Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080259433 | MULTI-COLOR ELECTROCHROMIC APPARATUS AND METHODS - The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for multi-color electrochromic devices. In one embodiment, pixels of a first color electrochromic material (i.e. pigment) are arranged in first areas on a substrate with pixels of a second color electrochromic material in second areas to define a two-dimensional pattern of the first and second color on the substrate. When the applied electric field or current supplied to each pixel is changed, the device may produce the respective colors of the electrochromic materials and may produce a blended color because of the arrangement of the pixels. In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, the electrochromic materials may form a design, pattern, logo, or picture when the electrochromic materials are activated. In yet further aspects of the disclosure, a substrate is masked and unmasked as a plurality of colors are applied to the substrate to produce a multi-color electrochromic display. | 10-23-2008 |
20080266643 | Electrode for Reversible Color Change Display Device and Method of Producing the Same, and Reversible Color Change Display Device and Reversible Color Change Lighting Control Device - An electrode member ( | 10-30-2008 |
20080310007 | Laminated electrochromic devices and processes for forming the same - This invention discloses pre-formed electrochromic films that are used in assembly of electrochromic devices. These films are laminated to conductive substrates to form the electrochromic devices. The invention also discloses optical characteristics of the substrates for imparting durability to the electrochromic devices from solar radiation | 12-18-2008 |
20090046346 | TRANSPARENT WINDOW SWITCHABLE REAR VISION MIRROR - A transparent window switchable rear vision mirror adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle for improved road safety, said switchable window/mirror including, a film suitable for use as a light modulating unit of suspended particle device (spd) light valve, said film comprising a matrix polymer material having droplets of a liquid light valve suspension comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a liquid suspending medium distributed within a matrix, said film characterized in that presence or lack thereof of an electric field results in the particles being aligned such that a beam of light may be reflected, transmitted or absorbed depending on the status of the electrical field applied thereto such a film; a switchable mirror device comprising a substrate and a mono layer film capable of undergoing a reversible change in light transmission or reflectance, said substrate including a film comprising a transmission metal composition; and a power supply device to provide an electrical charge to said film for use as a light modulating unit of spd and the substrate and the mono layer film, such that the application of the electric field provides for light absorbing or light reflecting functionality of a darkened characterization, and a mirror like state for the switching device. | 02-19-2009 |
20090052006 | FLEXIBLE PANEL BASED ON ELECTROCHROMIC POLYMERS - A flexible electrochromic (EC) panel that is usable for a display device or for other applications in which at least a region of the panel is selectively caused to change opacity. An exemplary EC panel includes an electrochromic working layer or electrode formed of a PProDOT-Me | 02-26-2009 |
20090080056 | Light Control Material and Light Control Film - The present invention aims to provide a light control material capable of optionally controlling the light transmittance in an arbitrary wavelength range among a wide wavelength range, and a light control film formed by using the light control material. | 03-26-2009 |
20090116098 | Device for adjusting the tint of glass - A device for adjusting the tint of glass includes an electrochromic light-filter film, a light sensor, and a control unit provided on a light-pervious structure, such as a glass. When the light sensor senses the glass is irradiated by light and sends a signal to the control unit, the control unit sends out a control signal to a power supply, provided the sensed light has an intensity exceeded a preset value, so that the power supply applies a voltage to the electrochromic light-filter film for the same to produce changes in the tint thereof and thereby achieve the effect of isolating strong light and shielding sunlight. | 05-07-2009 |
20090168141 | ION CONDUCTOR AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DISPLAY DEVICE UTILIZING THE SAME - An ion conductor has fine particles of an organic polymer including 20 to 80% by mass of ultra-fine particles of an inorganic compound, and an electrolytic solution impregnated into the fine particles of the organic polymer, wherein the fine particles of the organic polymer have a specific surface area measured by the BET method of 30 m | 07-02-2009 |
20090207471 | Automatic Window Tint - My invention will be used to cut down utility costs in homes and buildings, be a burglar deterrent, as becoming opaque is one of the features, and replacing car windshield sun blocks as well as blinds in school, buildings, homes, etc. The photosensitivity is manipulated through voltage input. In NYC in January for example, persons would set film to dark mode to activate the darker tint to absorb the heat of the light, whereas white or mirrored mode would be deactivated; visa Versa during the summer in NYC. This is meant to be green as it will cut down utility costs immensely and by being able to manipulate the voltage manually, you set how sensitive the photosensitive film is from no voltage manipulation to opaque. | 08-20-2009 |
20090303567 | Transmission-controlled window glazing - The invention relates to a window glazing comprising at least two window panes with an intermediate ventilated space arranged therebetween, wherein at least one window pane is provided with a layer which is arranged on the interior side thereof and whose transmission is controllable. More specifically, said invention relates to a multilayer glazing comprising corresponding intermediate spaces in which a sweeping gas circulates, wherein said sweeping gas consists of a mixture of air and other gaseous components in which the sweeping gas content is adjustable. | 12-10-2009 |
20090316250 | Window having wavelength selectivity and photovoltaic capability - A generally transparent solar cell or solar cell array is formed on a tensioned flexible substrate located between parallel rigid transparent members. Layers are formed on the tensioned flexible substrate so as to include both filter layers which are cooperative to provide desired wavelength-filtering properties and power-generating layers which are cooperative to provide photovoltaic properties. In the embodiments in which the power-generating layers form an organic solar cell, one or both of the spaces between the substrate and the rigid transparent members contain a fixed volume of gas, so that deterioration of the layers as a consequence of exposure to moisture is retarded. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323160 | Multi-Pane Dynamic Window and Method For Making Same - A window assembly comprises a plurality of dynamic electrochromic zones formed on a single transparent substrate in which at least two electrochromic zones are independently controllable. In one exemplary embodiment, the window assembly comprises an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), and at least one transparent substrate comprises a lite. In another exemplary embodiment, the IGU comprises at least two lites in which at least one lite comprises a plurality of independently controllable dynamic zones. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323161 | ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - One exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic device comprises a tantalum-nitride ion-blocking layer formed between a transparent conductive layer and an electrochromic layer. Another exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic device comprises a tantalum-nitride ion-blocking layer formed between a transparent conductive layer and a counter electrode. Yet another exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic device comprises a type-2 ion-blocking layer formed on a transparent conductive layer as an ion diffusion barrier overlayer. Still another exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic device comprises a transparent conductive layer formed from tantalum nitride. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323162 | ACTIVE DEVICE HAVING VARIABLE ENERGY/OPTICAL PROPERTIES - The invention relates to an active device having variable energy/light transmission properties ( | 12-31-2009 |
20100002282 | Metal coatings, conductive nanoparticles and applications of the same - This invention discloses corrosion resistant metal compositions that may be used to form nanoparticles or for coating of particles. Further, such particles may be used to fabricate printable transparent conductors that may be used in electronic devices. Electrochromic displays formed using such conductors are described. | 01-07-2010 |
20100020381 | FUNCTIONALIZED GLAZING - Glazing comprising, in succession:
| 01-28-2010 |
20100067090 | Electrical Contact Technique For Electrochromic Windows - A window assembly comprises a first conductive material layer, an electrochromic stack, a second conductive material layer and a seal. The first conductive material layer is formed on a substrate and comprises at least two zones electrically isolated from each other. The electrochromic stack is formed on a first selected zone of the first conductive material layer to overlap an edge of a second selected zone of the first conductive material layer. The second conductive material layer is formed on the electrochromic stack to overlap an edge of the second selected zone. A first bus bar is formed on the second selected zone to be within a sealed volume of the window assembly. A second bus bar is formed on the first selected zone to be outside the seal volume of the window assembly. The seal defines the sealed volume of the window assembly and seals the window assembly. | 03-18-2010 |
20100079846 | CHARGE CONDUCTING MEDIUM - An electrochromic assembly | 04-01-2010 |
20100134866 | OPTICAL ELEMENT HAVING AN APODIZED APERTURE - Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate. | 06-03-2010 |
20100165439 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PATTERNING SUCH DEVICES - Varying the optical absorption of an electrochromic device in situ allows optimal control over the depth and quality of laser patterning lines when patterning electrochromic devices. Accordingly, an electrochromic device comprises a target conductive layer, an absorbing electrochromic layer formed below the target layer, and an electrolyte layer formed below the absorbing electrochromic layer. The absorbing electrochromic layer is placed in a darkened state, and the target layer is laser ablated using a wavelength that is minimally absorbed in the target layer and a fluence level that does not ablate layers of the electrochromic device that are below the absorbing electrochromic layer. The absorbing electrochromic layer is placed in the darkened state by applying a predetermined control voltage to the electrochromic device, forming the electrochromic device by dark-state deposition, or forming an electrochromic device that is in its darkened state in an equilibrium state. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165440 | Electrochromic Device And Method For Making Electrochromic Device - A method for lithiating an electrochromic device comprise forming a first transparent conductive layer on a substrate, forming an electrochromic structure on the first transparent conductive layer, forming a second transparent conductive layer on the electrochromic structure, and lithiating the electrochromic structure through the second transparent conductive layer. In one exemplary embodiment lithiating the electrochromic structure comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure at a temperature range of between about room temperature and about 500 C for the duration of the lithiation process. In another exemplary embodiment, lithiating the electrochromic structure further comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure by using at least one of sputtering, evaporation, laser ablation and exposure to a lithium salt. The electrochromic device can be configured in either a “forward” or a “reverse” stack configuration. | 07-01-2010 |
20100182674 | SYSTEM INCLUDING ENCLOSURE HAVING SMART GLASS PANEL AND RELATED METHOD - System including enclosure having smart glass panels and related method. | 07-22-2010 |
20100188727 | PIEZOCHROME COMPOSITE - The invention relates to a piezochrome composite comprising a matrix of a piezoelectric material with particles of a spin transition compound. The invention also relates to a device that beside said composite also comprises a voltage supply connected to electrodes provided on said matrix. In one embodiment is this device provided with a temperature stabilising device. | 07-29-2010 |
20100208326 | Laminated Electrically Tintable Windows - A method of manufacturing electrically tintable window glass with a variety of sizes and functionalities is described. The method comprises: (a) providing a large format glass substrate; (b) fabricating a plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices on the large format glass substrate; (c) cutting the large format glass substrate into a plurality of electrically tintable pieces, each electrically tintable piece including one of the plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices; (d) providing a plurality of window glass pieces; (e) matching each one of the plurality of electrically tintable pieces with a corresponding one of the plurality of window glass pieces; and (f) laminating each of the matched electrically tintable pieces and window glass pieces. The lamination may result in the electrically tintable device either being sandwiched between the glass substrate and the window glass piece or on the surface of the laminated pieces. The electrically tintable device is an electrochromic device. | 08-19-2010 |
20100238535 | ELECTROCHROMIC THIN-FILM MATERIAL - One exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic thin-film material comprises a metal-chalcogen compound; and/or a mixture or solid solution of one or more metal-rich metal-chalcogen compounds and/or lithium. One or more of the metals comprise Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Sb, or Bi, or combinations thereof; and one or more of the chalcogens comprise O, S, Se, or Te, or combinations thereof. | 09-23-2010 |
20100245972 | VARIABLE ATTENUATED TRANSMITTANCE DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - Some embodiments include an automotive variable attenuated transmittance device having a predetermined minimum transmittance. Such devices can include a suspended particle device, liquid crystal device, polymer dispersed liquid crystal device, or electrochromic device. Some embodiments also include a manual and/or automatic control system for varying transmittance according to any of a variety of data including, without limitation, position, orientation, transmitted power, and/or the position of an occupant's head. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245973 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - Prior electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Some of the difficulties result from inappropriate design and construction of the devices. In order to improve device reliability two layers of an electrochromic device, the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic layer, can each be fabricated to include defined amounts of lithium. Further, the electrochromic device may be subjected to a multistep thermochemical conditioning operation to improve performance. Additionally, careful choice of the materials and morphology of some components of the electrochromic device provides improvements in performance and reliability. In some devices, all layers of the device are entirely solid and inorganic. | 09-30-2010 |
20100259811 | Photovoltachromic device and the application thereof - A photovoltachromic device includes a photoelectrode, a counter electrode electrically connected to the photoelectrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode. The photoelectrode includes a first transparent electrode, an electron-transport layer disposed on the first transparent electrode, and a sensitizing layer disposed on the electron-transport layer. The counter electrode includes a second transparent electrode and an electrochromic layer disposed on the second transparent electrode. The second transparent electrode contacts both of the electrolyte layer and the electrochromic layer thereby accelerating the response times for coloring and bleaching the photovoltachromic device. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265562 | DUAL ACTIVE FILM ELECTROCHROMIC DISPLAY DEVICE - A dual active electrochromic device is a combination of at least two working electrodes that contain electrochromic materials and at least one counter electrode where the potentials between each working electrode and a counter electrode are independently supplied. No more than one electrode is reflective. The color of the device results from the additive color of the electrochromic materials and varies according to the potentials applied independently. The electrochromic materials can be electrochromic polymers that are deposited as film on substrates to form the working electrodes. The electrochromic device can be used for display or window applications. | 10-21-2010 |
20100328752 | CONTROL OF AN AUTOMATIC DARKENING FILTER - A protective automatic darkening filter (ADF) and an associated tool, such as a welding torch, are controlled by a corresponding communication unit. The invention helps to ensure that the tool is not activated before the ADF has reached its dark state. A communication channel between the communication unit and the ADF may be established using a wired or wireless medium. | 12-30-2010 |
20110043887 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE COMPRISING A MESH - An electrochromic device, with controlled transparency, for example of electrically controllable type, including between a transparent carrier substrate and a counter-substrate, at least one stack of functional layers, the outermost layers of which include electroconductive layers, the conductivity of at least one electroconductive layer not in contact with the carrier substrate being reinforced by a network of conductive elements in contact with this layer. The network includes a mesh, for which the area of the intermesh free space is substantially between 0.04 mm | 02-24-2011 |
20110051220 | TRANSPARENT STRUCTURES - Transparent structures, electrochromic devices, and methods for making such structures/devices are provided. A transparent structure may include a transparent substrate having a plurality of micro- or nano-scale structures, at least one substance configured to block near-infrared or infrared radiation and partially cover at least substantial portions of the substrate and the plurality of micro- or nano-scale structures, and at least one photocatalyst configured to at least partially cover an outermost surface of the transparent structure. | 03-03-2011 |
20110051221 | Electrochromic devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same - Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories. | 03-03-2011 |
20110122476 | ELECTROCHROMIC OPTICAL LENS - The invention relates to an electrochromic optical lens and a method for the preparation thereof. The lens includes an electrode and a counter-electrode bearing an electrochromic material separated by a solid polymer electrolyte. The method consists of preparing the electrode and the counter-electrode and the assembly thereof by the surfaces thereof bearing the electrochromic material by interleaving an electrolyte membrane between said surfaces. The electrolyte membrane is interleaved in the form of a composition free of volatile liquid solvent, including a precursor of the polymer and a salt, which is liquid or which has a dynamic viscosity [mu] between 100 and 106 Pa.s. | 05-26-2011 |
20110164303 | Polymer Shutter Compositions and Devices for Infrared Systems - The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to compositions and devices operable for infra-red transmission and blocking comprising a layered structure having a first electrically conducting layer, a conjugated electrochromic polymer layer, an electrolyte layer and a second electrically conducting layer, wherein the first and second electrically conducting layers have an infrared transparency and the conjugated electrochromic polymers may be operable to be electrically switched between a transparent state that transmits infrared light to an opaque state that does not transmit infrared light. In some embodiments, a device of the disclosure may also have one or more outer substrates sandwiching the other layers. Some embodiments relate to single-layered devices. Some embodiments relate to combined layers. Compositions and devices of the disclosure may be integrated into a wide variety of infrared systems for transmission, shuttering and calibration applications. | 07-07-2011 |
20110164304 | Weather-responsive shade control system - An automatic daylighting method adjusts a window covering to block direct sunlight from entering the room through a window when the exterior sky condition is a sunny sky state and, subject to blocking direct sunlight, provides a desired daylighting interior light illuminance level and, if possible, a desired interior solar heat gain through the window. To prevent window covering oscillation, a delay may be used when the sky condition changes from a sunny to overcast state. The covering control may be based on various factors including interior light illuminance entering the window, a room heating or to cooling mode, whether the room is occupied by people, whether occupants have manually operated an adjustable window covering, and the exterior sky condition. The method may also detect an interior temperature level, e.g., to determine a heating or cooling mode of the room. | 07-07-2011 |
20110211247 | FABRICATION OF LOW DEFECTIVITY ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - Prior electrochromic devices frequently suffer from high levels of defectivity. The defects may be manifest as pin holes or spots where the electrochromic transition is impaired. This is unacceptable for many applications such as electrochromic architectural glass. Improved electrochromic devices with low defectivity can be fabricated by depositing certain layered components of the electrochromic device in a single integrated deposition system. While these layers are being deposited and/or treated on a substrate, for example a glass window, the substrate never leaves a controlled ambient environment, for example a low pressure controlled atmosphere having very low levels of particles. These layers may be deposited using physical vapor deposition. | 09-01-2011 |
20110235151 | ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIAL AND ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An electrochromic material including a metal-organic framework including a metal, and an organic compound including a functional group, wherein the organic compound forms a coordination complex with the metal. | 09-29-2011 |
20110235152 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING THE SAME - The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window with -means for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state, -means for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal. | 09-29-2011 |
20110255142 | VARIABLE TRANSMISSION WINDOW SYSTEM - An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed. | 10-20-2011 |
20110267675 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices. | 11-03-2011 |
20110299149 | TRANSPARENT ELECTROCHROMIC PLATE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF - An electrochromic transparent plate which can enhance a response speed and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The electrochromic transparent plate includes a pair of transparent plates spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other; a pair of transparent electrodes provided in the pair of the transparent plates, respectively; a cathodic coloration layer provided on one of the pair of the transparent electrodes, to represent a color in a cathodic state; an anodic coloration layer provided on the other one of the pair of the transparent electrodes, in opposite to the cathodic coloration layer, to represent a color in an anodic state; and an electrolyte layer provided between the cathodic coloration layer and the anodic coloration layer, to move an electron between the cathodic coloration layer and the anodic coloration layer there through as intermediate. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304899 | LAMINATED ELECTRICALLY TINTABLE WINDOWS - A method of manufacturing electrically tintable window glass with a variety of sizes and functionalities is described. The method comprises: (a) providing a large format glass substrate; (b) fabricating a plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices on the large format glass substrate; (c) cutting the large format glass substrate into a plurality of electrically tintable pieces, each electrically tintable piece including one of the plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices; (d) providing a plurality of window glass pieces; (e) matching each one of the plurality of electrically tintable pieces with a corresponding one of the plurality of window glass pieces; and (f) laminating each of the matched electrically tintable pieces and window glass pieces. The lamination may result in the electrically tintable device either being sandwiched between the glass substrate and the window glass piece or on the surface of the laminated pieces. The electrically tintable device is an electrochromic device. | 12-15-2011 |
20110317243 | ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLABLE DEVICE HAVING UNIFORM COLORING/BLEACHING OVER THE ENTIRE SURFACE - A device including a multilayer stack of: a first substrate having a glass function; a first electronically conductive layer with an associated current lead; an electroactive system; a second electronically conductive layer with an associated current lead; and a second substrate having a glass function. Each of the electronically conductive layers has a resistance per unit area enabling it to have an equipotential surface in coloring mode and bleaching mode, and each having a variable resistance that gradually decreases from the periphery toward the interior of the electrically controllable device by choosing the resistance at the center of the glazing, in the zone or zones furthest away from the current leads, so that the ohmic drop over the central surface of the substrates of the glazing, in the zone or zones furthest away from the current leads, is at most equal to 5% of the voltage applied across the terminals of the device. | 12-29-2011 |
20120019891 | Window Having A Selective Light Modulation System - An electrochromic vehicular window system having a multiplicity of individually electrically switchable electrochromic elements, a vehicle operator face (eye) sensor to determine the position of the face of the operator in the vehicle, a sensor of the source external light entering the vehicle and impinging on the operators eyes and a system processor utilizing data from the sensors to determine and control which portions of the electrochromergic window to activate (or deactivate) so as to automatically reduce or eliminate glare on the eyes of the operator while still allowing essentially normal light transmission through other sections of the window. The system can also include a control switch for manual operation and or limiting the degree of light attenuation. | 01-26-2012 |
20120026573 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS - Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033287 | MULTI-PANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user. | 02-09-2012 |
20120113496 | ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME - An electrochromic element includes a pair of transparent electrodes, and an electrolyte layer and an electrochromic layer disposed between the pair of transparent electrodes. Transmittance of light is changed by a voltage applied to the pair of transparent electrodes. The electrochromic layer includes a first electrochromic layer and a second electrochromic layer stacked upon each other. Both of the first and second electrochromic layers are made of titanium oxide. The first electrochromic layer is in contact with one of the pair of transparent electrodes. The second electrochromic layer is in contact with an electrolyte-layer side of the first electrochromic layer. A refractive index n0 of the transparent electrode in contact with the first electrochromic layer, a refractive index n1 of the first electrochromic layer, and a refractive index n2 of the second electrochromic layer satisfy the relationship n005-10-2012 | |
20120120477 | TRANSPARENT ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEM - A transparent electrochromic system includes a cellular structure, two power supply electrodes together supported on a single wall, and at least one additional electrode. The additional electrode can be used as a reference electrode or as a polarization electrode. The additional electrode can also form a condenser with a fourth electrode that is added to the system, in order to control a migration of certain electroactive substances responsible for coloring and decoloring the system. The operation of the system can thus be improved. | 05-17-2012 |
20120147449 | SPACERS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS - This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer. | 06-14-2012 |
20120176660 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE AND STORAGE DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An electrochromic device is provided. The electrochromic device includes a first substrate, an electrochromic layer, an electrode, an electrolyte layer and a second substrate. The electrochromic layer is formed on the first substrate, the electrode is disposed on the electrochromic layer, and the electrolyte layer is disposed between the electrode and the second substrate. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176661 | TRANSPARENT ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEM WITH A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF SUPPLY ELECTRODES - The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120182593 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS - Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened. | 07-19-2012 |
20120188627 | SMART WINDOW AND SMART WINDOW SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A smart window includes a windowpane, at least one sensor and a wireless signal transceiver. The sensor is disposed on the windowpane and configured for detecting an environmental factor and accordingly outputting a sensing signal. The wireless signal transceiver is disposed on the windowpane and electrically connected to the sensor. The wireless signal transceiver is configured for further transmitting the sensing signal from the sensor. A smart window system includes the aforementioned smart window. The smart window and the smart window system adopt wireless communication manner to transmit the sensing signals, and thereby the smart window system has an overall modulation to an environmental factor. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194895 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - The present invention is directed to electrochromic systems comprising an electrochromic glazing or insulated glazing unit, a photovoltaic module for supplying power to the electrochromic glazing or IGU, and an electronics module in communication either the electrochromic glazing and/or photovoltaic module. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200908 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH SPATIALLY COORDINATED SWITCHING - A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate and a first electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the first electrically conductive layer having a sheet resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first electrically conductive layer that varies as a function of position. | 08-09-2012 |
20120212794 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - The invention relates to an electrochromic device including a first non-tempered glass substrate (S | 08-23-2012 |
20120218621 | MATERIALS AND DEVICE STACK FOR MARKET VIABLE ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - The present invention generally relates to electrochromic (EC) devices, such as used in electrochromic windows (ECWs), and their manufacture. The EC devices may comprise a transparent substrate; a first transparent conductive layer; a doped coloration layer, wherein the coloration layer dopants provide structural stability to the arrangement of atoms in the coloration layer; an electrolyte layer; a doped anode layer over said electrolyte layer, wherein the anode layer dopant provides increased electrically conductivity in the doped anode layer; and a second transparent conductive layer. A method of fabricating an electrochromic device may comprise depositing on a substrate, in sequence, a first transparent conductive layer, a doped coloration layer, an electrolyte layer, a doped anode layer, and a second transparent conductive layer, wherein at least one of the doped coloration layer, the electrolyte layer and the doped anode layer is sputter deposited using a combinatorial plasma deposition process. | 08-30-2012 |
20120224249 | ION-CONDUCTIVE THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION, ELECTROCHROMIC COMPOSITE SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ION-CONDUCTIVE FOIL - An ion-conductive thermoplastic compositions contains a partially acetalated polyvinyl alcohol, at least one support electrolyte and at least one plasticizer. The partially acetalated polyvinyl alcohol contains two different acetal units. Electrochromic laminated glass systems produced using the ion-conductive compositions and a method for producing the systems are also provided. | 09-06-2012 |
20120243068 | ELECTROCHROMIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is an electrochromic apparatus. In particular, the apparatus is a multi-layer structure mainly having transparent glass substrates. An aerogel with multiple holes is packaged within the structure. The conducting materials are coated on the substrates. An electrochromic material is then packaged within the layers of conducting materials. By applying voltage onto the conducting materials, the property of electrochromic material may be changed, such as changing its transparency or color. Further, photocatalyst material may be coated upon the outside surfaces of the substrates. A solar energy power layer may be disposed on the substrate for supplying power to the apparatus or to others. In accordance with one further embodiment, an electrochromic composite material may be employed into the apparatus, especially packaged within the substrates. The composite material is made of the aerogel and the electrochromic material. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243069 | SECURABLE COVER FOR VEHICLE LIGHTS AND METHOD - A cover for use in connection with one or more vehicle lights is provided. A lens of the cover contains an electrically activatable material that prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. A device holds the lens with the device configured to be releasably or removably secured over one or more vehicle lights. The electrically activatable material of the lens is configured to get to the light inhibiting state such that the lens prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights to reduce the observability of the one or more vehicle lights. | 09-27-2012 |
20120268803 | ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS COMPRISING UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS - In one embodiment of the present invention, an EC device or IGU comprises an identification circuit which stores information regarding at least some of the properties of the EC device or its control requirements. | 10-25-2012 |
20120293855 | ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. | 11-22-2012 |
20120300280 | BRIDGED BUS BAR FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - In one aspect of the present invention is an electrochromic device comprising at least one bus bar, wherein the at least one bus bar is in communication with a conductive seal. In some embodiments of the present invention, the conductive seal is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, resin, or polymer impregnated with a suitable conductive metal or an intrinsically conductive polymer. | 11-29-2012 |
20120307340 | TRANSPARENT ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEMS WITH A PLURALITY OF POLARISATION ELECTRODES - The invention relates to transparent electrochromic systems which each include one pair of supply electrodes and at least one pair of polarisation electrodes. The polarisation electrodes prevent a reaction of mutual neutralisation of the electroactive substances of the systems from causing unnecessary consumption of electric current. Said electrodes also prevent a neutralisation reaction from limiting a lower value of light transmission of the systems. For this purpose, the polarisation electrodes produce an electric field inside the systems, which attracts the electroactive substances that have already reacted with the supply electrodes to different areas. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307341 | Smart Window Using Organic-Metallic Hybrid Polymer, Method of Producing Smart Window, and Smart Window System - There is provided a smart window having a configuration in which an organic-metallic hybrid polymer and an electrolyte are sandwiched between two sheets of ITO glass;
| 12-06-2012 |
20120327499 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS - Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. Insulated glass units (IGU's) are protected, e.g. during handling and shipping, by a protective bumper. The bumper can be custom made using IGU dimension data received from the IGU fabrication tool. The bumper may be made of environmentally friendly materials. Laser isolation configurations and related methods of patterning and/or configuring an electrochromic device on a substrate are described. Edge deletion is used to ensure a good seal between spacer and glass in an IGU and thus better protection of an electrochromic device sealed in the IGU. Configurations for protecting the electrochromic device edge in the primary seal and maximizing viewable area in an electrochromic pane of an IGU are also described. | 12-27-2012 |
20130003157 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices. | 01-03-2013 |
20130016417 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, AND/OR METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories. | 01-17-2013 |
20130021659 | MULTI-PANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user. | 01-24-2013 |
20130063802 | VARIABLE TRANSMISSION WINDOW - A variable transmission window includes a first substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface and a second substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface. The second substrate is positioned relative to the first substrate with the first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other. An electrochromic medium is disposed between the first and second substrates whereby the transmission of light through the electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto. The electrochromic medium includes a cross-linked film. The window may be one of (i) an aeronautical glazing and (ii) a vehicle glazing, and/or the window may be a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches. | 03-14-2013 |
20130094073 | VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE ELEMENT, OPTICAL SYSTEM, AND OPTICAL APPARATUS UTILIZING ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIAL - A variable transmittance element includes two substrates, two transparent electrode layers held between the two substrates, an electrochromic layer held between the two transparent electrode layers and having transmittance that is reversibly changed by electric control, and a first dielectric layer provided between one of the two substrates and one of the two transparent electrode layers closest to the one of the two substrates and configured to reduce reflections. The first dielectric layer is a multilayer film made by alternately laminating two or more layers each having a high refractive index and two or more layers each having a low refractive index, a refractive index difference for a wavelength of 550 nm between the layer having the high refractive index and the layer having the low refractive index being 0.2 or more. | 04-18-2013 |
20130107345 | FABRICATION OF LOW DEFECTIVITY ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES | 05-02-2013 |
20130120823 | LENS MODULE WITH INFRARED ABSORBING FILTER - A lens module includes an infrared absorbing filter. The infrared absorbing filter includes an electrochromic substrate. The electrochromic substrate changes from colorlessness to blue when a preset voltage is applied on the electrochromic substrate. The electrochromic substrate is configured for absorbing the infrared constituent of incoming light rays when the color is changed to blue. | 05-16-2013 |
20130141771 | LENS MODULE WITH INFRARED ABSORBING FILTER - A lens module includes an optical element and an infrared absorbing filter covering on the optical element. The infrared absorbing filter includes an electrochromic substrate. The electrochromic substrate changes from colorlessness to blue and absorbs the infrared constituent of incoming light when a preset voltage is applied on the electrochromic substrate. | 06-06-2013 |
20130182308 | VARIABLE TRANSMISSION ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW AND ASSOCIATED AIRCRAFT WINDOW SYSTEM - A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an E | 07-18-2013 |
20130201546 | AUTONOMOUS ELECTROCHROMIC ASSEMBLY - This disclosure describes system and methods for creating an autonomous electrochromic assembly, and systems and methods for use of the autonomous electrochromic assembly in combination with a window. Embodiments described herein include an electrochromic assembly that has an electrochromic device, an energy storage device, an energy collection device, and an electrochromic controller device. These devices may be combined into a unitary electrochromic insert assembly. The electrochromic assembly may have the capability of generating power sufficient to operate and control an electrochromic device. This control may occur through the application of a voltage to an electrochromic device to change its opacity state. The electrochromic assembly may be used in combination with a window. | 08-08-2013 |
20130215489 | OPTICAL ELEMENT HAVING AN ELECTROCHROMIC APODIZED APERTURE AND AN APERTURE BODY FORMING AN ELECTROCHROMIC APODIZED APERTURE - An optical element includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current. The apodized aperture includes an aperture body including an area defining the clear aperture area, the body having a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area. | 08-22-2013 |
20130242370 | NANO SMART GLASS SYSTEM - The present invention provides a nano smart glass system, including nano smart glass, DC power supply, sensor, and control unit. Wherein, the nano smart glass includes glass and the electrochromic thin-film device; The anode of the DC power supply connects to the at least one conductive anode layer of the electrochromic thin-film device; the cathode of the DC power supply connects to the at least one conductive cathode layer of the electrochromic thin-film device; the DC power supply is used to provide 1V-50V DC voltage to the electrochromic thin-film device; the electrochromic thin-film device adheres to the inside surface of the glass through the at least one conductive cathode layer or the at least one conductive anode layer; The sensor measures outdoor or indoor conditions and send the real-time measurement data to the control unit. The control unit connects to the DC power supply, and it can control the output voltage of the DC power supply to the electrochromic thin-film device. The present invention can real-time and intelligently adjust the color of the glass, which can help saving energy and reducing green house gas emission. | 09-19-2013 |
20130258440 | CONTROLLER CONFIGURED FOR AN ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - A controller system configured to control an electrochromic device and method thereof are provided, wherein the controller system includes an electrochromic device having a first substantially transparent substrate, a second substantially transparent substrate approximately parallel to the first substantially transparent substrate such that a chamber is defined by the first and second substantially transparent substrates, and an electrochromic medium between the first and second substantially transparent substrates, and a controller in communication with the electrochromic device, wherein the controller is configured to monitor electrical power supplied to the electrochromic device and adjust the electrical power supplied to the electrochromic device to maintain the electrochromic device in an approximately minimum transmission state. | 10-03-2013 |
20130271812 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271813 | CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS - This disclosure provides a window controller that includes a command-voltage generator that generates a command voltage signal, and a pulse-width-modulated-signal generator that generates a pulse-width-modulated signal based on the command voltage signal. The pulse-width-modulated signal drives an optically-switchable device. The pulse-width-modulated signal comprises a first power component having a first duty cycle and a second power component having a second duty cycle. The first component delivers a first pulse during each active portion of the first duty cycle, and the second component delivers a second pulse during each active portion of the second duty cycle. The first pulses are applied to a first conductive layer and the second pulses are applied to a second conductive layer. The relative durations of the active portions and the relative durations of the first and second pulses are adjusted to result in a change in an effective DC voltage applied across the optically-switchable device. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271814 | CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS - This disclosure provides a window controller that includes a command-voltage generator configured to generate a command voltage signal. The window controller also includes a power-signal generator configured to generate a power signal based on the command voltage signal. The power signal is configured to drive an optically-switchable device on a substantially transparent substrate. In some embodiments, the power-signal generator is configured to generate a power signal having a power profile that includes one or more power profile portions, each power profile portion having one or more voltage or current characteristics. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271815 | DRIVING THIN FILM SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES - Controllers and control methods apply a drive voltage to bus bars of a thin film optically switchable device. The applied drive voltage is provided at a level that drives a transition over the entire surface of the optically switchable device but does not damage or degrade the device. This applied voltage produces an effective voltage at all locations on the face of the device that is within a bracketed range. The upper bound of this range is associated with a voltage safely below the level at which the device may experience damage or degradation impacting its performance in the short term or the long term. At the lower boundary of this range is an effective voltage at which the transition between optical states of the device occurs relatively rapidly. The level of voltage applied between the bus bars is significantly greater than the maximum value of the effective voltage within the bracketed range. | 10-17-2013 |
20130278988 | ANGLED BUS BAR - This disclosure provides configurations, methods of use, and methods of fabrication for a bus bar of an optically switchable device. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate and an optically switchable device disposed on a surface of the substrate. The optically switchable device has a perimeter with at least one corner including a first side, a second side, and a first vertex joining the first side and the second side. A first bus bar and a second bus bar are affixed to the optically switchable device and configured to deliver current and/or voltage for driving switching of the device. The first bus bar is proximate to the corner and includes a first arm and a second arm having a configuration that substantially follows the shape of the first side, the first vertex, and the second side of the corner. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278989 | VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE OPTICAL DEVICES - A self-powered variable transmittance optical device, such as a smart window or other device, and associated method are provided. The device comprises one or more transparent substrates, with a switching material disposed thereon or therebetween. The switching material may be a hybrid photochromic/electrochromic material capable of transitioning from a first transmittance state to a second transmittance state with application of electricity, and from second state to first state due to another stimulus, such as UV radiation. Electrodes are coupled to the switching material for applying electricity. An electrical system provides for controllable application of the electricity, and may store energy. Energy is provided by an energy-harvesting power source such as a solar cell or other photovoltaic source, or array thereof, or another device for harvesting vibrational or thermal energy. Energy harvesting, energy storage capacity and/or switching material may be configured to provide at least a predetermined level of device operability. | 10-24-2013 |
20130301104 | MULTI-PANE DYNAMIC WINDOW AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A window assembly comprises a plurality of dynamic electrochromic zones formed on a single transparent substrate in which at least two electrochromic zones are independently controllable. In one exemplary embodiment, the window assembly comprises an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), and at least one transparent substrate comprises a lite. In another exemplary embodiment, the IGU comprises at least two lites in which at least one lite comprises a plurality of independently controllable dynamic zones. | 11-14-2013 |
20130329273 | ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE HAVING ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLABLE OPTICAL AND/OR ENEGY TRANSMISSION PROPERTIES - The invention relates to an electrochemical device ( | 12-12-2013 |
20140043669 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH COMPOSITE CURRENT MODULATING STRUCTURE - A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate, a first electrically conductive layer and a first current modulating structure on a surface thereof, the first current modulating structure comprising a composite of a resistive material and a patterned insulating material, the first current modulating structure having a cross-layer resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first current modulating structure that varies as a function of position. | 02-13-2014 |
20140085701 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE WITH ANTI-IRIDESCENT COATING - The invention relates to a device ( | 03-27-2014 |
20140092462 | Electrochromic Device with Improved Transparent Conductor and Method for Forming the Same - Embodiments provided herein describe electrochromic devices and methods for forming electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices include a transparent substrate, a transparent conducting oxide layer coupled to the transparent substrate, and a layer of electrochromic material coupled to the transparent conducting oxide layer. The transparent conducting oxide layer includes indium and zinc. | 04-03-2014 |
20140104667 | PARTIALLY TINTED CLEAR STATE FOR IMPROVED COLOR AND SOLAR-HEAT GAIN CONTROL OF ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - A control device for controlling the transmittance of an electrochromic device includes a power source, an electrical load sensing circuit, and a processor electrically coupled to the electrical load sensing circuit and a power source. The processor is configured to receive a measured electrical load value from the electrical load sensing circuit indicating an electrical property of the electrochromic device, further configured to control one or more properties of the electrochromic device by controlling the amount of current or voltage supplied from the power source to the electrochromic device, and yet further configured to vary a property of the electrochromic device while maintaining the electrochromic device at a substantially consistent transmissivity. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111846 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, AND/OR METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories. | 04-24-2014 |
20140133007 | Electrochromic Device - An electrochromic device ( | 05-15-2014 |
20140133008 | Self-Powered Dimmable Windows with Integrated Controls - An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver. | 05-15-2014 |
20140139902 | ELECTRO-OPTIC SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO REDUCE A PERCEIVED COLOR CHANGE - An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (h | 05-22-2014 |
20140160550 | MULTIPURPOSE CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc. | 06-12-2014 |
20140168746 | ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME, AND OPTICAL FILTER - Provided is an electrochromic element having: a pair of electrodes; an electrochromic layer which is provided between the pair of electrodes and has an electrolyte and an electrochromic material; and a spacer which surrounds a periphery of the electrochromic layer, the element having a change mechanism that changes a thickness of the electrochromic layer. | 06-19-2014 |
20140177027 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177028 | MULTI-ZONE EC WINDOWS - Thin-film devices, for example, multi-zone electrochromic windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. In certain cases, a multi-zone electrochromic window comprises a monolithic EC device on a transparent substrate and two or more tinting zones, wherein the tinting zones are configured for independent operation. | 06-26-2014 |
20140192393 | SPACERS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS - This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer. | 07-10-2014 |
20140198371 | INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC AND ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - A variety of methods for integrating an organic photovoltaic-based SolarWindow™ module and electrochromic materials to create dynamic, variable transmittance, energy-saving windows and/or window films are described. Stand-alone or building integrated, independent or user-controllable, battery supported or building integrated, and insulated glass unit or aftermarket film implementations are all described, providing for a diversity of applications. Low-cost fabrication options also allow for economical production. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204444 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 4 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer devices comprising a layer of an electrochromic lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the lithium nickel oxide composition comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 4 metal selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium and a combination thereof. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204445 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 5 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer devices comprising a layer of an electrochromic lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the lithium nickel oxide composition comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 5 metal selected from niobium, tantalum and a combination thereof. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204446 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 4 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer electrochromic structures comprising an anodic electrochromic layer comprising a lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the anodic electrochromic layer comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 4 metal selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium and a combination thereof, wherein (i) the atomic ratio of lithium to the combined amount of nickel and such Group 4 metal(s) in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least 0.4:1, respectively, (ii) the atomic ratio of the amount of such Group 4 metal(s) to the combined amount of nickel and such Group 4 metal(s) in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least about 0.025:1, respectively, and (iii) the anodic electrochromic layer exhibits an interplanar distance (d-spacing) of at least 2.5 Å as measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), comprises at least 0.05 wt. % carbon, and/or has a coloration efficiency absolute value of at least 19 cm | 07-24-2014 |
20140204447 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 5 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer electrochromic structures comprising an anodic electrochromic layer comprising a lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the anodic electrochromic layer comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 5 metal selected from niobium, tantalum and a combination thereof, wherein (i) the atomic ratio of lithium to the combined amount of nickel, niobium and tantalum in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least 0.4:1, respectively, (ii) the atomic ratio of the combined amount of niobium and tantalum to the combined amount of nickel, niobium and tantalum in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least about 0.025:1, respectively, and (iii) the anodic electrochromic layer exhibits an interplanar distance (d-spacing) of at least 2.5 Å as measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), comprises at least 0.05 wt. % carbon, and/or has a coloration efficiency absolute value of at least 19 cm | 07-24-2014 |
20140204448 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH SPATIALLY COORDINATED SWITCHING - A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate and a first electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the first electrically conductive layer having a sheet resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first electrically conductive layer that varies as a function of position. | 07-24-2014 |
20140247475 | SPACERS AND CONNECTORS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS - This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device. | 09-04-2014 |
20140268285 | TRANSMITTANCE CONTROL METHOD OF ELECTROCHROMIC COMPONENT - A transmittance control method of electrochromic element, mainly comprising the following step: firstly, a total current flux input required is obtained by adding current value of each second together by the relationship between different current value and different rate of change of the electrochromic element obtained in terms of the same transmittance and different input voltages, then the total current flux for fixed transmittance is input into the electrochromic element in usage so as to achieve a transmittance of fixed value. In this manner, the electrochromic element can quickly achieve a transmittance of fixed value in precise manner, without repeated adjustment. Further, there is not such case happened as to influence the accuracy of its transmittance even after aging time lapse. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268286 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 6 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer electrochromic structures comprising an anodic electrochromic layer comprising a lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the anodic electrochromic layer comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 6 metal selected from molybdenum, tungsten and a combination thereof, wherein (i) the atomic ratio of lithium to the combined amount of nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least 0.4:1, respectively, (ii) the atomic ratio of the combined amount of molybdenum and tungsten to the combined amount of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten in the anodic electrochromic layer is at least about 0.025:1, respectively, and (iii) the anodic electrochromic layer exhibits an interplanar distance (d-spacing) of at least 2.5 Å as measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), comprises at least 0.05 wt. % carbon, and/or has a coloration efficiency absolute value of at least 19 cm2/C. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268287 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268288 | ELECTRO-OPTIC WINDOW ASSEMBLY - An electro-optic window assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge; and a second substantially transparent substrate comprising: a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substrates define a cavity. The assembly further includes an electro-optic medium at least partially filling the cavity and configured to reduce the transmission of light viewed through the electro-optic window assembly. Further, the electro-optic window assembly is configured such that the substrates each have a theoretical maximum thermal stress of less than approximately 25 MPa upon exposure of the window assembly to an application environment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268289 | VARIABLE TRANSMISSION ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW AND ASSOCIATED AIRCRAFT WINDOW SYSTEM - A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an E | 09-18-2014 |
20140300945 | MITIGATING THERMAL SHOCK IN TINTABLE WINDOWS - Tintable optical components such as windows are provided with a controller designed or configured to control the tinting in a manner that resists exposure to damaging thermal shock. The controller determines that a trigger condition for thermal shock is occurring or is about to occur and takes steps to avoid damaging thermal shock. In some cases, these steps include increasing the transmissivity of the optical component or holding the component in a highly transmissive state. In some cases, the steps involve heating the component. | 10-09-2014 |
20140320946 | Dynamically Managing Vehicle Glass Dimming - A method, system or computer usable program product for dynamically changing transparency of portions of a vehicle transparent material including determining a location of a bright light with respect to a vehicle; determining a driver location within the vehicle; selectively changing a transparency of a selected portion of the vehicle transparent material to obscure the bright light from the driver's eyes, while allowing a majority of the vehicle transparent material to remain normally transparent; and repeating the above steps continually to adjust a location of the selected portion of the vehicle transparent material as the vehicle changes orientation with respect to the bright light. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320947 | MULTI-PANE DYNAMIC WINDOW AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - A window assembly comprises a plurality of dynamic electrochromic zones formed on a single transparent substrate in which at least two electrochromic zones are independently controllable. In one exemplary embodiment, the window assembly comprises an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), and at least one transparent substrate comprises a lite. In another exemplary embodiment, the IGU comprises at least two lites in which at least one lite comprises a plurality of independently controllable dynamic zones. | 10-30-2014 |
20140340730 | LASER CUTTING STRENGTHENED GLASS - Methods for cutting strengthened glass are disclosed. The methods can include using a laser. The strengthened glass can include chemically strengthened, heat strengthened, and heat tempered glass. Strengthened glass with edges showing indicia of a laser cutting process are also disclosed. The strengthened glass can include an electrochromic film. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340731 | THIN-FILM DEVICES AND FABRICATION - Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations. | 11-20-2014 |
20140355097 | CONNECTORS FOR SMART WINDOWS - This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. | 12-04-2014 |
20140355098 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS - Automated shade systems may comprise controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system and components thereof, for example window coverings, glass having variable characteristics, and so forth. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, information regarding one or more variable characteristics of glass, clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. | 12-04-2014 |
20140362430 | DRIVER FOR ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT, METHOD FOR DRIVING ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT, OPTICAL FILTER, IMAGING DEVICE, LENS UNIT, AND WINDOW COMPONENT - A driver for an electrochromic element is configured to adjust the transmittance of a solution-type electrochromic element to allow the element to display a tone. The element has a pair of electrodes and at least one organic electrochromic material mixed between the electrodes. The driver has an adjusting controller configured to adjust the transmittance of the element. The adjusting controller has controller A and controller B. Controller A is configured to saturate a change in the transmittance of the element to an initial state by applying the voltage which resets the element to the initial state. Controller B is configured to control the tone of the element by applying the voltage which adjusts the transmittance of the element following controller A. | 12-11-2014 |
20140368899 | CONTROL SYSTEM TRUNK LINE ARCHITECTURE - The present disclosure relates generally to a wiring system for controlling one or more smart windows located within a building, and methods for installing such systems and/or replacing higher wattage systems with such systems. | 12-18-2014 |
20140376076 | VEHICLE LAMP WITH ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT - A vehicle lamp includes a reflector, a light source mounted in the reflector, a cover fixed to the reflector and an electrochromic element embedded into the cover. The light source emits light towards the reflector. The electrochromic element is located at a lower portion of the cover. The electrochromic element turns black when receiving an electricity, and turns transparent when receiving no electricity. | 12-25-2014 |
20150029573 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES HAVING IMPROVED STRUCTURE FOR REDUCING CURRENT LEAKAGE ACROSS LOWER TRANSPARENT CONDUCTOR LAYERS - One object of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic device having improved insulating film structure to reduce electrical leakage. The improved structure includes a lower conductive layer, upper transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and at least one ion-conductor layer sandwiched between the electrochromic electrode layer and the counter electrode layer. The lower transport conductive layer is scribed and the gap formed from the scribing is filled with the layer(s) formed above the lower conductive layer, such as the electrode layer formed directly above the lower conductive layer. The effective linewidth of the scribe is greater than the migration length of the lithium ions intercalated into the electrode layer, such that the electrode materials occupying the gap do not convert the electrode layer into an electrically conductive region. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029574 | ELECTRO-OPTIC WINDOW ASSEMBLY EMI SHIELD - An aircraft window foam mounting assembly having an exterior pressure pane frame including an inner surface and an outer surface. A pressure pane is in abutting contact with the inner surface of the exterior pressure pane frame. A foam bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The foam bezel includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall includes a channel. An electrochromic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall. An electrically conductive member is operably coupled to the foam bezel and extends from the inner wall to the outer wall. | 01-29-2015 |
20150049378 | ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. | 02-19-2015 |
20150062687 | NANOCRYSTAL-POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - Described is an electrochromic nanocomposite film comprising a solid matrix of an oxide based material, the solid matrix comprising a plurality of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures dispersed in the solid matrix and a lithium salt dispersed in the solid matrix. Also described is a near infrared nanostructured electrochromic device having a functional layer comprising the electrochromic nanocomposite film. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062688 | MULTI-PANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user. | 03-05-2015 |
20150070745 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - The embodiments herein relate to methods for controlling an optical transition in an optically switchable device, and optically switchable devices configured to perform such methods. In various embodiments, non-optical (e.g., electrical) feedback is used to help control an optical transition. The feedback may be used for a number of different purposes. In many implementations, the feedback is used to control an ongoing optical transition. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077829 | COLOR RENDERING IN OPTICAL GLAZINGS - An electrochromic device includes an electrochromic stack. Openings are formed in the electrochromic stack that allow light to pass through without being tinted. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077830 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A portable electronic device is provided, including a housing, a display module, an optical element and a switchable layer. The housing has a first surface and an opaque layer disposed under the first surface, the opaque layer having a first aperture and a second aperture. The display module is disposed under the first surface and overlapped with the first aperture. The optical element is disposed under the opaque layer. The switchable layer is disposed between the optical element and the second aperture and overlapping the second aperture, wherein the switchable layer is capable of being switched between a substantially opaque state and a substantially transparent state. The substantially opaque state prevents viewing of the optical element through the switchable layer and the substantially transparent state allows viewing of the optical element through the switchable layer. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077831 | PINHOLE MITIGATION FOR OPTICAL DEVICES - Methods, apparatus, and systems for mitigating pinhole defects in optical devices such as electrochromic windows. One method mitigates a pinhole defect in an electrochromic device by identifying the site of the pinhole defect and obscuring the pinhole to make it less visually discernible. In some cases, the pinhole defect may be the result of mitigating a short-related defect. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077832 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW INSERT ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - An electrochromic insert adapted to be fitted into an existing window frame allowing an existing window to be retrofit to have the benefits of electrochromics. The insert may have a scaffold that fits into a window frame. Securing the insert to the frame may occur through a variety of ways including a bracket, a flexible tab, a brace, a screw, a bolt, a projection, a detent, and an adhesive. The technology allows for the electrochromic insert to include an electrochromic device, energy collection device, an energy storage device, and an electrochromic device controller. Such a configuration may be considered autonoumous such that it need not draw power from another source. | 03-19-2015 |
20150085340 | EMISSIVE DISPLAY SYSTEM - An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085341 | ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE - An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces, at least one of which includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one of which includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, which define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A plurality of beads are disposed in a central portion of the cavity and are movable to a perimeter portion of the cavity. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light. | 03-26-2015 |
20150092259 | Control System For Color Rendering Of Optical Glazings - The present disclosure provides for a method of controlling a plurality of independently controllable sections of one or more electrochromic devices belonging to a common interior space to provide lighting having a substantially color neutral or aesthetically pleasing spectrum to the interior space. The method comprises receiving a desired illuminance input indicating an amount of lighting desired in the interior space, and a neutral lighting input indicating a quantifiable amount of the sections of the electrochromic devices to be set to a high transmittance state. One or more sections of the electrochromic devices are selected in accordance with the neutral lighting input. The selected sections of the electrochromic device are set to the high transmittance state. The one or more electrochromic devices collectively transmit an amount of light into the interior space in accordance with the desired illuminance input. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092260 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS - Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. Insulated glass units (IGU's) are protected, e.g. during handling and shipping, by a protective bumper. The bumper can be custom made using IGU dimension data received from the IGU fabrication tool. The bumper may be made of environmentally friendly materials. Laser isolation configurations and related methods of patterning and/or configuring an electrochromic device on a substrate are described. Edge deletion is used to ensure a good seal between spacer and glass in an IGU and thus better protection of an electrochromic device sealed in the IGU. Configurations for protecting the electrochromic device edge in the primary seal and maximizing viewable area in an electrochromic pane of an IGU are also described. | 04-02-2015 |
20150098121 | VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE WINDOW SYSTEM - A variable transmittance window system is provided and includes at least one variable transmittance window. At least one energy harvesting device generates electrical power. A power supply circuitry maximizes the electrical power. At least one energy storage device is charged by the electrical power. A slave control circuitry controls a transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window, the slave control circuitry being powered by at least one of the power supply circuitry and the at least one energy storage device. A master control circuitry monitors the slave control circuitry, wherein the master control circuitry is operable to issue a wireless override signal to the slave control circuitry such that the slave control circuitry changes the transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window to an override transmittance state. | 04-09-2015 |
20150103389 | PORTABLE POWER SUPPLIES AND PORTABLE CONTROLLERS FOR SMART WINDOWS - A portable controller having a portable power supply for transitioning tint of an optical device such as an electrochromic device. The portable power supply has at least one battery located within a housing and a support structure for supporting the battery. The portable controller has circuitry with logic for controlling power to the optical device. In some cases, the portable power supply may provide a higher than normal drive voltage to the optical device to accelerate transition to the tint state and then may reduce the drive voltage to a normal level. | 04-16-2015 |
20150103390 | VEHICULAR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT WITH ELECTROCHROMIC FILM - A mirror reflective element for a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a glass substrate, an electrochromic film and a mirror reflector. The electrochromic film is provided as a pre-cut mirror shape film and is disposed at the glass substrate. The electrochromic film comprises an electrochromic polymer layer disposed between a front polymeric film and a rear polymeric film. The front polymeric film is disposed between the electrochromic polymer layer and the glass substrate and a transparent electrically conductive coating is disposed between the front polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. An electrically conductive coating is disposed between the rear polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. The polymeric films have respective overhang portions that extend outboard of any other portion of the electrochromic film at respective connecting regions for electrical connection to the electrically conductive coatings. | 04-16-2015 |
20150109652 | NANOSTRUCTURED TRANSPARENT CONDUCTING OXIDE ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixture positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixture. | 04-23-2015 |
20150109653 | PARTIALLY TINTED CLEAR STATE FOR IMPROVED COLOR AND SOLAR HEAT GAIN CONTROL OF ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - A control device for controlling the transmittance of an electrochromic device includes a power source, an electrical load sensing circuit, and a processor electrically coupled to the electrical load sensing circuit and a power source. The processor is configured to receive a measured electrical load value from the electrical load sensing circuit indicating an electrical property of the electrochromic device, further configured to control one or more properties of the electrochromic device by controlling the amount of current or voltage supplied from the power source to the electrochromic device, and yet further configured to vary a property of the electrochromic device while maintaining the electrochromic device at a substantially consistent transmissivity. | 04-23-2015 |
20150116811 | APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - Software applications are used for controlling the optical state of one or more optically switchable windows or other optical products installed in a structure such as building. The applications permit users to send and/or receive data and/or commands for controlling the switchable optical products. In some embodiments, the applications provide an interface with a window network controller, which directly or indirectly controls windows in a structure. Relevant processing involving the application may include user authentication, commissioning, adaptive control, and decisions on whether to permit an action or change requested by a user. In some embodiments, the application allows users to directly control the tint state of one or more tintable windows. In some embodiments, the application allows users to change a rule or property associated with controlling a switchable optical product. | 04-30-2015 |
20150138621 | INFRARED-MODULATING ELECTROACTIVE DEVICES WITH VISIBLE REGION TRANSPARENCY - An electrochromic cell includes a minimally color changing polymer (MCCP) and a non-color changing polymer (NCCP), where the neutral state or the oxidized state is highly transmissive in the NIR and the oxidized state or the neutral state, respectively, is significantly less transmissive in the NIR. An electrochromic device (ECD) can include the electrochromic cell, or a combination of electrochromic cells. The ECD can be part of a window or a laminate for a window to permit the control of IR transmittance through the window. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138622 | REDUCING CONDENSATION IN DIMMABLE WINDOW SYSTEMS - An aircraft window mounting assembly having a pressure pane in abutting contact with an inner surface of an exterior pressure pane frame. A bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The bezel includes an inner wall, an outer wall, an exterior wall, and an interior wall. A dust cover is proximate the interior wall of the foam bezel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception by the inner wall. The pressure pane, the foam bezel, and the electro-optic element define an exterior cavity. The bezel, the electro-optic element, and the dust cover define an interior cavity. A first relief passage is in fluid communication with the exterior cavity and the interior cavity. A second relief passage is in fluid communication with the interior cavity and one of an aircraft interior cabin and an aircraft wall. | 05-21-2015 |
20150146277 | AEROSPACE PROTECTIVE DUST COVER - An aircraft window assembly includes a pressure pane. A bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The bezel includes an inner wall with a channel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the inner opening and is configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall. The electro-optic element is capable of operation between a transmissive condition and a dimmed condition. A dust cover is proximate the bezel. The dust cover includes an interior substrate and an exterior substrate. The interior substrate and the exterior substrate generally define a gap therebetween. A thermally absorbent liquid is disposed in the gap. | 05-28-2015 |
20150301423 | GLAZING HAVING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL PROPERTIES - A glazing having switchable optical properties is described, including a transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, a reflection layer on the outer surface and/or on the inner surface and a switchable functional element arranged on the interior side with respect to the reflection layer. The reflection layer contains a material having a refractive index n | 10-22-2015 |
20150309383 | HEAT-RESISTANT ELECTROLYTE MATERIALS AND ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES INCLUDING THEM - The present disclosure relates to relates to heat-resistant gel electrolyte materials and their uses, for example, in electrochromic devices such as electrochromic windows. In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an electrolyte material including a polymer of ethyleneimine, optionally at least partially crosslinked (e.g., with an epoxide crosslinker such as the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A); a lithium salt (e.g., lithium perchlorate); and a high-boiling solvent (e.g., DMSO). The electrolyte materials can be used in electrochromic devices, such as electrochromic windows, e.g., for use as automobile sunroofs | 10-29-2015 |
20150316827 | MULTI-PANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU's), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user. | 11-05-2015 |
20150338713 | MULTI-PANE WINDOWS INCLUDING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICES - Multi-pane laminates having electrochromic devices and electromechanical systems, multi-pane window units having electrochromic devices and electromechanical systems, single panes with electrochromic devices and electromechanical systems, and methods of fabricating components thereof. | 11-26-2015 |
20150346574 | ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS - Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346575 | SPACERS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS - This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346576 | DRIVING THIN FILM SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES - Controllers and control methods apply a drive voltage to bus bars of a thin film optically switchable device. The applied drive voltage is provided at a level that drives a transition over the entire surface of the optically switchable device but does not damage or degrade the device. This applied voltage produces an effective voltage at all locations on the face of the device that is within a bracketed range. The upper bound of this range is associated with a voltage safely below the level at which the device may experience damage or degradation impacting its performance in the short term or the long term. At the lower boundary of this range is an effective voltage at which the transition between optical states of the device occurs relatively rapidly. The level of voltage applied between the bus bars is significantly greater than the maximum value of the effective voltage within the bracketed range. | 12-03-2015 |
20150355518 | VARIABLE REFLECTANCE MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A variable reflectance mirror reflective element for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate, with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate and includes a stack of thin films and has a sheet resistance of less than about 5 ohms per square. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate exhibits a substantially non-spectrally selective reflectance characteristic to a person viewing the exterior mirror reflective element when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends out under the seal towards a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrical connection, which may include a conductive epoxy, is made to the portion of the mirror reflector outboard of the perimeter seal. | 12-10-2015 |
20150355520 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE OF ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - A control circuit and a method for maintaining light transmittance of an electrochromic device are revealed. An input power source is turned off once a current input into an electrochromic device is decreased to a preset value. Then a voltage between two electrodes of the electrochromic device is detected. When the voltage between two electrodes of the electrochromic device is dropped to a preset value, the input power source is restored. According to the above steps, the coloration of the electrochromic device is maintained within a preset range. Thus light transmittance of the electrochromic device is kept at a certain range. | 12-10-2015 |
20150362645 | SELECTIVELY-TRANSPARENT ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAY - An electro-optic (EO) display includes one or more adjustable-intensity color filters; a transparent backlight; and a transflective layer positioned between the adjustable-intensity color filter(s) and the transparent backlight, wherein the transflective layer reflects light off of one surface of the transflective layer and allows light through another surface of the transflective layer. | 12-17-2015 |
20150362815 | CONTROLLED SWITCHING FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - An electrochromic device is structured to selectively switch separate regions to separate transmission levels, based at least in part upon different transport rates of different charged electrolyte species in the separate regions. Charged electrolyte species can be introduced in various regions of one or more electrochromic stack layers, including a counter-electrode layer, ion-conducting layer, and electrochromic layer. The charged electrolyte species can have different transport rates, so that a distribution of one species introduced in some regions move between layers and different rates relative another distribution of another species introduced in some regions. A species can be introduced, in one or more regions, in one or more particular distributions associated with a particular transmission pattern to structure the electrochromic device to selectively switch to the particular transmission pattern. Species can be introduced via various processes, including ion implantation, chemical diffusion, etc. | 12-17-2015 |
20150362817 | MOISTURE RESISTANT ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc. | 12-17-2015 |
20150362818 | CONTROLLED SWITCHING FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - An electrochromic device is structured to include multiple independently controllable electrochromic regions which can be independently controlled to switch to different transmission levels. One of the electrochromic regions is isolated from any direct electrical connection with any electrodes, and one or more other electrochromic regions interpose an indirect electrical connection between one or more electrodes and the isolated electrochromic region. The electrochromic device can be structured to include multiple independently controllable electrochromic regions, based at least in part upon segmentation of the conductive layers into separate segments to establish the various electrochromic regions. | 12-17-2015 |
20150362819 | CONTROLLED SWITCHING FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - An electrochromic device is structured to selectively switch separate regions to separate transmission levels, based at least in part upon different respective sheet resistances of separate conductive layer regions. Sheet resistance of a conductive layer region can be associated with a transmission level to which a corresponding EC stack region can be switched, and a conductive layer with separate regions having separate sheet resistances causes corresponding EC stack regions to switch to different transmission levels. Sheet resistance in a conductive layer region can be adjusted via various processes, including introducing various chemical species into the conductive layer region to adjust a chemical species distribution in the region, where the chemical species distribution is associated with the sheet resistance of the region, heating conductive layer regions to induce oxidation of the region, adjusting the thickness of a conductive layer region, etc. | 12-17-2015 |
20150370140 | WINDOW CONSTRUCTION - The present invention refers to a window construction, particularly to be used in a train, vehicle, car, helicopter, aircraft or building, which comprises a laminated window glazing having electrically switchable layer means arranged in a laminate, and controlling means being coupled to the switchable layer means for controlling the sunlight transparency of the switchable layer means. | 12-24-2015 |
20150378230 | Method of Pre-Attaching Assemblies to an Electrochromic Glazing for Accurate Fit or Registration After Installation - A device and method of pre-attaching assemblies to glazing can provide for accurate fit or registration after installation. A solar panel provides power to an insulated glass unit. Mounting brackets are secured to the insulated glass unit. A plate adjustably attaches to the mounting brackets. After positioning the plate on the mounting brackets a solar panel is attached to the plate and the insulated glass unit is installed in a frame. The plate is adapted to be moved toward the frame such that the solar panel is flush to the frame after moving the plate. Trim pieces can then be installed over the portions of the plate not covered by the solar panel. | 12-31-2015 |
20150378231 | Solar Powered Device With Scalable Size And Power Capacity - A window transmissivity control assembly having a power source with scalable size and power capacity is provided. The assembly includes an insulated glazing unit including a variably transmissive glazing, a photovoltaic module attached to the insulated glazing unit and electrically coupled to the variably transmissive glazing, and a control module having a control circuit for controlling transmissivity of the glazing and a battery for providing power to the glazing. The photovoltaic assembly is attached to an exterior face portion of the insulated glazing unit, and a control module is attached to an interior face portion of the insulated glazing unit. Each module may extend from a first end of the insulated glazing unit to an opposing second end of the insulated glazing unit, wherein the length of the module being substantially the same as the distance between the first and second ends of the insulated glazing unit. | 12-31-2015 |
20150378232 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND RELATED PRODUCTS AND METHODS - An electrochromic device may be switchable between a transparent state and at least one reflective state. A lithium-containing reflective feature may form when the electrochromic device is switched from the transparent state to the reflective state. Various products and methods may involve the electrochromic device. | 12-31-2015 |
20160001706 | DISPLAY MIRROR ASSEMBLY - A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield. | 01-07-2016 |
20160011428 | Three-Dimensional (3D) Display Device | 01-14-2016 |
20160011441 | ELECTRONICALLY SWITCHABLE PRIVACY DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
20160011481 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH SPATIALLY COORDINATED SWITCHING | 01-14-2016 |
20160011483 | SWITCHABLE WINDOW | 01-14-2016 |
20160026059 | METHOD FOR CONTROL OF ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE - A method for control of electrochromic devices is revealed. First a duty cycle of PWM is changed to a preset Q value according to a signal detected by a detector while the electrochromic device is switched to the colored state. The Q value represents electric charge that corresponds to colored-state transmittance. Then turn off the PWM. Thus the response time for coloration and the transmittance of the electrochromic device are maintained within a preset range, without being affected by ambient temperature, setting time and aging of the materials used. Thus the electrochromic device is more convenient to use and having more practical value. | 01-28-2016 |
20160033836 | BLACK MATRIX AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOF, DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE - Embodiments of the disclosure disclose a black matrix and a fabrication method thereof, a display panel and a display device. The black matrix comprises: a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer stacked on a substrate, and an electrochromic layer provided between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer. The electrochromic layer is black when there is a voltage difference between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, and the electrochromic layer is transparent when there is no voltage difference between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033838 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - An electrochromic device includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, a second substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, an electrochromic composition contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates that includes at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and at least one solvent, wherein at least one of the anodic electroactive and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic, and wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a contrast ratio of at least 20,000:1, a darkening time less than about 30 seconds, and a clearing time of less than about 150 seconds. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033842 | DISPLAY PANEL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device, the display panel comprises an array substrate and an opposite substrate, the display panel further comprises: an electrochromic structure provided on the array substrate or the opposite substrate, which is used to absorb leakage light of the display panel when the display panel is in a dark state. When the display panel is in a bright state, the electrochromic structure exhibits a transparent state, and when the display panel is in a dark state, the electrochromic structure exhibits a coloring state, the electrochromic structure exhibiting the coloring state may absorb light, so that the leakage light of the display panel in the dark state may be reduced to a largest extent, thus the smallest brightness of the display panel is decreased, therefore, the contrast of the display panel is effectively increased. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033843 | ELECTRO-OPTIC SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO REDUCE A PERCEIVED COLOR CHANGE - An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (h | 02-04-2016 |
20160041447 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AN ELECTROCHROMIC ELEMENT - Provided is an apparatus for driving an electrochromic element having an excellent operating performance, which is capable of controlling, during a transitional state in which a light transmittance changes, a speed and period of the transitional state, the apparatus for driving an electrochromic element being configured to perform, when an absorbance of an electrochromic element is to be increased from a current absorbance to a target absorbance, before normal drive of driving the electrochromic element at a duty ratio (D | 02-11-2016 |
20160054631 | VARIABLE TRANSPARENCY GLASS AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING VARIABLE TRANSPARENCY GLASS - A variable transparency glass and an apparatus for adjusting a transparency variable glass are provided. The transparency variable glass includes a first transparent plate that has a first electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof and a second transparent plate that has a second electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof. In addition, a variable transmission layer is disposed between the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate. | 02-25-2016 |
20160054633 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network. | 02-25-2016 |
20160054634 | MULTIPURPOSE CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc. | 02-25-2016 |
20160070151 | ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. | 03-10-2016 |
20160085128 | Electrochromic Devices and Manufacturing Methods Thereof - A method for enhancing the reliability of contacting the conductive layers in a laminated electrochromic device structure is disclosed (FIG. | 03-24-2016 |
20160085129 | ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENT WITH ABLATION-FORMED INDICIA AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - An electro-optic element is provided that includes a first substrate having a first surface, and a second surface having a first electrically conductive portion disposed thereon. The element also includes a second substrate having a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second electrically conductive portion disposed on at least the third surface. A primary seal is between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a cavity. An electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the second surface further includes at least one indicia disposed thereon between the electro-optic medium and the second surface. | 03-24-2016 |
20160085130 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES USING INTEGRATED POWER SOURCE - An electrochromic device comprising: an active electrochromic layer having optical properties that vary based on an electrical voltage applied to the active electrochromic layer; an integrated energy source integrated within the electrochromic device for generating or storing electrical energy; and a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and the active electrochromic layer for applying the electrical energy generated or stored by the integrated energy source to the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user. The described electrochromic device is entirely self-contained and internally produces all the electrical energy necessary for its operation and specifically for the operation of the controller and for controlling the optical properties of the electrochromic layer. In other words, there no external wiring or any kind is required for supplying electric energy to the electrochromic device. | 03-24-2016 |
20160091768 | CAMERA LENS FILTER - An electrically activated lens filter with an electro-optic portion having a radially and circumferentially symmetric electric field gradient is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the lens filter include an electro-optic portion having one or more conductive plugs arranged around a center region such that an electric field within the electro-optic portion varies from a maximum at an outer rim to a minimum outside of the center region. The lens filter may include a plurality of front electrodes and rear electrodes accessible in an axial direction for electrically activating front and rear transparent conductive layers, respectively. | 03-31-2016 |
20160091769 | WIRELESS POWERED ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Electrochromic windows powered by wireless power transmission are described, particularly, the combination of low-defectivity, highly-reliable solid state electrochromic windows with wireless power transmission. Wireless power transmission networks which incorporate electrochromic windows are described. | 03-31-2016 |
20160097959 | AN ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENT - A vehicular rearview assembly that has a rounded outer perimeter edge to satisfy safety standards and contains an EC element having a complex peripheral ring, a front surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure, in cooperation with electronic circuitry of the assembly, pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. A complex peripheral ring may include multiple bands the structures of which is adapted to provide for specified optical characteristics of light, reflected off of the ring. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly. | 04-07-2016 |
20160097960 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES ON NON-RECTANGULAR SHAPES - This present invention relates to bus bar configurations and fabrication methods of non-rectangular shaped (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal, circular, pentagonal, hexagonal, arched, etc.) optical devices. The optical device comprises a first side, a second side, and a third side adjacent to the second side and two bus bars spanning a portion of the optical device. | 04-07-2016 |
20160109776 | Metal Sensitized Color Changing Material - The subject invention pertains to color changeable, film materials comprising a metal substrate layer; a conducting polymer or conducting polymer composite layer; and an electrolyte layer. The conducting polymer or conducting polymer composite layer of the film material is capable of exhibiting changes in one or more optical properties when the film material is in contact with a metal. The subject invention also pertains to methods of preparing conducting polymer films capable of exhibiting changes in optical properties. | 04-21-2016 |
20160109777 | PRETREATMENT OF TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE OXIDE (TCO) THIN FILMS FOR IMPROVED ELECTRICAL CONTACT - Certain embodiments relate to optical devices and methods of fabricating optical devices that pre-treat a sub-layer to enable selective removal of the pre-treated sub-layer and overlying layers. Other embodiments pertain to methods of fabricating an optical device that apply a sacrificial material layer. | 04-21-2016 |
20160109778 | ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS - Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. | 04-21-2016 |
20160124282 | ELECTROCHROMIC LITHIUM NICKEL GROUP 5 MIXED METAL OXIDES - Multi-layer devices comprising a layer of an electrochromic lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the lithium nickel oxide composition comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 5 metal selected from niobium, tantalum and a combination thereof. | 05-05-2016 |
20160136930 | Electrochromic Devices and Manufacturing Methods Therefore - A method for manufacturing of laminated electrochromic devices in a flexible and easy manner comprises provision ( | 05-19-2016 |
20160137133 | REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH A DISPLAY - A rearview device system includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display module in optical communication with the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display element, an optic block in optical communication with the display element, a first circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the optic block and edge light the display element, an optic holder operably connected to the optic block, defining at least one aperture, a second circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the at least one aperture and the optic block to back light at least one of a portion of the display element and an icon, and wherein light emitted by the light source of the first circuit board and the light source of the second circuit board is visible through the partially reflective, partially transmissive element. | 05-19-2016 |
20160139475 | POST-TEMPERABLE NANOCRYSTAL ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES - An electrochromic device may include a working electrode that includes a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte deposited between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The high temperature stable material may prevent fusing of the nanoparticles of the active core material at temperatures up to 700° C. The high temperature stable material may include tantalum oxide. The high temperature stable material may form a spherical shell or a matrix around the nanoparticles of the active core material. A method of forming an electrochromic device may include depositing a working electrode onto a first substrate, in which the working electrode comprises a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, and heat tempering the working electrode and the first substrate. | 05-19-2016 |
20160139476 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE CONTAINING METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AND ULTRAVIOLET BLOCKING MATERIAL - An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant. The electrochromic device also includes nanoparticles containing one or more transparent conducting oxide (TCO), a solid state electrolyte, a counter electrode, and at least one protective layer to prevent degradation of the one or more nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device. | 05-19-2016 |
20160139477 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage. | 05-19-2016 |
20160147126 | ELECTRO-OPTIC ASSEMBLY - An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield. | 05-26-2016 |
20160153631 | CONTROLLABLE NATURAL INDOOR ILLUMINATION SYSTEM | 06-02-2016 |
20160154289 | MULTI-PANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS | 06-02-2016 |
20160154290 | SELF-CONTAINED EC IGU | 06-02-2016 |
20160170277 | Electrochromic Device | 06-16-2016 |
20160170278 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH COMPOSITE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE LAYERS | 06-16-2016 |
20160170279 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH COMPOSITE CURRENT MODULATING STRUCTURE | 06-16-2016 |
20160199936 | SECOND SURFACE LASER ABLATION | 07-14-2016 |
20160202589 | DISTRIBUTED DEVICE NETWORK-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM WITH DECOUPLED INTELLIGENCE FOR SMART WINDOWS | 07-14-2016 |
20160251894 | MULTI-ZONE EC WINDOWS | 09-01-2016 |
20160377876 | ELECTROCHROMIC GRATING, DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE - The embodiments of the present invention discloses an electrochromic grating, a display panel and a display device. The electrochromic grating comprises: a cathode, a first electrochromic layer, an ion transport layer, a second electrochromic layer and an anode arranged in a stack: Under an effect of a same electric field, materials of the first electrochromic layer and the second electrochromic layer have contrary light transmission properties in an oxidation state: and the materials of the first electrochromic layer and the second electrochromic layer have contrary light transmission properties in a reduction state That is the material of the first electrochromic layer in the oxidation state is a dark state, and the material of the second electrochromic layer in the reduction state is a dark state. Or the material of the first electrochromic layer in the reduction state is a dark state, and the material of the second electrochromic layer in the oxidation state is a dark state. Since the first electrochromic layer and the second electrochromic layer can be in dark state simultaneously when the materials of the first electrochromic layer and the second electrochromic layer are in the oxidation state and the reduction state respectively, the electrochromic grating can achieve a ultra-low transmittance, so as to further realize a higher contrast and improve the display effect. | 12-29-2016 |
20160377948 | OBSCURING BUS BARS IN ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS STRUCTURES - Embodiments described include bus bars for electrochromic or other optical state changing devices. The bus bars are configured to color match and/or provide minimal optical contrast with their surrounding environment in the optical device. Such bus bars may be transparent bus bars. | 12-29-2016 |
20160377949 | CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES - Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage. | 12-29-2016 |
20170235204 | ELECTROCHROMIC MULTI-LAYER DEVICES WITH CURRENT MODULATING STRUCTURE | 08-17-2017 |
20180024408 | SEALS FOR ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS | 01-25-2018 |
20190145161 | ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE STRUCTURES | 05-16-2019 |
20220137472 | ADHESIVE BUS BARS IN ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS - Embodiments described include adhesive bus bars for electrochromic or other optical state changing devices. The bus bars are configured to color match and/or provide minimal optical contrast with their surrounding environment in the optical device, provide better adhesion than ink based bus bars, as well as obviate the need to mitigate defects in underlaying layers. | 05-05-2022 |