ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW ASSEMBLY

• US 20080042012A1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Callahan, Kevin, Schafer, Roland
• Granted Patent: US 8,064,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/129.3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1484 Windows B64C1/1492 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1492 Structure and mounting of the transparent elements in the window or windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0038 Illumination systems for cabins as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0061 Windows displaying outside view, artificially generated
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor

Abstract

Electrochromic window assemblies and methods for providing electrochromic window assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a window assembly includes a first transparent portion and a first trim portion. The first trim portion is located adjacent to the first transparent portion. The window assembly also includes a second transparent portion and a second trim portion. The second trim portion is located adjacent to the second transparent portion. The window assembly further includes an electrochromic assembly. The electrochromic assembly is disposed between the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion so that it is adjacent to both transparent portions.

Claims

1. A window assembly, comprising:

a first transparent portion;

a first trim portion adjacent to the first transparent portion;

a second transparent portion;

a second trim portion adjacent to the second transparent portion; and

an electrochromic assembly between and adjacent the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion.

2. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second transparent portions is one of a glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate.

3. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the first trim portion and the second trim portion are parts of a single clip, the single clip being configured to frictionally secure the first and the second transparent portions to the electrochromic assembly.

4. The window assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more control switches disposed on one of the first or second trim portions, the one or more control switches configured to control a power source to the electrochromic assembly.

5. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic assembly includes:

a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent portion;

a second transparent electrode disposed on the second transparent portion and spaced apart from the first transparent electrode;

an electrochromic layer disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes; and

an electrolyte layer disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes and adjacent the electrochromic layer.

6. The window assembly of claim 5, further comprising a counter-electrode grid disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes and adjacent the electrolyte layer.

7. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic assembly includes:

a first transparent electrode disposed on a first transparent layer, and second transparent electrode disposed on a second transparent layer;

an electrochromic layer disposed on one of a portion of the first transparent layer or a portion of the second transparent layer;

a plurality of bus bars, each bus bar disposed on and configured to form a loop on one of the first or second transparent electrodes, wherein each bus bar is further configured to couple one corresponding transparent electrode to a power source, and wherein one of the loops is configured to surround the electrochromic layer; and

an adhesive seal disposed between the first and second electrodes and configured to separate the first and second bus bars from the electrochromic layer.

8. A method for forming a window assembly, comprising:

providing a first transparent portion;

providing a first trim portion that is adjacent to the first transparent portion;

providing a second transparent portion;

providing a second trim portion that is adjacent to the second transparent portion; and

providing an electrochromic assembly that is between and adjacent the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the first trim portion and the second trim portion includes providing a first trim portion and a second trim portion that are parts of a single clip, the single clip being configured to frictionally secure the first and the second transparent portions to the electrochromic assembly.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing one or more control switches that are disposed on one of the first or second trim portions, the one or more control switches configured to control a power source to the electrochromic assembly.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the power source is configured to change at least one of the opacity state or color of the electrochromic assembly.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the electrochromic assembly includes:

disposing a first transparent electrode on the first transparent portion;

disposing a second transparent electrode on the second transparent portion, wherein the second transparent electrode is spaced apart from the first transparent electrode;

positioning an electrochromic layer between the first and second transparent electrodes; and

positioning an electrolyte layer between the first and second transparent electrodes and adjacent the electrochromic layer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning a counter-electrode grid between the first and second transparent electrodes and adjacent the electrolyte layer.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the electrochromic assembly includes:

providing a first transparent electrode that is disposed on the first transparent portion;

providing a second transparent electrode disposed on the second transparent portion;

providing an electrochromic layer on one of a portion of the first transparent layer and a portion of the second transparent layer;

providing a plurality of bus bars, each bus bar disposed on and configured to form a loop on one of the first and second transparent electrodes, wherein each bus bar is further configured to couple one corresponding transparent electrode to a power source, and wherein one of the loops is configured to surround the electrochromic layer; and

providing an adhesive seal disposed between the first and second electrodes and configured to separate the first and second bus bars from the electrochromic layer.

15. An aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage;

a plurality of window assemblies formed within the fuselage, at least some of the plurality of window assemblies comprising;

a first transparent portion;

a first trim portion adjacent to the first transparent portion, the first trim portion configured to couple to the first transparent portion and the fuselage;

a second transparent portion;

a second trim portion adjacent to the second transparent portion, the second trim portion configured to couple to the second transparent portion and the fuselage; and

an electrochromic assembly between and adjacent the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion.

16. The aircraft of claim 15, further comprising one or more control switches disposed on one of the first or second trim portions, the one or more control switches configured to control a power source to the electrochromic assembly.

17. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the power source is configured to change at least one of the opacity state or color of the electrochromic assembly.

18. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the electrochromic assembly includes:

a first transparent electrode disposed on the first transparent portion;

a second transparent electrode disposed on the second transparent portion and spaced apart from the first transparent electrode;

an electrochromic layer disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes; and

an electrolyte layer disposed between the first and second transparent electrodes and adjacent the electrochromic layer.

19. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the electrochromic assembly includes:

a first transparent electrode disposed on a first transparent layer, and second transparent electrode disposed on a second transparent layer;

an electrochromic layer disposed on one of a portion of the first transparent layer and a portion of the second transparent layer; and

a plurality of bus bars, each bus bar disposed on and configured to form a loop on one of the first and second transparent electrodes, wherein each bus bar is further configured to couple one corresponding transparent electrode to a power source, and wherein one of the loops is configured to surround the electrochromic layer.

20. The aircraft of claim 19, wherein the electrochromic assembly further includes:

an adhesive seal disposed between the first and second electrodes and configured to separate the first and second bus bars from the electrochromic layer.