Methods for fabricating thermochromic filters
First Claim
1. A method for constructing a thermotropically-actuated, thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprisingproviding a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film each having inner surfaces facing the other;
- orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the first polarizer film;
providing a first alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the first polarizer film and a second alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the second polarizer film;
placing a plurality of spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film; and
filling a space created by the spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with a thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal that has insignificant effect on incident light in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer in a twisted nematic state to rotate a polarity of light from that of the first polarizer to that of the second polarizer.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.
220 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A method for constructing a thermotropically-actuated, thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprising
providing a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film each having inner surfaces facing the other; -
orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the first polarizer film; providing a first alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the first polarizer film and a second alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the second polarizer film; placing a plurality of spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film; and filling a space created by the spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with a thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal that has insignificant effect on incident light in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer in a twisted nematic state to rotate a polarity of light from that of the first polarizer to that of 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. A method for constructing a thermotropically-actuated, thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprising
providing a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film; -
abrading an inner surface of the first polarizer film with an alignment pattern oriented in a common direction with a polarity of the first polarizer film; abrading an inner surface of the second polarizer film with an alignment pattern oriented in a common direction with a polarity direction of the second polarizer film; positioning the inner surface of the first polarizer film facing the inner surface of the second polarizer film; orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the polarity of the first polarizer film; mixing a plurality of spacers with a thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal that has insignificant effect on incident light in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer in a twisted nematic state to rotate a polarity of light from the polarity of the first polarizer to the polarity of the second polarizer; filling a space between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with the mixture of the spacers and the thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal to form an unsealed bottle; sealing an area of the unsealed bottle in any shape or size by applying heat and pressure to form a heat seal between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film as a perimeter defining the area; and cutting along the heat seal to remove the area out of the unsealed bottle.
-
-
29. A method for constructing a thermotropically-actuated, thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprising
providing a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film; -
covering an inner surface of the first polarizing film with a heat sealable material layer; abrading an exposed surface of the heat sealable material layer on the first polarizer film with an alignment pattern oriented in a common direction with a polarity of the first polarizer film; covering an inner surface of the second polarizing film with a heat sealable material layer; abrading an exposed surface of the heat sealable material layer on the second polarizer film with an alignment pattern oriented in a common direction with a polarity direction of the second polarizer film; positioning the inner surface of the first polarizer film facing the inner surface of the second polarizer film; orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the polarity of the first polarizer film; mixing a plurality of spacers with a thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal that has insignificant effect on incident light in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer in a twisted nematic state to rotate a polarity of light from the polarity of the first polarizer to the polarity of the second polarizer; filling a space between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with the mixture of the spacers and the thermotropically-actuated liquid crystal to form an unsealed bottle; sealing an area of the unsealed bottle in any shape or size by applying heat and pressure to form a heat seal between the heat sealable material layer on the first polarizer film and the heat sealable material layer on the second polarizer film as a perimeter defining the area; and cutting along the heat seal to remove the area out of the unsealed bottle. - View Dependent Claims (30)
-
Specification