Laminated Electrically Tintable Windows

• US 20100208326A1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Inventors: BANGERT, Stefan, HAAS, Dieter, KRISHNA, Nety M., HOFFMANN, Winfried, KWAK, Byung-Sung Leo
• Granted Patent: US 8,218,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10045 with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10055 with at least one intermediate air space
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10981 Pre-treatment of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1075 of plural laminae from single stock and assembling to each other or to additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing

Abstract

A method of manufacturing electrically tintable window glass with a variety of sizes and functionalities is described. The method comprises: (a) providing a large format glass substrate; (b) fabricating a plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices on the large format glass substrate; (c) cutting the large format glass substrate into a plurality of electrically tintable pieces, each electrically tintable piece including one of the plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices; (d) providing a plurality of window glass pieces; (e) matching each one of the plurality of electrically tintable pieces with a corresponding one of the plurality of window glass pieces; and (f) laminating each of the matched electrically tintable pieces and window glass pieces. The lamination may result in the electrically tintable device either being sandwiched between the glass substrate and the window glass piece or on the surface of the laminated pieces. The electrically tintable device is an electrochromic device.

Claims

1. An electrically tintable window comprising:

a piece of window glass;

a glass substrate;

an electrochromic thin film device formed on said glass substrate; and

a lamination layer between said electrochromic thin film device and said window glass, said lamination layer attaching said electrochromic thin film device to said window glass.

2. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said lamination layer includes a bonding agent selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral and ethylene vinyl acetate.

3. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said piece of window glass is tempered.

4. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said piece of window glass is tinted.

5. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said piece of window glass is laminated.

6. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said piece of window glass is high strength.

7. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said piece of window glass and said glass substrate have different thicknesses.

8. An electrically tintable window as in claim 1, wherein said glass substrate is smaller than said piece of window glass.

9. An electrically tintable window as in claim 8, further comprising a frame attached to the top surface of said piece of window glass, wherein said glass substrate fits within said frame.

10. An electrically tintable window as in claim 9, further comprising:

a glass piece attached to the top of said frame; and

a sealant positioned around the periphery of said glass piece, said frame and said piece of window glass;

wherein said glass piece, said frame, said piece of window glass and said sealant are configured to provide a sealed volume within which said electrically tintable device is positioned.

11. An electrically tintable window comprising:

a piece of window glass;

a glass substrate having the same shape and size as said window glass;

an electrically tintable thin film device formed on the top surface of said glass substrate, said electrically tintable thin film device covering a smaller area than the area of said top surface of said glass substrate, wherein the peripheral surface area of said glass substrate is not covered by said electrically tintable thin film device; and

a lamination layer between said electrically tintable thin film device and said window glass, said lamination layer attaching said glass substrate to said window glass.

12. An electrically tintable window as in claim 11, further comprising a frame attached to said top surface of said glass substrate, wherein said electrically tintable thin film device fits within said frame.

13. An electrically tintable window as in claim 12, further comprising:

a glass piece attached to the top of said frame; and

a sealant positioned around the periphery of said glass piece, said frame and said glass substrate;

wherein said glass piece, said frame, said glass substrate and said sealant are configured to provide a sealed volume within which said electrically tintable thin film device is positioned.

14. An electrically tintable window as in claim 11, wherein said electrically tintable thin film device is an electrochromic device.

15. An electrically tintable window as in claim 11, wherein said electrically tintable thin film device is a suspended particulate device.

16. An electrically tintable window as in claim 11, wherein said electrically tintable thin film device is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal device.

17. An electrically tintable window comprising:

a piece of window glass;

an electrically tintable device; and

a lamination layer between said electrically tintable device and said piece of window glass, said lamination layer attaching said electrically tintable device to said piece of window glass;

wherein said electrically tintable device includes a thin film device on a glass substrate.

18. An electrically tintable window as in claim 17, wherein said glass substrate is the same shape and size as said piece of window glass.

19. An electrically tintable window as in claim 17, wherein said electrically tintable device is an electrochromic device.

20. An electrically tintable window as in claim 17, further comprising a frame, said frame being attached to said piece of window glass, wherein said glass substrate fits within said frame.