Multifunctional building component

• US 8,699,114 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2011
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ravenbrick, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ravenbrick, LLC
• Inventors: McCarthy, Wil, Powers, Richard M., Burney, Alex K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph P
• Application Number:
  US13/150,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20110292488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/634, 250/517.1
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0147 based on thermo-optic effects G02F1/132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details

Abstract

A multifunctional building component is capable of serving as one or more of a window, a wall, a shading device, a roofing element, a color panel, a display, and an energy harvesting, storage, and distribution element.

Claims

1. A multifunctional building component comprising

a structural element;

a color-changing element;

an insulation element to limit heat transfer; and

an energy-harvesting element, an optional energy storage element, and an energy distribution element.

2. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage element.

3. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 further comprising an energy distribution element.

4. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the structural element is an insulating glass unit.

5. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the color-changing element is an absorptive material and a color of the color-changing element results from absorption of incident light by the absorptive material.

6. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the color-changing element is a reflective material and a color of the color-changing element results from reflection of incident light by the reflective material.

7. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the color-changing element is a diffusive material and a color of the color-changing element results from diffusion of incident light by the diffusive material.

8. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the color-changing element and the energy distribution element are combined into a single element of an energy radiating material and a color of the single element results from radiation of absorbed incident light by the energy radiating material.

9. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy-harvesting and energy-storing elements harvest and store electrical energy.

10. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy-harvesting and energy-storing elements harvest and store thermal energy.

11. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy-harvesting element and the energy-storing element are combined as a single photoluminescent material.

12. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy distribution element distributes electrical energy.

13. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy distribution element comprises an optical lighting system.

14. The multifunctional building component of claim 1, wherein the energy distribution element comprises a thermal radiator.

15. A multifunctional building component comprising

a structural element;

an insulation element capable of serving as a bandblock filter;

a color-changing element capable of serving as one or more of an optical attenuator, an optical downconverter, or an energy harvesting element;

an energy storage element for storage of light, heat, electrical, or vibration energy; and

an energy distribution element for distribution of light, heat, electrical, or vibration energy from the energy storage element, wherein

a color state of the color-changing element, under control of an external control signal, is used to regulate a flow of energy into the energy storage element and to regulate a release of energy through the energy distribution element in the form of heat, light, electricity, or vibration.

16. The multifunctional building component of claim 15, wherein the color-changing element is thermochromic.

17. The multifunctional building component of claim 15, wherein the color-changing element is electrochromic.

18. The multifunctional building component of claim 15, wherein the energy storage element and the energy distribution element are combined into a single element that stores and releases thermal energy.

19. The multifunctional building component of claim 15, wherein the external control signal is optical, electrical, magnetic, or thermal.

20. The multifunctional building component of claim 15, wherein the structural element is an insulating glass unit.