Electronic window array

{
  "publication_number": "US10705402B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Electronic window array",
  "abstract": "Methods, systems and apparatuses are presented for controlling ambient light transmission through electrochromic devices comprising a plurality of dimmable zones.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electrochromic device comprising: a first transparent substrate having a first transparent substrate outer surface and a first transparent substrate inner surface; a first conductive layer disposed on the first transparent substrate inner surface; a second transparent substrate having a second transparent substrate inner surface and a second transparent substrate outer surface; a second conductive layer disposed on the second transparent substrate inner surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments; an electrical contact in communication with each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments, said electrical contact in communication with a power source; wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source; and wherein the dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.",
    "2. The device of claim 1, wherein each conductive segment is configured to contact a separate electrical circuit.",
    "3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one conductive segment is bounded by a perimeter, said perimeter comprising a substantially non-conductive material.",
    "4. The device of claim 1, wherein each dimmable zone comprises an initial light transmissivity value, said light transmissivity value ranging from about 0.01% to about 60%.",
    "5. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 1.",
    "6. A vehicle comprising the window of claim 5.",
    "7. An aircraft comprising the window of claim 6.",
    "8. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein a controlled electrical current is delivered from the power source to at least one conductive segment.",
    "9. The electrochromic device of claim 8 wherein the second transparent substrate comprises a plurality of conductive segments.",
    "10. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 9.",
    "11. A vehicle comprising the window of claim 10.",
    "12. An aircraft comprising the window of claim 11.",
    "13. A method for forming an electrochromic device, said method comprising; providing a first substrate and a second substrate; disposing a first transparent conductive layer onto the first substrate; and removing a portion of the transparent conductive layer from the first substrate to define a plurality of conductive segments in the first transparent conductive layer; electrically contacting each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments with a separate electrical contact, said separate electrical contact in communication with a power source; wherein each conductive segment of the plurality of conductive segments is configured to separately form a dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium when power a current is supplied to the conductive segment from the power source; and wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%.",
    "14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: coupling an electrical circuit to each of the conductive segments.",
    "15. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of transparent conductive layer is removed by applying energy from a laser to the first transparent conductive layer.",
    "16. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of the transparent conductive layer is removed by a method comprising at least one of: electro ablation, mechanical ablation; thermal ablation; chemical etching; and chemical peeling.",
    "17. A method for controlling transmissivity of light through a substantially transparent medium, the method comprising: orienting an electrochromic device proximate to the transparent medium, said electrochromic device comprising: a first transparent substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface; a first conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second conductive layer disposed on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate; an electrochromic medium disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, said electrochromic medium having an initial light transmissivity value; wherein one of the first conductive layer and second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive segments; wherein each conductive segment is configured to separately form at least one dimmable zone substantially adjacent to the conductive segment in the electrochromic medium; and wherein each dimmable zone is configured to block an amount of ambient light transmissivity through the device in an amount ranging from about 40% to about 99.99%; directing individually an electric current from a power source individually to at least one of the plurality of discrete conductive segments, controlling individually the current directed to at least one of the plurality of conductive segments; controlling individually transmissivity of light through the electrochromic device by changing individually the initial light transmissivity value of at least one of a plurality of dimmable zones to a desired light transmissivity value ranging from about 60% light transmissivity to about 0.01% light transmissivity.",
    "18. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of: a train, an automobile, a bus, a tram, a watercraft, and a spacecraft.",
    "19. The method of claim 17 further comprising: coupling an electrical circuit to each of the conductive segments."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "G02F 1/1533",
    "B60J 3/04",
    "B64C 1/1484",
    "B64C 1/1492",
    "E06B 3/6722",
    "G02F 1/153",
    "G02F 1/163",
    "G02F 2201/44"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BOEING CO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-02-23",
  "publication_date": "2020-07-07",
  "grant_date": "2020-07-07",
  "priority_date": "2018-02-23",
  "application_number": "US-201815903620-A",
  "family_id": "67685840",
  "citations": [
    "US2012033287A1",
    "US2015362817A1",
    "US2016026055A1",
    "US6136161A",
    "US6407847B1",
    "US6594067B2",
    "US6671080B2"
  ]
}