Dual-pane thermal window with liquid crystal shade

US4964251A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AlliedSignal, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ray H. Baughman · Morristown, US
• Ernest D. Buff · Far Hills, US
• Helmut Eckhardt · Madison, US
• Gerhard H. Ruchs · Far Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 1989
• Grant date: Oct 23, 1990
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/13306
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A dual-pane thermal window unit comprises two non-intersecting or, preferably, substantially parallel, spaced window panes, mounted in a window frame, a first of the panes having affixed thereto a first wall of an electro-optical liquid crystal cell providing a selected light transmittance, and a second of said panes delimiting, with a second wall of said cell, a space providing a thermal break. Each of the first and second walls comprises an electrically conductive film composed of plastic and having sufficient supporting strength to maintain the structural integrity of the cell. The window is light weight, economical to manufacture and efficient and reliable in operation.