Thermally switched reflective optical shutter
First Claim
1. A switchable shutter device for regulating reflection of incident radiant energy comprisinga first reflective polarizer;
- a second polarizer; and
a thermotropic depolarizer positioned between the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.
106 Citations
55 Claims
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1. 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. 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; -
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. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. 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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42. 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. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of incident radiant energy comprising
providing a thermally switched reflective optical shutter (TSROS) device comprising a first reflective polarizer, a second polarizer, and a thermotropic depolarizer located between the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer, wherein the first reflective polarizer and the second polarizer are oriented crosswise with respect to one another; -
locating the TSROS device so that radiant energy is incident upon it; reflecting a first percentage of the radiant energy from the TSROS device and transmitting a second percentage of the radiant energy through the TSROS device at a first temperature; and reflecting a third percentage of the radiant energy from the TSROS device and transmitting a fourth percentage of the radiant energy through the TSROS device at a second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. 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. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A method for regulating reflection and transmission of radiant energy comprising orienting a first thermotropic polarizer crosswise with a second thermotropic polarizer;
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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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50. 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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51. 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. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. A method for regulating an internal temperature of a building, 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. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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Specification