Thermally switched absorptive window shutter
First Claim
1. A thermally switchable device for regulating the transmission and absorption of light and radiant energy comprisingat least two absorptive polarizers;
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at a second temperature the device absorbs a third percentage of the incident radiant energy and transmits a fourth percentage of the incident radiant energy through the device.
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Abstract
The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizer between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This 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. It also has aesthetic implications since the shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. Additionally, the shutter device may have application as a building material.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A thermally switchable device for regulating the transmission and absorption of light and radiant energy comprising
at least two absorptive polarizers; - and
a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the two polarizers, wherein at a first temperature, the device absorbs a first percentage of the incident radiant energy and transmits a second percentage of the incident radiant energy through the device; and at a second temperature the device absorbs a third percentage of the incident radiant energy and transmits a fourth percentage of the incident radiant energy through the device. - 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)
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38. An insulating glass unit comprising
a first plate of glass; -
a second plate of glass; a first polarizer positioned between the first plate of glass and the second plate of glass that absorbs up to 50% of incident radiant energy and transmits a majority of non-absorbed radiant energy; a second polarizer positioned between the first plate of glass and the second plate of glass; and a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the first polarizer and the second polarizer that adjusts polarization of incident light below a threshold temperature, wherein above the threshold temperature up to 100% of incident light is absorbed by the device, below the threshold temperature up to 50% of incident light is absorbed by the device; and the second polarizer absorbs up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first polarizer when the thermotropic depolarizer is above the threshold temperature and transmits up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first polarizer when the thermotropic polarizer is below the threshold temperature.
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39. A switchable shutter device for regulating the absorption of incident radiant energy comprising
a first thermotropic absorptive polarizer; - and
a second thermotropic absorptive polarizer, wherein above a threshold temperature down to 0% of incident radiant energy is transmitted by the device, below the threshold temperature up to 50% of the incident radiant energy is transmitted by the device, and further wherein, at a first temperature a first percentage of the incident radiant energy is absorbed by the device and a second percentage of the incident radiant energy is transmitted through the device; and at a second temperature a third percentage of the incident radiant energy is absorbed by the device and a fourth percentage of the incident radiant energy is transmitted through the device.
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40. A method for regulating absorption and transmission of radiant energy comprising
orienting a first absorptive thermotropic polarizer crosswise with a second absorptive thermotropic polarizer; -
absorbing up to 100% of incident radiant energy with the first and second thermotropic polarizers when above a threshold temperature; and transmitting up to 100% of the incident radiant energy when below the threshold temperature below which the first and second thermotropic polarizers cease to polarize.
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41. A method for regulating absorption and transmission of radiant energy comprising
orienting an absorptive polarizer crosswise with a polarity-rotating polarizer; -
interposing a thermotropic depolarizer between the polarizer and the polarity-rotating polarizer; absorbing up to 100% of incident radiant energy with the absorptive polarizer and the polarity-rotating polarizer when the thermotropic depolarizer is above a threshold temperature; and when below a threshold temperature, transmitting up to 100% of the incident radiant energy through the absorptive polarizer, thermotropic depolarizer, and the polarity-rotating polarizer. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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42. A method for regulating an internal temperature of a building, a vehicle, or other structure, the method comprising
placing a thermoabsorptive material on an exterior of a structure; - and
inverting a temperature response of the thermoabsorptive material whereby the thermoabsorptive material is primarily absorptive of incident radiant energy at low temperatures and comparatively more transparent to, absorbent of, or both, incident radiant energy at high temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method for regulating absorption and transmission of incident radiant energy comprising
providing a thermally switched absorptive optical shutter (TSAOS) device comprising a first absorptive polarizer, a second absorptive polarizer, and a thermotropic depolarizer located between the first absorptive polarizer and the second absorptive polarizer, wherein the first absorptive polarizer and the second absorptive polarizer are oriented crosswise with respect to one another; -
absorbing a first percentage of the radiant energy from the TSAOS device and transmitting a second percentage of the radiant energy through the TSAOS device at a first temperature; and absorbing a third percentage of the radiant energy from the TSAOS device and transmitting a fourth percentage of the radiant energy through the TSAOS device at a second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. A method for displaying an image comprising
arranging a thermoabsorptive material or device on a surface in a shape of a desired image; - and
reflecting incident light from the thermoabsorptive material above a particular threshold temperature or range of temperatures, wherein the image becomes visible. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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Specification