TEMPERATURE ACTIVATED OPTICAL FILMS
First Claim
1. A multilayer dielectric optical structure, for selectively reflecting a predetermined wavelength, comprising:
- a transparent substrate;
a plurality of alternating first layers and second layers on the substrate, wherein the first layers comprise a first optical material having a first optical axis and a first refractive index along the first optical axis, and the second layers comprise a second optical material having a second optical axis and a second refractive index along the second optical axis below a characteristic transition temperature Tc and a third refractive index above the Tc, the first and second optical axis are substantially parallel and the first and second refractive indices are substantially equal, the third refractive index differ from the second refractive index and from the first refractive index; and
wherein the optical thickness of each of the first layer is equal to ¼
times the predetermined wavelength and the optical thickness of each of the second layer when the temperature is above the Tc is equal to ¼
times the predetermined wavelength. A human stem cell that is pluripotent, somatic, non-embryonic, and having the property of long-term self renewal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day.
143 Citations
68 Claims
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1. A multilayer dielectric optical structure, for selectively reflecting a predetermined wavelength, comprising:
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a transparent substrate; a plurality of alternating first layers and second layers on the substrate, wherein the first layers comprise a first optical material having a first optical axis and a first refractive index along the first optical axis, and the second layers comprise a second optical material having a second optical axis and a second refractive index along the second optical axis below a characteristic transition temperature Tc and a third refractive index above the Tc, the first and second optical axis are substantially parallel and the first and second refractive indices are substantially equal, the third refractive index differ from the second refractive index and from the first refractive index; and wherein the optical thickness of each of the first layer is equal to ¼
times the predetermined wavelength and the optical thickness of each of the second layer when the temperature is above the Tc is equal to ¼
times the predetermined wavelength. A human stem cell that is pluripotent, somatic, non-embryonic, and having the property of long-term self renewal.
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2-23. -23. (canceled)
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24. A reflective polarizer film for regulating reflection of incident radiant energy comprising
a first optical layer; -
a second optical layer; and a temperature sensitive optical material positioned between the first optical layer and the second optical layer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A reflective polarizer film for regulating the reflection of light comprising a first optical layer that reflects up to 50% of incident light and passes up to 50% of the incident light;
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a second optical layer, and a temperature sensitive optical material positioned between the first optical layer and the second optical layer that adjusts polarization of incident light below a threshold temperature, wherein above the threshold temperature up to 100% of incident light is reflected by the film, and below the threshold temperature up to 50% of incident light is reflected by the film. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A reflective polarizer film for regulating the reflection of incident radiant energy comprising
a first layer of birefringent optical material; - and
a second layer of temperature sensitive optical material, wherein above a threshold temperature down to 0% of incident radiant energy is transmitted by the film, and below the threshold temperature up to 100% of the incident radiant energy is transmitted by the film; at a first temperature a first percentage of the incident radiant energy is reflected from the film and a second percentage of the incident radiant energy is transmitted through the film; and at a second temperature a third percentage of the incident radiant energy is reflected from the film and a fourth percentage of the incident radiant energy is transmitted through the film.
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50. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising orienting a first optical layer of birefringent optical material perpendicular to a second layer of temperature sensitive optical material;
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reflecting up to 100% of incident radiant energy with the first and second layers when above a threshold temperature; and wherein when below a threshold temperature the first and second layers cease to polarize below the threshold temperature, transmitting up to 100% of the incident radiant energy.
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51. A method for regulating an internal temperature of a building, a vehicle, or other structure comprising
placing a temperature activated optical film on an exterior of a structure; - and
inverting a temperature response of the film whereby the film is primarily reflective of incident radiant energy at high temperatures and comparatively more transparent to, absorbent of, or both, incident radiant energy at low temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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53. A switchable shutter device for regulating reflection of incident radiant energy comprising
a first reflective polarizer; -
a second polarizer; and a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A switchable optical shutter device for regulating the reflection of light comprising a first reflective polarizer that reflects up to 50% of incident light and passes up to 50% of the incident light;
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a second reflective polarizer, and a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the first reflective 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 reflected by the device, and below the threshold temperature up to 50% of incident light is reflected by the device.
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62. An insulating glass unit comprising
a first plate of glass; -
a second plate of glass; a first reflective polarizer positioned between the first plate of glass and the second plate of glass that reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy and transmits a majority of non-reflected radiant energy; a second reflective polarizer positioned between the first plate of glass and the second plate of glass; and a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the first reflective 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 reflected by the device; below the threshold temperature up to 50% of incident light is reflected by the device; and the second polarizer reflects up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first reflective polarizer when the thermotropic depolarizer is above the threshold temperature and transmits up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first reflective polarizer when the thermotropic polarizer is below the threshold temperature.
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63. A switchable shutter device for regulating the reflection of incident radiant energy comprising
a first thermotropic polarizer; - and
a second thermotropic polarizer, wherein above a threshold temperature down to 0% of incident radiant energy is transmitted by the device, and below the threshold temperature up to 100% of the incident radiant energy is transmitted by the device; at a first temperature a first percentage of the incident radiant energy is reflected from 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 reflected from the device and a fourth percentage of the incident radiant energy is transmitted through the device.
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64. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising
orienting a first reflective polarizer crosswise with a second polarizer; -
reflecting up to 50% and absorbing up to 50% of incident radiant energy with the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer when above a threshold temperature; and when below the threshold temperature, depolarizing a portion of the incident radiant energy transmitted between the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer; transmitting up to 50% of the radiant energy through the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer; and reflecting up to 50% of the incident radiant energy.
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65. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising
orienting a first thermotropic polarizer crosswise with a second thermotropic polarizer; -
reflecting up to 100% of incident radiant energy with the first and second thermotropic polarizers when above a threshold temperature; and wherein when below a threshold temperature the first and second thermotropic polarizers cease to polarize below the threshold temperature, transmitting up to 100% of the incident radiant energy.
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66. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising
orienting a reflective polarizer crosswise with a polarity-rotating polarizer; -
interposing a thermotropic depolarizer between the reflective polarizer and the polarity-rotating polarizer reflecting up to 100% of incident radiant energy with the reflective 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 reflective polarizer, thermotropic depolarizer, and the polarity-rotating polarizer.
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67. A method for displaying a reflective image comprising
arranging a thermoreflective material or device on a surface in a shape of a desired image or removing the thermoreflective material in an area to form an image area; - and
reflecting incident light from the thermoreflective material above or below a particular threshold temperature or range of temperatures, wherein the reflective image becomes visible.
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68. A method for regulating an internal temperature of a buildings, a vehicle, or other structure comprising
placing a thermoreflective material on an exterior of a structure; - and
inverting a temperature response of the thermoreflective material whereby the thermoreflective material is primarily reflective of incident radiant energy at high temperatures and comparatively more transparent to, absorbent of, or both, incident radiant energy at low temperatures.
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Specification