Smartershade, Inc.

Vg Smartglass, LLC

William McLeod

Ryan Tatzel

William Glaser

Various embodiments include a variable transmission device including a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device configured to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel. Further embodiments include a method of varying radiation transmission including the steps of providing a variable transmission device, comprising a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device and actuating the mechanical device to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel.

Mechanical translation of a variable radiation transmission device

The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder.

Variable transmission window

A light transmissive panel comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein each sheet is made up of a non-birefringent substrate and a wire grid polarizer pattern of continuously varying absorption axis orientation formed on the non-birefringent substrate. The wire grid polarizer patterns on each of the first and second sheet are mechanically translatable relative to each other, wherein the mechanical translation controls transmission of light through the light transmissive panel. Light transmissive panels wherein each sheet of the panel is made of a wire grid polarizer that is laminated with a continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder, wherein the continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder rotates input light by an amount determined by the thickness of the wave plate retarder.

Growing community of inventors

Granger, IN, United States of America

William McLeod