Electro-optic window incorporating a discrete photovoltaic device
First Claim
1. An electro-optic window comprising a self-erasing electro-optic variable transmittance component comprising(a) front and rear spaced transparent elements, each having front and rear faces, said rear face of said front element and said front face of said rear element sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween;
- (b) a first layer of transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said rear face of said front element, and a second layer of a transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said front face of said rear element; and
(c) said chamber containing a self-erasing electro-optic reversibly variable transmittance medium in contact with said first and second layers of transparent electrically conductive materials;
where said variable transmittance component has enclosed therein one or more discrete photovoltaic cells for producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy and further having means for conveying said voltage from said one or more discrete photovoltaic cells to said variable transmittance component to cause variations in the transmittance of light through said window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-optic window is provided which is powered solely by at least one discrete photovoltaic cell within an electro-optic window. The electro-optic window has front and back spaced-apart glass elements sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship and defining a chamber filled with an electro-optic material. The front glass element has a transparent conductive layer on the face of the front glass element confronting the rear glass element and the rear glass element has a transparent conductive layer on the face confronting the front glass element. The seal is generally disposed along the perimeter of three edges of both glass elements and some distance in from the remaining (fourth) edge. The photovoltaic assembly is electrically connected to the two transparent conductive layers and is placed on the outer perimeter along this fourth edge with the photon-absorbing side of all the photovoltaic cells within the photovoltaic assembly facing in one direction ("out" the window). When light impinges on the photovoltaic cell a current is created which darkens the electro-optic material in proportion to the amount of impinging light. By choosing the relative area of the photovoltaic assembly to produce the correct current for the electro-optically active window area, the darkening of the electro-optic portion can be directly and accurately controlled without the need for any circuit, wires or shorting resistors.
In addition, an apparatus for making an electro-optic window having two members capable of securing and holding two glass elements in a spaced-apart and parallel relationship is provided. The glass elements may be secured by vacuum-applying members or simple clips. The glass elements may be held in a spaced-apart and parallel relationship by a hydraulic mechanism or by simple spacers placed between the securing members.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electro-optic window comprising a self-erasing electro-optic variable transmittance component comprising
(a) front and rear spaced transparent elements, each having front and rear faces, said rear face of said front element and said front face of said rear element sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween; -
(b) a first layer of transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said rear face of said front element, and a second layer of a transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said front face of said rear element; and (c) said chamber containing a self-erasing electro-optic reversibly variable transmittance medium in contact with said first and second layers of transparent electrically conductive materials; where said variable transmittance component has enclosed therein one or more discrete photovoltaic cells for producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy and further having means for conveying said voltage from said one or more discrete photovoltaic cells to said variable transmittance component to cause variations in the transmittance of light through said window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrochromic window comprising:
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(a) a self-erasing variable transmittance component further comprising front and rear spaced transparent elements, each having front and rear faces, said rear face of said front element and said front face of said rear element sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, a first layer of transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said rear face of said front element and a second layer of a transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said front face of said rear element, said chamber containing an electrochromic reversible variable transmittance medium in contact with said first and second layers of transparent electrically conductive materials; (b) said variable transmittance component having enclosed therein one or more discrete photovoltaic cells for producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy; and (c) means for conveying said voltage from said one or more discrete photovoltaic cells to said first and second layers of transparent electrically conductive materials to cause variations in light transmittance of said electrochromic medium. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification