Entryway systems with variable light transmission panels
The present invention relates to variable optical transmission windows and window panels which are used for architectural applications, particularly in building entryway systems. This disclosure is directed to the use and powering of such panels in door and windows that, in part, physically open by manual or automatic sliding, tilting, pushing or rotating about the hinges, unless specifically mentioned otherwise. The doors may also have other electronic devices which provided added user functionality.
1. A building entryway system containing a variable light transmission panel (VLTP), wherein the VLTP is used in at least one of a doorlite, a sidelite, and a transom of the building entryway system, and wherein the VLTP changes optical transmission from a clear state to a darkened state when an electric voltage is applied thereto, wherein the color difference ΔE* between the clear state and the darkened state is equal to or greater than 35.
2. The building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein the VLTP is an electrochromic element.
3. The building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein the VLTP is assembled with another panel as an insulated glazing unit.
4. The building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein the VLTP is configured to receive electric voltage through an electronic module and the said electronic module is connected to at least one additional electronic device in the building entryway system that is not a VLTP.
5. The building entryway system of claim 4 , wherein the additional electronic device is selected from at least one of electronic lock, a doorbell camera, a display, an optical indicator, a doorbell chime, an audible indicator, an audible alarm, a smoke alarm, a burglar alarm, a video interface, a thermometer, a humidity sensor, a wind sensor, a door open/shut sensor, a burglar sensor, a panic button, lighting, a motion sensor, a camera, a speaker, an audible noise generator, third party activation or a combination thereof.
6. The building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein building entryway system partitions a first space located outside a building and a second space located inside the building, wherein the first space in proximity to said entryway has an illumination level of L 1 in lux and the second space in proximity to said entryway has an illumination level of L 2 in lux, and wherein the building entryway system is configured such that a privacy, P, of the first space through the VLTP from the second space is controlled by adjusting the illumination between the two spaces relative to each other and the visible transmission of the VLTP, such that a value of P≥5 according to
P =( R×L 2 )/( T×L 1 ), where
R is visible reflectivity in percentage of the VLTP in the second space, and
T is visible transmission in percentage of the VLTP.
7. The building entryway system of claim 1 , that forms a partition between two spaces, wherein the first space located outside the building and the second space is located inside the building, both spaces in proximity to the said VLTP element, and wherein the first space has an illumination level of L 1 in lux and the second space has an illumination level of L 2 in lux, and wherein the smart window is configured such that a privacy, P, of the first space through the said VLTP from the second space is controlled by adjusting the visible transmission of the VLTP, such that a value of P≥5 according to
P =( R×L 2 )/( T×L 1 ), where
R is visible reflectivity in percentage of the VLTP in the second space, and
T is visible transmission in percentage of the VLTP.
8. The building entryway system of claim 1 , further comprising a movable element in which the VLTP is located, wherein the movable element is configured to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position, and configured such that the electric voltage is connected to the VLTP when the movable element is in the closed position and the electric voltage is disconnected from the VLTP when the movable element is in the open position.
9. The building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein the said VLTP panel is integrated into an IGU by combining with a second optically transmissive panel wherein the VLTP and the second optically transmissive panel are separated by a gap containing a gas or the gap is evacuated.
10. The building entryway system of claim 9 , wherein the doorlite, sidelite, or transom has an R value in its center that is equal to or greater than 3 (° F.-ft 2 -hour)/Btu).
11. The building entryway system of claim 9 , wherein the second optically transmissive panel is coated with a low-e coating.
12. The building entryway system of claim 9 , wherein the second optically transmissive panel is frosted.
13. A building entryway system of claim 1 , wherein the building entryway system comprises a door panel comprising non-glass elements, wherein the R value of the door panel is equal to or greater than 3 (° F.-ft 2 -hour)/Btu).
14. The building entryway system of claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable battery, a super-capacitor, a solar panel, or a combination thereof.
15. A window of a building entryway system, the window comprising an electronic module and a VLTP that forms a partition a first space located outside a building and a second space located inside the building, wherein the first space in the proximity of the entryway has an illumination level of L 1 in lux and the second space in the proximity of the entryway has an illumination level of L 2 in lux, and wherein the window is configured such that a privacy, P, of the first space through the VLTP from the second space is controlled by adjusting the visible transmission of the VLTP, such that a value of P≥5 according to
P =( R×L 2 )/( T×L 1 ), where
R is visible reflectivity in percentage of the VLTP in the second space, and
T is visible transmission in percentage of the VLTP,
wherein the VLTP changes optical transmission from a clear state to a darkened state when an electric voltage is applied thereto, wherein the color difference ΔE* between the clear state and the darkened state is equal to or greater than 35.
16. The window of claim 15 , wherein the window is configured such that P is controllable by further adjusting the illumination between the first and second spaces relative to each other.
17. The window of claim 16 , wherein the electronic module is configured to automatically control L 1 , and L 2 , and the transmission of the VLTP.
18. The window of claim 17 , wherein the electronic module is configured to sense the light intensity in the first space and in the second space.
19. A variable transmission optical panel (VLTP) in a building entryway system, wherein the building entryway system comprises a frame and a movable element in which the VLTP is located, wherein the movable element is pivotable between a closed position and an open position, wherein electric power is supplied to the VLTP when the movable element is in the closed position, wherein the VLTP changes optical transmission from a clear state to a darkened state when an electric voltage is applied thereto, wherein the color difference ΔE* between the clear state and the darkened state is equal to or greater than 35.