ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR

• US 3,844,636 A
• Filed: 12/13/1972
• Issued: 10/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald Leonard Maricle, Robert Domenico Giglia
• Original Assignee: Donald Leonard Maricle, Robert Domenico Giglia
• Inventors: Maricle, Donald Leonard, Giglia, Robert Domenico
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Application Number:
  US05/314,629
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 350/160
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1524 Transition metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1552 Inner electrode, e.g. the electrochromic layer being sandwiched between the inner electrode and the support substrate

Abstract

Electro-optical device particularly useful in the modulation of reflected light typically comprising an electro-chromic device containing a porous metal reflecting layer in sandwiched arrangement, said electrochromic device being a sandwich arrangement of the reflecting layer, with a film of an electrochromic layer disposed between the light source and the reflecting layer. The electrochromic layer exhibits coloration and bleaching thereof at ambient temperature by control of the polarity of an applied electric field, whereby light reaching the reflecting layer is modulated in intensity, thus modulating, in turn, the reflected light.

Claims

1. A RADIATION REFLECTIVE DEVICE HAVING AN ELECTRIC FIELD RESPONSIVE RADIATION TRANSMITTING CHARACTERISTIC COMPRISING:

A. A PERSISTENT ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIAL LAYER, B. AN ION POROUS ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE RADIATION REFLECTIVE LAYER IN CONTACT WITH SAID PERSISTANT ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIAL, C. A COUNTER ELECTRODE, D. AN ELECTROLYTE IN CONTACT WITH SAID REFLECTIVE LAYER AND SAID COUNTER ELECTRODE, AND

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said persistent electrochromic layer is coated on a transparent substrate.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said counter electrode is graphite, an electrochromic material, or a mixture thereof.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said persistent electrochromic material is tungsten oxide.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said persistent electrochromic material is molybdenum oxide.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said layers and electrode are in relatively thin layers to form a sandwich-like structure.

7. The device of clam 1 wherein said electrolyte is an acid.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said electrolyte contains a gelling agent.