Seal and Seal System for a Layered Device

• US 20160033841A1
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Published: 02/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Canada, Inc. (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Switch Materials, Inc.
• Inventors: Gauthier, Simon James, Koutsandreas, Andrew, Lam, Duhane, Von Hahn, Peter Alexander, Sargent, Jonathan Ross
• Granted Patent: US 9,810,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/172 wherein at least one of the layers is non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/38 by boring or cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/402 involving non-metallic material, e.g. isolators
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/50 Protective arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/506 Repairing, e.g. with redundant arrangement against defective part

Abstract

The disclosure provides, in part a seal system for sealing a film. The disclosure further provides, in part, a sealed film comprising a first and a second substrate; a first and a second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of the substrates; a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates; a first seal and a second seal; the first seal disposed along an edge of the switching material, separating the switching material from the second seal.

Claims

1. A sealed film comprising:

a first and a second substrate;

a first and a second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of the substrates;

a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates;

a first seal and a second seal;

the first seal disposed along an edge of the switching material, separating the switching material from the second seal.

2. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the switching material is in contact with the first and second electrodes.

3. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first and the second substrates are in an offset relationship.

4. The sealed film according to claim 2 wherein the first seal is disposed upon an offset area along the edge of the switching material.

5. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal separates the switching material from the second seal.

6. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first substrate is offset along at least two adjacent edges relative to the second substrate.

7. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first and second electrodes comprise a transparent conductive metal oxide.

8. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal contacts the first electrode, the second electrode, or the first electrode and the second electrode.

10. The sealed film according to claim 1 further comprising a first pair of electrical connectors.

11. The sealed film according to claim 10 further comprising a second pair of electrical connectors.

12. The sealed film according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the electrical connectors are encapsulated with the second seal.

13. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal, the second seal, or the first and second seal, independently comprise an elastomeric material, the elastomeric material preferably being silicone rubber, natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

15. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal, the second seal or the first and the second seal independently comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer.

16. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal is non-reactive with the switching material.

17. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal is non-absorbing, or substantially non-absorbing of the switching material, or a component of the switching material.

18. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal, the second seal, or the first seal and the second seal, is gas-impermeable or water-impermeable.

20. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the first seal, the second seal, or the first seal and the second seal, is electrically insulating.

23. The sealed film according to claim 1 wherein the film is a lens-shaped film, comprising a cutout section and a nose bridge section.

9. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A method for sealing a switchable film comprising:

a. providing a switchable film comprising a first and a second substrate with a first and a second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of the substrates, and a switching material disposed between the first and second substrates;

b. disposing a first seal in contact with an electrode and adjacent to the switching material; and

c. disposing a second seal adjacent to the first seal.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. A laminated glass comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate;

a first electrode and a second electrode disposed upon the first substrate, the second substrate, or the first substrate and the second substrate;

a layer of switching material disposed between the first and the second substrates and in contact with the first and the second electrodes;

an electrical connector for electrically connecting the first and the second electrodes to a power source; and

a first seal contacting an edge of the layer of switching material.

32. (canceled)

33. A method of cutting a switchable film, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a switchable film; and

b. directing laser radiation at the film to cut a weed portion comprising a portion of a first substrate, but not a second substrate of the switchable film;

leaving the conductive layer of the second substrate intact.