Windows with electrically controllable transmission and reflection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A glazing structure, comprising:
- a first layer transmissive to light;
a second layer transmissive to light;
a layer of externally controllable optically active material disposed between the first layer and the second layer;
a first polarization layer disposed to a first side of the optically active layer that transmits light of a first polarization orientation and reflects light of a second polarization orientation; and
a second polarization layer disposed to a second side of the optically active layer that transmits light of one polarization orientation and absorbs light of another polarization orientation;
wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a first optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light without affecting the polarization thereof, and wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a second optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light while affecting the polarization thereof; and
wherein the glazing structure is transmissive and substantially non-reflective to light when the optically active layer is in one of the first and second optical states and the glazing structure reflects a substantial portion of the light that first enters the glazing structure from the second side when the optically active layer is in the other of the first and second optical states.
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Abstract
A window having electrically controllable transmission and reflection includes a layer of liquid crystal material and polarizers on either side thereof. Different combinations of absorptive and reflective polarizers are disclosed. These different combinations can be used in different applications to achieve the desired results. Transparent, conductive layers are provided to apply an electrical field to the liquid crystal material so as to selectively control the rotation of the polarization of light passing therethrough.
146 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A glazing structure, comprising:
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a first layer transmissive to light; a second layer transmissive to light; a layer of externally controllable optically active material disposed between the first layer and the second layer; a first polarization layer disposed to a first side of the optically active layer that transmits light of a first polarization orientation and reflects light of a second polarization orientation; and a second polarization layer disposed to a second side of the optically active layer that transmits light of one polarization orientation and absorbs light of another polarization orientation; wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a first optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light without affecting the polarization thereof, and wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a second optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light while affecting the polarization thereof; and wherein the glazing structure is transmissive and substantially non-reflective to light when the optically active layer is in one of the first and second optical states and the glazing structure reflects a substantial portion of the light that first enters the glazing structure from the second side when the optically active layer is in the other of the first and second optical states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A glazing structure, comprising:
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a substrate; and means associated with the substrate for selectably controlling the amount of light transmitted through the glazing structure and the amount of light reflected by the glazing structure to place the glazing structure into a plurality of optical states, the means including at least one reflective polarizer and at least one absorptive polarizer; wherein the means controls the transmission and reflection of light at wavelengths across the entire infrared and visible light spectrum; and wherein the means controls the amount of transmission and reflection with the selective application of electrical signals and without movement of mechanical components, and wherein the selective application of electrical signals is operable to make the glazing structure transmissive and substantially non-reflective of light in at least one of the plurality of optical states, wherein the glazing structure is part of a window of a building, and wherein the glazing structure is substantially non-reflective to light that is incident upon a side of the glazing structure that faces the exterior of the building.
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15. A method for controlling the amount of light transmitted through and reflected by a glazing structure, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate with multiple layers applied thereto, wherein the multiple layers include an optically active layer, a reflective polarizer layer, and an absorptive polarizer layer; and applying an electrical signal to the optically active layer to change the amount of light transmitted through the glazing structure to place the glazing structure into one of a plurality of optical states, wherein the transmission of light at wavelengths across the entire visible and infrared light spectrum is changed, and wherein the applying of an electrical signal is operable to make the glazing structure transmissive and substantially non-reflective of light in at least one of the plurality of optical states, wherein the glazing structure is part of a window of a building, and wherein the reflective polarizer layer is disposed on a side of the optically active layer that faces the exterior of the building.
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Specification