Multi-pane electrochromic windows

• US 9,116,410 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedman, Robin, Kailasam, Sridhar, Mulpuri, Rao, Powell, Ronald, Shrivastava, Dhairya
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, James
• Application Number:
  US14/534,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20150062688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359/273
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/34 with at least two coatings having different compositions C03C17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/36 at least one coating being a metal
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3657 the multilayer coating having optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3681 the multilayer coating being used in glazing, e.g. windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2643 Screens between double windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• 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 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1523 comprising inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1555 Counter electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence

Abstract

Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU'"'"'s), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

Claims

1. A multi-pane electrochromic window comprising:

a first pane comprising a first electrochromic device; and

a second pane comprising a second electrochromic device;

wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices comprises;

i) a tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer having a charge capacity of between about 30 and about 150 mC/cm²/micron; and

ii) a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode, optionally doped with tantalum, having a charge capacity of between about 75 and about 200 mC/cm²/micron;

wherein the ratio of the electrochromic layer thickness to the counter electrode thickness is between about 1.7;

1 and about 2.3;

1 and each electrochromic device does not tint to less than 10% transmissivity.

2. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices are solid state and inorganic.

3. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 2, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices oppose each other in an insulated glass unit of the multi-pane electrochromic window.

4. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 3, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices are on opposing inside surfaces of the first and second panes.

5. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 2, wherein the first and second panes are glass between 0.01 mm and 10 mm thick.

6. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to provide an electrical charge to the first and second panes for powering the first and second panes.

7. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein:

the first pane faces an exterior environment, and

each of the electrochromic devices has at least a low transmissive state and a high transmissive state.

8. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 7, wherein the low transmissive state of the first pane is of lower transmissivity than the low transmissive state of the second pane.

9. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein transmissivity is of the visible spectrum.

10. A multi-pane electrochromic window comprising two or more electrochromic devices, each of the two or more electrochromic devices on a separate pane of the multi-pane electrochromic window, and each of the two or more electochromic devices being a two-state device having a high transmissivity state and a low transmissivity state, wherein the two or more electrochromic devices are configured to together employ, concurrently, their high transmissivity states or their low transmissivity states, wherein each of the two or more electrochromic devices comprises:

i) a tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer having a charge capacity of between about 30 and about 150 mC/cm²/micron; and

ii) a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode, optionally doped with tantalum, having a charge capacity of between about 75 and about 200 mC/cm²/micron;

wherein the ratio of the electrochromic layer thickness to the counter electrode thickness is between about 1.7;

1 and about 2.3;

1 and each electrochromic device does not tint to less than 10% transmissivity.

11. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices are solid state and inorganic.

12. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 11, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices oppose each other in an insulated glass unit of the multi-pane electrochromic window.

13. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 11, wherein the first and second panes are glass between 0.01 mm and 10 mm thick.

14. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to provide an electrical charge to the first and second panes for powering the first and second panes.

15. The multi-pane electrochromic window of claim 12, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices are on opposing inside surfaces of the first and second panes.