Thermally switched optical downconverting filter
First Claim
1. A thermally switched optical filter comprisinga substrate;
- a downconverter supported by the substrate, wherein the downconverter absorbs incident light of a broad bandwidth and emits light at an emission wavelength substantially or entirely longer than wavelengths of the broad bandwidth; and
a first bandblock filter supported by the substrate, wherein the first bandblock filter blocks the emitted light when the temperature of the thermally switched optical filter is in a first range and passes the emitted light when the temperature of the thermally switched optical filter is in a second range.
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Abstract
A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter has energy-efficiency implications, as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter also has aesthetic implications, since the device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The TSOD filter has particular, but not exclusive, application as a building material.
95 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A thermally switched optical filter comprising
a substrate; -
a downconverter supported by the substrate, wherein the downconverter absorbs incident light of a broad bandwidth and emits light at an emission wavelength substantially or entirely longer than wavelengths of the broad bandwidth; and a first bandblock filter supported by the substrate, wherein the first bandblock filter blocks the emitted light when the temperature of the thermally switched optical filter is in a first range and passes the emitted light when the temperature of the thermally switched optical filter is in a second range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A thermally switched optical filter comprising
a first bandblock filter layer; -
a second bandblock filter layer; a thermochromic downconverter layer sandwiched between the first bandblock filter layer and the second bandblock filter layer, wherein the downconverter layer absorbs incident light of a broad bandwidth and emits light at an emission wavelength substantially or entirely longer than wavelengths of the broad bandwidth, and the emission wavelength is variable depending upon a temperature of the downconverter layer; and a transparent substrate supporting the first bandblock filter layer, the second bandblock filter layer, and the thermochromic downconverter layer;
whereinthe first bandblock filter layer blocks the emitted light when the temperature of the downconverter layer is below a first threshold temperature and passes the emitted light when the temperature of the downconverter layer is above a second threshold temperature; and the second bandblock filter layer passes the emitted light when the temperature of the downconverter layer is below the first threshold temperature and blocks the emitted light when the temperature of the downconverter layer is above the second threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification