Electronic window array

• US 10,705,402 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2018
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Whittingham, David Michael, Barker, Douglas James, Thompson, Sarah Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Won, Bumsuk
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gagnon, Grant A
• Application Number:
  US15/903,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20190265570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 359275
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1484 Windows B64C1/1492 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1492 Structure and mounting of the transparent elements in the window or windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers

Abstract

Methods, systems and apparatuses are presented for controlling ambient light transmission through electrochromic devices comprising a plurality of dimmable zones.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device comprising:

a first transparent substrate having a first transparent substrate outer surface and a first transparent substrate inner surface;

a first conductive layer disposed on the first transparent substrate inner surface;

a second transparent substrate having a second transparent substrate inner surface and a second transparent substrate outer surface;

a second conductive layer disposed on the second transparent substrate inner surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;

wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments;

an electrical contact in communication with each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments, said electrical contact in communication with a power source;

wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source; and

wherein the dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each conductive segment is configured to contact a separate electrical circuit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one conductive segment is bounded by a perimeter, said perimeter comprising a substantially non-conductive material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each dimmable zone comprises an initial light transmissivity value, said light transmissivity value ranging from about 0.01% to about 60%.

5. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 1.

6. A vehicle comprising the window of claim 5.

7. An aircraft comprising the window of claim 6.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein a controlled electrical current is delivered from the power source to at least one conductive segment.

9. The electrochromic device of claim 8 wherein the second transparent substrate comprises a plurality of conductive segments.

10. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 9.

11. A vehicle comprising the window of claim 10.

12. An aircraft comprising the window of claim 11.

18. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of:

a train, an automobile, a bus, a tram, a watercraft, and a spacecraft.

13. A method for forming an electrochromic device, said method comprising;

providing a first substrate and a second substrate;

disposing a first transparent conductive layer onto the first substrate; and

removing a portion of the transparent conductive layer from the first substrate to define a plurality of conductive segments in the first transparent conductive layer;

electrically contacting each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments with a separate electrical contact, said separate electrical contact in communication with a power source;

wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source; and

wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

coupling an electrical circuit to each of the conductive segments.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of transparent conductive layer is removed by applying energy from a laser to the first transparent conductive layer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of the transparent conductive layer is removed by a method comprising at least one of:

electro ablation, mechanical ablation;

thermal ablation;

chemical etching; and

chemical peeling.

17. A method for controlling transmissivity of light through a substantially transparent medium, the method comprising:

orienting an electrochromic device proximate to the transparent medium, said electrochromic device comprising;

a first transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a first conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the first transparent substrate;

a second transparent substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a second conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate;

an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, said electrochromic medium having an initial light transmissivity value;

wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments;

wherein each conductive segment is configured to separately form at least one dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium; and

wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%;

directing individually an electric current from a power source individually to at least one of the plurality of discrete conductive segments, controlling individually the current directed to at least one of the plurality of conductive segments;

controlling individually transmissivity of light through the electrochromic device by changing individually the initial light transmissivity value of at least one of a plurality of dimmable zones to a desired light transmissivity value ranging from about 60% light transmissivity to about 0.01% light transmissivity.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

coupling an electrical circuit to each of the conductive segments.