Particular Electrochromic Layer Structure Patents (Class 359/273)
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Patent number: 7202987Abstract: An electrochromic mirror device suitable for use in a vehicle comprises a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof and a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof. The conductive layer of the first substrate opposes the second conductive layer of the second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between the substrates. A boundary seal is interposed between the first and second substrates spacing apart the substrates and forming a cavity wherein the interpane distance is at least about 10 microns. An electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film is disposed within the cavity. The electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film is formed from an electrochromic monomer composition that includes at least one cathodic electrochromic compound. The second conductive layer comprises a metallic reflective layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtao Zhao, Craig Allen Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 7193764Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversible electrodeposition device comprising: a first substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a nucleation layer at least partially covering at least one of the electrically conductive materials of the first and second substrates; an electrochemical medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Rongguang Lin, David Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Kathy E. Roberts
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Patent number: 7145709Abstract: An iono-refractive structure that includes one or more ion insertion layers having a real portion and an imaginary portion of the dielectric constant is provided. While both the real portion and the imaginary portion of the dielectric constant change, the change in the imaginary portion is less than the change in the real portion at the wavelength of interest or at the operational wavelength. The iono-refractive structure may be suitable for the fabrication of or integration with tunable optical filters, wavelength-selective optical elements, active modulated interferometers, optical phase shifters, optical phased array beam steering, optical phased array beam tracking, tunable optical filters, sensors, variable lenses, tunable diffraction gratings, and other optical components.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Raymond T Westfall, Howard P Groger
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Patent number: 7110157Abstract: Electrically controllable device having variable optical/energy properties in transmission or in reflection, comprising at least one carrier substrate provided with a stack of electrochromic functional layers, including at least two electrochromic active layers, separated by an electrolyte, said stack being placed between two current leads, namely the lower current lead and the upper current lead respectively (“lower” corresponding to the current lead closest to the carrier substrate, as opposed to the “upper” current lead which is furthest from said substrate), characterized in that the electrochromic material constituting the two active layers is identical, and this electrochromic material is chosen from those whose coloration is not a linear function of the charge insertion.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Fabien Beteille, Gregoire Mathey
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Patent number: 7106489Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising a pair of glass, plastic plates or plastic films At least one plate or film, is provided with an electrically conductive coating. At least one plate or film and its conductive coating are transparent and the other may be mirrored. The plates or films are joined together and form a volume filled with an electrochromic medium which comprises at least one reducible electrochromic substance OX2 and at least one oxidizable electrochromic substance RED1. The OX2 corresponds to the formula in which R201 and R202, each are alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl, ?[C(PQ)]? or a bivalent bridge B, Z201 is a bivalent radical of the formulae CR210R211, O, C?O or o-phenylene, R210 and R211, each are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or CR210R211 is C3- to C7-cycloalkane-1,1-diyl. The rings C, D, E and F, each may be substituted by up to 4 alkyl and/or alkoxy radicals, or respectively, may be linked via a —(CH2)4— or —CH?CH—CH?CH— bridge. P and Q, each are —CN or —COO-alkyl.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Horst Berneth, Ralf Neigl, Igor Shelepin, Vladimir Gavrilov
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Patent number: 7088490Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic mirror including: a transparent substrate; a transparent electrode film which is formed on the transparent substrate and has conductivity; an electrochromic film which is formed on the transparent electrode film and can be colored by reduction; a light reflecting film which is formed on the electrochromic film and which hydrogen atoms or lithium atoms can permeate; a support substrate which has a conductive part having conductivity formed on at least one surface thereof; and an electrolytic solution containing at least hydrogen ions or lithium ions, and neutral molecules or negative ions which can be oxidized, wherein the transparent substrate is located close to the support substrate such that the conductive part faces the light reflecting film, and the electrolytic solution is enclosed between the light reflecting film and the conductive part.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki SeisakushoInventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masao Ayabe, Masaharu Hattori
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Patent number: 7085033Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent color system that recognizes the ambient color and adapts its color accordingly according to the chameleon effect. The inventive system is obtained by combining an electrochromic color system with a semi-transparent array of photodetectors, for example combinations of individual pixels that are sensitive for the different colors (red, green blue), said array being superimposed on the electrochromic color system.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christoph Brabec, Hans Meixner
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Patent number: 7075697Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a tristate electrochromic device, comprising: (a) at least one solvent; (b) at least one anodic material; (c) at least one cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein, in a first state, the electrochromic medium exhibits a maximum light transmission; (e) wherein, in a second state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in one of visible radiation or near-infrared radiation without significant attenuation in the other; and (f) wherein, in a third state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in the other spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Punam Giri, Thomas F. Guarr
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Patent number: 7054050Abstract: The invention is a display device comprising a solid top transparent, charge conducting material, positioned below the transparent solid material is an active layer comprising an electrochromic material and an electrolyte, and positioned below the active layer is a working electrode and a counter-electrode arranged to be isolated from one another, wherein the distance between the working and the counter electrode is greater than two times the thickness of the active layer between the electrode and the conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Aveso, Inc.Inventors: John B. Vincent, Derrick W. Flick
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Patent number: 7046418Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversible electrodeposition device comprising: a first substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a nucleation layer at least partially covering at least one of the electrically conductive materials of the first and second substrates; an electrochemical medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; and cathodic electroactive material; and compositions and/or concentrations associated with the electrochemical medium which enhances the electrochemical performance of the electrodeposition device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Rongguang Lin, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr
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Patent number: 7038828Abstract: Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device includes transparent electrode, cathodic EC polymer, gel electrolyte, and counter-electrode. Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT-Me2. Counter-electrode is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (>50% T) is rapidly (0.5–1 s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT-Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Chunye Xu, Minoru Taya
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Patent number: 7031044Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
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Patent number: 7012728Abstract: An electrochemical device includes at least one carrier substrate, and a stack of functional layers including at least one electrically conducting layer that includes metal oxide(s), and a multicomponent electrode including at least one electrochemically active layer, at least one higher-conductivity material and at least one network of one of conducting wires and conducting strips. The higher-conductivity material has a surface resistance that is lower than a surface resistance of the electrically conducting layer. The stack of functional layers is arranged between two substrates, and each may be rigid, of glass type or rigid polymer or semi-rigid or flexible of PET type.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Claude Morin, Fabien Beteille, Jean-Christophe Giron
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Patent number: 7012729Abstract: This invention describes non-planar electrochromic mirrors that are made by combining planar electrochromic elements with non-planar reflectors. This results in lower cost mirrors by circumventing several issues related to the difficulty of making non-planar EC elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Electro ChromiX, Inc.Inventors: Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi, Anoop Agrawal, Robert S. LeCompte
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Patent number: 7009751Abstract: The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: William L. Tonar, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, Jon H. Bechtel, John W. Carter, Joseph S. Stam, David J. Cammenga
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Patent number: 7002722Abstract: Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device includes transparent electrode, cathodic EC polymer, gel electrolyte, and counter-electrode. Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT-Me2. Counter-electrode is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (>50% T) is rapidly (0.5–1s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT-Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Chunye Xu, Minoru Taya
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Patent number: 7001540Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; a cathodic electroactive material; an anodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a self-healing cross-linked polymer gel.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Thomas F. Guarr, Kevin L. Ash, Kathy E. Roberts
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Patent number: 7002723Abstract: In a display device, a first electrode and a second electrode are mounted on a first substrate, a second substrate is arranged to face the first substrate with a gap provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a third electrode is mounted on the second substrate. A first layer is formed in a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate at the side of the first substrate and containing a ECL material that emits light due to electrochemical oxidation or reduction. A second layer is formed in the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate at the side of the second substrate and containing a EC material having the color changed due to electrochemical oxidation or reduction.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shintaro Enomoto, Shuichi Uchikoga, Isao Amemiya, Yutaka Nakai
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Patent number: 6963437Abstract: The device of the present invention includes an electrochromic element having a transmittance that varies in response to an electrical signal, a base substrate disposed in spaced relation to the electrochromic element, a seal disposed between the base substrate and the electrochromic element, and an optical sensor. The seal, base substrate, and electrochromic element form a sealed cavity therebetween, in which the optical sensor is disposed. According to another embodiment, an electrochromic device is provided that includes a first substrate, an electrochromic medium disposed on the first substrate, a pair of electrodes in contact with the electrochromic medium, a pair of conductive clips, each in electrical contact with a respective one of the electrodes, and two pairs of electrical lead posts for mounting the first substrate to the circuit board. Each pair of lead posts is attached to, and extends from, a respective one of the conductive clips.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: GENTEX CorporationInventors: Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam
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Patent number: 6961168Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan C. L. Tonazzi, Benjamin P. Warner, T. Mark McCleskey, Anthony K. Burrell
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Patent number: 6958844Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed including a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a mirror disposed in the housing, at least one electrically powered device disposed in the housing, and a power supply for receiving power from a vehicle power source having a voltage in excess of about 24 V and for supplying power at a voltage of about 5 V or less to the electrically powered device. The electrically powered device and the power supply exhibit an electromagnetic interference level of less than about 41 dB?V/m for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHz to about 20 MHz. The mirror is preferably an electrochromic mirror, and the electrically powered device may be a control circuit for the electrochromic mirror.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Frederick T. Bauer, Robert R. Turnbull
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Patent number: 6954300Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films and processes for making such solid films and devices. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention exhibit beneficial properties and characteristics, especially when compared to known electrochromic media. The electrochromic polymeric solid films are transformed in situ from a low viscosity electrochromic monomer composition by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and in so doing minimum shrinkage occurs. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention also perform well under prolonged coloration, outdoor weathering and all-climate exposure, and provide an inherent safety aspect not known to electrochromic media heretofore.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig Allen Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierre-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 6950220Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Justin Abramson, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Gregg M. Duthaler, Holly G. Gates, Charles H. Honeyman, Ara N. Knaian, Ian D. Morrison, Steven J. O'Neil, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Anthony Edward Pullen, Jianna Wang, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Robert W. Zehner, John Edward Cronin
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Patent number: 6940628Abstract: An electrochemical device comprising at least one substrate (1,7), at least one electroconductive layer (2,6) at least one electrochemically active layer (3,5) capable of reversibly injecting ions, and an electrolyte (4), wherein the electrolyte (4) is a layer or a multilayer stack comprising at least one layer (4b) made of an ionically conductive material capable of reversibly injecting said ions but whose overall degree of oxidation is maintained essentially constant.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Saint-Gobain VitrageInventor: Jean-Christophe Giron
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Patent number: 6934067Abstract: An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kevin L. Ash, William L. Tonar, Frederick T. Bauer, Kathy E. Roberts
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Patent number: 6930815Abstract: The invention relates to electrochromic side-chain oligomers or polymers which can be used as electrochromic media.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Horst Berneth, Wolfgang Jacobsen, Serguei Kostromine, Ralf Neigl
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Patent number: 6924919Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate having at least one polymeric surface; a primer layer along the polymeric surface; a first electrically conductive transparent coating along the primer of the first substrate, wherein the primer layer adheres the first electrically conductive coating to the polymeric surface of the first substrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate to define a chamber therebetween; a second electrically conductive transparent coating on a surface of the second substrate such that the first coating is in facing relation to the second coating, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is transparent; and an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber, the electrochromic medium having reduced luminous transmittance upon application of electrical power to the first and second conductive coatings and establishing an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium, and wherein the electrochromic medium and the primer layer are compatiType: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Hunia, Thomas G. Rukavina, Chia-Cheng Lin
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Patent number: 6876479Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a tristate electrochromic device, comprising: (a) at least one solvent; (b) at least one anodic material; (c) at least one cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein, in a first state, the electrochromic medium exhibits a maximum light transmission; (e) wherein, in a second state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in one of visible radiation or near-infrared radiation without significant attenuation in the other; and (f) wherein, in a third state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in the other spectral region.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Punam Giri, Thomas F. Guarr
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Patent number: 6870657Abstract: This invention concerns an electochromic device comprising an electrode including a nanostructured metal oxide film, doped to metallic levels of conductivity and optionally modified by chemisorption of an electroactive compound. Such an electrochromic device is suitable for applications where optical modulation is required, such as large area static displays and automatically dimmable rear-view mirrors. The invention also concerns conducting nanostructured metal oxide films and electrodes comprising same and which are suitable for use in the electrochromic device.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: University College DublinInventors: Donald Fitzmaurice, David Cummins, David Corr, S. Nagaraja Rao, Gerrit Boschloo
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Patent number: 6867894Abstract: A conventional electrochromic mirror comprises an ion conductive layer provided between a transparent electrically conductive substrate and a reflective electrically conductive substrate and containing spacers. The spacers can be perceived when the mirror was viewed. According to the present invention, the difference in refraction index between the spacers and the ion conductive layer is ±0.03 or less. Therefore, the electrochromic mirror having spacers in the ion conductive layer which are hardly perceived can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignees: Nippon Oil Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Honda LockInventors: Tsuyoshi Asano, Keizo Ikai, Yoshinori Nishikitani
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Patent number: 6867893Abstract: A process is provided for producing a transparent pane structure for motor vehicles, especially a transparent cover for motor vehicle roofs, in which under an outside pane there is a multilayer electrochrome element for influencing the transparency of the pane structure. In the process, the inside of the outer pane is coated with a complete, functional electrochrome package. Furthermore, a transparent pane structure produced using this process is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Webasto Systemkomponenten GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Pätz, Helmut Teschner
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Patent number: 6859297Abstract: The present invention discloses an amorphous material comprising nickel oxide doped with tantalum that is an anodically coloring electrochromic material. The material of the present invention is prepared in the form of an electrode (200) having a thin film (202) of an electrochromic material of the present invention residing on a transparent conductive film (203). The material of the present invention is also incorporated into an electrochromic device (100) as a thin film (102) in conjunction with a cathodically coloring prior art electrochromic material layer (104) such that the devices contain both anodically coloring (102) and cathodically coloring (104) layers. The materials of the electrochromic layers in these devices exhibit broadband optical complimentary behavior, ionic species complimentary behavior, and coloration efficiency complimentary behavior in their operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Se-Hee Lee, C. Edwin Tracy, J. Roland Pitts, Gary J. Jorgensen
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Patent number: 6855431Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films and processes for making such solid films and devices. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention exhibit beneficial properties and characteristics, especially when compared to known electrochromic media. The electrochromic polymeric solid films are transformed in situ from a low viscosity electrochromic monomer composition by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and in so doing minimum shrinkage occurs. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention also perform well under prolonged coloration, outdoor weathering and all-climate exposure, and provide an inherent safety aspect not known to electrochromic media heretofore.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig Allen Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 6829075Abstract: Composite or layered flakes having a plurality of layers of different materials, which may be dielectric materials, conductive materials, or liquid crystalline materials suspended in a fluid host and subjected to an electric field, provide optical effects dependent upon the angle or orientation of the flakes in the applied electric field. The optical effects depend upon the composition and thickness of the layers, producing reflectance, interference, additive and/or subtractive color effects. The composition of layered flakes may also be selected to enhance and/or alter the dielectric properties of flakes, whereby flake motion in an electric field is also enhanced and/or altered. The devices are useful as active electro-optical displays, polarizers, filters, light modulators, and wherever controllable polarizing, reflecting and transmissive optical properties are desired.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: The University of RochesterInventors: Tanya Z. Kosc, Kenneth L. Marshall, Stephen D. Jacobs
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Patent number: 6816298Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises an ion conduction layer between two conducting substrates, at least one of which is transparent. The ion conduction layer contains an organic compounds, which has both a structure exhibiting a cathodic electrochromic characteristic and a structure exhibiting an anodic electrochromic characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil CorporationInventors: Yoshinori Nishikitani, Keizo Iaki, Masaaki Kobayashi, Hiroshi Imafuku, Masaki Minami, Takaya Kubo
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Patent number: 6798554Abstract: The present invention concerns a flexible electrochrome structure operating in reflection at wavelengths between 0.35 and 20 &mgr;m. It comprises a microporous membrane including an electrolyte and, deposited on each of the surfaces of the microporous membrane, in a symmetrical manner in relation to said membrane, successively and in this order: a layer forming a reflecting electrode, a layer of electrochrome conductive polymer, and a flexible window transparent to wavelengths between 0.35 and 20 &mgr;m.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Patrick Hourquebie, Patrice Topart, Hubert Pages
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Patent number: 6791737Abstract: An electrochemical device comprising at least one substrate (1, 7), at least one electroconductive layer (2, 6) at least one electrochemically active layer (3, 5) capable of reversibly injecting ions, and an electrolyte (4), wherein the electrolyte (4) is a layer or a multilayer stack comprising at least one layer (4b) made of an ionically conductive material capable of reversibly injecting the ions but whose overall degree of oxidation is maintained essentially constant.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventor: Jean-Christophe Giron
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Patent number: 6791738Abstract: The subject invention pertains to electrochromic polymers and polymer electrochromic devices. In a specific embodiment, two complementary polymers can be matched and incorporated into dual polymer electrochromic devices. The anodically coloring polymers in accordance with the subject invention can allow control over the color, brightness, and environmental stability of an electrochromic window. In addition, high device contrast ratios, high transmittance changes, and high luminance changes can be achieved, along with half-second switching times for full color change. Also provided are electrochromic devices such as advertising signage, video monitors, stadium scoreboards, computers, announcement boards, warning systems for cell phones, warning/information systems for automobiles, greeting cards, electrochromic windows, billboards, electronic books, and electrical wiring. The subject invention also provides for the use of complementary electrochromic polymers in the manufacture of electrochromic devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: University of FloridaInventors: John R. Reynolds, Kyukwan Zong, Irina Schwendeman, Gursel Sonmez, Philippe Schottland, Avni A. Argun, Pierre-Henri Aubert
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Patent number: 6778311Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
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Publication number: 20040150867Abstract: The present invention discloses an amorphous material comprising nickel oxide doped with tantalum that is an anodically coloring electrochromic material. The material of the present invention is prepared in the form of an electrode (200) having a thin film (202) of an electrochromic material of the present invention residing on a transparent conductive film (203). The material of the present invention is also incorporated into an electrochromic device (100) as a thin film (102) in conjunction with a cathodically coloring prior art electrochromic material layer (104) such that the devices contain both anodically coloring (102) and cathodically coloring (104) layers. The materials of the electrochromic layers in these devices exhibit broadband optical complimentary behavior, ionic species complimentary behavior, and coloration efficiency complimentary behavior in their operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Se-Hee Lee, C Edwin Tracy, J Roland Pitts, Gary J Jorgensen
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Patent number: 6767624Abstract: The present invention relates to composite elements comprising at least one layer A which comprises at least one solid electrolyte Al, at least one adhesion-promoting layer B having a thickness of <100 &mgr;m and at least one component C which provides the composite layer with electrochromic properties, where composite elements of this type are particularly suitable for use in electrochromic windows, and to electrochromic windows and glazing comprising a composite element of this type, and to processes for the production of these composite elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bernd Bronstert
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Patent number: 6768574Abstract: The invention discloses an electrochromic device of the type comprising at least one substrate and a structure of at least partly superimposed layers, where the structure comprises at least one layer of electrochromic material and a layer of electronic insulating transparent ion-conducting solid electrolytic material, and where at least one of these layers is nanostructured, i.e. has a nanostructure. Possible uses of these electrochromic devices are for controlling the energy of the electromagnetic waves reflected by the device or transmitted through the device, for example, a rear-view mirror or a motor vehicle window glass.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Ficosa North America CorporationInventors: Enric Bertran Serra, Carles Person Millaruelo, Isidre Porqueras Orea, Gregorio Viera Marmol
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Patent number: 6747780Abstract: Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device includes transparent electrode, cathodic EC polymer, gel electrolyte, and counter-electrode. Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT-Me2. Counter-electrode is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (>50% T) is rapidly (0.5-1s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT-Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Chunye Xu, Minoru Taya
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Patent number: 6744549Abstract: The invention is a display device comprising a solid top transparent, charge conducting material, positioned below the transparent solid material is an active layer comprising an electrochromic material and an electrolyte, and positioned below the active layer is a working electrode and a counter-electrode arranged to be isolated from one another, wherein the distance between the working and the counter electrode is greater than two times the thickness of the active layer between the electrode and the conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: John B. Vincent, Derrick W. Flick
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Patent number: 6742905Abstract: A rearview mirror has a housing. The housing includes a front surface facing a driver's seat, a rear surface at the opposite side of the front surface. The housing has a slot for receiving a recording medium that stores predetermined data. The slot has a width, which is larger than a width of an insert potion that of the recording medium. The recording medium is inserted into the slot at an arbitrary position in the width direction of the slot. An interface performs at least one of reading of data from the recording medium and writing of data to the recording medium. The interface includes a detector, a data input/output unit and a moving mechanism. The detector detects insertion of the recording medium into the slot. The data input/output unit swaps data with the recording medium. The moving mechanism moves one of the data input/output unit and the recording medium to a position where the data input/output unit faces the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakuchoInventors: Terumasa Suyama, Michimasa Ito
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Patent number: 6735011Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
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Patent number: 6728022Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises an ion conductive layer containing an electrochromic polymer that has a bipyridine ion pair structure and a metallocene structure and/or a dihydroxyphenaizine structure. The device has low leakage current and reduced remnant coloration after a long time use.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Nippon Oil CorporationInventors: Tsuyoshi Asano, Shinji Ohshima, Yoshinori Nishikitani
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Patent number: 6710906Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is associated with a diffusion coefficient controlling moiety which serves to lower the diffusion coefficient of the associated material relative to the same without the diffusion coefficient controlling moiety.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Thomas F. Guarr, Kathy E. Roberts, Rongguang Lin, Kelvin L. Baumann, David A. Theiste, Punam Giri, Elizabeth M. Sanford
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Patent number: 6700693Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: at least one solvent; an anodic material; a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is slow-diffusing; and an electron shuttle, wherein the electron shuttle serves to decrease switching time of the electrochromic device relative to the same without the electron shuttle.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Rongguang Lin, Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
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Patent number: 6678083Abstract: An electrochromic mirror assembly is described that is substantially resistant to seal breaches caused by dendrite formation along adjacent layers of the laminate structure of the assembly. The laminate structure is preferably assembled in a water free environment and includes materials that prevent or inhibit the formation of dendrites between adjacent layers of the laminate structure. By way of a non-limiting example, an electrically conductive layer comprised of gold-containing material is disposed between the adhesive layer and the glass layer so as to prevent ionic migration from the reflective layer through a terminal strip.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems UK Ltd.Inventor: Christopher John Anstee