US4844591A
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US
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Variable transmission glazings and method of making same
Assignee: Saint Gobain Vitrage SA
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1989-07-04
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Expires: 2007-07-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to coated glass substrates for obtaining a variable degree of light transmission therethrough. The coated substrate comprises successively, (1) a first transparent support plate, preferably formed of glass, (2) a transparent electroconductive layer, (3) a layer of an electrochromic material, (4) a proton conductive electrolytic layer having an organic polymer base, (4a) an optional counterelectrode layer, (5) a second electroconductive layer and (6) a second transparent support plate. A proton conductive polymer is selected for the electrolyte whose conductivity is greater than or equal to ##EQU1## wherein the layer has a thickness of less than 50 micrometers.
Inventors
- 👤 Herve Arribart
- 👤 Christian Padoy
- 👤 Alain Dugast
- 👤 Michel Armond
- 👤 Francis Defendini
- 👤 Bernard Desbat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:57
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C27/00; C03C27/06; C03C27/10; C03C17/00; C03C17/34; C03C17/42; B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1523; G02F1/1525; B82; B82Y; B82Y30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A coated laminate comprising, in succession: (a) a first transparent substrate; (b) a first layer of an electroconductive substance; (c) a layer of an electrochromic material; (d) an electrolytic layer comprising a substantially anhydrous solid solution of phorphoric acid in polyoxyethylene; (e) a second layer of an electroconductive substance; and (f) a second transparent substrate, wherein at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A coated laminate comprising, in succession: (a) a first transparent substrate; (b) a first layer of an electroconductive substance; (c) a layer of an electrochromic material; (d) an electrolytic layer comprising a substantially anhydrous solid solution of phorphoric acid in polyoxyethylene; (e) a second layer of an electroconductive substance; and (f) a second transparent substrate, wherein at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The laminate of claim 1 which further comprises counterelectrode layer interposed between at least a portion of said electrolytic layer and at least a portion of said second layer of an electroconductive substance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic layer has, at about 20° C., a proton conductivity greater than or equal to about ##EQU7## when said electrolyte is present in a thickness of less than about 50 micrometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein said solid solution of phosphoric acid in a polyoxyethylene polymer is film-forming.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein said polyoxyethylene is in a substantially amorphous phase.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein a ratio of the number of oxygen atoms in the polyoxyethylene to the number of hydrogen atoms in the acid is between about 0.4-1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate of claim 6 wherein said ratio is between about 0.6 and 0.7.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein said polyoxyethylene polymer has a molecular mass of between about 1,000,000 and 5,000,000.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein said electrochromic material is tungsten oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A coated optical glazing comprising in succession: (a) a first glass plate; (b) a first transparent electrode, said first electrode comprising a layer of a first electroconductive substance; (c) a layer of tungsten oxide; (d) a substantially anhydrous layer of a polyoxyethylene film; (e) a second transparent electrode, said second electrode comprising a layer of a second electro-conductive substance, which second substance may be the same as or different than said first electroconductive substance; and (f) a second glass plate, wherein at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A coated optical glazing comprising in succession: (a) a first glass plate; (b) a first transparent electrode, said first electrode comprising a layer of a first electroconductive substance; (c) a layer of tungsten oxide; (d) a substantially anhydrous layer of a polyoxyethylene film; (e) a second transparent electrode, said second electrode comprising a layer of a second electro-conductive substance, which second substance may be the same as or different than said first electroconductive substance; and (f) a second glass plate, wherein at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The glazing of claim 10 which further comprises counterelectrode layer interposed between at least a portion of said polyoxyethylene film and at least a portion of said second transparent electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The glazing of claim 10 wherein said layer of said second electroconductive substance comprises a layer of tin oxide doped with fluorine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The glazing of claim 12 wherein said electroconductive layer has a thickness of greater than about 350 nanometers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The glazing of claim 10 wherein said layer of said second electroconductive substance comprises a layer of indium oxide doped with tin oxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The glazing of claim 11 wherein said counterelectrode layer is a material capable of adding protons to an adjacent layer without affecting the amount of light transmitted through said glazing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The glazing of claim 15 wherein said proton-adding material is palladium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
A variable light transmission glazing comprising, in succession: (a) a first glass plate; (b) a first electroconductive layer of indium oxide doped with tin oxide, said first electroconductive layer measuring about 300 nanometers in thickness; (c) a layer of tungsten oxide; (d) a substantially anhydrous layer of a polyoxyethylene film having a proton conductivity at about ##EQU8## (e) a second electroconductive layer of indium oxide doped with tin oxide, said second electroconductive layer measuring about 300 nanometers in thickness; and (f) a second glass plate, where at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
A variable light transmission glazing comprising, in succession: (a) a first glass plate; (b) a first electroconductive layer of indium oxide doped with tin oxide, said first electroconductive layer measuring about 300 nanometers in thickness; (c) a layer of tungsten oxide; (d) a substantially anhydrous layer of a polyoxyethylene film having a proton conductivity at about ##EQU8## (e) a second electroconductive layer of indium oxide doped with tin oxide, said second electroconductive layer measuring about 300 nanometers in thickness; and (f) a second glass plate, where at least a portion of each said layer b through e is positioned in an electrical contact relation with each adjacent layer to facilitate the passage therethrough of an electrical current.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process for forming the glazing of claim 10 wherein said polyoxyethylene film is prepared by reacting, under substantially anhydrous conditions, a predetermined amount of phosphoric acid with a predetermined amount of polyoxyethylene in a substantially nonaqueous solvent to form a film of said polyoxyethylene.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 18 which further comprises mixing substantially equal amounts of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran in order to form said substantially nonaqueous solvent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 18 wherein at least said layer of said second electroconductive substance is obtained by pyrolyzing an indium formate powder in the presence of a compound containing tin at a temperature of about 600° C. upon at least a portion of said glass plate located adjacent thereto.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 20 which further comprises heat-treating at least said layer of said second electroconductive substance in a reducing medium to reduce the resistivity of said layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 20 wherein at least said layer of said second electroconductive substance is deposited by cathode sputtering wherein said sputtering is assisted by a magnetic field.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
141 words
A glass laminate comprising: a pair of glass sheets in parallel spaced relation, an inner surface of each sheet having applied thereto a layer of a conductive metal oxide coating covering at least a portion of said surface; and an electrochromic laminate comprising a layer of an electrolytic material and a layer of an electrochromic material in electrical contact with said electrolytic material, said electrolytic material comprising a substantially anhydrous solid solution of phosphoric acid in polyoxyethylene; wherein said electrochromic laminate is placed between said conductive metal oxide layers and in electrical contact therewith to provide a conductive path for current flow between said glass sheets; and said electrolytic material is capable of transferring protons between one of said electroconductive layers and said electrochromic material; and further wherein said electrochromic material is capable of changing color upon passage of protons therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
A glass laminate comprising: a pair of glass sheets in parallel spaced relation, an inner surface of each sheet having applied thereto a layer of a conductive metal oxide coating covering at least a portion of said surface; and an electrochromic laminate comprising a layer of an electrolytic material and a layer of an electrochromic material in electrical contact with said electrolytic material, said electrolytic material comprising a substantially anhydrous solid solution of phosphoric acid in polyoxyethylene; wherein said electrochromic laminate is placed between said conductive metal oxide layers and in electrical contact therewith to provide a conductive path for current flow between said glass sheets; and said electrolytic material is capable of transferring protons between one of said electroconductive layers and said electrochromic material; and further wherein said electrochromic material is capable of changing color upon passage of protons therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |