Chromogenic window assembly construction and other chromogenic devices

• US 6,493,128 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fischer, Douglas Alan, Baertelin, Carl, LeCompte, Robert Steven, Agrawal, Anoop, Tonazzi, Juan Carlos Lopez
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester, Evelyn A
• Application Number:
  US09/493,263
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265-275, 359/240-244, 359/604, 359/614, 522/045, 522/046.6, 244/129.3, 250/203.4, 250/214.D, 250/214.SG, 250/214.AL, 349/16
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10467 Variable transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/011 in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A chromogenic window panel assembly, and a chromogenic skylight each includes an outer panel and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic light pipe includes a light harvesting member and a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic vehicle sunroof, a chromogenic aircraft window assembly, and a chromogenic window assembly each includes a panel having a particular panel contour corresponding to a surface contour and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal. A chromogenic block includes two panels and a chromogenic panel having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal.

Claims

1. A chromogenic block, comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel wherein at least one of said first and second panels has a curved surface; and

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal, said chromogenic member being disposed between said first panel and said second panel;

wherein by varying the optical property of said chromogenic member, an amount of radiation passing between said first panel and said second panel can be regulated, said chromogenic block further comprising a thermal break having a volume and said volume is in communication with a desiccant effective to prevent condensate formation from said volume.

2. A chromogenic block as in claim 1, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

3. A chromogenic block as in claim 1, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

4. A chromogenic block, comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel wherein at least one of said first and second panels has a curved surface;

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal, said chromogenic member being disposed between said first panel and said second panel;

wherein by varying the optical property of said chromogenic member, an amount of radiation passing between said first panel and said second panel can be regulated; and

wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

5. A chromogenic block as in claim 4, further comprising a thermal break.

6. A chromogenic block as in claim 5, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

7. A chromogenic skylight comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal; and

an outer panel disposed proximate to said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of said chromogenic member, said chromogenic skylight further comprising a thermal break having a volume and said volume is in communication with a desiccant effective to prevent condensate formation from said volume.

8. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

9. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, further comprising a layer of a material disposed upon at least one of said chromogenic member and said outer panel.

10. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 9, wherein said layer of said material changes an optical property of said chromogenic skylight.

11. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 9, wherein said layer of said material changes a physical property of said chromogenic skylight.

12. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

13. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, further comprising:

at least one of

a first sensor at a first position proximate to said first end effective to measure an amount of light at said first position, said first sensor outputting a first signal in response thereto;

a second sensor at a second position proximate to said chromogenic member effective to measure an amount of light which has been affected by said chromogenic member, said second sensor outputting a second signal in response thereto; and

a third sensor at a third position effective to measure a temperature, said third sensor outputting a third signal in response thereto.

14. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 13, further comprising a driver for supplying said applied signal to said chromogenic member.

15. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 14, further comprising a controller which generates said applied signal applied by said driver to a chromogenic material of said chromogenic member effective to regulate said optical property of said chromogenic member.

16. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 15, wherein said controller receives at least one of said first signal output from said first sensor, said second signal from said second sensor, and said third signal from said third sensor and generates said applied signal in accordance therewith.

17. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 16, wherein said controller further generates at least one auxiliary signal effective to control at least one auxiliary device.

18. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 17, wherein said auxiliary device includes an air blower, an air conditioner, a heater, a second skylight, a light pipe, or a light.

19. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 16, further comprising:

at least one auxiliary sensor at an auxiliary position effective to measure said applied signal, said auxiliary sensor outputting an auxiliary signal in response thereto; and

at least one auxiliary controller effective to generate at least one auxiliary signal effective to control at least one auxiliary device.

20. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 19, wherein said auxiliary device includes an air blower, an air conditioner, a heater, a second skylight, a light pipe, or a light.

21. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, wherein

said chromogenic member further includes at least two individual chromogenic sections;

and

said applied signal further effective to vary said optical property of each of said individual chromogenic sections.

22. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 21, further including:

at least one sensor, at least one position, effective to measure at least one of;

i) a physical property;

ii) a chemical property;

iii) an unaffected amount of light unaffected by said chromogenic member; and

iv) an affected amount of light affected by said chromogenic member;

each of said at least one sensor outputting an output signal in response to said measurement;

a controller which generates said applied signal, responsively to said output signal; and

a driver for supplying said applied signal to said individual chromogenic sections.

23. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 21, wherein said individual chromogenic sections are in a concentric relation.

24. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, wherein said chromogenic member is in a pivotal relation to said outer panel.

25. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, further including a diffuser member effective to diffuse light passing through said chromogenic skylight.

26. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 7, wherein said outer panel further includes a first exterior panel and at least a second adjacent panel effective to form a thermal break between adjacent panels.

27. A chromogenic skylight comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal;

an outer panel disposed proximate to said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and disposed so as to overlap at least a substantial part of said chromogenic member; and

wherein said chromogenic member comprises at least two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

28. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 27, further comprising a thermal break.

29. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 28, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.

30. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 29, wherein said air volume is in communication with a desiccant effective to prevent condensate formation from said air volume.

31. A chromogenic skylight as in claim 30, wherein said desiccant includes silica gel or molecular sieve.

32. A chromogenic aircraft window to be installed in an aircraft, said aircraft having a surface contour, said chromogenic aircraft window comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal; and

an outer panel proximate to said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and at a position so as to overlap at least a substantial part of said chromogenic member, said outer panel having a predetermined panel contour corresponding to the surface contour, said chromogenic aircraft window further comprising a thermal break having a volume and said volume is in communication with a desiccant effective to prevent condensate formation from said volume.

33. A chromogenic aircraft window according to claim 32, further comprising:

a seal,

wherein said seal is dimensioned and disposed so that a volume is at least partially enclosed between said chromogenic member, said outer panel, and said seal.

34. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 32, wherein said chromogenic member is selected from the group consisting of electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, user-controllable-photochromic devices, polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal devices, suspended particle devices, thermochromic devices, and thermotropic devices.

35. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 32, further comprising a layer of a material disposed upon at least one of said chromogenic member and said outer panel.

36. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 35, wherein said layer of said material changes an optical property of said chromogenic aircraft window.

37. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 35, wherein said layer of said material changes a physical property of said chromogenic aircraft window.

38. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 32, further comprising a driver for supplying said applied signal to said chromogenic member.

39. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 38, further comprising a controller which generates said applied signal applied by said driver to said chromogenic material so as to regulate said optical property of said chromogenic member.

40. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 32, wherein said chromogenic member comprises a flat, electrochromic member.

41. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 32, wherein said surface contour is a side of an aircraft.

42. A chromogenic aircraft window to be installed in an aircraft, said aircraft having a surface contour, said chromogenic aircraft window comprising:

a chromogenic member having an optical property which varies according to an applied signal;

an outer panel proximate to said chromogenic member, said outer panel being dimensioned and at a position so as to overlap at least a substantial part of said chromogenic member, said outer panel having a predetermined panel contour corresponding to the surface contour; and

wherein said chromogenic member comprises two separate, flat electrochromic panels.

43. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 42, further comprising a thermal break.

44. A chromogenic aircraft window as in claim 43, wherein said thermal break comprises an air volume.