Transparent photovoltaic coating for an electro-chromic device
First Claim
1. An electro-optic device comprising:
- a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;
a primary seal disposed between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween;
an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity on the second electrically conductive layer, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and
a transparent photovoltaic medium disposed in the cavity on the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium converts and maintains the electro-optic device to the darkened state, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium is additionally disposed on the electro-optic medium.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electro-optic device comprising:
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a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer; a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer; a primary seal disposed between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween; an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity on the second electrically conductive layer, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and a transparent photovoltaic medium disposed in the cavity on the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium converts and maintains the electro-optic device to the darkened state, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium is additionally disposed on the electro-optic medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electro-optic device comprising:
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a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer; a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the third surface comprises a third electrically conductive layer; a primary seal disposed between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween; an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity on the third surface of the second substantially transparent substrate, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; a transparent photovoltaic medium disposed in the cavity on the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium converts and maintains the electro-optic device to the darkened state; and a second electrically conductive layer disposed between the electro-optic medium and the transparent photovoltaic medium. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electro-optic device comprising:
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a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the first surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer and the second surface comprises a third electrically conductive layer; a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the third surface comprises a fourth electrically conductive layer; a primary seal disposed between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween; an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and a transparent photovoltaic medium disposed between a first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer of the first substantially transparent substrate, wherein the transparent photovoltaic medium converts and maintains the electro-optic device to the darkened state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification