Gentex Corporation

David I Driscoll

Kevin L Ash

Bradley L Busscher

Henry A Luten

David A Theiste

Christian M Kemperman

Andrew T Mitchell

Robert R Turnbull

Thomas F Guarr

Steven J Veenman

William L Tonar

David J Cammenga

Andrew D Weller

Mark D Bugno

Andrew J LeVesque

Michael T Stephenson

Ted D Reeves

Carl N Wassink

Peter T Kantola

Alex K Cammenga

Christopher J Adamski

James E Teune

Andrew J Levesque

A window operable to separate an interior from an exterior is disclosed. The window comprises a pressure pane and an anti-condensation assembly. The anti-condensation assembly is disposed in an interior direction relative the pressure pane. Further, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a substantially transparent substrate disposed in a spaced apart relationship relative the pressure pane. Additionally, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a resistively heatable layer associated with the first substrate. The resistively heatable layer is operable to generate heat when an electrical current is applied thereto. Accordingly, application of power to the resistively heatable layer may serve to reduce or eliminate the presence of visible condensation in the window.

Anti-condensation assembly

A unitary electro-optic window assembly includes a window element. A first substantially transparent substrate defines a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium at least partially fills the cavity and is configured to reduce light transmissivity of the window element. A controller is adjacent to the window element and is in electrical communication therewith. The controller is configured to change a voltage applied to the electro-optic medium to change the light transmissivity of the window element. An interface is in electrical communication with the controller. A transparent dust cover is positioned over the window element, the controller, and the interface.

Electro-optic window assembly

A window assembly includes an electro-optic assembly that includes a first substrate that defines first and second surfaces, a second substrate that defines third and fourth surfaces, and a seal disposed about a periphery of the first and second substrates. The seal, the first substrate, and the second substrate define a chamber therebetween. A transparent electrode coating is disposed on each of the second surface and the third surface and an electro-optic medium is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A controller is operably coupled with the transparent electrode coating on the second surface and the transparent electrode coating on the third surface and is configured to change a transmittance state of the electro-optic medium. An interface is operably coupled with the controller and allows adjustment of the transmittance state of the electro-optic medium. The interface includes a display that illustrates a selected transmittance state.

Variable transmittance window assembly

An aircraft window includes an outer window assembly that includes a pressure pane coupled to a pressure pane frame. An inner window assembly includes a bezel adapted to couple to a perimeter of the inner window assembly against the outer window assembly. The bezel has a plurality of attachment features disposed thereon. A plurality of retaining features is disposed around the perimeter of the window. The retention features are configured to engage the attachment features for retaining the inner window assembly on the outer window assembly.

Retention of an electro-optic window assembly

A variable transmittance window system is provided and includes at least one variable transmittance window. At least one energy harvesting device generates electrical power. A power supply circuitry maximizes the electrical power. At least one energy storage device is charged by the electrical power. A slave control circuitry controls a transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window, the slave control circuitry being powered by at least one of the power supply circuitry and the at least one energy storage device. A master control circuitry monitors the slave control circuitry, wherein the master control circuitry is operable to issue a wireless override signal to the slave control circuitry such that the slave control circuitry changes the transmittance state of the at least one variable transmittance window to an override transmittance state.

Variable transmittance window system

An electrical control system for controlling a variable transmittance window is disclosed. The system comprises a driver circuit in communication with an electro-optic element. A controller is in communication with the driver circuit. The controller is configured to identify a temperature condition of the electro-optic element and adjust an output voltage supplied to the electro-optic element in response to the temperature condition.

Thermal control of variable transmittance windows

A window mounting assembly includes a multi-piece bezel having a first portion having an attachment feature, and a second portion having a retention feature. The retention feature is configured to engage the attachment feature such that an inner opening is defined having an inner wall. The inner wall defines a channel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall.

Multi-piece bezel for electro-optic window assembly

A window control system is provided that includes a plurality of electro-optic windows each having a variable transmittance level, a portable control unit for generating wireless control signals for controlling the transmittance level of the electro-optic windows, and a plurality of window control circuits each coupled to a respective one of the electro-optic windows and each having a transceiver for receiving the wireless control signals from the portable control unit. Each window control circuit is configured to adjust the transmittance level of the respective one of the electro-optic windows in response to a wireless control signal received by the transceiver from the portable control unit.

Electro-optic window control system

An autodimming window assembly for a vehicle such as an aircraft includes a UI devoid of movable elements and integrated with a dust cover of the window assembly. A dust cover optionally includes a lightguide configured to deliver light from a light source associated with the assembly and indicia representing an operational characteristic of the UI and articulated to the dust cover.

Switchable variable transmittance window assembly

An aircraft window foam mounting assembly having an exterior pressure pane frame including an inner surface and an outer surface. A pressure pane is in abutting contact with the inner surface of the exterior pressure pane frame. A foam bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The foam bezel includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall includes a channel. An electrochromic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall. An electrically conductive member is operably coupled to the foam bezel and extends from the inner wall to the outer wall.

Electro-optic window assembly EMI shield

An aircraft window mounting assembly having a pressure pane in abutting contact with an inner surface of an exterior pressure pane frame. A bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The bezel includes an inner wall, an outer wall, an exterior wall, and an interior wall. A dust cover is proximate the interior wall of the foam bezel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception by the inner wall. The pressure pane, the foam bezel, and the electro-optic element define an exterior cavity. The bezel, the electro-optic element, and the dust cover define an interior cavity. A first relief passage is in fluid communication with the exterior cavity and the interior cavity. A second relief passage is in fluid communication with the interior cavity and one of an aircraft interior cabin and an aircraft wall.

Reducing condensation in dimmable window systems

An electro-optic window assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge; and a second substantially transparent substrate comprising: a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first and second substrates define a cavity. The assembly further includes an electro-optic medium at least partially filling the cavity and configured to reduce the transmission of light viewed through the electro-optic window assembly. Further, the electro-optic window assembly is configured such that the substrates each have a theoretical maximum thermal stress of less than approximately 25 MPa upon exposure of the window assembly to an application environment.

A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an Eof less than approximately 20, and more preferably less than approximately 5, while in a low transmission state during normal daylight conditions.

Growing community of inventors

Caledonia, MI, United States of America

David I Driscoll