Variable transmittance optical filter and uses thereof
First Claim
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1. A control circuit, comprising:
- a variable transmittance optical filter comprising a first and a second electrode and a switching material in contact with the first and second electrodes, wherein the switching material is capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and from the dark state to the light state with application of an electric voltage across the first and second electrodes;
power control electronics comprising a switch for electrically coupling to a power source, the power control electronics electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes and operable to;
dissipate any charge on the optical filter by shorting the first and second electrodes together, thereby facilitating transition of the switching material from the light state to the dark state upon exposure of the switching material to ultraviolet radiation; and
transition the optical filter from the dark state to the light state by applying a voltage from the power source across the first and second electrodes; and
a DC-DC regulator or a DC-DC converter electrically coupled in series with the power control electronics, wherein the power control electronics receives a DC voltage from the DC-DC regulator or DC-DC converter when the power source is electrically coupled to the power control electronics and the DC-DC regulator or the DC-DC converter matches the DC voltage to a voltage required by the optical filter in order to trigger lightening.
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Abstract
Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A control circuit, comprising:
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a variable transmittance optical filter comprising a first and a second electrode and a switching material in contact with the first and second electrodes, wherein the switching material is capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and from the dark state to the light state with application of an electric voltage across the first and second electrodes; power control electronics comprising a switch for electrically coupling to a power source, the power control electronics electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes and operable to; dissipate any charge on the optical filter by shorting the first and second electrodes together, thereby facilitating transition of the switching material from the light state to the dark state upon exposure of the switching material to ultraviolet radiation; and transition the optical filter from the dark state to the light state by applying a voltage from the power source across the first and second electrodes; and a DC-DC regulator or a DC-DC converter electrically coupled in series with the power control electronics, wherein the power control electronics receives a DC voltage from the DC-DC regulator or DC-DC converter when the power source is electrically coupled to the power control electronics and the DC-DC regulator or the DC-DC converter matches the DC voltage to a voltage required by the optical filter in order to trigger lightening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification