Onboard controller for multistate windows

• US 9,128,346 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Shrivastava, Dhairya, Pradhan, Anshu, Brown, Stephen C., Groechel, David Walter, Rozbicki, Robert T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US13/479,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20120293855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 359/277, 359245-247, 359/242, 345/49, 345/105, 250/70, 348/814, 348/817, 438/929, 349182-186
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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, 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.

2. The network of claim 1, further comprising a building management system communicatively coupled to each of the window controllers.

3. The network of claim 1, further comprising a direct electrical path between the network controller and each window assembly that does not go through other window assemblies.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein the electrical path delivers both power and control information.

5. The network of claim 3, wherein the electrical path provides low voltage power.

6. The network of claim 5, wherein each window assembly further comprises a power converter to convert a low voltage to a power requirement of the at least one electrochromic pane.

7. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are configured to send one or more electrical pulses through the window assembly and analyze the feedback.

8. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers comprise wireless power receivers.

9. The network of claim 1, wherein control information is distributed through wireless communication.

10. The network of claim 1, wherein the network controller comprises an embedded web server.

11. The network of claim 10, wherein the embedded web server may be controlled via Ethernet by a PC or smartphone.

12. The network of claim 1, wherein the window assemblies further comprise an optical and/or thermal sensor connected to the window controller.

13. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are positioned outside a primary seal of the IGU.

14. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are positioned around two or more sides of the perimeter of the IGU.

15. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are positioned along only one side of the perimeter of the IGU.

16. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers reside entirely between two panes of the IGU.

17. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are incorporated into the IGU, substantially within the secondary seal.

18. The network of claim 1, wherein each of the window controllers extend beyond a perimeter of the IGU and into a frame that holds the IGU.

19. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers are embedded in the sealing separator.

20. The network of claim 18, wherein the frames support the IGUs and related wiring.

21. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controller is positioned within about 1 meter of the electrochromic pane for each window assembly.

22. The network of claim 21, wherein the window controller is positioned within about 0.5 meter of the electrochromic pane for each window assembly.

23. The network of claim 22, wherein the window controller is positioned within about 0.25 meter of the electrochromic pane for each window assembly.

24. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controller directly controls the at least one electrochromic pane of the window assembly by controlling a pulse width modulated amplifier that generates current at high and low output levels to power the at least one electrochromic pane.

25. The network of claim 1, wherein the drive configuration parameters comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of:

bleach to color transition ramp rate, initial coloration ramp rate, color to bleach transition ramp rate, and initial bleach ramp rate.

26. The network of claim 1, wherein the drive configuration parameters comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of:

bleach to color transition voltage, initial coloration voltage, coloration hold voltage, color to bleach transition voltage, initial bleach voltage, and bleach hold voltage.

27. The network of claim 1, wherein the drive configuration parameters comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of:

initial coloration current limit, coloration hold current limit, initial bleach current limit, and bleach hold current limit.

28. The network of claim 1, wherein the window controllers reside along two, three, or four edges of the IGU, each within the secondary seal.

29. 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 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.

30. The network of claim 29, wherein the window controllers reside along two, three, or four edges of the IGU, each within the secondary seal.