Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02668080 2010-10-14
MODULAR WINDOW FOR AN AIRCRAFT INCLUDING AN SPD LENS
AND AN OPAQUE SHADE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[01] Modular windows, including modular windows for aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[02] Modular windows are used in aircraft to provide natural lighting to the
interior thereof.
The function of window shades is to control the amount of light entering the
interior of
the aircraft. Typical prior art modular aircraft windows include clear,
transparent Lexan
plastic outer lens, a frame, a shade assembly including a shade moveable
between and
opened and closed position, the shade being substantially opaque. A reveal,
clear inner
lens and an inboard overlay panel may also be incorporated in typical prior
art modular
aircraft windows.
[03] As used herein, the terms "SPD film" or "light valve film" mean at least
one film or sheet
comprising a suspension of particles used or intended for use by itself or as
part of a
light valve. The light valve film or SPD film comprises either (a) a
suspension of
particles dispersed throughout a continuous liquid phase enclosed within one
or more
rigid or flexible solid films or sheets, or (b) a discontinuous phase of a
liquid comprising
dispersed particles, the discontinuous phase being dispersed throughout a
continuous
phase of a rigid or flexible solid film or sheet. The light valve film or SPD
film may also
comprise one or more other layers such as, without limitation, a film coating
or non-
opaque sheet, or combination thereof, which may provide the light valve film
or SPD film
with (1) scratch resistance (2) protection from ultraviolet radiation (3)
reflection of
infrared energy, and/or (4) electrical conductivity for transmitting an
applied electric or
magnetic field to the activatable material.
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[04] U.S. Patent no. 5,409,734 exemplifies a type of light valve film that is
formed by phase
separation from a homogeneous solution. Light valve films made by cross-
linking
emulsions are also known.
[05] One SPD film suitable for use disclosed herein is manufactured by
Research Frontiers,
Woodbury, NY; and available from Inspect Tech, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[06] The device is a modular window for use in a vehicle, such as an airborne
vehicle, is
provided. The modular window includes a suspended particle device ("SPD")
film, the
SPD film making up one of the lenses of the modular window. The window
typically
includes an opaque shade movable between an open and closed position, in
spaced
apart relation to the reveal mounted SPD lens. The opaque shade can move
between
an open and closed position. In an opened position, the light passing through
the
modular window unit is controlled by controlling the opacity of the SPD lens.
When the
opaque shade is in a closed position, the opaque shade substantially prevents
any light
from passing through the modular window unit regardless of the opacity of the
SPD lens.
[07] The device disclosed includes a modular window with an SPD lens, the
window having a
separate opaque shade that can be moved between an opened and closed position,
the
use of a reveal typically to hold and position the SPD lens, and an optional
inner lens
creating a modular assembly for installation to an aircraft interior to
control the amount of
light coming into the aircraft.
[08] A modular window for a vehicle, the modular window comprising a shade
panel, a shade
assembly having an opaque shade member and a lower shade rail, an electric
motor, a
reveal having an outer perimeter walls defining an outer lens opening, an SPD
outer lens
dimensioned for engagement with the opening of the reveal; and a drive
assembly for
engaging the motor and the shade assembly for moving the shade member between
an
open and closed position.
[09] A method is disclosed for using a concave, modular window unit having an
electric motor
driven opaque shade and an SPD lens, the shade and lens in spaced, overlapping
relation,
means, known in the art, for selectively controlling the opacity of the SPD
lens, means,
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known in the art, for controlling the electric motor, the method comprising
the steps of:
installing the modular window between the aircraft interior and exterior, with
the opaque
shade typically closer to the aircraft interior; selecting an opacity. level
for the SPD lens; and
selecting a position between or including an open and closed position for the
opaque shade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[10] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view as viewed from the front of
Applicants' novel
combination SPD lens with an opaque shade assembly.
[11] Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a monocoque embodiment of
Applicants' novel
aircraft window showing its unitary modular structure as well as the manner in
which the
shade is substantially sealed from the environment.
[12] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of Applicants' novel window installed in an
aircraft interior as
installed in an aircraft interior, as viewed from the interior.
[13] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of Applicants' modular aircraft
window as viewed
from the rear.
[14] Fig. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the reveal illustrating a
lip for mounting an
SPD lens thereto.
[15] Figs. 3B and 3C are respective and side elevational views of the reveal
for use with
Applicants' outer lens.
[16] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of Applicants' novel
SPD lens.
[17] Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of an alternate
preferred embodiment of a
form of Applicants' invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[18] Figs. 1, 2, 3, .3A-3C illustrate an embodiment of an SPD lens used with
modular window
assembly 10, hereinafter novel window. Applicants' novel window is seen to be,
in a preferred
embodiment, of modular construction. Modular means a single unitary structure
that needs only to
be attached to an aircraft interior, to provide for the control of light
entering the interior from the
aircraft exterior. With installation, one need only "plug in" (if electronic)
components as set forth
herein. It may include a shade assembly 12 for joining to reveal 14 on the
outboard side thereof.
An SPD outer lens 16 is configured, typically oval and curved, to join an
outer lip 57 of the reveal
14. An inner lens 18 may also be provided, non-opaque plastic, such as Lexan
or an SPD lens.
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[19] The outer lens 16, typically including Suspended Particle Device (SPD) or
member will
respond to the application of an electric potential (provided, for example,
from an aircraft
electrical system), by selectively changing its opacity in known ways, for
example, responsive to
a control module 56. The SPD outer lens is electrically actuated and
controllable to control the
amount of light coming therethrough, responsive to an electric signal
traveling through an SPD
lens switch 24 (see Fig. 2).
[20] Shade assembly 12 typically includes a lower shade rail 34 and an opaque
shade 28,
which may be the hexagonal shade Duette material disclosed in US Patent
4,679,610 or any
other material or structure, for example, a "Roman Shade." Moreover, shade
assembly 12
typically engages an electric motor 30 and drive assembly 32 for moving the
shade between an
opened and closed position (closed position illustrated in Fig. 1). Electric
motor drives for shade
and shade assembly are known in the art. Fig. 2 illustrates a shade switch
22A, 22B capable of
initiating movement of shade 28 between an opened and closed position.
[21] Applicants' novel use of a combination of an opaque shade 28, typically
in a shade
assembly 12, and an SPD outer lens 16, typically mounted in a reveal 14,
provides the cabin
occupant the option of substantially complete opacity provided by the maximum
light blockage
accomplished by lowering the opaque shade (see Fig. 1).
[22] Typically, an SPD lens alone, such as SPD outer lens 16, will, even in
the maximum
opaque position, not provide substantially complete light blockage, especially
in bright sunlight.
Thus, the user of Applicants' device may selectively raise or lower the opaque
shade 28 of
shade assembly 12 to accomplish complete opacity (for the part of the outer
lens covered by the
shade) and thus achieve control of the light received in the interior of the
cabin from the outer
lens.
[23] Shade assembly 12 may include a shade member 28 with a lower edge
attached to a
shade rail 34, and an upper edge attached to an upper shade rail 46. The upper
shade rail may
be engaged with or support a drive assembly 32 engaging an electric motor 30,
the drive
assembly driving a drive belt 36 (such as a toothed belt) through a drive
sprocket 38. A driven
sprocket 40 is provided and the lower shade rail, being attached to the drive
belt, will move up
and down as the motor energizes the drive sprocket and moves the belt up and
down in ways
known in the art. A driven sprocket 40 is mounted either to the reveal, as in
the frameless,
monocoque embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3C or in the frame 42 as
illustrated in Fig. 5.
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1241 As seen in Figs. 1, 3, and 3A-3C, it may be seen that reveal 14 .may
include a box-like
enclosure or walled opening 15, which may be generally rectangular comprising
walls 15a, 15b,
15c, and 15d, which walls join an outer flange 17. The box-like enclosure 15
with a curved wall 15e
having an inner rim or lip 57 defining an outer lens opening and acting as a
mounting surface-for
lens 16 is dimensioned to substantially receive upper shade rail 46 with the
components mounted
thereto. Upper shade rail 46 may be attached by fasteners or other means.
known in the art to a
surface of reveal 14, for example, an inner surface of wall 15e. Moreover, it
is seen that driven
sprocket 40 and strings comprising level mechanism 44 may engage walls of the
reveal, for
example, driven sprocket is seen to engage wall 15d of the reveal in Fig. 1 as
are strings
comprising leveling mechanism 44. When shade panel. 52, typically stiff or
rigid, is secured to
reveal/shade sub-assembly, box or walled structure 15 encloses the shade
assembly and
substantially seals the shade in a six walled enclosure defined by rigid shade
panel 52 (with or
without inner lens 18) and reveal 14. That is to say, this embodiment of
Applicants' device is
"frameless" or monocoque, wherein the functionality of the frame is
incorporated into a reveal 14
and in a preferred embodiment to the combination reveal/shade panel assembly,
which defines a
box-like enclosure or structure for at least partially enclosing the shade and
for rigidly locating or
otherwise engaging a shade rail or other mounting means for an electric motor
and additional
components of the shade mechanism thereto. This enclosure "sandwiches" and
substantially seals
the shade assembly, drive assembly, motor, etc. between the shade panel and
outer reveal. When
the shade panel 52 includes an inner lens, air cannot readily circulate around
the opaque shade,
which will remain relatively dust free.
[25] Typical of the prior art provide a frame, seen in Fig. 5, which frame
includes frame members
to mount the motor and other components thereto, and which. frame 'was adapted
to receive a
reveal thereupon. There is a. monocoque embodiment illustrated herein (Figs. 1-
3C), having a
shade included in a shade assembly as well as a means to engage an upper shade
rail, motor,
drive sprocket, and optionally additional components, provided for direct
engagement to the box or
box shaped insert 15 dimensioned and adapted to receive these components.
[26] In a preferred embodiment, the upper shade rail 46 is provided for
mounting the drive and
control components thereto, which upper shade rail also engages the upper edge
of shade 28. In
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this embodiment, the shade rail serves the mounting and locating function for
the shade itself and it
in turn is engaged to or with the reveal, typically a box insert 15.
[27] A frame 42 typically rectangular may be provided, typically made up of
four members, such
as the upper member, lower member, and two side members illustrated in Fig. 5.
A leveling
mechanism 44 may be provided engaging the frame and the lower shade rail to
maintain the lower
shade rail in level position as it moves between the opened and closed
positions. Further details of
the leveling mechanism of the frame and the like may be found in US Patent
4,679,610. Fig. 5
illustrates the use of outer lens 16 engaged with a reveal, which in turn will
be engaged to the frame
42 and thus provide a modular window for engagement to an aircraft interior.
[28] Fig. 3 illustrates the use of an SPD outer lens 16 in combination with a
reveal 14 wherein
shade assembly 12 has upper shade rail 46, which also may support the electric
drive motor 30,
motor control module 48, and an SPD control module 50. The upper frame rail 46
may then be
engaged either with rigid shade panel 52 (not shown), which may include an
inner lens 18 or
inserted within the box 15 of the reveal 14 (as illustrated in Figs. 1-3C).
Reveal 14 may engage the
upper shade rail 46 by threaded fasteners or the like. Shade panel 52 or
reveal 14 may be a stiff
material, such as 1/8 inch thick Divinycell or a multiply fiberglass skin on
each side or other
suitable material. Moreover, on an outer surface along either of the side
edges of shade panel 52
may be mounted abrasion strips 54, typically made from Teflon tape, on which
the shade material
of shade 28 and/or the lower shade rail 34 and/or the drive belt 36 may ride
as the lower shade rail
and shade moves along a curved path between an opened and a closed position.
[29] Fig. 4 illustrates a manner in which outer lens may contain SPD film,
which may be
sandwiched between an inner member 16B and an outer member 16C. That is to
say, SPD lens 16
may be comprised of SPD film member 16A that is sandwiched between clear
members for
protection and for ease of engagement to the reveal, for example, 60/1000 inch
Lexan members.
Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which the SPD lens 16 engages a lip on reveal
14.
[30] In an alternate preferred embodiment, inner lens 18 may be comprised of
an SPD film
member and would, in a preferred embodiment, be "sandwiched" as is the outer
film member 16A.
In yet another embodiment, both the inner and outer lens may include SPD film.
In yet another
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embodiment, the opaque shade and related structure is omitted and the inner
and/or outer lens
includes SPD film.
[31] In practice, a modular unit 10 is installed in an aircraft interior in
ways known in the trade,
typically adjacent the passenger compartment or seat, with shade panel 52 on
the inside, and with
reveal 14 at, near or adjacent an outer window of the aircraft fuselage (not
shown). Opaque shade
28 is on the interior side and is typically rectangular and large enough to
overlap the SPD lens 16
(when the opaque shade is lowered or closed), which is typically on the
outside of the unit and may
be round, oval or rectangular. The inner lens may be the same shape as the
outer lens or different
and may be larger. The opaque shade is typically larger than the longest
dimension of the largest
of the two lenses (when the shade is in the closed position). Furthermore, the
modular window is
installed and used by the passenger or flight attendant by operating the
switches and selectively
determining an opacity for the SPD lens, utilizing one switch 24A for
obtaining a darker (greater
opacity) lens or a second switch 24A for obtaining a lighter (less opacity)
outer lens. The passenger
or flight attendant may also selectively control an opacity level for the
entire modular unit by raising
and lowering the opaque shade using switches 22A and 22B to raise and lower
the opaque shade.
[32] In all of the embodiments set forth herein and as seen in Fig. 1A, it is
seen that the unit is
modular and that an opaque shade member is sandwiched between an inner panel
and an outer
panel, such as a reveal, and further that at least one of the two panels
contains an SPD lens.
Furthermore, an embodiment shows that both an inner lens and an outer lens,
the inner panel and
the outer panel defining the unit, substantially seal the opaque shade member,
such that no dust or
the like can affect the shade, and also providing some insulation from the
temperature differences
across the unit and to sound moving through the unit. That is to say, the unit
is both modular and,
in a preferred embodiment, having both an inner and outer lens, is
substantially sealed at a
perimeter thereof with the inner panel outer perimeter joining the reveal
outer perimeter with or
without the use of a frame.
[33] The use of the novel SPD lens with this electronic control mechanism may
be used in the
embodiment illustrated herein; that is, one having an electric drive. However,
an embodiment of the
shade enclosed herein may be used with a window that has an electric drive
moving the shade
between an opened and closed position as well as manual override to move the
shade when the
electricity is down. Electronically driven aircraft window shades with manual
override are known in
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the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,230,784, entitled "Electrically
Operated Aircraft
Window With Sliding Takeup Spool," filed September 24, 1998.
[34] Further, a manual version (no electric drive) of the window shade
operating mechanism may
also be used with the SPD lens as set forth herein. Manually operated window
shade mechanisms
are known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,679,610; 5,082,053;
4,998,576;
5,662,152; and 6,481,486. A drive assembly may be either engaged with an
electric motor (as
illustrated herein) or a means for manual movement, such as a handle found in
the foregoing
patents.
[35] The reveal and/or the shade panel may be made from multiply prepreg
fiberglass skin with 3
to 4 layers of 181 fiberglass (approx. 3/32 inch thick) molded as necessary.
[36] Although the invention has been described in connection with the
preferred embodiment, it
is not intended to limit the invention's particular form set forth, but on the
contrary, it is intended to
cover such alterations, modifications, and equivalences that may be included
in the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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