Adjustable tint window with electrochromic conductive polymer

• US 5,042,923 A
• Filed: 10/23/1989
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zipperling Kessler & Co. (Element Solutions Inc)
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Inventors: Wolf, James F., Baughman, Ray H., Elsenbaumer, Ronald L., Shacklette, Lawrence W., Miller, Granville G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lester, Evelyn A.
• Application Number:
  US07/425,542
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 350/357, 350/258, 350/259, 350/260, 350/261, 350/262, 52/171, 52/172
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A method is provided for decreasing radiative heat transfer and adjustably limiting visible light and near infrared radiation transfer and glare through a window. The method comprises the steps of: (a) mounting within a frame of the window a plurality of spaced window panes, a first and second of the panes having opposing faces; (b) assembling between the opposing faces a conductive polymer cell, the cell having a first wall composed of a transparent conductive layer affixed to the first pane and having deposited thereupon an electroactive electro-optically responsive conductive polymer, and a second wall comprised of a transparent conductive layer coated on the second pane, the layer being optionally coated with a second electro-optically responsive polymer, the first and second walls delimiting a cavity containing an ion-conducting electrolyte which contacts opposing surfaces of the first and second walls, and (c) applying a potential between the first and second walls to provide a selected light transmittance upon passage of current therebetween.

Claims

1. A window unit having an electro-optical shade of adjustable light transmittance comprising:

(a) window frame means for securing the mutual orientation of a plurality of transparent, substantially parallel, sequentially spaced panes;

(b) a first transparent pane mounted in said window frame means in a position toward and interior facing side of said frame means;

(c) a second transparent pane substantially parallel to and spaced from said first pane, mounted in said frame means in a position toward an interior facing side of said frame means;

(d) a conductive polymer cell comprising a first wall composed of a semitransparent electrically conductive layer in contact with an electrode comprising an electroactive electro-optically responsive conductive polymer composed of either p-type (anion inserted) or n-type (cation inserted) conjugated polymers, a second wall composed of a transparent or semitransparent electrode optionally comprising a second electro-optically responsive conductive polymer, said conjugated polymers being chain oriented in a plane parallel to the plane of the window so as to create a polarization of the transmitted light, and an electrolyte disposed between opposing faces of said first and second walls;

(e) said first wall of said cell being affixed to one of the opposing faces of said first and second panes; and

(f) electrical means for applying a potential between said conductive layers and said electrodes of a selected strength at least sufficient to change the optical transmission of said conductive polymer.

2. A window unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third pane mounted in said window frame means and delimiting, with said first or second panes, a space providing a thermal break.

3. A window unit as recited in claim 2, comprising sealing means for sealing isolating said space.

4. A window unit as recited in claim 3, wherein said space has disposed therewithin an inert gas to enhance thermal break characteristics.

5. A window unit as recited in claim 4, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, dry air, neon and mixtures thereof.

6. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said p-type conjugated polymers are coated on said first wall and are adapted to become transmissive during a reductive or cathodic process.

7. A window unit as recited in claim 1, where said p-type conjugated polymers are coated on the second wall and are adapted to become transmissive during an oxidative or anodic process.

8. A window unit as recited in claim 1, in which said p-type conjugated polymers are chosen from poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(furylene vinylene), poly(isothianaphthene), polyacetylene, and substituted versions thereof.

9. A window unit as recited in claim 8, in which said poly(thienylene vinylene) is substituted in the 3 position by a methoxy, propoxy, butoxy, hexoxy, or octyloxy group.

10. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said n-type conjugated polymers are coated on said second wall.

11. A window unit as recited in claim 10, wherein the n-type conjugated polymer is chosen from polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly-2,6-(4-phenylquinoline), and substituted versions thereof.

12. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said second electro-optically responsive material is coated on said second wall as an electroactive material, and is adapted to become transparent during an oxidative or anodic process.

13. A window unit as recited in claim 12, wherein said second electro-optically responsive material is a tungsten bronze or a molybdenum bronze.

14. A window unit as recited in claim 13, wherein said bronze is applied to the conductive layer of claim 1 as a substantially amorphous film.

15. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the plane of polarization is chosen to be horizontal with the ground and substantially eliminates glare.

16. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the conductive polymers applied to each of said first and second walls are respectively chain oriented in perpendicular directions so as to effect a cross polarization of transmitted light.

17. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is composed of an ionizable salt dissolved in a liquid solvent.

18. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is composed of a solid polymeric electrolyte.

19. A window unit as recited in claim 18, wherein the polymeric electrolyte is composed of a mixture of phosphoric acid and poly(vinylalcohol).

20. A window unit as recited in claim 18, wherein the polymeric electrolyte is composed of a mixture of an alkali-metal salt and a saturated polyether or other backbone polymer having polyether side groups.

21. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive layer of the first and second walls is composed of indium-tin oxide, antimony-tin oxide or cadmium-tin oxide.

22. A window unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the opposite face of the pane forming the first and second wall is covered by a reflecting coating to form a mirror providing an adjustable degree of reflection.