Patent ID: 7641545

Claim:
An airflow window system adapted for vertical installation in a structure having an indoor space and surrounded by an outdoor space, the airflow window system comprising: at least three glazing layers positioned roughly parallel to each other to define at least inner and outer airflow cavities within the airflow window system, the inner airflow cavity being closer to the indoor space than the outer airflow cavity, a first glazing layer of the three glazing layer being an outer glazing layer adjacent the outer airflow cavity and adapted for installation adjacent the outdoor space, a second glazing layer of the three glazing layers being an inner glazing layer adjacent the inner airflow cavity and adapted for installation adjacent the indoor space, and a center glazing layer of the three glazing layers being between the inner and outer glazing layers and separating the inner and outer airflow cavities; airflow cavity openings adjacent uppermost and lowermost extents of each of the inner and outer airflow cavities; and means for enabling airflow from the indoor space through the inner airflow cavity between the airflow cavity openings thereof and for simultaneously enabling airflow from the outdoor space through the outer airflow cavity between the airflow cavity openings thereof; wherein the airflow window system is adapted to operate in a supply mode in which air from the indoor space flows downward through the inner airflow cavity and air from the indoor space flows upward through the outer airflow cavity, and is also adapted to operate in an exhaust mode in which air from the indoor space flows upward through the inner airflow cavity and air from the outdoor space flows downward through the outer airflow cavity; wherein the airflow through the inner airflow cavity acts to stabilize a temperature of the inner glazing layer at a temperature closer to an indoor air temperature than an outdoor air temperature.