Patent US6084702A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6084702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermochromic devices
Assignee: BYKER HARLAN
•
Filing: 1998-10-15
•
Granted: 2000-07-04
•
Expires: 2018-10-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an energy efficient, thermochromic device for windows that allows sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when the ambient temperature is low and substantially blocks solar radiation when the ambient temperature is high, especially when sunlight is directly on the window. Additionally, the invention is a thermochromic device useful as variable transmission shutters for use in lenses or filters.
Inventors
- 👤 Harlan J. Byker
- 👤 Paul H. Ogburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:41
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03C; C03C27/00; C03C27/06; C03C27/10; B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10036; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; B32B17/10431; B32B17/10467; B32B17/10477; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10678; B32B17/10761; B32B17/10807; B32B17/10899; B32B17/10908; F; F24; F24S; F24S50/00; F24S50/80; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 85
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A thermochromic device comprising: a light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material which changes reversibly from less light energy absorbing to more light energy absorbing as its temperature increases; and at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the substrate or on a layer carried on the substrate and the material with residual light energy absorbing character may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermochromic device comprising: a light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material which changes reversibly from less light energy absorbing to more light energy absorbing as its temperature increases; and at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the substrate or on a layer carried on the substrate and the material with residual light energy absorbing character may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a thermochromic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a static light energy absorbing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least one static light energy absorbing material and at least one thermochromic material have residual light energy absorbing character.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs 5 percent or more of the sunlight energy incident on the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs 10 percent or more of the sunlight energy incident on the device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 10° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 20° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material reversibly changes from less light energy absorbing to more light energy absorbing over the temperature range of about 30° to 90° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material is chosen from Reversacol Palatenate Purple, Reversacol Aqua Green, Reversacol Sea Green, Chroma Dye 37, Chroma Dye 88 and Chroma Dye 47.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material is a mixture of Reversacol Palatenate Purple and Chroma Dye 88.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the chroma of the device in full sunlight has a C* ab value of less than 20.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material is present in sufficient amount to decrease the solar energy transmission of said device by at least 35 percentage points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a barrier to UV light positioned between a source of UV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the device includes a low-e layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light positioned between a source of UV or SWV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a low emissivity (low-e) layer wherein said low-e layer is positioned with respect to said thermochromic layer in said device such that said thermochromic layer resides between the low emissivity layer and incident sunlight.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the low-e layer provides overcoating character.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes an overcoating layer positioned between a source of environmental contaminants and the thermochromic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate is tempered glass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a non-infinite radius of curvature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes an adhesion promoter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a transparent conducting layer in thermal contact with the thermochromic material for resistively heating the thermochromic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
115 words
A thermochromic device comprising: a light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material capable of reversibly increasing in light absorption as the temperature of the thermochromic material increases; and at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to sunlight wherein the thermochromic material is present in the substrate or on a layer carried on the substrate and the material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
115 words
A thermochromic device comprising: a light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material capable of reversibly increasing in light absorption as the temperature of the thermochromic material increases; and at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to sunlight wherein the thermochromic material is present in the substrate or on a layer carried on the substrate and the material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase is a thermochromic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase is a static light energy absorbing material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 24 wherein at least one static light energy absorbing material and at least one thermochromic material are capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase absorbs 5 percent or more of the sunlight energy incident on the device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase absorbs 10 percent or more of the sunlight energy incident on the device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 10° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 20° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the thermochromic materials are capable of reversibly increasing in light absorption over the temperature range of about 30 to 90° C.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the thermochromic material is chosen from Reversacol Palatenate Purple, Reversacol Aqua Green, Reversacol Sea Green, Chroma Dye 37, Chroma Dye 88 and Chroma Dye 47.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the thermochromic materials is a mixture of Reversacol Palatenate Purple and Chroma Dye 88.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the chroma of the device in full sunlight has a C* ab value of less than 20.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the thermochromic materials are present in sufficient amount to decrease the solar energy transmission of said device by at least 35 percentage points.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the device includes a barrier to UV light positioned between a source of UV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 37 wherein the device comprises a low-e layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the device includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light positioned between a source of UV or SWV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the device includes a low emissivity (low-e) layer wherein said low-e layer is positioned with respect to said thermochromic layer in said device such that said thermochromic layer resides between the low emissivity layer and incident sunlight.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the low-e layer provides overcoating character.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the device includes an overcoating layer positioned between a source of environmental contaminants and the thermochromic material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the substrate is tempered glass.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the substrate has a non-infinite radius of curvature.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the device comprises an adhesion promoter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
102 words
A thermochromic window comprising: a first light transmitting substrate; a second light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material which changes reversibly from less light energy absorbing to more light energy absorbing as its temperature increases; and at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the first substrate or on a layer carried on the first substrate and the material with residual light energy absorbing character may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
102 words
A thermochromic window comprising: a first light transmitting substrate; a second light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material which changes reversibly from less light energy absorbing to more light energy absorbing as its temperature increases; and at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the first substrate or on a layer carried on the first substrate and the material with residual light energy absorbing character may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light positioned between a source of UV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
30 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light positioned between a source of UV or SWV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the window includes a low emissivity (low-e) layer wherein said low-e layer is positioned with respect to said thermochromic layer in said window such that said thermochromic layer resides between the low emissivity layer and incident sunlight.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the substrates are in parallel, spaced apart relationship.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The window of claim 50 wherein the space between the substrates is evacuated.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The window of claim 50 wherein the space between the substrates is filled with gas.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
10 words
The window of claim 52 wherein the gas includes krypton.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
48 words
The window of claim 52 wherein the at least one thermochromic material is present in a layer on the side of the first substrate facing the space between the substrates and the window is installed in a structure with the first substrate facing the outside of said structure.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The window of claim 54 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light between the outside surface of the first substrate and the layer comprising the at least one thermochromic material.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
The window of claim 54 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light between the outside surface of the first substrate and the layer comprising the at least one thermochromic material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The window of claim 54 wherein the window includes a low-e layer on the side of the first substrate facing the space between the substrates, said low-e layer being in contact with said space.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The window of claim 54 wherein the window includes a low-e layer on the side of the second substrate facing the space between the substrates.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The window of claim 49 wherein each of the substrates in the window includes a low-e layer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a thermochromic material.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a static light energy absorbing material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 10° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The window of claim 46 wherein the thermochromic material is chosen from Reversacol Palatenate Purple, Reversacol Aqua Green, Reversacol Sea Green, Chroma Dye 37, Chroma Dye 88 and Chroma Dye 47.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
124 words
A thermochromic window comprising: a first light transmitting substrate; a second light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material capable of reversibly increasing in light absorption as the temperature of the thermochromic material increases; and at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic materials present when the device is exposed to sunlight; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the first substrate or on a layer carried on the first substrate and the material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
124 words
A thermochromic window comprising: a first light transmitting substrate; a second light transmitting substrate; at least one thermochromic material capable of reversibly increasing in light absorption as the temperature of the thermochromic material increases; and at least one material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic materials present when the device is exposed to sunlight; wherein the thermochromic material is present in the first substrate or on a layer carried on the first substrate and the material capable of absorbing incident sunlight and causing a temperature increase in the thermochromic material may be the same or different than the thermochromic material and may be present in the same layer or in a different layer than the thermochromic material.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light positioned between a source of UV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light positioned between a source of UV or SWV light and the thermochromic material.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
43 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the window includes a low emissivity (low-e) layer wherein said low-e layer is positioned with respect to said thermochromic layer in said window such that said thermochromic layer resides between the low emissivity layer and incident sunlight.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the substrates are in parallel, spaced apart relationship.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
The window of claim 68 wherein the space between the substrates is evacuated.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
15 words
The window of claim 68 wherein the space between the substrates is filled with gas.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
10 words
The window of claim 70 wherein the gas includes krypton.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
48 words
The window of claim 68 wherein the at least one thermochromic material is present in a layer on the side of the first substrate facing the space between the substrates and the window is installed in a structure with the first substrate facing the outside of said structure.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
32 words
The window of claim 72 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light between the outside surface of the first substrate and the layer comprising the at least one thermochromic material.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
35 words
The window of claim 72 wherein the window includes a barrier to UV light and SWV light between the outside surface of the first substrate and the layer comprising the at least one thermochromic material.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
34 words
The window of claim 72 wherein the window includes a low-e layer on the side of the first substrate facing the space between the substrates, said low-e layer being in contact with said space.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
The window of claim 72 wherein the window includes a low-e layer on the side of the second substrate facing the space between the substrates.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
The window of claim 68 wherein each of the substrates in the window includes a low-e layer.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
21 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a thermochromic material.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
24 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the at least one material with residual light energy absorbing character is a static light energy absorbing material.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
39 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the material with residual light energy absorbing character absorbs sufficient sunlight energy to cause a 10° C. or more temperature increase in the thermochromic material when the device is exposed to full sunlight.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
31 words
The window of claim 64 wherein the thermochromic material is chosen from Reversacol Palatenate Purple, Reversacol Aqua Green, Reversacol Sea Green, Chroma Dye 37, Chroma Dye 88 and Chroma Dye 47.
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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) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |