Energy-efficient optoelectronic smart window
First Claim
1. A window comprising:
- a first window pane having a first index of refraction;
a second window pane having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is smaller than the second index of refraction; and
a diffraction grating comprising;
an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes;
a counter electrode; and
a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements;
wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide a selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an aspect, described herein is a dynamically controllable optoelectronic smart window which utilizes a diffraction grating for selective transmission or rejection of a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example the infrared, near-infrared and/or visible regions. Window embodiments described herein may further utilize a selectively controlled and/or patterned total internal reflection layer to assist with the selective rejection of a specific spectral region while allowing for transmission of another specific spectral region. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for dynamically controlling the transmission or rejection of solar near-infrared and/or visible radiation.
35 Citations
80 Claims
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1. A window comprising:
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a first window pane having a first index of refraction; a second window pane having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is smaller than the second index of refraction; and a diffraction grating comprising; an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes; a counter electrode; and a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements; wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide a selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material. - 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, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 70)
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63. A method of dynamically controlling the transmission and/or rejection of solar near-infrared and/or visible radiation through a window, the method comprising the steps:
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providing a window comprising; a first window pane having a first index of refraction; a second window pane having a second index of refraction; and a diffraction grating between the first and second window panes, wherein the diffraction grating comprises; an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes; a counter electrode; and a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements; wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material; a total internal reflection layer positioned such that the second window pane is positioned between the diffraction grating and the total internal reflection layer; and dynamically controlling the spatial distribution of refractive indices of the electro-optic material, such that solar near-infrared and visible radiation incident on the window is transmitted or rejected as desired. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 69)
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71. A window comprising:
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a first window pane having a first index of refraction; a second window pane having a second index of refraction; a diffraction grating comprising; an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes; a counter electrode; and a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements; wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide a selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material; and a microcell array positioned in optical communication with the diffraction grating. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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78. A window comprising:
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a first window pane having a first index of refraction; a second window pane having a second index of refraction; a diffraction grating comprising; an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes; a counter electrode; and a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements; wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide a selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material; and a total internal reflection layer positioned such that the second window pane is positioned between the diffraction grating and the total internal reflection layer. - View Dependent Claims (79)
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80. A window comprising:
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a first window pane having a first index of refraction; a second window pane having a second index of refraction; and a diffraction grating comprising; an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second window panes; a counter electrode; and a two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements; wherein the electro-optic material is provided between the counter electrode and the two-dimensional array of signal electrode elements such that voltages applied between the counter electrode and the signal electrode elements provide a selected spatial distribution of refractive indices to the electro-optic material, and wherein the counter electrode or the array of signal electrode elements comprises a UV blocking layer.
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Specification