Patent US4893908A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4893908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Adjustable tint window with electrochromic conductive polymer
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1988-06-27
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Granted: 1990-01-16
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Expires: 2008-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for decreasing radiative heat transfer and adjustably limiting visible light and near infrared radiation transfer and glare through a window. The method comprises the steps of: (a) mounting within a frame of the window a plurality of spaced window panes, a first and second of the panes having opposing faces; (b) assembling between the opposing faces a conductive polymer cell, the cell having a first wall composed of a transparent conductive layer affixed to the first pane and having deposited thereupon an electroactive electro-optically responsive conductive polymer, and a second wall comprised of a transparent conductive layer coated on the second pane, the layer being optionally coated with a second electro-optically responsive polymer, the first and second walls delimiting a cavity containing an ion-conducting electrolyte which contacts opposing surfaces of the first and second walls, and (c) applying a potential between the first and second walls to provide a selected light transmittance upon passage of current therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Wolf
- 👤 Granville G. Miller
- 👤 Lawrence W. Shacklette
- 👤 Ronald L. Elsenbaumer
- 👤 Ray H. Baughman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/153; G02F1/1533; E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/66; E06B3/67; E06B3/6715; E06B3/6722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for decreasing radiative heat transfer and adjustably limiting visible light and near infrared radiation transfer ad glare through a window, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting within a frame of said window a plurality of spaced window panes, a first and second of said panes having opposing faces; (b) assembling between said opposing faces a conductive polymer cell, said cell having a first wall composed of a transparent conductive layer affixed to said first pane and having deposited thereupon an electroactive electro-optically responsive conductive polymer composed of either p-type or n-type conjugated polymers and a second wall comprised of a transparent conductive layer coated on said second pane, said layer being optionally coated with a second electro-optically responsive conductive polymer, said conjugated polymers being chain-oriented in a plane parallel to the plane of the window so as to create a polarization of the transmitted light, said first and second walls delimiting a cavity containing an ion-conducting electrolyte which contacts opposing surfaces of the first and second walls, and (c) applying a potential between said first and second walls to provide a selected light transmittance upon passage of current therebetween.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for decreasing radiative heat transfer and adjustably limiting visible light and near infrared radiation transfer ad glare through a window, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting within a frame of said window a plurality of spaced window panes, a first and second of said panes having opposing faces; (b) assembling between said opposing faces a conductive polymer cell, said cell having a first wall composed of a transparent conductive layer affixed to said first pane and having deposited thereupon an electroactive electro-optically responsive conductive polymer composed of either p-type or n-type conjugated polymers and a second wall comprised of a transparent conductive layer coated on said second pane, said layer being optionally coated with a second electro-optically responsive conductive polymer, said conjugated polymers being chain-oriented in a plane parallel to the plane of the window so as to create a polarization of the transmitted light, said first and second walls delimiting a cavity containing an ion-conducting electrolyte which contacts opposing surfaces of the first and second walls, and (c) applying a potential between said first and second walls to provide a selected light transmittance upon passage of current therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the step of mounting within said frame a third pane, said third pane delimiting, with said first or second panes, a space providing a thermal break.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 2, comprising the step of adjusting said window panes to be substantially parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising the step of sealing said window panes to isolate said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said sealing step includes the step of injecting an inert gas into said space to enhance characteristics of said thermal break.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, dry air, neon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 whrein said p-type conjugated polymers are coated on said first wall, and are adapted to become transmissive during a reductive or cathodic process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of claim 7 in which said p-type conjugated polymers are chosen from polyprrole, polyaniline, poly(p-phenylene vinylene), poly(p-phenylene), polyacetylene, poly(thienylene vinylene) and substituted versions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 where said p-type conjugated polymers are coated on the second wall and are adapted to become transmissive during an oxidative or anodic process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method of claim 9 in which said p-type conjugated polymers are chosen from poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(furylene vinylene), poly -(isothianaphthene), polyacetylene, and substituted versions thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 10 in which said poly(thienylene vinylene) is substituted in the 3 position by a methoxy, propoxy, butoxy, hexoxy, or octyloxy group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said n-type conjugated polymers are coated on said second wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the n-type conjugated polymer is chosen from polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly-2,6-(4-phenylquinoline), and substituted versions thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said second electro-optically responsive material is coated on said second wall as an electroactive material, and is adapted to become transparent during an oxidative or anodic process.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said second electro-optically responsive material is a tungsten bronze or a molybdenum bronze.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said bronze is applied to the conductive layer of claim 1 as a substantially amorphous film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the plane of polarization is chosen to be horizontal with the ground and substantially eliminates glare.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the conductive polymers are applied to each of said first and second walls and are respectively chain oriented in perpendicular directions so as to effect a cross polarization of transmitted light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is composed of an ionizable salt dissolved in a liquid solvent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is composed of a solid polymeric electrolyte.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 20 wherein the polymeric electrolyte is composed of a mixture of phosphoric acid and poly(vinylalcohol).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited claim 20 wherein the polymeric electrolyte is composed of a mixture of an alkali-metal salt and a saturated polyether or other backbone polymer having polyether side groups.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the transparent conductive layer of the first and second walls is composed of indium-tin oxide, antimony-tin oxide or cadmium tin oxide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the opposite face of the pane forming the first or second wall is covered by a reflecting coating to form a mirror providing an adjustable degree of reflection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-15 | 1993-07-17 | 1994-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-15 | 1997-07-17 | 1998-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-15 | 2001-07-17 | 2002-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |