IP Library Granted Patent US 8,610,992
Granted Patent B2
US 8,610,992 · App. 13/656,969 · Granted Dec 17, 2013

Variable transmission window

Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad (Holland, MI); Mingtang Zhao (Grand Rapids, MI); Craig A. Dornan (Grand Haven, MI); Anoop Agrawal (Tucson, AZ); Pierr-Marc Allemand (Tucson, AZ); Niall R. Lynam (Holland, MI)
Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
G02F1/1523G02F1/1533G02F1/1525G02F1/155G02F1/1521
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,610,992
App. No.
13/656,969
Granted
Dec 17, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A variable transmission window includes a first substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface and a second substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface. The second substrate is positioned relative to the first substrate with the first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other. An electrochromic medium is disposed between the first and second substrates whereby the transmission of light through the electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto. The electrochromic medium includes a cross-linked film. The window may be one of (i) an aeronautical glazing and (ii) a vehicle glazing, and/or the window may be a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

Claims (80)

1. A variable transmission window comprising:

a first substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface coated with a first transparent conductor;

a second substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface coated with a second transparent conductor, said second substrate positioned relative to said first substrate with said first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other;

wherein at least one of said first transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square and (ii) said second transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said first and second substrates whereby the transmission of light through said electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked film;

wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition, (xiv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvii) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xix) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xx) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film; and

wherein said window is a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

2. The window of claim 1 , wherein said window exhibits reduced hydrostatic pressure when vertically mounted.

3. The window of claim 2 , wherein said window comprises a window for a home or an office.

4. The window of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors comprises a thin metal layer.

5. The window of claim 4 , wherein said thin metal layer is at least one of (i) overcoated with a metal oxide layer and (ii) undercoated with a metal oxide layer.

6. The window of claim 5 , wherein said thin metal layer comprises silver.

7. The window of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors comprises one of indium tin oxide, doped tin oxide or doped zinc oxide.

8. The window of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium tin oxide full wave, indium tin oxide half wave, indium tin oxide half wave green, tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide.

9. The window of claim 1 , wherein said second transparent conductor coated at said second transparent conductor coated surface of said first substrate comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium tin oxide full wave, indium tin oxide half wave, indium tin oxide half wave green, tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide.

10. The window of claim 1 , wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of an ultraviolet stabilizer, a humectant, a coloring agent, a spacer, a flame retarding agent, a heat stabilizing agent, an antioxidizing agent, a lubricating agent, a compatibilizing agent, an adhesion promoting agent or a coupling agent.

11. The window of claim 10 , wherein said electrochromic medium comprises an ultraviolet stabilizer in an amount, by weight, of about 0.1% to about 15%.

12. The window of claim 1 , wherein said electrochromic medium is formed by curing an electrochromic monomer composition in an in-situ cure after said monomer composition has been disposed between said first and second substrates.

13. The window of claim 1 , wherein said window has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least about 60% of light incident thereon.

14. The window of claim 1 , wherein said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium.

15. The window of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second substrates comprises a specialized glass with reduced ultraviolet radiation transmission.

16. The window of claim 1 , wherein an interpane distance between said first and second substrates is from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns.

17. The window of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first substrate and said second substrate comprises a glass substrate having a thickness of less than about 1.8 mm.

18. The window of claim 1 , wherein said first substrate comprises a glass substrate having a thickness in the range of from about 1 mm to about 1.8 mm and wherein said second substrate comprises a glass substrate having a thickness in the range of from about 1 mm to about 1.8 mm.

19. The window of claim 1 , wherein said cross-linked film comprises a cross-linked polymer solid film that is formed by curing within a cavity between said first and second substrates a monomer composition comprising at least one polyol.

20. The window of claim 1 , wherein said cross-linked film comprises a cross-linked polymer solid film comprising one of a urethane and an acrylate.

21. The window of claim 1 , wherein said electrochromic medium comprises propylene carbonate, a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.

22. The window of claim 1 , wherein said window comprises a vehicular glazing.

23. The window of claim 1 , wherein said window comprises an aeronautical glazing.

24. The window of claim 1 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.075 inches.

25. The window of claim 1 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.063 inches.

26. The window of claim 1 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.043 inches.

27. The window of claim 1 , wherein said first substrate is thinner than said second substrate.

28. A variable transmission window comprising:

a first glass substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface coated with a first transparent conductor;

a second glass substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface coated with a second transparent conductor, said second substrate positioned relative to said first substrate with said first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other;

wherein at least one of (i) said first transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square and (ii) said second transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square;

wherein an interpane distance between said first and second substrates is from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said first and second glass substrates whereby the transmission of light through said electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked film;

wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition, (xiv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvii) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xix) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xx) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film;

wherein at least one of (i) said window has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least about 60% of light incident thereon, (ii) said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium, and (iii) said window has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least about 60% of light incident thereon and said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium;

wherein said window comprises an aeronautical glazing; and

wherein said window is a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

29. The window of claim 28 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors comprises a thin metal layer.

30. The window of claim 29 , wherein said thin metal layer is at least one of (i) overcoated with a metal oxide layer and (ii) undercoated with a metal oxide layer.

31. The window of claim 28 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium tin oxide full wave, indium tin oxide half wave, indium tin oxide half wave green, tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide.

32. The window of claim 28 , wherein at least one of said first glass substrate and said second glass substrate has a thickness of less than about 1.8 mm.

33. The window of claim 28 , wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.075 inches.

34. The window of claim 28 , wherein said first glass substrate is thinner than said second glass substrate.

35. A variable transmission window comprising:

a first glass substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface coated with a first transparent conductor;

a second glass substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface coated with a second transparent conductor, said second substrate positioned relative to said first substrate with said first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other;

wherein at least one of said first transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square and said second transparent conductor has a thickness eater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square;

wherein an interpane distance between said first and second substrates is from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns;

wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.075 inches;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said first and second glass substrates whereby the transmission of light through said electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked film;

wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition, (xiv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a film formed from curing an electrochromic monomer composition comprising hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvii) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xix) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xx) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film;

wherein at least one of (i) said window has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least about 60% of light incident thereon, (ii) said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium, and (iii) said window has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least about 60% of light incident thereon and said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium;

wherein said window comprises one of (i) an aeronautical glazing and (ii) a vehicle glazing; and

wherein said window is a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

36. The window of claim 35 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.063 inches.

37. The window of claim 35 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.043 inches.

38. The window of claim 35 , wherein said first substrate is thinner than said second substrate.

39. The window of claim 35 , wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductors comprises a thin metal layer.

40. The window of claim 39 , wherein said thin metal layer is at least one of (i) overcoated with a metal oxide layer and (ii) undercoated with a metal oxide layer.

41. A variable transmission window comprising:

a first substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface coated with a first transparent conductor;

a second substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface coated with a second transparent conductor, said second substrate positioned relative to said first substrate with said first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces facing each other;

wherein at least one of aid first transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square and (ii) said second transparent conductor has a thickness greater than about 300 angstroms and a sheet resistance less than about 100 ohms per square;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said first and second substrates whereby the transmission of light through said electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer solid film;

wherein said electrochromic medium is formed by curing an electrochromic monomer composition is an in-situ cure after said electrochromic monomer composition has been disposed between said first and second substrates;

wherein an interpane distance between said first and second substrates is from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns;

wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of (i) a viologen, (ii) a phenazine, (iii) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine, (iv) a heptyl viologen, (v) a distryrylmethyl viologen, (vi) an ethylhydroxypropyl viologen, (vii) propylene carbonate, (viii) an ultraviolet stabilizer, (ix) a phenothiazine, (x) a metallocene, (xi) a cross-linked polymer, (xii) a plasticizer, (xiii) a film formed from curing said electrochromic monomer composition, (xiv) a film formed from curing said electrochromic monomer composition and wherein said electrochromic monomer composition comprises hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xv) a film formed from curing said electrochromic monomer composition and wherein said electrochromic monomer composition comprises hydroxyundecylphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate, diphenylpropyl viologen diperchlorate and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in propylene carbonate in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvi) a film formed from curing said electrochromic monomer composition and wherein said electrochromic monomer composition comprises hydroxyundecyl viologen perchlorate, ethyl viologen perchlorate, a ferrocene-polyol, ferrocene and 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine dispersed in a mixture of tertraethyleneglycol dimethylether and tetramethylenesulfone in combination with an isocyanate, a polyol, a tin catalyst and a UV stabilizer, (xvii) a cathodic electrochromic compound, (xviii) an anodic electrochromic compound, (xix) a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound and (xx) an electrochromic cross-linked polymer solid film;

wherein said window has a transmission less than about 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of about 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium; and

wherein said window is a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

42. The window of claim 41 , wherein said window comprises one of (i) an aeronautical glazing and (ii) a vehicle glazing.

43. The window of claim 41 , wherein said window comprises an aeronautical glazing.

44. The window of claim 43 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.075 inches.

45. The window of claim 43 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.063 inches.

46. The window of claim 43 , wherein said first substrate has a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.043 inches.

Continuity (26)
Continuation 12685331 · Jan 11, 2010
Continuation 12614812 · Nov 9, 2009
Continuation 12061795 · Apr 3, 2008
Continuation 11957755 · Dec 17, 2007
Continuation 11653254 · Jan 16, 2007
Continuation 10954233 · Oct 1, 2004
Continuation 10197679 · Jul 16, 2002
Continuation 09381856
Continuation In Part 12268014 · Nov 10, 2008
Division 11954982 · Dec 12, 2007
Continuation 11655096 · Jan 19, 2007
Continuation 11244182 · Oct 6, 2005
Continuation 10971456 · Oct 22, 2004
Continuation 09954285 · Sep 18, 2001
Continuation 08957027 · Oct 24, 1997
Continuation In Part 12636126 · Dec 11, 2009
Continuation 12339786 · Dec 19, 2008
Continuation 11935808 · Nov 6, 2007
Continuation 11835088 · Aug 7, 2007
Continuation 11498663 · Aug 3, 2006
Continuation 11064294 · Feb 23, 2005
Continuation 10739766 · Dec 18, 2003
Continuation 10134775 · Apr 29, 2002
Continuation 09526151 · Mar 15, 2000
Division 08918772 · Aug 25, 1997
Related Publication 20130063802A1 · Mar 14, 2013