Electro-optic infrared filter
An imaging system is provided that includes an imager, an optical lens stack, and an electro-optic element positioned between the imager and the lens stack. The electro-optic element includes a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface has a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the cavity. The electro-optic medium is operable between substantially clear and substantially opaque states.
1. An imaging system, comprising:
an imager;
an optical lens stack; and
an electro-optic element positioned between the imager and the lens stack, the electro-optic element comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substantially transparent substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;
a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween; and
an electro-optic medium disposed within the cavity, the electro-optic medium operable between substantially clear and substantially opaque states for at least one wavelength band.
2. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic element is substantially opaque to infrared light in the substantially opaque state.
3. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic medium is substantially transparent to visible light in the substantially opaque state.
4. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic medium is substantially opaque to a wavelength band of light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm in the substantially opaque state.
5. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic medium is substantially opaque to a wavelength band of light having a wavelength greater than about 650 nm in the substantially opaque state.
6. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrochromic medium.
7. The imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the optical lens stack comprises two or more lenses.
8. A vehicle imaging system, comprising:
an imager;
an optical lens stack; and
an electro-optic element positioned in the imaging system, the electro-optic element comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces;
a second substantially transparent substrate defining third and fourth surfaces;
a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween; and
an electro-optic medium disposed within the cavity, wherein the electro-optic medium is in contact with an electrically conductive layer that is configured to adjust the electro-optic medium between substantially transparent and substantially opaque states to at least one wavelength of infrared light.
9. The vehicle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the electro-optic medium is substantially transparent to visible light when substantially opaque to infrared light.
10. The vehicle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the optical lens stack comprises two or more lenses.
11. The vehicle imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the electro-optic element is positioned between the two or more lenses of the optical lens stack.
12. The vehicle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the electro-optic medium in the substantially opaque state is substantially opaque to light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
13. The vehicle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the electro-optic medium in the substantially opaque state is substantially opaque to light having a wavelength greater than about 650 nm.
14. A vehicle imaging system, comprising:
an imager;
an optical lens stack; and
an electro-optic element positioned in the imaging system, the electro-optic element comprising:
a first substrate defining first and second surfaces;
a second substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, the first and second substrates positioned in a spaced apart configuration; and
an electro-optic medium positioned between the first and second substrates and in electrical communication with an electrically conductive layer, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive to at least infrared light.
15. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrochromic medium.
16. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic element is positioned between the optical lens stack and the imager.
17. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic medium is substantially transparent to visible light.
18. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic medium is variably transmissive to a wavelength band of light having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm.
19. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic medium is variably transmissive to a wavelength band of light having a wavelength greater than about 650 nm.
20. The vehicle imaging system of claim 14 ,
wherein the electrically conductive layer is positioned on at least one of the second and third surfaces.