Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
359288000 | Thermo-optic | 83 |
20080239453 | Thermal control of optical filter with local silicon frame - Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature. | 10-02-2008 |
20090015902 | Thermally Switched Reflective Optical Shutter - The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device. | 01-15-2009 |
20090219603 | Temperature activated optical films - The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day. | 09-03-2009 |
20090251759 | Materials, thin films, optical filters, and devices including same - A material is disclosed which possesses at least two of the following characteristics: (a) is optically transparent at a wavelength in the range from about 1500 nm to about 1560 nm; (b) has a 1/n dn/dt greater than that of silicon, (c) has an extinction coefficient, k, less than 10 | 10-08-2009 |
20090268273 | Glare Management of Reflective and Thermoreflective Surfaces - The reflectivity and transmissivity of building and vehicle surfaces is maintained while employing partial, variable, selective, or asymmetric diffusers between a surface and an external light source such that the reflected light is diffused to produce a reduction in glare, while minimally effecting the specular or collimated transmission (if any) of light through the surface. Glare is also reduced by utilizing diffuser devices that reflect light in a temperature dependent manner. | 10-29-2009 |
20090296192 | Optical modulation apparatus - An optical modulation apparatus that performs optimum bias voltage control for optical modulation without using a pilot tone. A drive unit generates a drive signal by adding a bias voltage to an input data signal. A light modulation unit modulates input light output from a light source unit, in accordance with the drive signal, and outputs the results as optical signals. A forward monitoring unit monitors a forward signal of the light modulation unit and outputs the forward signal. A reverse monitoring unit monitors a reverse signal of the light modulation unit and outputs a reverse signal. A bias control unit controls the bias voltage so that a measured monitor ratio matches a target value of the ratio between the forward signal and the reverse signal, obtained when the operating point of the light modulation unit is in a predetermined position on its operation characteristic curve. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303568 | OPTICAL PHASE SHIFTING PLATE - An optical phase shifting plate includes: an optical substrate configured to change a refractive index for light which passes through the optical substrate by a thermooptical effect; a thin-film heater formed on a surface of the optical substrate; a wiring member disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the optical substrate; an intermediate member disposed between the optical substrate and the wiring member, the intermediate member having: a first surface that is substantially flush with a surface of the thin-film heater; and a second surface that is substantially flush with a surface of the wiring member and that is perpendicularly adjacent to the first surface, a first bonding wire which electrically connects the surface of the thin-film heater to the first surface of the intermediate member; and a second bonding wire which electrically connects the surface of wiring member to the second surface of the intermediate member. | 12-10-2009 |
20100027099 | Thermochromic Optical Filter Incorporating Quantum Confinement Devices - A thermochromic optical filter incorporating quantum confinement devices is formed as multilayered composite film of semiconducting materials. A quantum well adjacent a barrier layer ensures proper confinement of charge carriers within the well. A transition wavelength (i.e., the energy/wavelength at which the filter becomes transparent) is established by selecting a quantum well material with a bandgap near the desired energy and a barrier layer material with a higher bandgap. For a given reference temperature (e.g., room temperature), the exact transition wavelength is fixed by the thickness of the quantum well. The quantum confinement energy is added to the bandgap energy to yield the transition energy. A thermal control system varies the temperature of the thermochromic filter to adjust the transition wavelength. Temperature changes affect both the bandgap and the quantum confinement energy, and thus the optical properties of the thermochromic filter. The thermochromic filter may function as a longpass filter. | 02-04-2010 |
20100110525 | ULTRA-WIDE BAND SLOW LIGHT STRUCTURE USING PLASMONIC GRADED GRATING STRUCTURES - A slow light system includes a substrate and a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer having a graded grating structure formed at a surface thereof, wherein the grating depth of the grating structure is sized such that surface-plasmon polariton dispersion behavior of the grating structure differs at different respective locations along the grating structure. Different wavelengths of incident light waves can be slowed at the respective locations along the grating structure. | 05-06-2010 |
20100134868 | WAVELENGTH CONVERTER - Provided is a wavelength converter having a simple and low-cost structure. The wavelength converter generates converted light having a wavelength different from that of input light. The wavelength converter includes (1) a pump light source that outputs pump light, (2) an optical multiplexer that combines and outputs input light and the pump light, (3) a first optical fiber that receives and guides the input light and the pump light that have been combined and output by the optical multiplexer and generates converted light using a nonlinear optical phenomenon that occurs while the first optical fiber guides the input light and the pump light, the first optical fiber being coiled, and (4) zero-dispersion wavelength adjusting means that adjusts a zero-dispersion wavelength of the first optical fiber. | 06-03-2010 |
20100149620 | PHOTOCHROMIC OPTICAL ARTICLES PREPARED WITH REVERSIBLE THERMOCHROMIC MATERIALS - Provided is a photochromic optical articleincluding: (a) an optical substrate; (b) a thermally reversible photochromic material; and (c) reversible thermochromic material capable of at least partially filtering UV/visible light at or below room temperature and becoming less capable of filtering UV/visible light at temperatures greater than room temperature. | 06-17-2010 |
20100220379 | Thermochromic component and thermochromic display apparatus using the same - A thermochromic component includes a thermochromic module and a heater. The heater is thermally coupled with the thermochromic module. The heater includes a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure directly transfers heat to the thermochromic module. A thermochromic display apparatus also is provided. The thermochromic display apparatus uses the thermochromic component. | 09-02-2010 |
20100225989 | PHASE CHANGE DEVICE - A phase change material is applied as a very thin film to a transparent substrate such as glass, which material when switched from the amorphous to the crystalline state and back again can affect the reflectivity/transmittance of the combined substrate-coating system. When used with glass panels in the fabrication of relatively large area window glass, the change in spectrally selective transmittance can be used to modulate the amount of sunlight passing through the glass, and thus reduce the amount of cooling required for an interior space in the summertime, and the amount of heating required of that same interior space in the wintertime, while also optimizing the use of visible daylight. Exemplary of a suitable phase change material for glass coating is GeSb or BiSn. Heating of the phase change material to initiate a change in phase can be provided by the application of electric energy, such as supplied from a pulsed power supply, or radiant energy, such as from a laser. | 09-09-2010 |
20100271686 | Thermally switched reflective optical shutter - The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device. | 10-28-2010 |
20100309539 | Phase-Change Materials and Optical Limiting Devices Utilizing Phase-Change Materials - An optical limiting structure includes a metal layer with a single metal particle or a plurality of metal particles spaced from each other so as to form an array, where the metal particles have sizes no greater than about 1000 nanometers. A phase-change material layer is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the metal layer, where the phase-change material layer includes a phase-change material. The optical limiting structure is configured to transition from a first optical state to a second optical state, where the optical limiting structure substantially limits transmittance of light of at least one wavelength through the optical limiting structure at the second optical state, and the at least one wavelength at which the optical limiting structure substantially limits transmittance of light is different from any wavelength of light at which transmittance is substantially limited through the phase-change material prior to integration into the optical limiting structure. | 12-09-2010 |
20100328754 | LIGHT SOURCE WAVELENGTH MODULATOR - A light source wavelength modulator includes a substrate made of a material with a high light transmittance and a thermal conduction effect, a wavelength modulation layer formed on the substrate and made of a wavelength modulation material, and patternized or multilayered, and further having a spacer between the wavelength modulation layer and its corresponding light source for achieving the best light source wavelength modulation, such that a portion of light spectrum of an original solar light or LED having no response or poor response to the light receiver is converted into a range of the best application efficiency for improving the utility efficiency of the light source. The white light emitted from the LED is gone through a wavelength modulation to enhance the light emitting color rendering, conversion efficiency and using life. | 12-30-2010 |
20110051223 | PHOTOCHROMIC OPTICAL ARTICLES PREPARED WITH REVERSIBLE THERMOCHROMIC MATERIALS - Provided is a photochromic optical article including: (a) an optical substrate; (b) a thermally reversible photochromic material; and (c) reversible thermochromic material capable of at least partially filtering UV/visible light at or below room temperature and becoming less capable of filtering UV/visible light at temperatures greater than room temperature. The reversible thermochromic material (c) is operable for filtering light in the range of from 300 to 450 nanometers. | 03-03-2011 |
20110075243 | INFRARED RAY TRANSMITTANCE CONTROLLING PANEL INCLUDING COLOR MODIFYING LAYER - A panel includes a transparent substrate, a thermochromic layer, and a color modifying layer that includes an organic material. The transparent substrate, the color modifying layer and the thermochromic layer are stacked together. | 03-31-2011 |
20110075244 | THERMOCHROMIC WINDOW STRUCTURES - An energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when sunlight is absent or at high sun angles and substantially blocks solar radiation when sunlight is directly on the window. | 03-31-2011 |
20110080631 | PANEL INCLUDING THERMOCHROMIC LAYER - A panel including a thermochromic layer. A panel includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of thermochromic layers on the transparent substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers stacked with the thermochromic layers. The thermochromic layers may include vanadium oxide, in which a chemical stoichiometric ratio of vanadium to oxygen may be about 1:2 or about 2:5. | 04-07-2011 |
20110102878 | Thermochromic Filters and Stopband Filters for Use with Same - Thermochromic filters use combinations of absorptive, reflective, thermoabsorptive, and thermoreflective elements covering different portions of the solar spectrum, to achieve different levels of energy savings, throw, shading, visible light transmission, and comfort. Embodiments include stopband filters in the near-infrared spectrum. | 05-05-2011 |
20110116155 | WINDOW HAVING A LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE-ADJUSTING LAYER - A window includes a plurality of transparent substrates spaced apart from each other in a thickness direction; a light transmittance-adjusting layer on a surface of at least one transparent substrate of the plurality of transparent substrates and having a thermochromic or thermotropic characteristic; and an air circulator configured to circulate a heat transfer medium in a space between the plurality of transparent substrates for changing a light transmittance of the light transmittance-adjusting layer. | 05-19-2011 |
20110122478 | PANEL INCLUDING THERMOCHROMIC LAYER AND ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVE LAYER - A panel including a substrate coated with a thermochromic layer, and a plurality of electric conductive layers formed of an electric conductive material. Here, the infrared ray transmittance of the panel is randomly or desirably adjusted as an electric conductive layer generates heat, and the color tone of the panel may be adjusted as desired by a user. | 05-26-2011 |
20110134503 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SMART PANEL AND SMART PANEL - A method of manufacturing a smart panel and a smart panel. A method of manufacturing a smart panel includes spraying a coating solution including a thermochromic material and a silicon oxide on a surface of a transparent substrate, and drying the coating solution to form a coating film on the surface of the substrate. A smart panel is manufactured in accordance with the above-described method. | 06-09-2011 |
20110149371 | THERMOCHROMATIC DEVICE AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS - A thermochromatic device includes an insulating substrate, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The color element is located on the insulating substrate and includes a color-changeable material. A phase of the color-changeable material is changeable between a crystalline state and an amorphous state. A temperature phase change of the color-changeable material is above 40° C. A first reflectivity of the color-changeable material at the crystalline state and a second reflectivity of the color-changeable material the amorphous state are different. The heating element is located adjacent to the color element and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the heating element. A thermochromatic display apparatus using the thermochromatic device is also related. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149372 | THERMOCHROMATIC DEVICE AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS - A thermochromatic device includes an insulating substrate, a back color layer, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The back color layer is located on the insulating substrate. The color element is located on the back color layer and includes a transparence-changeable material. The transparence-changeable material performs a transformation between a transparent state and a nontransparent state at a phase change temperature. The heating element is located adjacent to the color element and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the heating element. A thermochromatic display apparatus using the thermochromatic device is also related. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149373 | THERMOCHROMATIC DEVICE AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS - A thermochromatic device includes an insulating substrate, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The color element is located on the insulating substrate and includes a reversible thermochromatic material. The heating element is located adjacent to the color element and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the heating element. A thermochromatic display apparatus using the thermochromatic device is also related. | 06-23-2011 |
20110157674 | THERMAL-CHROMATIC ELEMENT AND THERMAL-CHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME - A thermal-chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer, a first heating element, a thermal-chromatic material layer, a second heating element and an absorption material layer. The isolation layer is disposed in the sealed enclosure and separates the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat thermal-chromatic material layer in the first chamber. The thermal-chromatic material layer is disposed in the first chamber. The thermal-chromatic material layer is able to change color by releasing and absorbing water. The second heating element is configured to heat absorption material layer in the second chamber. The absorption material layer is disposed in the second chamber. | 06-30-2011 |
20110211248 | FLASH IMAGING DEVICES, METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - The invention provides flash imaging devices that include an optical change component that undergoes a change in response to an applied stimulus, a substrate and a stimulus element. Also provided are articles that include the subject devices, as well as methods of making and using the same. | 09-01-2011 |
20110235153 | SOLAR HEAT RESPONSIVE EXTERIOR SURFACE COVERING - An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment. | 09-29-2011 |
20110267677 | THERMALLY RESPONSIVE CRYSTALLINE COLLOIDAL ARRAYS - A thermally responsive material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles received in a substantially nonaqueous matrix composition. The material diffracts radiation in a first wavelength band when the material is at a first temperature and the material diffracts radiation in a second wavelength band when the material is at a second temperature. | 11-03-2011 |
20110304901 | WINDOW AND MULTIPLE-GLAZED WINDOW - A window including a frame and a panel. The panel includes a transparent substrate, a far infrared ray emitting layer deposited on the transparent substrate, and a thermochromic layer deposited on the transparent substrate and arranged to be closer than the far infrared ray emitting layer to an outdoor space. | 12-15-2011 |
20110317244 | CHROMATIC ELEMENT AND CHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME - A chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, a first heating element, a chromatic material layer, and a second heating element. The sealed enclosure includes an upper sheet and a lower sheet, and defines a room between the upper sheet and the lower sheet. The upper sheet is semitransparent. The first heating element is located on the upper sheet. The second heating element is located on the lower sheet. The chromatic material layer is located in the room. The location of the chromatic layer changes by heat from the first heating element or the second heating element. | 12-29-2011 |
20120002264 | TEMPERATURE ACTIVATED OPTICAL FILMS - The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day. | 01-05-2012 |
20120026574 | Thermochromic smart window and method of manufacturing the same - A thermochromic smart window and a method of manufacturing the thermochromic smart window including a glass and a thermochromic layer including a vanadium dioxide material formed on the glass. A thermochromic smart window includes a substrate and a thermochromic layer disposed on the substrate, wherein a slope of a graph of a reflectance of the thermochromic layer is at or between 1 and 2%/° C. at a threshold temperature. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033288 | VARIABLE LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE WINDOW - A variable light transmittance window includes: a substrate configured to transmit light; a thermochromic layer on the substrate; first function thin film layers on opposite surfaces of the thermochromic layer; and second function thin film layers on respective surfaces of the first function thin film layers opposite the thermochromic layer, wherein a difference between refractive indices of the first function thin film layers and the second function thin film layers is greater than a difference between refractive indices of the first function thin film layers and the thermochromic layer. | 02-09-2012 |
20120113497 | Thermo-Pneumatic Actuator and Method for Producing Same - The invention relates to a thermo-pneumatic actuator having a cavity defined by walls and being hermetically sealed, which is inflated with a working medium that alters the gas pressure thereof when a temperature change occurs. A wall region of the cavity is constructed as a ductile membrane, which can be deflected in at least two working positions located on both sides of a neutral position, in which the membrane is curved in opposite directions to one another. In order to alter the gas pressure in the cavity, and to adjust the membrane from one working position to the other working position, a tempering device is heat-conductively connected to the working medium. In the neutral position, the membrane is compressively loaded such that respectively, it maintains its position in both working positions if no outside force impacts the membrane. | 05-10-2012 |
20120120479 | OPTICAL BANK AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE OPTICAL BANK - The invention relates to an optical bank ( | 05-17-2012 |
20120140311 | Thermally Switched Reflective Optical Shutter - The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device. | 06-07-2012 |
20120188628 | COATED ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A coated article includes a substrate and a thermochromic coating formed on the substrate. The thermochromic coating is a vanadium dioxide layer co-doped M and R, where M is two or more elements selected from a group consisting of titanium, niobium, molybdenum and tungsten, R is one or more elements selected from a group consisting of rhodium, palladium and ruthenium. | 07-26-2012 |
20120262773 | Thermally switched absorptive window shutter - The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizes between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This has energy-efficiency implications as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, walls, or other building materials. | 10-18-2012 |
20120287497 | OPTICAL PHASE SHIFTER AND DEMODULATOR - An optical phase shifter according to the invention includes the thermo-optical element of which a refractive index with respect to an input optical signal changes dependently on temperature; a temperature change section, having contact with one end of the thermo-optical element and of which a temperature changes so that a temperature of the thermo-optical element becomes a desired temperature; a heat dissipation section being disposed on an opposite side of the thermo-optical element with respect to the temperature change section and going into a state of thermal equilibrium at a temperature different from the temperature of the temperature change section; and a temperature buffer section, being disposed between the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, having contact with the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, and having a heat resistance greater than that of the heat dissipation section. | 11-15-2012 |
20130021660 | SOLAR HEAT RESPONSIVE EXTERIOR SURFACE COVERING - An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment. | 01-24-2013 |
20130033738 | THERMALLY SWITCHED OPTICAL FILTER INCORPORATING A GUEST-HOST ARCHITECTURE - Thermochromic filters are constructed using absorptive, reflective, or fluorescent dyes, molecules, polymers, particles, rods, or other orientation-dependent colorants that have their orientation, order, or director influenced by carrier materials, which are themselves influenced by temperature. These order-influencing carrier materials include thermotropic liquid crystals, which provide orientation to dyes and polymers in a Guest-Host system in the liquid-crystalline state at lower temperatures, but do not provide such order in the isotropic state at higher temperatures. The varying degree to which the absorptive, reflective, or fluorescent particles interact with light in the two states can be exploited to make many varieties of thermochromic filters. Thermochromic filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films, materials, and devices, and particularly as construction materials and building and vehicle surfaces. | 02-07-2013 |
20130038920 | PULSE-WIDTH-MODULATED THERMAL TUNING OF OPTICAL DEVICES - An optical device that includes a wavelength-sensitive optical component, which has an associated thermal time constant, is described. Note that an operating wavelength of the wavelength-sensitive optical component is a function of several physical parameters including temperature. Moreover, the optical device includes a heating mechanism that provides heat to the wavelength-sensitive optical component. Furthermore, the optical device includes a driver circuit that provides a pulse-width modulated signal to the heating mechanism. Note that an average pulse-width modulated heat provided by the heating mechanism, and which corresponds to the pulse-width modulated signal, thermally tunes the wavelength-sensitive optical component to a target operating wavelength. Additionally, note that the target operating wavelength corresponds to a target operating temperature of the wavelength-sensitive optical component. | 02-14-2013 |
20130141774 | THERMOTROPIC OPTICAL SHUTTER INCORPORATING COATABLE POLARIZERS - A thermotropic optical shutter device incorporates coatable, thin-film polarizers with a thermotropic depolarizer. The coatable polarizers provide a mechanism for adjusting the polarizer properties (i.e., absorption, reflection, or diffusion) by changing the thickness of the coating. For example, a thicker film may have a higher relative polarizing efficiency while a thinner film may have a lower relative polarizing efficiency. Using the same base materials and manufacturing process, the contrast ratio and other properties of a thermotropic or thermochromic shutter device (e.g., a liquid crystal-based smart window film) may be adjusted in real time on the manufacturing line. | 06-06-2013 |
20130194652 | REFLECTIVE SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A reflective substrate, the transmittance of visible light of which is improved, and a method of manufacturing the same. The reflective substrate includes a glass substrate, an oxide or nitride film formed on the glass substrate, and vanadium dioxide (VO | 08-01-2013 |
20130215490 | Responsivity Enhancement of Solar Light Compositions and Devices for Thermochromic Windows - The present invention relates to an optical window-filter including a thermochromic material and a light absorbing material. An absorption of light by the light absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material. The present invention further relates to a filter for an infrared imaging system having detectors sensitive to radiation in an infrared transmission spectrum. The filter includes a thermochromic material and a light-absorbing material. An absorption of high-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum by the light-absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material to attenuate the high-power radiation while transmitting substantially unaffected low-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum. | 08-22-2013 |
20130229702 | ENHANCED THERMOCHROMIC WINDOW WHICH INCORPORATES A FILM WITH MULTIPLE LAYERS OF ALTERNATING REFRACTIVE INDEX - A window comprising at least one thermochromic layer and a film comprising multiple layers of polymer with alternating refractive index (MLARI). The thermochromic layer has a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation such that the absorbance increases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer increases and the absorbance decreases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer decreases. Particularly useful thermochromic materials are ligand exchange thermochromic materials. In various embodiments, the window may have multiple panes and may incorporate a low-e layer. | 09-05-2013 |
20130286461 | SYNERGISTIC REVERSIBLE CHROMISM - A multilayer laminate and, more particularly a variable transmission window, which comprises:
| 10-31-2013 |
20130335803 | Thermochromic Window - A thermochromic window that can effectively insulate heat when warming is conducted in winter. The thermochromic window that includes a substrate, a thermochromic thin film formed on the substrate, and a transparent conductive film formed on at least one surface of the upper surface and the undersurface of the thermochromic thin film. The emissivity of the transparent conductive film is lower than the emissivity of the thermochromic thin film. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342888 | Responsivity Enhancement of Solar Light Compositions and Devices for Thermochromic Windows - An optical window-filter includes a thermochromic material and a light absorbing material that can be bonded chemically. Absorption of light by the light absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material. A filter for an infrared imaging system has detectors sensitive to radiation in an infrared transmission spectrum. The filter includes a thermochromic material and a light-absorbing material. Absorption of high-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum by the light-absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material to attenuate the high-power radiation while transmitting substantially unaffected low-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002886 | THERMOCHROMIC WINDOW DOPED WITH DOPANT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME | 01-02-2014 |
20140104668 | THERMOCHROMATIC ELEMENT AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS - A thermochromatic element includes a color element and at least one heating element configured to supply heat for the color element such that the color element changes color. The at least one heating element includes at least one carbon nanotube film. Each carbon nanotube film includes a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104669 | THERMOCHROMATIC ELEMENT AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE - A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer and a first heating element. The isolation layer is received in the sealed enclosure that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is located adjacent to the first chamber. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104670 | THERMOCHROMATIC ELEMENT AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE - A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The sealed enclosure includes an upper semitransparent sheet and a lower sheet opposite to the upper semitransparent sheet, and defines a chamber between the upper semitransparent sheet and the lower sheet. The first transparent heating element is the semitransparent upper sheet. The first transparent heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104671 | THERMOCHROMATIC ELEMENT AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE - A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The insulation layer is received in the sealed enclosure, that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat the first chamber. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction. | 04-17-2014 |
20140139904 | PASSIVELY VARIABLE EMITTANCE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - There is described a passive variable emittance device comprising: a substrate having a receiving surface adapted to reflect radiations having a given wavelength; an intermediary layer deposited on the receiving surface of the substrate and being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength; and a thermochromic layer deposited on top of the intermediary layer, the thermochromic layer being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength for a first temperature below a given transition temperature, and presenting both reflection and absorption for the radiations for a second temperature above the given transition temperature, a total optical thickness for the intermediary and thermochromic layers being substantially equal to one quarter of the given wavelength so that radiations reflected by the thermochromic layer at the second temperature destructively interfere with radiations transmitted by the thermochromic and intermediary layers and reflected by the substrate in order to obtain a first emittance for the passive variable emittance device at the second temperature being greater than a second emittance for the passive variable emittance device at the first temperature. | 05-22-2014 |
20140146382 | THERMOCHROMIC WINDOW AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A thermochromic window, including: a first glass substrate, a transparent conductive film applied to the first glass substrate, a silicone resin layer applied to the conductive film, a second glass substrate, and a power source which supplies power to the conductive film, the silicone resin layer including vanadium oxide (e.g., VO | 05-29-2014 |
20140177029 | THERMOCHROMATIC DEVICE AND THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS - A thermochromatic device in a thermochromatic display includes an insulating substrate, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the color element and the heating element located on the insulating substrate being virtually integral but together are physically isolated and heat-insulated and allow such fast electrically-governed color changes that moving color images can be displayed. | 06-26-2014 |
20140204449 | THERMALLY SWITCHED OPTICAL DOWNCONVERTING FILTER - A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter is energy-efficient as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter has unique aesthetic and optical properties not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204450 | MICROFLUIDIC THERMOPTIC ENERGY PROCESSOR - A microfluidic panel including at least one substrate, one or more channels formed in the substrate, and fluid disposed within the one or more channels. The fluid is selected to store thermal energy and the microfluidic panel is adapted to convert the thermal energy into useable energy or condition the energy to adjust optical wavelength passband of the panel. | 07-24-2014 |
20140233085 | Reflective Optical Limiter - An optical limiter comprises a glass backing, a glass cover, and a layer of a phase changing material placed between said glass backing and said glass cover, the phase changing material comprising a transparent matrix having embedded particles of material that changes its optical properties due to temperature induced phase change of said material. The optical properties may change from transparent to reflective, from transparent to refractive or from transparent to scattering. The phase changing material is preferably at least one material selected from the group consisting of the elements Antimony, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead, Tin and Indium and low-melting-point alloys of two or more of these elements. Two or more layers of phase changing materials may be used in a stack configuration, with each of the phase changing materials having a unique melting temperature. | 08-21-2014 |
20140268291 | Thermochromic Glazings - A thermochromic window system includes at least one substrate and a thermochromic layer applied onto the at least one substrate. The thermochromic layer includes at least two thermochromic films and at least one non-thermochromic colored film positioned between the thermochromic films. The at least one substrate can be selected from glass, plastic, or mixtures thereof. The at least one non-thermochromic colored film can also include light absorbers. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293393 | FLAT-TOP TUNABLE FILTER - A tunable PLC optical filter having sequentially connected thermally tunable Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometers is described. The cascade of MZ interferometers, each having a free spectral ranges matching ITU frequency grid spacing, are tuned so as to have a common passband centered on the frequency of the signal being selected, while having at least one of the stopbands centered on any other ITU frequency. Any other optical channel that may be present at any other ITU frequency is suppressed as a result. Another MZ interferometer in series with the cascade of interferometers including an asymmetric or variable coupler, is tuned to have low transmission at the center frequency of the selected optical channel. | 10-02-2014 |
20140327952 | COLOR NEUTRAL THERMOCHROMIC LAYERS AND LAMINATES - A combination of layers comprised of:
| 11-06-2014 |
20140327953 | Thermochromic Window - A thermochromic window, the sunlight transmittance of which is adjustable depending on the temperature, and a method of fabricating the same. The thermochromic window includes a flexible substrate, a thermochromic thin film disposed on the flexible substrate, and a hot-processed substrate bonded to the thermochromic thin film. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333983 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL BUILDING COMPONENT - A multifunctional building component is capable of serving as one or more of a window, a wall, a shading device, a roofing element, a color panel, a display, an energy harvesting device, an energy storage device, and an energy distribution device. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333984 | THERMOCROMIC WINDOW AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - A thermochromic window, the sunlight transmittance of which is adjustable depending on temperature, and a method of fabricating the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate, a plurality of nanodots formed on the substrate, and a thermochromic thin film coating the substrate and the nanodots. The thermochromic thin film is made of a thermochromic material. The thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the substrate is smaller than the thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the nanodots. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333985 | DEVICE FOR REGULATING THE PASSAGE OF ENERGY - The present invention relates to a device for regulating the passage of energy through a light-transmitting area, comprising a first polarisation layer, a second polarisation layer and a switching layer which is arranged between the two polarisation layers and changes the polarisation properties of polarised light as a function of temperature, where the two polarisation layers are characterised by a suitable choice of their transmission in the transmission direction and their degree of polarisation. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of the device according to the invention and to the use of the device for influencing light transmission and/or the passage of energy into an interior as a function of temperature. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333986 | Optical Beam Steering for Tunable Laser Applications - Methods for tuning a transmitter to a selected wavelength are disclosed. A transmitter including a laser array comprising a plurality of lasers spatially offset from one another and each having a laser output having a unique wavelength. A first prism is positioned to impart a first angular shift to the laser outputs to produce and a second prism is positioned to impart a second angular shift opposite the first angular shift on the outputs. An index modulating element is coupled to one of the first and second prisms and a controller is electrically coupled to the index modulating element to control an angle of light output form the second prism. An optical spectrum reshaper may be positioned between the second prism and the lens and have at least one transmission edge aligned with the wavelength at least one of the lasers. | 11-13-2014 |
20150070746 | THERMALLY SWITCHED REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SHUTTER - The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device. | 03-12-2015 |
20150109654 | Flash Imaging Devices, Methods for Making and Using the Same - The invention provides flash imaging devices that include an optical change component that undergoes a change in response to an applied stimulus, a substrate and a stimulus element. Also provided are articles that include the subject devices, as well as methods of making and using the same. | 04-23-2015 |
20150309339 | TUNABLE OPTICAL FILTER AND TUNABLE OPTICAL FILTER MODULE - A tunable optical filter with an optical axis is provided. An input light field moves forward from an upstream end to a downstream end, and passes through the tunable optical filter to form an output light field. The input light field has a main frequency range and a sub-frequency range, and the output light field has the main frequency range. The tunable optical filter includes an optical filtering element and a temperature controlling assembly. The optical filtering element has a lens body, a first and second coating films. A resonant cavity with a cavity length is formed inside the lens body. The temperature controlling assembly is thermally connected with the optical filtering element. The temperature controlling assembly controls the temperature of the optical filtering element to adjust the cavity length, so as to select the main frequency range. A tunable optical filter module having the tunable optical filter is provided. | 10-29-2015 |
20150323818 | APPLICATIONS OF WAVELENGTH-LOCKING USING DITHERING SIGNALS FOR MICRORING RESONATORS - A low-cost, robust method for automatically tuning a coupled resonator to match a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from an applied laser source. Dithering signals are used for automatic wavelength tuning and thermal stabilization of microring resonators. The disclosed method can be applied using low-speed analog and digital circuitry, to create a complete photonic interconnection network. The methods disclosed also automatically detect, measure, and correct for resonance shift. | 11-12-2015 |
20150346394 | ADAPTIVE THERMAL MICRO LENS - The present disclosure relates to a thermally modulated optical lens apparatus that includes an electrically resistive element that has patterned features. The patterned features may be micro-sized or smaller and may create an electrical resistance density across the electrically resistive element. The electrically resistive element is capable of electrically connecting to a controllable electrical source. The apparatus also includes at least one thermo-optical material in thermal contact with the patterned features of the electrically resistive element. The at least one thermo-optical material can have an optical refractive index profile that corresponds to the electrical resistance density. | 12-03-2015 |
20150362763 | Variable Emittance Window - A smart window comprising a transparent substrate, a transparent low emittance layer on the transparent substrate, a variable emittance material layer on the substrate or transparent low emittance layer, and a protection material layer on the variable emittance material layer. | 12-17-2015 |
20160026012 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS THEREOF - A display apparatus and a method for controlling the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel unit, a reflector disposed on the display panel unit, a radiator, an illumination sensing unit, and a controller. A color of the reflector is changeable according to a temperature thereof, and the reflector is positioned to reflect light incident on the reflector from outside the display apparatus. The heat radiator generates heat to control the temperature of the reflector, and the illumination sensing unit senses an illumination value of light incident on the display apparatus from outside. The controller controls the heat radiator to change the temperature of the reflector according to the illumination value sensed by the illumination sensing unit. | 01-28-2016 |
20160097941 | THERMOCHROMATIC DISPLAY DEVICE - A thermochromatic display device includes a first electrode sheet, a second electrode sheet and a plurality of thermochromatic elements. Each of the thermochromatic elements includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. | 04-07-2016 |
359289000 | Amplitude modulation | 4 |
20100118380 | TEMPERATURE ACTIVATED OPTICAL FILMS - The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day. | 05-13-2010 |
20110164306 | SMART WINDOW - A smart window including: a thermochromic or thermotropic transmittance controlling layer; and a heater layer for generating heat in response to an external energy source and for supplying the heat to the transmittance controlling layer. | 07-07-2011 |
20140192394 | OPTICAL PHASED ARRAYS - An optical phased array formed of a large number of nanophotonic antenna elements can be used to project complex images into the far field. These nanophotonic phased arrays, including the nanophotonic antenna elements and waveguides, can be formed on a single chip of silicon using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Directional couplers evanescently couple light from the waveguides to the nanophotonic antenna elements, which emit the light as beams with phases and amplitudes selected so that the emitted beams interfere in the far field to produce the desired pattern. In some cases, each antenna in the phased array may be optically coupled to a corresponding variable delay line, such as a thermo-optically tuned waveguide or a liquid-filled cell, which can be used to vary the phase of the antenna's output (and the resulting far-field interference pattern). | 07-10-2014 |
20150043052 | SOLAR HEAT RESPONSIVE EXTERIOR SURFACE COVERING - An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment. | 02-12-2015 |