Thermally Switched Optical Downconverting Filter

• US 20110216254A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ravenbrick, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ravenbrick, LLC
• Inventors: Powers, Richard M., McCarthy, Wil
• Granted Patent: US 8,593,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/16
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/23 Oxides C03C17/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/218 V2O5, Nb2O5, Ta2O5
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/219 CrOx, MoOx, WOx
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/23 Mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0289 used as a transflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/223 containing organic substances, e.g. dyes, inks or pigments
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0147 based on thermo-optic effects G02F1/132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2/02 Frequency-changing of light, e.g. by quantum counters

Abstract

A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter is energy-efficient as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter has unique aesthetic and optical properties not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls.

Claims

1. A reflective film for regulating reflection of incident radiant energy comprising

a first optical filter layer;

a second optical filter layer; and

a temperature-responsive optical material positioned between the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer.

2. The film of claim 1, wherein

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.

3. The film of claim 1, wherein

the temperature-responsive optical material adjusts an optical property of incident light when below a threshold temperature;

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.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein

the first optical filter layer reflects up to 50% of the incident radiant energy and transmits a majority of non-reflected radiant energy;

and

the second optical filter layer reflects up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first optical filter layer when the temperature-responsive optical material is above the threshold temperature and transmits up to 100% of radiant energy transmitted by the first optical filter layer when the temperature-responsive material is below the threshold temperature.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second optical filter layer is frequency selective with respect to an optical property of the radiant energy.

6. The film of claim 1, wherein the film is in the form of a thin and flexible film.

7. The film of claim 1 further comprising a transparent substrate that supports the first optical filter layer, the second optical filter layer, and the temperature-responsive optical material.

8. The film of claim 7, wherein the transparent substrate is a rigid film.

9. The film of claim 1 further comprising a transparent substrate.

10. The film of claim 1, wherein the film is incorporated into a construction material for regulating the flow of incident light into, and thus regulating the internal temperature of, a building, a vehicle, or other structure.

11. The film of claim 10, wherein the construction material is an insulating glass unit.

12. The film of claim 1, wherein a range of wavelengths of radiant energy regulated by the film comprises one or more of visual, infrared, or near-infrared wavelengths.

13. The film of claim 1, wherein either or both of the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer is spectrally selective.

14. The film of claim 1, wherein the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer each have different filtering efficiencies, filtering responses, or both at different frequencies.

15. The film of claim 1, wherein each of the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer has a different filtering nature at different frequencies.

16. The film of claim 1, wherein either or both of the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer comprises a combination of multiple optical filter layers.

17. The film of claim 1, wherein the temperature responsive optical material comprises a liquid crystal.

18. The film of claim 17, wherein the liquid crystal further comprises an additive in a mixture with the liquid crystal to affect optical properties of the liquid crystal, a speed of transition between physical states of the liquid crystal, or both.

19. The film of claim 18, wherein the additive comprises a second type of liquid crystal mixed with the liquid crystal.

20. The film of claim 17, where the additive is selected to improve the stability of a functional response of the film to environmental conditions.

21. The film of claim 1, where the temperature-responsive optical material is designed or selected based upon frequency dependent properties of the temperature-responsive optical material with respect to an filtered property of light to affect one or more of aesthetic, color, light or energy transmission, absorption, and reflection properties of the film.

22. A reflective film for regulating the reflection of light comprising

a first optical filter layer that reflects up to 50% of incident light and passes up to 50% of the incident light;

a second optical filter layer, and

a temperature-responsive optical material positioned between the first optical filter layer and the second optical filter layer that adjusts an optical property 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.

23. The film of claim 22 further comprising a transparent substrate that supports the first optical filter layer, the second optical filter layer, and the temperature-responsive optical material.

24. The film of claim 23, wherein the transparent substrate is a rigid substrate.

25. The film of claim 22, wherein the film is in the form of a thin and flexible film.

26. A reflective film for regulating the reflection of incident radiant energy comprising

a first layer of a distributed Bragg reflector;

and

a second layer of temperature-responsive 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.

27. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising

orienting a first layer of a distributed Bragg reflector crosswise with a second layer of a temperature-responsive optical material;

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 reflect below the threshold temperature,

transmitting up to 100% of the incident radiant energy.

28. A method for regulating an internal temperature of a buildings, a vehicle, or other structure comprising

placing a temperature-responsive optical film on an exterior of a structure;

and

inverting a temperature response of the temperature-responsive optical film whereby the temperature-responsive optical 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.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising positioning the temperature-responsive optical film on the structure to receive maximum incident radiant energy at cold temperatures or in the winter season and to receive minimum incident radiant energy at high temperatures or in the summer season.