Patents Assigned to Sage Electrochromics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9906187
    Abstract: A window assembly can include an insulated glass unit, a mounting assembly moveably coupled to the insulated glass unit, and an electrical component secured to the mounting assembly. A method can include securing an electrical component to a mounting assembly, coupling the mounting assembly to an insulated glass unit, and installing the insulating glass unit in a frame. In an embodiment, after the window assembly is installed within the frame, the mounting assembly can be moved in a final position and securely fastened into position. In an embodiment, the pre-assembly can help to keep all components of a window assembly together during shipping and at the installation site to reduce the likelihood that components are separated or lost during shipping or at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Taylor, Cody VanDerVeen
  • Patent number: 9651845
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising a counter electrode layer comprised of lithium metal oxide which provides a high transmission in the fully intercalated state and which is capable of long-term stability, is disclosed. Methods of making an electrochromic device comprising such a counter electrode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC., ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Dane T. Gillaspie, Douglas Glenn John Weir
  • Patent number: 9625783
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to selectively heat one or more particular regions of a conductive layer of the electrochromic device. An electrical potential difference can be induced across the conductive layer to heat one or more layer regions. The conductive layer can be one of at least two conductive layers on opposite sides of an electrochromic film stack, and an electrical potential difference can be induced between the conductive layers to cause at least some of the electrochromic film stack to change transmission levels. The conductive layer can include regions with different sheet resistances, so that one or more regions are structured to generate more heat than other regions of the conductive layer when an electrical potential difference is induced across the conductive layer. Separate layer regions can include separate chemical species. The conductive layer can be geometrically structured so that some layer regions have a greater sheet resistance than other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Jon Bjornard, Bryan D. Greer
  • Patent number: 9581875
    Abstract: A heat treated electrochromic device comprising an anodic complementary counter electrode layer comprised of a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide and lithium, which provides a high transmission in the fully intercalated state and which is capable of long term stability, is disclosed. Methods of making an electrochromic device comprising an anodic complementary counter electrode comprised of a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sage Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Burdis, Douglas Glenn John Weir
  • Patent number: 9482921
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical device (100) having electrically controllable optical and/or energy transmission properties comprising a substrate (40), a functional system (60) formed on the substrate and a cover film (56) formed on the functional system. The functional system comprises a bottom electrode coating (46), formed on the substrate, a top electrode coating (54) and at least one electrochemically active film (48, 52) located between the two electrode coatings, the electro-chemically active film being able to switch reversibly between a first state and a second state having optical and/or energy transmission properties different from the first state. The cover film defines at least one surface cavity (66) that passes through the cover film without penetrating the top electrode coating and the device comprises electrical connection means (70) arranged at least partially in at least one surface cavity for electrical contact with the top electrode coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Driss Lamine, Philippe Letocart, Jean-Christophe Giron, Thomas Bertin-Mourot
  • Publication number: 20160141258
    Abstract: A process for encapsulating an apparatus to restrict environmental element permeation between the apparatus and an external environment includes applying multiple barrier layers to the apparatus and preceding each layer application with a separate cleaning of the presently-exposed apparatus surface, resulting in an apparatus which includes an encapsulation stack, where the encapsulation stack includes a multi-layer stack of barrier layers. Each separate cleaning removes particles from the presently-exposed apparatus surface, exposing gaps in the barrier layer formed by the particles, and the subsequently-applied barrier layer at least partially fills the gaps, so that a permeation pathway through the encapsulation stack via gap spaces is restricted. The quantity of barrier layers applied to form the stack can be based on a determined probability that a stack of the particular quantity of barrier layers is independent of at least a certain quantity of continuous permeation pathways through the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Avanti M. Jain, Jean-Christophe Giron
  • Patent number: 9341911
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes an electrochromic stack. Openings are formed in the electrochromic stack that allow light to pass through without being tinted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Greer, Louis J. Podbelski
  • Patent number: 9316883
    Abstract: Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil L. Sbar, John E. Van Dine, Michael A. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9281672
    Abstract: A system for providing an electrical interface across a sealed boundary may include a frame in sealed engagement with at least a portion of a substrate. The substrate may be in communication with an electrochromic device. The system may further include first and second conduits. The first conduit may be on a first side of the substrate and a second conduit may be on a second side of the substrate. The second conduit may be in communication with the first conduit through at least one of the seal, a space between the seal and the frame, and a space between the seal and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark O. Snyker, Bryan D. Greer
  • Patent number: 9272941
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a cutting process involving: (a) creating a starter crack using a scribe wheel, (b) application of laser or electrothermal heating, and (c) subsequent cooling from a gas or an aerosol jet, as the laser beam and cooling jet move along the desired cutting line. The cutting process can be implemented for cutting a glass panel or other substrate into a plurality of smaller panels. The starter crack may be created on any of the smaller panels within about 10 mm to about 20 mm from the corner of the smaller panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Giron, Harvey Kalweit, Michael A. McCoy, Li-Ya Yeh, Jean-Pierre Douche
  • Publication number: 20160033837
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to selectively heat one or more particular regions of a conductive layer of the electrochromic device. An electrical potential difference can be induced across the conductive layer to heat one or more layer regions. The conductive layer can be one of at least two conductive layers on opposite sides of an electrochromic film stack, and an electrical potential difference can be induced between the conductive layers to cause at least some of the electrochromic film stack to change transmission levels. The conductive layer can include regions with different sheet resistances, so that one or more regions are structured to generate more heat than other regions of the conductive layer when an electrical potential difference is induced across the conductive layer. Separate layer regions can include separate chemical species. The conductive layer can be geometrically structured so that some layer regions have a greater sheet resistance than other regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Jon Bjornard, Bryan D. Greer
  • Patent number: 9250494
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrochromic systems comprising an electrochromic glazing or insulated glazing unit, a photovoltaic module for supplying power to the electrochromic glazing or IGU, and an electronics module in communication either the electrochromic glazing and/or photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lou Podbelski, Bryan D. Greer, Mark O. Snyker
  • Publication number: 20150362819
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to selectively switch separate regions to separate transmission levels, based at least in part upon different respective sheet resistances of separate conductive layer regions. Sheet resistance of a conductive layer region can be associated with a transmission level to which a corresponding EC stack region can be switched, and a conductive layer with separate regions having separate sheet resistances causes corresponding EC stack regions to switch to different transmission levels. Sheet resistance in a conductive layer region can be adjusted via various processes, including introducing various chemical species into the conductive layer region to adjust a chemical species distribution in the region, where the chemical species distribution is associated with the sheet resistance of the region, heating conductive layer regions to induce oxidation of the region, adjusting the thickness of a conductive layer region, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Jon Bjornard, David E. Woolley
  • Publication number: 20150362818
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to include multiple independently controllable electrochromic regions which can be independently controlled to switch to different transmission levels. One of the electrochromic regions is isolated from any direct electrical connection with any electrodes, and one or more other electrochromic regions interpose an indirect electrical connection between one or more electrodes and the isolated electrochromic region. The electrochromic device can be structured to include multiple independently controllable electrochromic regions, based at least in part upon segmentation of the conductive layers into separate segments to establish the various electrochromic regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Greer
  • Publication number: 20150362815
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to selectively switch separate regions to separate transmission levels, based at least in part upon different transport rates of different charged electrolyte species in the separate regions. Charged electrolyte species can be introduced in various regions of one or more electrochromic stack layers, including a counter-electrode layer, ion-conducting layer, and electrochromic layer. The charged electrolyte species can have different transport rates, so that a distribution of one species introduced in some regions move between layers and different rates relative another distribution of another species introduced in some regions. A species can be introduced, in one or more regions, in one or more particular distributions associated with a particular transmission pattern to structure the electrochromic device to selectively switch to the particular transmission pattern. Species can be introduced via various processes, including ion implantation, chemical diffusion, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventor: Erik Jon Bjornard
  • Publication number: 20150362817
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Richard Patterson, Erik Jon Bjornard, Avanti M. Jain, Jean-Christophe Giron, Neil L. Sbar
  • Patent number: 9182644
    Abstract: Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Neil L. Sbar, John E. Van Dine, Michael A. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9158172
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system comprising an electrochromic device having at least one bus bar and a color obscuration material wherein the at least one bus bar is coated with an over-coating material that is 1) substantially non-porous; and 2) substantially color-matched to one of said color obscuration material, a spacer, or a polymer seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Neil L. Sbar, Jean-Philippe Savary
  • Patent number: 9152001
    Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic device having improved insulating film structure to reduce electrical leakage. The improved structure includes a lower conductive layer, upper transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and at least one ion-conductor layer sandwiched between the electrochromic electrode layer and the counter electrode layer. The lower transport conductive layer is scribed and the gap formed from the scribing is filled with the layer(s) formed above the lower conductive layer, such as the electrode layer formed directly above the lower conductive layer. The effective linewidth of the scribe is greater than the migration length of the lithium ions intercalated into the electrode layer, such that the electrode materials occupying the gap do not convert the electrode layer into an electrically conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Burdis, Jean-Christophe Giron
  • Patent number: 9142945
    Abstract: An insulated glazing unit is provided. The unit includes a spacer frame separating a pair of substrates. The spacer frame has a length and a width transverse to the length. The unit further includes a conductive element passing through the width of the spacer frame. The unit further includes a first conductive component within the spacer frame. The first conductive component is in electrical communication with the conductive element. The conductive element is adapted for electrical communication with a second conductive component on a side of the width of the spacer frame opposite the first conductive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark O. Snyker, Jean-Christophe Giron, Bryan D. Greer, Jerome Korus, Rino Messere, Cliff Taylor