Privacy glazing system with discrete electrical driver
AssigneeCardinal IG Company
InventorsEric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A controllable privacy structure, such as a window or door, may include an electrically controllable optically active material connected to a driver. The driver can control the application and/or removal of electrical energy to the optically active material to transition from a scattering state in which visibility through the structure is inhibited to a transparent state in which visibility through the structure is comparatively clear. The driver may need to be located in relatively close physical proximity to the privacy structure the driver is intended to control. Devices, systems, and techniques are described for discretely positioning a driver relative to a privacy structure to be controlled.
Claims10
A privacy glazing structure comprising:
- a first pane of transparent material;
- a second pane of transparent material;
- a spacer positioned between the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material to define a between-pane space, the spacer sealing the between-pane space from gas exchange with a surrounding environment and holding the first pane of transparent material a separation distance from the second pane of transparent material;
- a third pane of transparent material;
- a liquid crystal material positioned between the second pane of transparent material and the third pane of transparent material,
- a first electrode layer deposited over the second pane of transparent material and a second electrode layer deposited over the third pane of transparent material, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer being arranged to electrically control the liquid crystal material,
- wherein the spacer comprises a tubular body having opposed ends joined together by a key having first and second ends that are inserted into the opposed ends of the tubular body, and the key includes a driver electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the driver is configured to be electrically connected to a power source and condition power received from the power source to provide a drive signal to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer for controlling the liquid crystal material, and
- wherein the key has a closed surface facing the between-pane space and defines an opening facing the surrounding environment, the opening providing access to a hollow interior space of the key for inserting and removing the driver from the key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.