VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE OPTICAL DEVICES
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-powered variable transmittance optical device, such as a smart window or other device, and associated method are provided. The device comprises one or more transparent substrates, with a switching material disposed thereon or therebetween. The switching material may be a hybrid photochromic/electrochromic material capable of transitioning from a first transmittance state to a second transmittance state with application of electricity, and from second state to first state due to another stimulus, such as UV radiation. Electrodes are coupled to the switching material for applying electricity. An electrical system provides for controllable application of the electricity, and may store energy. Energy is provided by an energy-harvesting power source such as a solar cell or other photovoltaic source, or array thereof, or another device for harvesting vibrational or thermal energy. Energy harvesting, energy storage capacity and/or switching material may be configured to provide at least a predetermined level of device operability.
-
Citations
123 Claims
-
1-103. -103. (canceled)
-
104. A variable transmittance optical filter comprising:
-
a. a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system disposed thereon, the SC electrode system made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, b. a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic, and that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and c. an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage. - View Dependent Claims (105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120)
-
-
121. A method of preparing a variable transmittance optical filter comprising the steps of:
-
a. providing a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, and; i. etching into a layer of substantially transparent electrically conductive material disposed thereon a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;
orii. printing onto the first substrate a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system using a conductive ink, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; b. disposing a second layer proximate to the SC electrode system, the second layer comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic that is capable of dynamically varying the degree of visible light transmittance on application of an electric voltage; and c. providing an electrical connection system electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.
-
-
122. A method of transitioning a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic from a dark state to a faded state comprising the steps of:
-
a. applying a positive voltage to a first electrode and a negative voltage to a second electrode; b. reversing the polarity of the voltage, thereby applying a negative voltage to the first electrode and a positive voltage to the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (123)
-
Specification