ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS

• US 20120293855A1
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
• Inventors: Shrivastava, Dhairya, Pradhan, Anshu, Brown, Stephen C., Groechel, David Walter, Rozbicki, Robert T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,128,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations.

Claims

1. A window assembly comprising:

at least one electrochromic pane;

a window controller configured to control said at least one electrochromic pane of the window assembly; and

a window frame housing said at least one electrochromic pane and the window controller.

2. The window assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor housed within the window frame and connected to the window controller.

3. The window assembly of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a thermal sensor or an optical sensor.

4. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the window controller comprises a chip, a card or a board, each including a logic circuit.

5. The window assembly of claim 4, wherein the window controller comprises a field programmable gate array.

6. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrochromic pane is provided in an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising at least one additional pane and a sealing separator between said at least one additional pane and the electrochromic pane.

7. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the IGU comprises a secondary seal which incorporates the window controller.

8. The window assembly of claim 7, wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially between the electrochromic pane and another pane of the IGU in the secondary seal.

9. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the window controller is positioned outside a primary seal of the IGU.

10. The window assembly of claim 6, the window controller is positioned around one or more sides of the perimeter of the IGU.

11. The window assembly of claim 6, the window controller is positioned along only one side of the perimeter of the IGU.

12. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the window controller resides entirely between two panes of the IGU.

13. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the controller is incorporated into the IGU, substantially within the secondary seal.

14. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the window controller extends beyond a perimeter of the IGU and into the frame of the window assembly.

15. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the window controller is embedded in the sealing separator.

16. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the frame supports the IGU and related wiring.

17. A network comprising two or more window assemblies, each as recited in claim 1, wherein the window controllers of the two or more window assemblies are communicatively coupled on said network.

18. The network of claim 17, further comprising a network controller communicatively coupled to the window controllers.

19. The network of claim 18, further comprising a building management system communicatively coupled to the window controllers.

20. The network of claim 17, wherein the window controllers are daisy chained to one another.

21. The network of claim 20, wherein the window controllers are connected to one another by cabling.

22. The window assembly of claim 6, wherein the window controller has a wireless power function.