Abstract:
A translucent panel system comprising a panel ( 13 ) comprising a translucent layer provided with a transparent screen on which there is mounted a device having sensors sensing light energy from a light source, so as to allow viewing through the translucent layer, the panel ( 13 ) further comprising an internal layer provided with a polarisable film intended to modify the degree of opacity of the panel ( 13 ), the translucent layer being opposite the internal layer. The translucent panel system comprises an element for transmitting and/or storing energy originating from the device having sensors and a system for supplying power and adjusting the degree of opacity of the polarisable film, the power supply and adjustment system being at least partially supplied by the element for transmitting and/or storing light energy.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of portholes, or glazings or translucent walls comprising a polarizable film arranged to vary the occultation degree of the light passing through said porthole. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known to use a translucent panel system comprised in the porthole. The translucent panel system comprises a polarizable film disposed on an internal layer of the translucent panel, the polarizable film being arranged to vary the degree of opacity of the porthole. 
         [0003]    The degree of opacity of the porthole can vary from transparency to full opacity. To do this, the polarizable film comprises two polarized conductive layers between which is disposed a polarizable material layer. This polarizable material layer is subject to a potential difference by the conductive layers. The variation of the power supply voltage causes the variation of the degree of opacity or darkening. Thus it is possible to set the luminous intensity passing through the porthole. This system is satisfactory in that the degree of opacity of the porthole can be adjusted according to the external brightness. 
         [0004]    However, such a system requires an arrangement for power supply and setting of the degree of opacity. The power supply of the porthole depends on either an external supply of electrical network type or an energy reserve of battery type. 
         [0005]    In this respect, the autonomy of the panel system is dependent on an external exhaustible power source or likely to no longer provide power in the event of failure. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention aims to completely or partly overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. 
         [0007]    In the present text, verbs “join”, “connect”, “link”, “supply” and their derivatives are related to an electrical communication between two distinct components. 
         [0008]    To this end, the present invention relates to a translucent panel system comprising a panel. The panel comprises a translucent layer provided with a transparent screen on which is attached a luminous energy sensor device for sensing a light source, so as to allow viewing through the translucent layer, the panel further comprising an internal layer provided with a polarizable film intended to modify the degree of opacity of the panel, the translucent layer being opposite to the internal layer. 
         [0009]    The panel system comprises an element for transmitting and/or storing energy coming from the sensor device. 
         [0010]    The panel system comprises an arrangement for power supply and setting of the degree of opacity of the polarizable film, the supply and setting arrangement being at least partially supplied by the transmission and/or storage element of the luminous energy. 
         [0011]    Due to the dispositions according to the invention, it is possible to form an assembly wherein the power supply of the system is at least partly ensured by the luminous energy sensor device. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, the transmission and/or storage element is arranged to transfer the energy transmitted or stored to an outer element suitable for consuming it. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the outer element is an electrical circuit distinct from the panel system. 
         [0014]    According to one aspect of the invention, the luminous energy sensor device comprises thermal and/or photovoltaic solar sensors. 
         [0015]    According to one aspect of the invention, the photovoltaic solar sensors are attached on the transparent screen and are arranged so that the transparent layer has a transparency greater than 60%. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the photovoltaic solar sensors are arranged so that the transparent layer has a transparency ranging between 60% and 90%. 
         [0017]    According to one aspect of the invention, the photovoltaic solar sensors are attached on the transparent screen and are arranged to obtain a conversion efficiency of the solar energy into electrical power higher than 4%. Preferably, the conversion efficiency ranges between 4 and 40%. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the invention, a selective material removal from the photovoltaic sensors attached on the transparent screen is carried out to produces the translucent layer. 
         [0019]    The selective material removal allows an increase of the transparency of the translucent layer. 
         [0020]    According to one aspect of the invention, the transmission and/or storage element of the luminous energy comprises a battery suitable for storing energy from the sensor device. 
         [0021]    According to one aspect of the invention, the polarizable film is opaque in absence of a power supply. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the degree of opacity of the polarizable film decreases with the power supply voltage increase. 
         [0023]    According to one aspect of the invention, the polarizable film is of the type “suspended particle device”. A polarizable film of the type “suspended particle device” has a reactivity to electric power variations, imparting it with a quick adaptation to brightness change. 
         [0024]    The polarizable film being opaque in absence of a power supply, the use of batteries has a definite advantage. In period of high brightness, the power supply necessary for the polarizable film is low while the power sensor device recovers significant energy. Thus, it is possible to charge the batteries. 
         [0025]    Conversely, in period of low brightness, the power supply needs are greater and the recovered energy is lower. The stored energy in the battery can then be used for the power supply. 
         [0026]    According to one aspect of the invention, the supply and setting arrangement is supplied by the transmission and/or energy storage element. 
         [0027]    This disposition allows autonomous operation of the panel system, that is to say, without supplying energy from the power supply circuit. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the supply and setting arrangement is supplied by the batteries. 
         [0029]    The polarizable film being more opaque in the absence of a power supply and less opaque in the presence of a power supply, the use of batteries allows storing energy during a period of high brightness, the necessary power for the polarizable film being low. Conversely, during a period of low brightness, the power supply needs are greater and the recovered energy is lower. The energy stored in the battery may thus be used for the power supply of the polarizable film. 
         [0030]    However, joining to the power supply circuit of the aircraft provides additional safety, in case of absence of energy in the batteries. 
         [0031]    According to one aspect of the invention, the internal layer further comprises at least one additional polarizable film intended to modify the degree of opacity of the panel. 
         [0032]    The presence of two polarizable films allows a finer setting of the degree of opacity of the internal layer. This disposition allows a better adjustment of the darkening achieved by the internal layer according to the incident lighting. 
         [0033]    According to one aspect of the invention, the translucent layer is contiguous to the layer comprising the polarizable film. 
         [0034]    According to one aspect of the invention, the translucent panel system further comprises a first and a second end wall surrounding the translucent and internal layers. 
         [0035]    According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second end walls are opposite to the translucent and external layers. Preferably, the first end wall is contiguous to the internal layer and the second end wall is contiguous to the translucent layer. 
         [0036]    According to one aspect of the invention, the first and the second outer walls are transparent. 
         [0037]    According to one aspect of the invention, the translucent panel system comprises an electrical circuit provided with a processing unit arranged to control the power supply and setting arrangement. 
         [0038]    According to one aspect of the invention, the translucent panel system comprises control elements electrically linked to the processing unit and arranged to transmit a setting control of the degree of opacity of the polarizable film by a user. 
         [0039]    According to one aspect of the invention, the control elements are attached on the electrical circuit. Preferably, the control elements comprise tactile keys arranged to be controlled by the user through the first end wall attached on the panel. 
         [0040]    According to one aspect of the invention, the translucent panel system further comprises a receiving cassette. 
         [0041]    The receiving cassette comprises a first housing intended to receive at least a part of the luminous energy transmission or storage element and a second housing intended to receive at least a part of the power supply and setting arrangement of the degree of opacity of the polarizable film. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0042]    In any case the invention will be better understood using the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this translucent panel system. 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cassette for receiving a porthole, according to a first embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the cassette for receiving the porthole, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the cassette for receiving the porthole, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an inner trim porthole comprising a polarizable film according to the first embodiment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the inner trim porthole comprising a control sub-assembly, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the inner trim porthole, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the control sub-assembly according to the first embodiment. 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a panel of the inner trim porthole. 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a polarizable film, according to the first embodiment. 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a bonding of a conductive track to a polarizable film according to the first embodiment. 
           [0053]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the inner trim porthole comprising a control sub-assembly according to a second embodiment. 
           [0054]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the cassette for receiving the porthole, according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  and according to the first embodiment, a translucent panel system  1  of the polarizable porthole for an aircraft comprises a cassette  3  for receiving a porthole. An opening  5  is arranged in the receiving cassette  3 . The system  1  also comprises an outer structural porthole and an inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0056]    The non represented outer structural porthole intended to be positioned in a location designated by the reference  7  is located on the side of the receiving cassette  3  facing the outside of the aircraft and the inner trim porthole  9  is located on the side of the receiving cassette  3  facing the inside of the aircraft. The outer structural porthole is remote from the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0057]    The system  1  further comprises a ring  11  for retaining the inner trim porthole  9  in a housing  10  of the receiving cassette  3 . The shape of the retaining ring  11  corresponds to the contour of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0058]    The retaining ring  11  is provided with a removable fastening member on the receiving cassette  3 . The retaining ring  11  is arranged for retaining the inner trim porthole  9  in position when the removable fastening member secures the retaining ring  11  to the receiving cassette  3 . 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the inner trim porthole  9  comprises a panel  13 . The panel  13  is substantially planar and has an ovoid-shaped contour. The panel  13  comprises a plurality of layers and has a thickness resulting from the stacking of said layers. 
         [0060]    Thus, it can be distinguished a first outer face  15  of the panel  13  facing towards the inside of the aircraft and a second outer face of the panel  13  being opposite to the structural outer porthole. 
         [0061]    The panel  13  comprises a plurality of layers. The panel  3  comprises two end walls  17 ,  19  made of a translucent material. According to the shown embodiment the translucent material is a polycarbonate. 
         [0062]    The panel  13  comprises an internal layer  21  and a translucent layer  22  secured together by a transparent adhesive layer  24 . 
         [0063]    The internal layer  21  and the translucent layer  22  are surrounded by the end walls  17 ,  19 . The internal layer  21  is secured to the first end wall  17 , the securing being achieved by a transparent adhesive layer  24 . Similarly, the translucent layer  22  is secured to the second end wall  19 , the securing being achieved by a transparent adhesive layer  24 . 
         [0064]    The translucent layer  22  comprises a transparent screen extending opposite to the walls  17 ,  19 . A luminous energy sensor device, for example of the same type as that described in document WO 2007085721 A1, is attached on a surface of the transparent screen, but other energy sensor structures are possible. 
         [0065]    The luminous energy sensor device comprises a plurality of photovoltaic solar sensors. Photovoltaic areas can be defined by adding the photovoltaic sensors on the transparent screen. 
         [0066]    According to a variant, it is possible to increase the transparency of the translucent layer  22  by selective material removal in the photovoltaic areas. 
         [0067]    The advantage of the translucent layer  22  is that it comprises a plurality of photovoltaic sensors while allowing the passage of light. 
         [0068]    The used photovoltaic sensors can be of any type as long as their conversion efficiency ranges between 4 and 40% and their transparency preferably ranges between 60 and 90%. 
         [0069]    The photovoltaic areas preferably have dimensions and shapes suitable for reducing their visibility with respect to human eye resolution and limiting blurring as well as diffraction phenomena which could disturb the visibility through the porthole. 
         [0070]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the internal layer  21  comprises at least one polarizable film  23 . According to the first embodiment, the internal layer  21  comprises two superposed polarizable films  23 . A transparent adhesive layer  24  ensures the securing between the two polarizable films  23 . 
         [0071]    Each polarizable film  23  forms a thickness of the internal layer  21  and extends opposite to the outer faces  15  of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0072]    Furthermore, the polarizable films  23  are arranged so that their respective degrees of opacity may be independently modified. 
         [0073]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , each polarizable film  23  comprises two transparent conductive layers  25  between which there is a layer made of a polarizable material  27 . The conductive layers  25  also extend opposite to the outer faces  15  of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0074]    According to the first embodiment, the polarizable material layer  27  is of the “suspended particle device” type. The polarizable material layer  27  is arranged to change the degree of opacity depending on the power supply imposed on said material by the two conductive layers  25  surrounding it. The degree of opacity is obtained by a polarization of said material, the polarization varying depending on the power supply subjected to the two conductive layers  25 . 
         [0075]    The conductive layers  25  are surrounded by transparent insulating layers  29 . According to the first embodiment, the transparent insulating layers  29  are made of polyamide. 
         [0076]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the ovoid shape of the inner trim porthole  9  has a main direction of extension  31 . A first  33  and a second end  35  of the inner trim porthole  9  along the main direction of extension  31  are defined. 
         [0077]    At the first end  33  of the inner trim porthole  9 , the internal layer  21  and the translucent layer  22  comprise a connection station  37 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The connection station  37  comprises a connection location  39  arranged in the thickness of the internal  21  and translucent  22  layers. 
         [0078]    The connection station  37  comprises contact areas  41  intended for those of the internal layer  21  for the power supply of the conductive layers  25  and for those of the translucent layer  22  for the electrical power recovery from the energy sensor device. Each conductive layer  25  comprises a contact area  41 . 
         [0079]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the inner trim porthole  9  further comprises a control sub-assembly  43 . The control sub-assembly  43  is attached to the first end  33  of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0080]    The retaining ring  11  is opposite the control sub-assembly  43  so that the retaining ring  11  carries out the capping of the control sub-assembly  43  with respect to the inside of the aircraft. 
         [0081]    The control sub-assembly  43  comprises a first electrical linking member  45  and a second electrical linking member  47 . The first  45  and the second  47  linking members are made of flexible material. 
         [0082]    The control sub-assembly  43  is located between the walls  17 ,  19 , except for the second electrical linking member  47  which extends towards the outside of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0083]    The first electrical linking member  45  has an outer shape complementary to the connection location  39 . The first electrical linking member  45  is secured to the dock station by bonding. 
         [0084]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the first electrical connection member  45  comprises connection terminals  49  to the contact areas  41  of the connection station  37 . The bonding  51  allows both securing the control sub-assembly  43  to the connection station  37  and electrically linking the contact areas  41  to the connection terminals  49 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a bonding  51  between a conductive layer  25  and a connection terminal  49  of the first electrical connection member  45 . 
         [0085]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first electrical connection member  45  comprises two lateral strips  53 . 
         [0086]    The second electrical connection member  47  extends outside the area opposite to the walls  17 ,  19  unlike the remainder of the control sub-assembly  43 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The second connection member  47  extends substantially parallel to the outer faces  15  of the panel  13 . The second connection member  47  comprises a connection element to a power supply circuit. 
         [0087]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the control sub-assembly  43  comprises a flexible electrical circuit  55 . The electrical circuit  55  further comprises a processing unit  57 . According to the first embodiment, the processing unit  57  is a microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged in the flexible electrical circuit  55 . 
         [0088]    The control sub-assembly  43  comprises an energy transmission and storage element provided with batteries  58 . The batteries  58  are disposed in housings of the retaining ring  11 , the retaining ring  11  carrying out a capping of the batteries  58  with respect to the inside of the aircraft as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 11 . 
         [0089]    The transmission and storage element is arranged to transmit the electrical power recovered by the luminous energy sensor device to the batteries  58 . 
         [0090]    The control sub-assembly  43  comprises a power supply and setting arrangement of the degree of opacity of the polarizable film  59  applying a voltage to the terminals of the first connection member, the device being arranged in the flexible electrical circuit. The voltage application device is linked to an external power supply by the second connection member. 
         [0091]    The microprocessor and the power and setting arrangement  59  are connected, the microprocessor being arranged to guide the power and setting arrangement  59  so that the supply and setting arrangement  59  makes the power supply vary at the terminals  49  of the first electrical connection member  45 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the power and setting arrangement  59  is electrically linked to the first linking member  45  by conductive tracks  61 , the conductive tracks  61  being disposed in a conductive portion  60  of the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The electrical circuit  55  also comprises an insulating portion  62 . 
         [0092]    The control sub-assembly  43  is arranged to supply electrical power to the conductive layers  25  through the power supply and setting arrangement  59  with electrical power from the batteries. 
         [0093]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises control elements  63  attached on the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The control elements  63  are linked to the microprocessor so as to allow a user to set the power supply of the conductive layers  25 . 
         [0094]    The control elements  63  comprise tactile keys  65  arranged to be controlled by the user through the first wall  17 , the tactile keys  65  being activated by contact on an area of the first outer face  15  opposite to the touch-sensor button  65 . The tactile keys  65  comprise inductive and/or capacitive sensors. 
         [0095]    The control elements  63  comprise a first tactile key  67  for increasing the degree of opacity of the inner trim porthole  9 , a second tactile key  69  for decreasing said degree of opacity and a third tactile key  71  allowing with each push to alternate between full opacity and transparency of the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0096]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises signaling elements  73  attached on the flexible electrical circuit  55 . The signaling elements  73  comprise light-emitting diodes  75  visible through the first wall  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0097]    The light-emitting diodes  75  are electrically linked to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged to guide the lighting of the light-emitting diodes  75  depending on the degree of opacity of the porthole. The number of lighted light-emitting diodes  75  varies depending on the degree of opacity of the inner trim porthole  9 , the more opaque the inner trim porthole  9  is the higher the number of lighted light-emitting diodes  75 . 
         [0098]    The control sub-assembly  43  also comprises a screen printing  77  disposed on the flexible electrical circuit  55 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The screen printing  77  comprises indications intended for the user to specify the location of the tactile keys  65  and the role thereof. Openings are formed in the screen printing to keep the light-emitting diodes  75  exposed. 
         [0099]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , according to a second embodiment, the electrical circuit  55  has a portion outside the area opposite to the walls  17 ,  19 . The electronic circuit  55  is partially stiff and partially flexible. 
         [0100]    The stiff portion of the electronic circuit comprises the second electrical linking member  47 . The stiff portion of the electronic circuit  55  also comprises the processing unit  57  and the power and setting arrangement  59  for the transmission of the electrical power to the conductive layers  25 . 
         [0101]    The flexible portion comprises the first electrical linking member  45 , the control elements  63  and the signaling elements  73 . 
         [0102]    The conductive tracks  61  are comprised in both the stiff portion and the flexible portion. 
         [0103]    Only the features of the second embodiment differing from the first embodiment elements are described hereinabove. The identical features are not repeated. 
         [0104]    The inner trim porthole  9  described hereinabove has advantages given its design. The control sub-assembly  43  is attached to the panel  13  of the inner trim porthole  9 . The insertion of the inner trim porthole  9  in the housing  10  of the receiving cassette  3  is thus made easier. 
         [0105]    The installation of the inner trim porthole  9  in the receiving cassette  3  is rapid and easy: all that needs to be done is to position the inner trim porthole  9  in the dedicated location of the receiving cassette  3 , join the second electrical linking member  47  to a power source and to secure the electrical and inner trim porthole  9  with the retaining ring  11 . 
         [0106]    For maintenance operations, particularly in case of malfunction of the setting of the degree of opacity, replacing the defective inner trim porthole  9  with another inner trim porthole  9  also proves to be easy due to the integration of the control sub-assembly  43  in the inner trim porthole  9 . 
         [0107]    The inner trim porthole  9  is also reliable as the control sub-assembly  43  is protected from the outside environment by the retaining ring  11 . 
         [0108]    In addition, the electrical joining by bonding the first electrical linking member  45  to the connection station  41  is resistant. The break risk of the electrical connection is low. 
         [0109]    The polarizable film  23  is opaque in absence of the power supply, the use of batteries  58  has a definite advantage. In period of high brightness, the power supply necessary for the polarizable film is low whereas the energy sensor device recovers significant energy. Thus it is possible to charge the batteries  58 . 
         [0110]    Conversely, during a period of low brightness, the power supply needs are greater and the recovered energy is lower. The energy stored in the batteries can then be used for the power supply. 
         [0111]    This disposition allows autonomous operation of the panel system  1 , that is to say, without supplying energy from the power supply circuit. However, joining the power supply circuit of the aircraft provides additional safety, in case of absence of energy in the batteries. 
         [0112]    As it is known per se, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this system, described above by way of example, it encompasses, on the contrary, all the variants. 
         [0113]    In this respect, the luminous energy sensor device may be provided with different types of luminous energy recovery sensors, as for example thermal solar sensors instead of photovoltaic sensors.