend along only a portion of the perimeter of the intermediate section. In some arrangements, the outer sections may have a first central axis that may pass therethrough. In some such arrangements, the intermediate section may have a second central axis that may pass therethrough in which the first and second central axes may be either or both parallel to and offset from each other. 
         [0015]    In some arrangements, the intermediate section may include a shoulder. In some such arrangements, the insulative separation element may include grooves that may be adjacent to the shoulder. In some such arrangements, the grooves may be defined by the intersection of the respective outer sections and the intermediate section. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, an active or insulated glazing unit may include an insulative separation element and first and second spacer portions of a spacer frame. The first and second spacer portions may be conductive. The insulative separation element may be matingly engaged with the first and second spacer portions. The insulative separation element may electrically isolate the first and second spacer portions. 
         [0017]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include a shoulder. In some arrangements, the shoulder may have at least one shoulder surface that may abut a spacer surface of each of the first and second spacer portions. In this manner, in some arrangements, the insulative separation element and the first and second spacer portions may form a continuous common outer profile when the insulative separation element fully engages the first and second spacer portions. 
         [0018]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include a pair of outer sections for connecting the first and second spacer portions. In such arrangements, the outer sections may be separated by an intermediate section that may be connected to each of the outer sections. In some arrangements, a first longitudinal axis may pass through each of the first and second spacer portions. In some arrangements, a second longitudinal axis may pass through the intermediate section in which the first and second longitudinal axes may be either or both offset from and parallel to each other. 
         [0019]    In some arrangements, the active or insulated glazing unit may include a plurality of spaced apart conductive traces deposited on a substrate thereof. In some such arrangements, the insulative separation element may include an insulative shoulder element along a side thereof. In some such arrangements, upon contact of the insulative separation element with a corresponding conductive trace, the insulative shoulder element may contact a corresponding one of the conductive trace such that no electrical interconnection is formed between the insulative separation element and the corresponding conductive trace. 
         [0020]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include a pair of outer sections for connecting the first and second spacer portions in which the outer sections may separated by an intermediate section connected to the outer sections. In some such arrangements, the outer sections of the insulative separation element may be compressively received within the first and second spacer portions. In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include separated shoulders defining a gap. In some such arrangements, the active or insulated glazing unit may include a sealing material that may be placed within the gap. 
         [0021]    In some arrangements, the insulative separation element may include an outer section and a shelf that may be connected to each other by an intermediate section. In some such arrangements, the outer section and the shelf may connect the first and second spacer portions. 
         [0022]    In some arrangements, the first spacer portion may include a tongue that rests on the shelf of the insulative separation element. In some arrangements, the tongue of the first spacer portion may be received within the outer section of the insulative separation element. In some arrangements, the outer section of the insulative separation element may be received within the second spacer portion. 
         [0023]    In some arrangements, the active or insulated glazing unit may include a third spacer portion. In some arrangements, the active or insulated glazing unit may include a second insulative separation element on a side of the first spacer portion opposite the insulative separation element. In some such arrangements, the second insulative separation element may electrically isolate the first spacer portion from the third spacer portion. In some arrangements, the first spacer portion may form a corner of the active or insulated glazing unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of an IGU, as known in the prior art. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2A  is a partially cutaway perspective view of an IGU in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of portions of a spacer frame of the IGU of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of portions of a spacer frame in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is a partially cutaway perspective view of an IGU including the spacer frame shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a spacer key in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 4B and 4C  are a plan and elevation views of a portion of an IGU including the spacer key shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a spacer key in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front and rear perspective views of a spacer key in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of a portion of a spacer frame including a portion of the spacer key shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are front and rear perspective views of a spacer key in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a portion of a spacer frame including a portion of the spacer key shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of portions of spacer frames in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of an IGU in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of an IGU in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    As used herein, the terms “width” and “length” refer to directions parallel to parallel surfaces of a substrate, such as a glass panel. The term “thickness” is used to refer to a dimension measured in a direction perpendicular to the parallel surfaces of such a substrate. The term “rear” refers to directions away from an IGU cavity and parallel to the direction of the width directions of features whereas the term “front” refers to directions towards the IGU cavity and parallel to the direction of the width directions of features. 
         [0040]    Referring now to the drawings, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an IGU  100  may include first and second spacer portions  105 A,  105 B of a spacer that may be separated along their lengths by spacer keys  110  such that the spacer portions  105 A,  105 B do not physically contact each other. In some arrangements, such as those of  FIG. 2A , the spacer portions  105 A,  105 B may be formed by preparing a gap within a continuous spacer. Such gaps may be formed by sawing or laser cutting out a section of a spacer. In some arrangements, the removed section of the spacer may be sized to correspond with a shoulder of a spacer key, such as a shoulder  115  of the spacer key  110  described further herein. In other arrangements, the removed sections may be of other widths, e.g., a width of the sections removed for the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3B  may be greater than the width of the sections removed in the arrangement of  FIG. 2A . 
         [0041]    In some arrangements, the spacer may be made of materials such as but not limited to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, beryllium copper, brass, tin, nickel, silver, titanium, nickel titanium, and other rigid metals, rigid woven materials, plastics, resins, or blends of plastics or polymers or other composite materials. The spacer preferably may be non-permeable or substantially nonpermeable. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in some arrangements, the spacer portions  105 A,  105 B may be electrically conductive. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the IGU  100  may include the spacer seals  4 ,  14  between the respective glass lite panels  2 ,  12  and a spacer frame positioned between both of the spacer seals  4 ,  14  in which the spacer frame is formed by the assembly of the spacer portions  105 A,  105 B and the spacer key  110 . As further shown in  FIG. 2A , the IGU  100  may include a conductive busbars  3 ,  13  that may be applied, such as by a printing process known to those of ordinary skill, to the glass lite panel  2  and may be separated a distance across the panel  2  in which the busbar  3  extends under only the spacer portion  105 A and the busbar  13  extends under only the spacer portion  105 B. In this manner, the busbars  3 ,  13  may be separated on opposite ends of the spacer frame in which such opposite ends are defined by a plane perpendicular to each of the opposing spacer keys  110 . 
         [0043]    As best shown in  FIG. 2B , the spacer key  110  may include outer sections  140  on opposing sides of an intermediate section  145 . As shown, each the outer sections  140  may include a base  111  and a pair of side rails  112  extending along the base for insertion into ends of the respective spacers  105 A,  105 B. As in this example, a thickness of the base  111  and the side rails  112  may be dimensioned such that a compression, i.e., an interference fit, is formed between the spacer key  110  and inner surfaces  106  of the respective spacers  105 A,  105 B through which the spacer key  110  is inserted. 
         [0044]    As further shown, the side rails  112  may extend at the edges and along the length of the spacer key  110 . In this manner, the side rails  112  may contact the respective spacer  105 A,  105 B, over a larger surface area than if the side rails were located more centrally, i.e., not along the edges of the spacer key  110 . As further shown, ends of the side rails  112  furthest from the intermediate section  145  may have a radius  113  that may reduce the initial effort required to insert the outer sections  140  of the spacer key  110  into the ends of the respective spacers  105 A,  105 B. In some alternative arrangements, a chamfer or other type of leading edge may be used in place of or in addition to such radii. 
         [0045]    The intermediate section  145  of the spacer key  110  may include a body  114  that may define opposing inner walls of the respective outer sections  140 . As shown, the body  114  may be solid such that no gases or fluids, including but not limited to dessicant, may pass through the spacer key  110 . In some arrangements, the body  114  may be hollow such that materials such gases or fluids may pass through the body, as is shown and described further herein with respect to the body  314  shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0046]    The intermediate section  145  may include a shoulder  115  protruding around the perimeter of the intermediate section  145 . In some arrangements, such as in the example of  FIG. 2B , the shoulder  115  may protrude around the entire perimeter of the body  114  of the intermediate section  145  while in other arrangements the shoulder may protrude around only a portion of the perimeter (see, for example, shoulder  415  as shown and described with respect to  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0047]    In some arrangements, the spacer key  110  may be electrically insulative. Accordingly, materials for the spacer key  110  may be selected from materials such as but not limited to any of nylons (polyamide or a material blend with a polyamide); NORYL (polyphenylene ether or a blend with either or both of a polyphenylene ether and polystyrene); fluoropolymers such as PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene), ECTFE (ethylene-chlortrifluorethylene, PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PVC (polyvinylchloride), PFA (perfluroalkoxy fluorocarbon), and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride); TEONEX (polyethylene naphthalate); polyacrylonitrile; PPA (polyphthalamide); PAI (polyamide-imide); PEI (polyetherimide); MYLAR (polyethylene terephthalate); PBT (polybutylene terephthalate); TPU (theremoplastic polyurethane); plastic blends; pyrex or gorilla glass; ceramics such as alumina ceramics, alumina nitride, steatite ceramics such as a magnesium silicate; and metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.) which may include an electrically insulative coating. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the shoulder  115  may abut end faces  107  of each of the respective spacers  105 A,  105 B. In this manner, when the outer sections  140  of the spacer key  110  are inserted into the respective outer ends of spacers  105 A,  105 B, the spacer key  110  may electrically isolate the spacer portions  105 A,  105 B. Thus, in the event that either of the spacer portions  105 A and  105 B should contact the respective busbar  3 ,  13 , e.g., due to overcompression of the respective spacer portion  105 A,  105 B, when such busbars are electrically charged, there will not be a short circuit created with the other busbar  3 ,  13 . 
         [0048]    In some arrangements, when the shoulder traverses only a portion of the perimeter of the body of the intermediate section, a sealing material may be added to fill any gaps within the shoulder. In some arrangements, the sealing material may be applied adjacent to the shoulder at either or both joints between the intermediate and respective outer sections of the spacer key. Such sealing materials may be but are not limited to being PIB, butyl, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), epoxides polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), silicone and blends thereof, polysulfide or polysulphide, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPUE), polysulfone (PSU) and blends thereof, polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) and blends thereof, polyethersulfone (PESU) and blends thereof, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile), ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an IGU  200  may be substantially the same as the IGU  100  with the exception that the spacer frame of the IGU may be formed by opposing spacer keys  210  each having an intermediate section  245  and outer sections  240  that are inserted into ends of respective spacers  205 A,  205 B. The IGU  200  may also include an additional busbar deposited onto the glass lite panel  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the busbar  23  may extend between the glass lite panel  2  and the spacer seal  4  within a space defined by a length of the intermediate section  245  of the spacer key  210 . At least the intermediate section  245  of each spacer key  210 , and as shown, the entire spacer key  210  may be made of insulative materials such as those described with respect to the spacer key  110 . In this manner, even during overcompression of the spacer key  210  against the spacer seal  4 , the spacer key  210  may prevent electrical shorting between the busbar  23  and the spacer portions  205 A,  205 B. 
         [0050]    As best shown in  FIG. 3A , the spacer key  210  may be substantially similar to the spacer key  110  with the exception of the intermediate section  245  of the spacer key  210 . As shown, the intermediate section  245  may include a base shoulder  215  extending in lengthwise and widthwise directions from a body  214  of the intermediate section  245 . Opposing side shoulders  216  may wrap around at least a portion of the perimeter of the body  214 . As shown, the opposing side shoulders  216  may wrap around the entire perimeter of the body  214  such that ends of each of the opposing side shoulders  216  are joined with the base shoulder  215 . In this manner, the body  214 , the base shoulder  215  and the opposing side shoulders  216  may define a U-shaped groove within the intermediate section  245 . 
         [0051]    A cover, which may be a decorative cover  220  which may be produced in a variety of colors or shapes, may be placed within this U-shaped groove. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the cover  220  may include two opposing side panels  224  that may be connected by a cross-panel  225  that may extend between the side panels  224 . The cover  220  may be dimensioned such that the cover  220  fills an entire space defined by the U-shaped groove. In some arrangements, as further shown in  FIG. 3A , the cover  220  may include a chamfer  228 , or some other leading edge such as but not limited to a radius, and the body  214  may include a corresponding chamfer such that a profile of the intermediate section parallel to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate section is the same or substantially the same as the profile of the spacer portions  205 A,  205 B. 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the IGU  200  may be assembled such that when the cover  220  is placed over the intermediate section  245  of the spacer key  210  and the spacer key  210  is inserted into the spacer portions  205 A,  205 B, only the cover  220  may be visible. Sealing material, such as that described previously herein, may be applied at the interface of the spacer key  210  and the spacer portions  205 A,  205 B. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , a spacer key  310  for insertion into a spacer frame of an IGU  300  for insulative separation of spacer portions of a spacer of the spacer frame may be substantially similar to the spacer key  110  with specific exceptions as described further herein. The spacer key  310  may include an intermediate section  345  situated between and attached to opposing sections  340 . As shown, each of the outer sections  340  may include a base  311  that may define a base slot  330  that may one or both allow flexure of the base slot  330  to accommodate spacer dimensional deviations and allow for a reduction in the material needed for the spacer and thus reduce cost. The outer sections  340  may include protrusions  335 , which may be but are not limited to being bumps or other types of embossments, jutting from rails  312  that extend from and along the base  311  of the spacer key  310 . The protrusions  335  may be rounded to provide a transition from a looser fit to a tighter fit as the outer sections  340  of the spacer key  310  are received within spacer portions  305 A,  305 B of a spacer frame, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0054]    The intermediate section  345  of the spacer key  310  may include outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B that may extend from a body  314  of the spacer key  310 . An intersection of the body  314  and each of the rails  312  may define a groove between the rails  312  that may taper from the outer shoulders  315 A to an inner shoulder  315 C at the intersection of the rails  312 . In some arrangements, each of the outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B may have profiles extending at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the spacer key  310  such that portions of the shoulders  315 A,  315 B that may be closer to the base  311  are closer to each other than portions of the shoulders  315 A,  315 B that are further from the base  311 . In some arrangements, each of the outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B may be oriented such that the profiles of the outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spacer key  310  (not shown). In either of such arrangements, the outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B may delimitate a region in which to apply a sealing material  350  as described further herein with respect to  FIGS. 4B and 4C . 
         [0055]    The spacer key  310  may include a boss or a plurality of bosses  317  that may extend from the body  314  in the same direction as the rails  312  extend from the base  311 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the outer sections  340  of the spacer key  310 , which may be similar to the outer sections described previously herein, may be received within the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B such that the bosses  317  abut end faces  307  of the respective spacer portions  305 A,  305 B. 
         [0056]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the body  314  of the intermediate section  345  may define a bore through which materials may be passed. In this manner, as in the example of IGU  300 , when the spacer key  310  is inserted into the ends of the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B, dessicant or other absorbent materials conventionally placed within spacer frames to prevent moisture intrusion may flow through the bore of the intermediate section  345  during assembly processing of the IGU. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 4B and 4C , a sealing material  350  such as but not limited to butyl or other materials previously described herein, may be deposited on the body  314 . In some arrangements, as shown, the sealing material  350  may be received within the groove defined by the body  314  and the rails  312  and may be received between the outer shoulders  315 A,  315 B. As best shown in  FIG. 4C , the sealing material  350  may be deposited after the spacer key  310  is received within the respective spacer portions  305 A,  305 B. In this manner, the sealing material  350  may fill the gaps between the spacer key  310  and the respective spacer portions  305 A,  305 B. 
         [0058]    As best shown in  FIG. 4C , the bosses  317  and the inner shoulder  315 C may each extend beyond the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B. In some such arrangements, as shown, the sealing material  350  may extend over the bosses  317  and onto ends of the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B adjacent to the respective joints of the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B and the bosses  317  of the spacer key  310 . As further shown, in some arrangements, a secondary seal  357 , such as but not limited to PIB, may be applied over the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B and the spacer key  310  of the spacer frame of the IGU  300 , as known to those of ordinary skill. In this manner, the secondary seal  357  may fill at least a portion of a space defined by the spacer frame and the glass lite panels  2 ,  12  (not shown) of the IGU  300  in which such a space may be further defined by the surface of the sealing material  350 , as further shown in  FIG. 4C . In some arrangements, a combination of the spacer key  310 , the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B, and the sealing material  350  form a continuous spacer frame having the same or substantially the same profile as the spacer portions  305 A,  305 B. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a spacer key  410  for placement in an IGU, such as the IGU  300  or other IGUs described previously herein, may be substantially similar to the spacer key  310  with certain exceptions noted further herein. As shown, the spacer key  410  may include slots  430  that may be larger than the slots  330  of the spacer key  310  and may include protrusions  435 , or other types of embossments, that may have curved opposing walls such that each of the protrusions  435  have the same, substantially the same, or even a slightly larger wall thickness as each of the corresponding rails  412  of the spacer key  410 . The spacer key  410  may have a body  414  of an intermediate section  445  that may have an open channel that is continuous with open channels formed by bases  411  and rails  412  of outer sections  440  on opposite sides of the intermediate section  445 . The body  414  of the intermediate section  445  and the rails  412  of the outer sections  440  may define a groove around an outer portion of a perimeter of the intermediate section  445  of the spacer key  410 . In some arrangements, an inner portion of the perimeter of the intermediate section  445  may include a shoulder  415  that may extend across the thickness of the intermediate section  445  of the spacer key  410 . As shown, the shoulder  415  may extend beyond the thickness of the rest of the spacer key  410 . In this manner, the shoulder  415  may provide a surface for abutment with ends of spacer portions of a spacer. In some arrangements, the shoulder  415  may have a dimension in the thickness direction that is less than or equal to the thickness across the spacer. In this manner, the spacer and not the shoulder  415  may define the separation of the glass lite panels between which the spacer frame may be set. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6C , a spacer key  510  for placement in IGUs, such as those described previously herein, may be substantially similar to the spacer key  210  with certain exceptions noted further herein. The spacer key  510  may provide insulative separation of spacer portions, such as the spacer portion  505 , and busbars of an IGU in a manner similar to that provided by the spacer key  210 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the spacer key  510  may include outer sections having first and second outer portions  540 A,  540 B and an intermediate section  545 . As shown in this example, each of the first portions  540 A may include a first rib  542  that may be attached to second ribs  543 . Each of the first and second ribs  542 ,  543  may be raised above a base  511  of each of the first and second outer portions  540 A,  540 B. In some arrangements, as shown, each of the first ribs  542  may be raised above the second rib  543 . As further shown, each of the first ribs  542  may be in a T-shape and each of the second ribs  543  may be in an L-shape such that the first and second ribs  542 ,  543  and the base  511  may define a pair of cavities on each of the first outer portions  540 A. 
         [0061]    Each of the second outer portions  540 B may include rails  512  and a third rib  546  between the rails  512  raised above the base  511  of the outer sections of the spacer key  510 . As shown, the third rib  546  may extend from the respective first ribs  542  of the respective first outer portions  540 A in a lengthwise direction of the spacer key  510 . Each of the first ribs  542  and the third ribs  546  may include respective steps  547 A,  547 B that may taper from the respective ribs  542 ,  546  in a direction towards the respective bases  511  of the outer sections. In this manner, the spacer key  510  may be increasingly more compressed as the spacer key  510  is received further into respective spacer portions such as the spacer portion  505  into which the spacer key  510  may be received. Upon insertion into respective spacer portions, the various ribs  542 ,  543 ,  546  of the spacer key  510  may provide a compression fit within the respective spacer portions to maintain the spacer key  510  within a spacer frame. 
         [0062]    As further shown, the rails  512  may include ridges  541  that may flex to ease the insertion of the spacer key  510  into respective spacer portions, such as the spacer portion  505 , while providing a frictional interface with the spacer portions to further aid in maintaining the spacer key  510  within the spacer portions. Each of the outer sections may include a notch  548  defined by the rails  512  of the second outer portions  540 B and the second ribs  543 . In this manner, the second outer portions  540 B may be bent in the widthwise directions to reduce the force required to insert the spacer key  510  into the respective spacer portions of a spacer frame. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , on an inner side of the spacer key  510  opposite the rails  512  of the spacer key  510 , each of the outer sections of the spacer key  510  may include outer section cavities  549  at various positions which may be used to reduce the amount of material used for the spacer key  510  and thus reduce the costs of processing the spacer key  510  while allowing for reinforced areas around the outer section cavities  549 . Each of the bases  511  of the spacer key  510  may define outer section grooves  529  that may serve as tracks for receiving corresponding rails that may extend along the lengths of the respective spacer portions into which the spacer key  510  may be inserted. As shown, the outer section grooves  529  may have ends that flare to aid in aligning the grooves  529  with the corresponding rails of the spacer portions. 
         [0064]    As further shown in  FIG. 6A , in contrast to the intermediate section  245  of the spacer key  210 , on the same side as the rails  512  of the spacer key  510  or outer side of the spacer key  510 , the intermediate section  545  of the spacer key  510  may include intermediate section cavities  518 . Like the outer section cavities  549 , the intermediate section cavities  518  may be used to reduce the amount of material used for the spacer key  510  and thus reduce the costs of processing the spacer key  510 . As further shown in  FIG. 6A , an intersection of each of the outer portions  540 A and the intermediate section  545  may define a groove  555  that may receive a sealing material, such as but not limited to those described with respect to the sealing material  350  described previously herein for sealing an interface between the spacer key  510  and corresponding spacer portions into which the spacer key  510  may be received. Such an arrangement may prevent the leakage of gases from and the introduction of moisture into an IGU cavity defined by the spacer key  510  and corresponding spacer of the spacer frame. 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , on the inner side of the spacer key  510 , the intermediate section  545  may include an intermediate section groove  519  that may extend between opposing side shoulders  516 . As shown, the intermediate section groove  519  may be collinear with the outer section grooves  529 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , a cover  520  may be placed onto the intermediate section  545  in a manner similar to the placement of the cover  220  onto the intermediate section  245  of the spacer key  210 . In some arrangements, the cover  520  may have a rail for “tongue-in-groove” insertion of the rail into the intermediate section groove  519  and thus attachment of the cover  520  to the intermediate section  545  of the spacer key  510 . As further shown in  FIG. 6C , the cover  520  may fit between opposing side shoulders  516  and a base shoulder  515 . 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a spacer key  610  may be substantially similar to the spacer key  110  with certain exceptions noted further herein. Accordingly, the spacer key  610  may include outer sections  640  each having tabs  635  placed at predefined positions along rails  612  extending from a base  611 . As shown, the tabs  635  may extend in a direction parallel to a widthwise direction of the spacer key  610 . As further shown, the length of the outer sections  640  of the spacer key  610  may be greater than the length of the of outer sections  140  of the spacer key  110  and the length of an intermediate section  645  attached to and between each of the outer sections  640  of the spacer key  610  may be greater than the length of the of intermediate section  145  of the spacer key  110 . 
         [0067]    The intermediate section  645  of the spacer key  610  may have a body  614  that may extend in a widthwise direction from a position that is even with the base  611  to a level below the rails  612  to form a groove defined by the intersections of the outer sections  640  and the intermediate section  645 . Such a groove may serve a similar function as each of the grooves  555  described with respect to  FIG. 6A . In some arrangements, the body  614  may define a bore which may function in a manner similar to the bore defined by the body  314  of the spacer key  310 . In some arrangements, the materials may be passed through the body  614  as described previously herein with respect to the body  314  of the spacer key  310 . As further shown, a shoulder  615  may extend around a perimeter of the body  614  in a direction such that the shoulder  615  defines a gap which may receive a sealing material (not shown) in a manner similar to the spacer key  310 . 
         [0068]    As further shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , each of the outer sections  640  of the spacer key  610  may include slots  630  therethrough extending in a lengthwise direction. The slots  630  may function in the same or in a similar manner as the base slots  330  shown in and described with respect to  FIG. 4A . 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIGS. 7B and 7C , an inner portion of the spacer key  610  on a side of the spacer key  610  opposite the rails  612  may include cavities  618  and longitudinal grooves  619 . As shown, in some arrangements, the longitudinal grooves  619  may be longer than the cavities  618  and may extend along a majority of the length of outer sections  640  of the spacer key  610  to respective ends of the outer sections  640 . As shown, in some arrangements, the longitudinal grooves  619  may flare at the extremities of the ends of the outer sections  640 . 
         [0070]    The spacer key  610  may be received within spacer portions  605 A,  605 B such that ends of the spacer portions  605 A,  605 B may abut the shoulder  615  of the spacer key  610 . As shown, the spacer portions  605 A,  605 B may define a plurality of holes or slots  628 . In some arrangements, the slots  628  may be formed by punching inwardly through the spacer portions  605 A,  605 B such that the punched portions of such spacer portions may be received within either or both of the cavities  618  and longitudinal grooves  619 . In this manner, the cavities  618  may serve as a grip to receive the punched portions defining the slots  628 . In some arrangements, the slots  628  may allow moisture that may be present within an IGU cavity, which may be defined by a spacer frame that includes the spacer portions  605 A,  605 B and the spacer key  610 , to flow therethrough and to be absorbed by desiccant or other absorbent materials that may be within the spacer frame. 
         [0071]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a spacer key  710 A and a spacer key  710 B may be substantially similar to the spacer key  610  with the exception that respective rails  712 A,  712 B of the spacer keys  710 A,  710 B may include different features than the rails  612  of the spacer key  610 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the rails  712 A,  712 B may include first fins  735  and second fins  736  that may extend at an oblique direction to the rails  712 A,  712 B along a surface of the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B connecting inner and outer portions of the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B. In some arrangements, such fins may extend in a direction opposite a direction in which outer sections of the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B may be received within ends of spacer portions, such as the spacer portion  705  that may be the same or substantially similar to the spacer portions  605 A,  605 B shown in  FIG. 6C . In this manner, the fins may allow for easier insertion of the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B into the ends of the spacer portions but provide additional friction between the respective spacer keys and the corresponding spacer portions in a direction opposite the direction of insertion. As shown, the first fins  735  may be longer than the second fins  736 . In this manner, the first fins  735  may provide for greater compression and thus increased friction between the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B and the corresponding spacer portions. 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 8A , the rails  712 A of the spacer key  710 A may include third fins  737  that may extend along the length of the rails  712 A in a widthwise direction. In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 8B , the rails  712 B of the spacer key  710 B may include the third fins  737  that may extend only along an end portion of the rails  712 B. As further shown in  FIG. 8B , a remainder of the rails  712 B may be solid. In either of the arrangements of  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the third fins  737  may allow for easier insertion of the respective spacer keys  710 A,  710 B in a manner similar to the first and second fins  735 ,  736 . In some arrangements, any or all of the first fins  735 , the second fins  736 , and the third fins  737  may extend from any location on the rails, e.g., any of the front, the rear, the top, and the bottom surfaces of the rails. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an IGU  800  may include a glass lite panel  2  that may have a busbar  33  and a busbar  34  that may each be applied to and may run along in a direction parallel to an edge of the glass lite panel  2 . As shown, ends of the busbars  33 ,  34  may be adjacent to each other in a corner of the IGU  800 . As further shown, the IGU  800  may include a spacer frame that may be formed by spacer portions  805 A,  805 B that may extend from spacer keys  810  which in turn may extend from a spacer corner  860 . Although not shown, a spacer seal conventionally may be placed between the spacer frame and the glass lite panel  2 . 
         [0074]    The spacer corner  860  may have a corner section  862  from which corner tongues  864  may extend. The spacer corner  860  may be rigid. The spacer corner  860  may be made of materials such as stainless steel, other metals, plastics, or ceramics. 
         [0075]    The spacer keys  810  may include a first outer section  840  and a second outer section  841  which may be on opposing sides of and may be attached to an intermediate section  845 . As shown, in some arrangements, the intermediate section  845  may include a shoulder  815 , although in other arrangements, the intermediate section  845  may be but is not limited to being substantially similar to intermediate sections described previously herein. Each of the first outer sections  840  may be dimensioned to be received within the respective spacer portions  805 A,  805 B. As shown, the first outer section  840  may be a hollow tube, although in other arrangements, the first outer sections  840  may be but is not limited to being arranged in a manner similar to the outer sections such as any of the outer sections described previously herein. 
         [0076]    As further shown, each of the second outer sections  841  may have a length that may act as a shelf for supporting the respective corner tongues  864 . The second outer section  841  may further have a thickness along at least a portion of the width such that the second outer section  841  may overlap with a portion of the corner section  862  of the spacer corner  860  to provide an exposed surface along a portion of the spacer frame. The respective spacer keys  810  may be made of insulative materials such as but not limited to those described with respect to the spacer key  110 . In this manner, the spacer keys  810  may prevent electrical shorting between the busbars  33  and  34  in the event of inadvertent contact and shorting between either of the busbars  33 ,  34  and the respective spacer portions  805 A,  805 B. 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an IGU  900  may include a glass lite panel  2  that may have a busbar  933  that may run along in a direction parallel to an edge of the glass lite panel  2 . As shown, the busbar  933  may have a busbar end  933 A that be adjacent to the edge of the glass lite panel  2 . As further shown, the IGU  900  may include a spacer frame that may be formed by spacer portions  905 A,  905 B that may extend from outer sections  940  of a spacer key  910 . Although not shown, a spacer seal conventionally may be placed between the spacer frame and the glass lite panel  2 . 
         [0078]    As further shown, the spacer key  910  may include an intermediate section  945  between and attached to the outer sections  940 . The intermediate section may include a body  914  and may include opposing shoulders  916  on ends of the body  914  for abutment against ends of the spacer portions  905 A,  905 B. As shown, in this arrangement, a central portion of the body  914  may be offset from the outer sections  940 . In this manner, the busbar end  933 A may fit within an area defined by the body  914  and the edge of the glass lite panel  2 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , it is believed that such an arrangement will allow the spacer frame to be placed closer to the edge of the glass lite panel  2  to provide for a greater viewing area within an IGU when installed in an architectural glazing frame. 
         [0079]    Although some aspects, embodiments, and arrangements described previously herein have been described as having male and female or equivalent interfaces or connections, it is to be understood that such aspects, embodiments, and arrangements include the reversal of such male and female interfaces. For example, where spacer key outer sections are described as being received within spacer portions, in other arrangements, certain features of the outer sections and the spacer portions, such as the respective interfacing outer perimeters, may be reversed such that the outer sections may receive the spacer portions. As another example, where a rail, bump, boss, tab, protrusion or similar male feature is described as being received in or similarly interfacing with a groove, a slot, a cavity, or other female feature, such respective features may be reversed. 
         [0080]    Although some aspects, embodiments, and arrangements described previously herein have been described as having seals, sealants, sealing mechanisms, and the like, it is to be understood that such aspects, embodiments, and arrangements may include all, some, or none of such seals, sealants, sealing mechanisms, and the like. It is to be understood that any gaps at the interfaces of any components may be sealed by seals, sealants such as those described previously herein with respect to  FIGS. 4B and 4C , sealing mechanisms, and the like, including but not limited to gaskets, o-rings, silicone, PIB, and any other sealing mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill for use in each particular application. Although some aspects, embodiments, and arrangements described previously herein have been described as having one or a plurality of feed-through mechanisms, assemblies, connectors, and the like, it is to be understood that such aspects, embodiments, and arrangements may include either one or a plurality of such feed-through mechanisms, assemblies, connectors, and the like. 
         [0081]    It is to be understood that the disclosure set forth herein includes all possible combinations of the particular features set forth above, whether specifically disclosed herein or not. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration, or embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects, arrangements, configurations, and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0082]    Furthermore, although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular features, it is to be understood that these features are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications, including changes in the sizes of the various features described herein, may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this regard, the present invention encompasses numerous additional features in addition to those specific features set forth in the claims below. Moreover, the foregoing disclosure should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation as the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below.