VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE OPTICAL DEVICES
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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
55 Citations
124 Claims
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1-103. -103. (canceled)
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104. A self-powered window comprising:
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a) a variable transmittance optical (VTO) filter comprising; i. a first substantially transparent substrate; ii. a second substantially transparent substrate; iii. a first and second electrode, disposed on at least one of the first and second substantially transparent substrates; iv. a switching material disposed between the first and second transparent substrates and operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes, the switching material transitionable from a first light transmittance state to a second light transmittance state with application of a first stimulus, and transitionable from the second light transmittance state to the first light transmittance state with application of a second stimulus, wherein at least one of the first stimulus and the second stimulus comprises a voltage applied to the switching material through the first and second electrodes; b) a power source; and c) an electrical system configured to receive power from the power source and to provide a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122)
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123. A self-powered variable transmittance optical device film comprising:
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(a) a substantially transparent and flexible substrate; (b) a switching material flexibly disposed on the substrate, the switching material capable of transitioning between a light state and a dark state based at least in part on application of an electric voltage; (c) a first and second electrode operatively coupled to the switching material; (d) an energy-harvesting power source flexibly disposed on the device film; and (e) an electrical system configured to receive power from the energy-harvesting power source and to provide power to the first electrode and the second electrode for application of the electric voltage, the electrical system disposed on the device film.
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124. A method for preparing a self-powered window, the method comprising:
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(a) disposing a layer of switching material on a substantially transparent substrate, the switching material capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage; (b) disposing a second substantially transparent substrate on the switching material opposite to the first substantially transparent substrate; (c) disposing a first and second electrode proximate to the switching material, the first and second electrodes disposed on at least one of the first and second substantially transparent substrates; (d) providing an energy-harvesting power source; and (e) providing an electrical system configured to receive power from the energy harvesting power source and to provide power to the first electrode and the second electrode for application of the electric voltage through the first and second electrodes.
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Specification