Adjustably opaque window

• US 7,300,167 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myc Capital, Inc.
• Original Assignee: LCT Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Xue, Jiuzhi, Fernando, Primal, Clark, Noel
• Primary Examiner(s): Pritchett; Joshua L
• Application Number:
  US11/298,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20060098290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 359493-495, 359/601, 359/609
• US Class Current: 359/609
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10339 Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted tinted glass sheet B32B17/1011; tinted interlayer B32B17/10651
• 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: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

An adjustably opaque window including an external pane, an internal pane, a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer is provided. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, and the light transmission control layer and the shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity. The shock-absorbing layer is a flexible sheet that supports and protects the light transmission control layer. The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably.

Claims

1. An adjustably opaque window comprising:

a) an external pane;

b) an internal pane;

c) an active optical material layer;

d) a plurality of passive optical material layers; and

e) a plurality of shock absorbing layers;

wherein the external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, wherein the optical material layers and the shock absorbing layers are positioned in the cavity, wherein the optical material layers are sandwiched and supported by the shock absorbing layers, wherein the interval between the external and internal panes can vary between one (1) millimeter and two (2) millimeters.

2. An adjustably opaque window comprising:

a) a light transmission control layer;

b) first and second electrodes enveloping the light transmission control layer;

c) first and second inner shock absorbing layers enveloping light transmission control layer and the electrodes;

d) first and second polarizing layers enveloping the light transmission control layer, the electrodes, and the inner shock absorbing layers;

e) first and second outer shock absorbing layers, having inner and outer surfaces, enveloping the light transmission control layer, the electrodes, the inner shock absorbing layers, and the polarizing layers;

f) an external pane disposed on the outer surface of the first outer shock absorbing layer; and

g) an internal pane disposed on the outer surface of the second Outer shock absorbing layer.

3. The adjustably opaque window of claim 2, further comprising an ultraviolet light blocking layer and a shock absorbing layer that are positioned between the exterior pane and the light transmission control layer.

4. The adjustably opaque window of claim 2, wherein the interval between the external and internal panes can vary between one (1) millimeter and two (2) millimeters.