Multiple Layer Glass Panels Having Adjustable Tint

• US 20070128452A1
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Incorporated (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Solutia Incorporated (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Inventors: Fisher, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/437
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10018 comprising only one glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10045 with at least one intermediate layer consisting of a glass sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10055 with at least one intermediate air space
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10321 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing liquid layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/16757 Microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1681 having two or more microcells partitioned by walls, e.g. of microcup type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3163 Next to acetal of polymerized unsaturated alcohol [e.g., formal butyral, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of polymer sheets and multiple layer glass panels having adjustable tint, and, more specifically, the present invention is in the field of polymer sheets and multiple layer glass panels comprising agents that cause a change in light transmission properties when subjected to an electric field.

Claims

1. A multiple layer glass panel, comprising:

a first glass layer;

a second glass layer;

a first layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet; and

,

a second layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet;

wherein said first layer and said second layer are bonded together by a binder comprising a plurality of domains distributed throughout said binder, wherein said domains comprise an agent that causes an alteration in the amount of visible light that can be transmitted through said glass panel in response to the application of an electric field to said binder, and wherein said first layer and said second layer are disposed between said first glass layer and said second glass layer.

2. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said domains are in the form of a microcapsule.

3. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 2 wherein said microcapsule comprises a dielectric material encapsulated in a polymeric coating, and wherein said agent is disposed in said dielectric material.

4. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 3, wherein said polymeric coating comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl butyral), gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulosic derivatives, aciacia, carageenan, hydroxylate styrene anhydride copolymers, methyl vinyl ether co-maleic anhydride, polyvinyl pyridine, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate), polyhydroxy amide with aldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, water soluble oligomers of the condensate of melamine, water soluble oligomers of urea, water soluble oligomers of formaldehyde, styrene, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, diacyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, butyl acrylate, and t-butyl acrylate.

5. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 3, wherein said dielectric material is selected from the group consisting of a low molecular weight poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), perfluorinated polyether, aliphatic hydrocarbons, triethylene glycol bis(2-ethyl hexanoate), and a mixture of triethylene glycol (2-ethyl hexanoate) and triethylene glycol bis(2-ethyl hexanoate).

6. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of anatase titania, rutile titania, barium sulfate, silica, magnesium silicate, calcium carbonate, indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, carbon black, zinc oxide, lanthanum hexaboride, gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium, and alloys of the foregoing.

7. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of titania, silica, carbon black, gold, and silver.

8. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said polymeric sheet of said first layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

9. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 8, wherein said polyethylene terephthalate is coated with an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of antimony zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, metallic coatings, polyaniline, and a conductive polymer.

10. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 9, wherein said electrically conductive material comprises indium tin oxide.

11. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 8, wherein said polymeric sheet of said second layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

12. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 11, wherein said polyethylene terephthalate is coated with an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of antimony zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, metallic coatings, polyaniline, and a conductive polymer.

13. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 12, wherein said electrically conductive material comprises indium tin oxide.

14. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises a member selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers, water-borne polymers, oil-soluble polymers, thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers, and radiation-cured polymers.

15. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, further comprising a first poly(vinyl butyral) layer disposed between said first glass layer and said first polymer sheet and a second poly(vinyl butyral) layer disposed between said second glass layer and said second polymer sheet.

16. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 1, wherein said multiple layer glass panel is an insulated glass unit.

17. The multiple layer glass panel of claim 16, wherein said first layer and said second layer are disposed in a space between said first glass layer and said second glass layer.

18. A multiple layer glass panel, comprising:

a glass layer;

a first layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet; and

,

a second layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet;

wherein said first layer and said second layer are bonded together by a binder comprising a plurality of domains distributed throughout said binder, wherein said domains comprise an agent that causes an alteration in the amount of visible light that can be transmitted through said glass panel in response to the application of an electric field to said binder, and wherein said first layer and said second layer are bonded to said glass layer.

19. An adjustable tint multiple layer construct, comprising:

a first layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet; and

,

a second layer comprising an electrically conductive polymeric sheet;

wherein said first layer and said second layer are bonded together by a binder comprising a plurality of domains distributed throughout said binder and wherein said domains comprise an agent that causes an alteration in the amount of visible light that can be transmitted through said glass panel in response to the application of an electric field to said binder.