D.C. Setra busses have a new option called "topsky", It only seems logical to be used on the panoramic roof to keep the sun out without blocking the view that you paid so much for.Far more elegant than "blinds".
Here is a blurb and the weblink:
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http://www.busride.com/2003/10/Letter_from_Europe.asp
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Setra also launched Top Sky. This is a series of glazed panels mounted in the roof of the coach and giving a unique feeling of space for passengers. The driver can select either a transparent setting for the roof, or a tinted option. The secret lies in a state-of-the-art membrane system. Between the layers of the membrane are two transparent electrodes and a carrier fluid containing crystal particles.
When the electric circuit is switched on, the crystals are arranged in such a way as to allow daylight to stream in through the glass. As soon as the current is turned off, the crystals lose this arrangement, limiting their transparency and restoring the roof's dark appearance. With the power activated the roof has 25 percent transparency, equivalent to a standard window. In its darkened status, only two percent of the daylight is allowed through. Setra engineers even modified the standard TopClass luggage racks to fully exploit the panoramic effect of the new roof.
Can anyone clarify what technology is being referred to here:
"press a button in the cabin to vary the degree of tinting on the roof"
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Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Consumer's Eye
'Smart' glass is frameless, tints itself
It's used on concepts and production cars such as PT Cruiser
By Anita Lienert / The Detroit News
Automotive glass is getting “smarter,� thanks to companies such as DaimlerChrysler AG.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision GST concept, a six-seater that looks like a futuristic station wagon, has a panoramic glass roof with an unusual feature. Occupants can press a button in the cabin to vary the degree of tinting on the roof, depending on the intensity of the sunlight. That’s an excellent idea that ought to make the manual shades on most sunroofs obsolete.
Of course, concept cars are dream cars. But some “smart glass� also is showing up on production vehicles.
The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible uses a smart glass system that is a variation of the one used on more ...
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http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosconsumer/0402/11/g03-60710.htm
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