Onboard controller for multistate windows
First Claim
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1. A network comprising:
- (a) two or more window assemblies, each comprising;
at least one electrochromic pane provided in an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising the electrochromic pane, at least one additional pane, a sealing separator between the electrochromic pane and the at least one additional pane, and a secondary seal around the sealing separator;
a window controller comprising (i) circuitry for processing digital signals including discrete tint values received from the network, and (ii) memory storing drive configuration parameters for driving tint state transitions in the at least one electrochromic pane, wherein the window controllers are positioned at least partially between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane of the IGU in the secondary seal;
(b) a network controller communicatively coupled to the window controller of each of the two or more window assemblies and configured to send input signals to each of the window controllers, the input signals comprising the discrete tint values, andwherein each of the window controllers is configured to control said at least one electrochromic pane of its associated window assembly based on the discrete tint value received from the network controller and the stored drive configuration parameters particular to each window assembly; and
(c) an electrical path connecting the window controllers in a linear bus topology.
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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.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A network comprising:
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(a) two or more window assemblies, each comprising; at least one electrochromic pane provided in an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising the electrochromic pane, at least one additional pane, a sealing separator between the electrochromic pane and the at least one additional pane, and a secondary seal around the sealing separator; a window controller comprising (i) circuitry for processing digital signals including discrete tint values received from the network, and (ii) memory storing drive configuration parameters for driving tint state transitions in the at least one electrochromic pane, wherein the window controllers are positioned at least partially between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane of the IGU in the secondary seal; (b) a network controller communicatively coupled to the window controller of each of the two or more window assemblies and configured to send input signals to each of the window controllers, the input signals comprising the discrete tint values, and wherein each of the window controllers is configured to control said at least one electrochromic pane of its associated window assembly based on the discrete tint value received from the network controller and the stored drive configuration parameters particular to each window assembly; and (c) an electrical path connecting the window controllers in a linear bus topology. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A network comprising:
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(a) two or more window assemblies, each comprising; at least one electrochromic pane provided in an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising the electrochromic pane, at least one additional pane, a sealing separator between the electrochromic pane and the at least one additional pane, and a secondary seal which incorporates a window controller; the window controller comprising circuitry for processing digital signals, the window controller configured to directly control said at least one electrochromic pane of the window assembly, wherein the window controller is positioned at least partially between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane of the IGU in the secondary seal; and a window frame housing said at least one electrochromic pane and the window controller; (b) a network controller communicatively coupled to the window controllers; and (c) an electrical path connecting the window controllers in a daisy chain. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification