Privacy glazing system with discrete electrical driver
OwnerEric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio +1inventors
InventorsEric Bjergaard, Andrew DeMiglio, Chad Peters
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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.
Claims22
A privacy glazing system comprising:
- a privacy glazing structure that includes:
- 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;
- an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the second pane of transparent material and the third pane of transparent material, the electrically controllable optically active material being positioned between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer,
- a wall-mounted gang box located outside of the privacy glazing structure, the wall-mounted gang box containing a driver electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer via wiring extending from the wall-mounted gang box to the privacy glazing structure through an opening in a sash surrounding the privacy glazing structure, the driver being further electrically connected to a power source via wiring connected to wall power entering the wall-mounted gang box, wherein the driver is configured to 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 electrically controllable optically active material.
A privacy door comprising:
- a first pane of transparent material;
- a second pane of transparent material;
- an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material, the electrically controllable optically active material being further positioned between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer;
- an optically opaque panel positioned across an external surface of the privacy door;
- and
- a driver positioned behind the optically opaque panel, the driver being electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the driver being further electrically connected to a power source and configured to 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 electrically controllable optically active material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.