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US 10,705,402 B2Granted
Electronic window array
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDavid Michael Whittingham, Douglas James Barker, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatuses are presented for controlling ambient light transmission through electrochromic devices comprising a plurality of dimmable zones.
Claims19
An electrochromic device comprising:
- a first transparent substrate having a first transparent substrate outer surface and a first transparent substrate inner surface;
- a first conductive layer disposed on the first transparent substrate inner surface;
- a second transparent substrate having a second transparent substrate inner surface and a second transparent substrate outer surface;
- a second conductive layer disposed on the second transparent substrate inner surface;
- an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;
- wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments;
- an electrical contact in communication with each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments, said electrical contact in communication with a power source;
- wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source;
- and
- wherein the dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.
7 more elements
A method for forming an electrochromic device, said method comprising;
- providing a first substrate and a second substrate;
- disposing a first transparent conductive layer onto the first substrate;
- and
- removing a portion of the transparent conductive layer from the first substrate to define a plurality of conductive segments in the first transparent conductive layer;
- electrically contacting each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments with a separate electrical contact, said separate electrical contact in communication with a power source;
- wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source;
- and
- wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.
5 more elements
A method for controlling transmissivity of light through a substantially transparent medium, the method comprising:
- orienting an electrochromic device proximate to the transparent medium, said electrochromic device comprising:
- a first transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;
- a first conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the first transparent substrate;
- a second transparent substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- a second conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate;
- an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, said electrochromic medium having an initial light transmissivity value;
- wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments;
- wherein each conductive segment is configured to separately form at least one dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium;
- and
- wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%;
- directing individually an electric current from a power source individually to at least one of the plurality of discrete conductive segments, controlling individually the current directed to at least one of the plurality of conductive segments;
- controlling individually transmissivity of light through the electrochromic device by changing individually the initial light transmissivity value of at least one of a plurality of dimmable zones to a desired light transmissivity value ranging from about 60% light transmissivity to about 0.01% light transmissivity.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.