Dimming control system for an array of electrochromic devices
First Claim
1. An electrochromic system, comprising:
- a plurality of electrochromic devices;
a plurality of control modules, each control module being operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to activate and de-activate the device; and
at least one main controller operatively coupled to the devices and adapted to simultaneously adjust the electric fields of a selected set of the devices to activate and de-activate the set.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrochromic device control systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a window system includes a plurality of transparent windows, a plurality of electrochromic devices, a plurality of control modules, and a main controller. Each transparent window has an electrochromic device operatively associated therewith. A control module is operatively coupled to each electrochromic device and is adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to activate and de-activate the electrochromic device. Finally, the main controller is operatively coupled to the plurality of control modules and adapted to simultaneously adjust the electric fields of the plurality of electrochromic devices to activate and de-activate the plurality of electrochromic devices in unison. In one particular embodiment, a window dimming control system in accordance with the present invention may advantageously be incorporated into an existing cabin services system of a passenger aircraft.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An electrochromic system, comprising:
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a plurality of electrochromic devices;
a plurality of control modules, each control module being operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to activate and de-activate the device; and
at least one main controller operatively coupled to the devices and adapted to simultaneously adjust the electric fields of a selected set of the devices to activate and de-activate the set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A window system, comprising:
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a main controller operatively coupled to first and second zones, respectively, wherein the first zone includes;
a first plurality of window assemblies, each window assembly having an operative electrochromic device;
at least one control module operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to control the device;
and wherein the second zone includes;
a second plurality of window assemblies, each window assembly having an operative electrochromic device;
at least one control module operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to control the device;
and wherein the main controller is adapted to adjust the electric fields of the plurality of electrochromic devices of the first and second zones to provide zonal control of the electrochromic devices. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A structure, comprising:
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a plurality of windows, a window control assembly operatively associated with the windows, the window control assembly including;
a plurality of electrochromic devices, each electrochromic device being operatively associated with a respective window;
a plurality of control modules, each control module being operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably adjust an electric field to activate and de-activate the device; and
a main controller operatively coupled to the devices and adapted to adjust the electric fields of the devices to activate and de-activate the devices in a selected manner. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An aircraft, comprising:
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a fuselage operatively coupled to an airframe;
a plurality of window assemblies formed within at least one of the fuselage and the airframe; and
a services system disposed within the fuselage, the services system including;
a plurality of lighting assemblies;
a plurality of control modules, each control module being operatively coupled to at least one of the lighting assemblies;
a window control system including a plurality of electrically operated shades, each shade being operatively associated with a respective one of the window assemblies and operatively coupled to at least one control module, wherein the control module is adapted to controllably activate and de-activate the shade; and
a main controller operatively coupled to the shades and adapted to adjust the shades to activate and de-activate the plurality of shades in a selected manner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of controlling light through a plurality of windows, comprising:
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providing at least one electrochromic device operatively associated with each window;
providing a plurality of control modules, each control module being operatively coupled to at least one electrochromic device and adapted to controllably activate and de-activate at least one device;
providing a main controller operatively coupled to the devices and adapted to control the devices in a selected manner. adjusting a characteristic color of at least some of the devices. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33)
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28. An electrochromic system, comprising:
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an electrochromic device;
a control module operatively coupled to the electrochromic device and adapted to controllably activate and de-activate the electrochromic device; and
a main controller operatively coupled to the device and adapted to override the control module to controllably activate and de-activate the device.
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30. A method of adjusting a lighting level in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, comprising:
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providing an electrochromic device operatively associated with a window of the vehicle;
providing a control module operatively coupled to the electrochromic device and adapted to controllably activate and de-activate the electrochromic device;
providing a main controller operatively coupled to at least one of the control module and the electrochromic device;
adjusting a characteristic of the electrochromic device by controllably adjusting the control module; and
adjusting the characteristic of the electrochromic device by overriding the control module using the main controller.
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34. A system for controlling the environment in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, comprising:
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at least one individual environment control located near a seat in the cabin;
a crew-control override arranged to override the control; and
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a processor arranged to automatically override the control in response to a selected flight/trip condition. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. An aircraft passenger cabin, comprising:
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at least one window;
at least one shade arranged to operatively shade the window;
at least one seat control arranged to operate the shade;
at least one override, arranged to allow a crew member to override the seat control; and
at least one processor arranged to automatically set the shade based upon a flight/trip condition. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification