Dual-pane thermal window with liquid crystal shade

• US 5,197,242 A
• Filed: 07/17/1992
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Buff, Ernest D., Fuchs, Gerhard H., Baughman, Ray H., Eckhardt, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): CHILCOT, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US07/914,124
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 52/171, 52/173 R, 52/788, 52/328, 428/34, 359/36, 359/62, 359/82-84, 359/96, 359/51
• US Class Current: 52/171.3
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10045 with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10055 with at least one intermediate air space
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/54 Slab-like translucent elements floors for transmitting light E04B5/46; translucent or open-work ceilings E04B9/32, E04B9/34; translucent roof coverings E04D3/06, E04D3/28
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2411 Coloured fluid flow for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/80 for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

A dual-pane thermal window unit comprises two non-intersecting or, preferably, substantially parallel, spaced window panes, mounted in a window frame, a first of the panes having affixed thereto a first wall of an electro-optical liquid crystal cell providing a selected light transmittance, and a second of said panes delimiting, with a second wall of said cell, a space providing a thermal break. Each of the first and second walls comprises an electrically conductive film composed of plastic and having sufficient supporting strength to maintain the structural integrity of the cell. The window is light weight, economical to manufacture and efficient and reliable in operation.

Claims

1. A method for decreasing radiative and conductive heat transfer between the exterior and the interior of a building, comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting within a window frame a plurality of spaced window panes;

(b) affixing between said panes a plurality of liquid crystal cells, at least one of said cells being affixed to one of said panes; and

(c) delimiting within said window frame a plurality of spaces providing a plurality of thermal breaks, each of said spaces being delimited between a wall of one of said cells and a wall of another of said cells.

2. A thermal-pane window unit resistant to radiative heat transfer as well as conductive heat transfer, comprising;

(a) a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced window panes, mounted in a window frame;

(b) a plurality of liquid crystal cells, at least one of said cells being affixed to one of said panes; and

(c) a plurality of thermal breaks, each of said thermal breaks being a space delimited between a wall of one of said cells and a wall of another of said cells.