Abstract
The present invention is a window pane assembly system and method utilizing locking a locking system for easy insertion of a second window pane and an electro kinetic strip or film on these window panes. These electrokinetic strips and films have the capability to do many things on the window panes like changing the opacity of the windows and allowing certain levels of light through the window. The use of this technology can create more opportunities for creating advertisements on window surfaces, storing energy or repelling solar energy for building temperature management and energy savings. The electrokinetic film can be used with a remodel of window panes or the electrokinetic strips and films can be built into new window panes. With the ability of the electrokinetic devices to allow certain levels of light in, there is the opportunity for many more technological advancements on the window panes. The electrokinetic film may incorporate a matrix of densely packed apertures with scalable shutters, to attenuate light transmission through the window pane assembly.
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a first electrokinetic (EK) device including: a first electrode; a second electrode; a dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the second electrode; a carrier fluid disposed at least between the first electrode and the dielectric layer; and a compaction trench configured to contain pigments while the first EK device is operating in a first operating state, and an imaging assembly disposed adjacent to the first EK device, the imaging assembly including: a lens; and an image sensor; and wherein, in the first operating state, a first optical path allows electromagnetic radiation to pass through at least a portion of the first electrode, at least a portion of the carrier fluid, at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and at least a portion of the second electrode, before reaching the lens of the imaging assembly, and wherein the compaction trench surrounds the first optical path, such that in the first operating state, the pigments are substantially located in the compaction trench instead of in the first optical path.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The various embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the exploded view of SmartTint strip window insert.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the exploded view of SmartTint film window insert.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly and the frame modifications to accept it.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly with completed EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, glazing assembly and frame assembly without EK.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK, glazing and frame assembly.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK strip, glazing and frame assembly.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the exploded view of the glazing and frame assembly.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the exploded view of the insert electronics carrier assembly, EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the exploded view of the glazing and frame assembly.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the exploded view of the EK assembly.
[0036] FIGS. 14A-E are diagrams depicting various configurations of the electronics carrier assembly, glazing bead, and frame.
[0037] FIGS. 15A-G are images depicting the various view configurations of the window insert.
[0038] FIGS. 16A-D are diagrams that detail the various applications of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the exploded view of SmartTint strip window insert. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the SmartTint strip window insert consists of a window frame that is made up of rigid frame pieces and compliant frame edge beads. Within the frame, there are opaque films, glazing layer, and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead frame pieces, which also enclose the EK strips. The EK strips are connected to the EK wires, PCA, battery, PFC and sensor array, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the exploded view of SmartTint film window insert. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the SmartTint film window insert consists of a window frame that is made up of rigid frame pieces and compliant frame edge beads. Within the frame, there is a glazing layer, and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead frame pieces, which also enclose the EK film. The EK film is connected to the PCA, battery, PFC and sensor array, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronics carrier consists of a battery, PCA and PFC with sensor array. The outer layer of the electronics carrier consists of a solar panel.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly and the frame modifications to accept it. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame must be modified along the edge to be able to fit and house the electronics carrier assembly.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly with completed EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the EK-glazing assembly is inserted into the window frame, followed by the electronics carrier assembly which is inserted into the modified portion of the widow frame.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, glazing assembly and frame assembly without EK. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of the frame pieces and compliant frame edge weatherstrip. Within the frame, there is a glazing layer, and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead pieces, which also enclose the PCA, battery, PFC, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of the frame pieces and compliant frame edge weatherstrip. Within the frame, there is an EK-glazing assembly, and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead pieces, which also enclose the PCA, battery, PFC, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK, glazing and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of the frame pieces and compliant frame edge weatherstrip. Within the frame, there is a glazing layer and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead pieces, which also encloses the EK assembly, PCA, battery, PFC, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the exploded view of the electronics carrier assembly, EK strip, glazing and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of the frame pieces and compliant frame edge weatherstrip. Within the frame, there is a glazing layer and glazing tape. The glazing layer is enclosed by glazing bead pieces, which also encloses the EK strip, PCA, battery, PFC, electronics carrier and solar panel.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the exploded view of the glazing and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of rigid frame pieces and compliant frame edge beads. Within the frame, there is a glazing layer and glazing tape, which is enclosed by glazing bead pieces.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the exploded view of the insert electronics carrier assembly, EK-glazing assembly and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of rigid frame pieces compliant frame edge beads, and frame assembly. The frame assembly holds the EK-glazing assembly and electronics carrier assembly.
[0050] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the exploded view of the glazing and frame assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window frame consists of rigid frame pieces and compliant frame edge beads. The glazing layer and glazing tape are enclosed within the frame, with glazing bead pieces enclosing the glazing layer to the frame.
[0051] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the exploded view of the EK assembly. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glazing layer has opaque seam covers on one side, and EK-strips covering the opposite side. The EK strips are connected to the EK wires and FPC with sensor array.
[0052] FIGS. 14A-E are diagrams depicting various configurations of the electronics carrier assembly, glazing bead, and frame. FIG. 14A shows the individual components as the electronics carrier assembly, the glazing bead, and frame which consists of the EK film, wires, glazing layer, PFC with sensor array, and compliant seal. FIG. 14B shows the glazing bead when connected to the frame component. FIG. 14C shows the electronics carrier inserted into the frame component and connected to the glazing bead. FIG. 14D shows the electronics carrier assembly separated from the frame component and glazing bead. FIG. 14E shows the electronics carrier assembly inserted into the frame component and connected to the glazing bead.
[0053] FIGS. 15A-G are images depicting the various view configurations of the window insert. FIG. 15A shows the view of the insert from the outside. FIG. 15B shows the side view of the window insert, and the positioning of the compliant frame member. FIG. 15C shows the view of the insert from the inside. FIG. 15D shows the angled view of the insert from the outside. FIG. 15E shows the angled view of the insert from the inside. FIG. 15F shows the angled view of the insert and EK strips from the inside. FIG. 15G shows the angled view of the insert and EK strips from the outside.
[0054] FIGS. 16A-D are diagrams that detail the various applications of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows that the EK device can be applied as: a control system; electrokinetic film; electrokinetic ink, fluid or tinting; insulated glass unit (IGU) assembly for windows; functionality; and other uses.
[0055] FIG. 16B details the various aspects of the control system of the EK device. The control system allows for the device operation of the EK device. The control system device operation also contains damped response improvement and pulse train design. The control system power supply comes from an energy source can come from a battery which can be the primary power source, and a secondary power source that can be lithium ion or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). The control system also consists of a user interface. The control system functions autonomously, including autonomous device setup, machine learning, user override, and a sensing system that can be both external and integrated. The control system can connect to the building interface that can be both mechanical to the building and electrical to the system. The control system operates by connectivity to: communication interfaces to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other windows; internet of things (IoT) ecosystem radio frequency (RF) standards, data interchange, and cyber security; secure firmware updates; and an internal sensor interface. The control system also controls the failure mode, including the fail to safe state and redundancy.
[0056] FIG. 16C details the various aspects of the functionality of the EK device. The window functionality of the EK device includes: privacy; light control (can be user controlled or environmentally controlled); energy control; impact resistant safety glass; acoustic abatement; anti-eavesdropping; aesthetics and window covering; and insulation. The communication functionality can be made up of a display surface that can have multi-window pixilation and be a multi-state window, which can also be applicable to signs as well as windows. The functionality can also incorporate various window functions. The functionality can also incorporate polarizer light rejection, including car windows. The functionality can use electrical power for defrosting, dust rejection and energy harvesting. The functionality can consist of radiation shielding (including RF blocking and an active state RF shutter), and an environmental sensing system (with feedback to a grid for energy control).
[0057] FIG. 16D details the other uses such as shutter functionality of the EK device, including: display surfaces such as a reflective display (segmented and pixelated) and transmission display (segmented and pixelated); wireless communication; PC case; laser room blocking; appliance surface; Eskin; and aquarium applications.
[0058] While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the disclosed technology, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the disclosed technology. The disclosed technology is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the technology disclosed herein. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein may be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
[0059] Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the technology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0060] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
