IP Library Granted Patent US 9,551,180
Granted Patent B2
US 9,551,180 · App. 14/295,850 · Granted Jan 24, 2017

System for controlling noise in a window assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,551,180
App. No.
14/295,850
Granted
Jan 24, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for controlling noise in a fenestration assembly (e.g., a window) includes a fenestration assembly with at least one glazing and a frame. The at least one glazing has a surface. At least one sensor is coupled to the at least one glazing and is configured to generate noise detection signals. An actuator is positioned on the surface of the at least one glazing and has a plurality of regions. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the actuator and is configured to control each of the regions of the actuator to generate a different frequency based on the noise detection signals. Alternatively, each of the regions may be controlled to generate a frequency with a different phase shift based on the noise detection signals.

Claims (38)

1. A system for controlling noise in a fenestration assembly, the system comprising:

a fenestration assembly comprising a frame, a first glazing having a surface and a second glazing having a surface;

at least one sensor positioned on the surface of the first glazing and configured to generate noise detection signals, wherein the at least one sensor is a piezoelectric film;

an actuator positioned on the surface of the second glazing, the actuator having a plurality of regions, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric film; and

a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to control each of the regions of the actuator to generate a different frequency based on the noise detection signals.

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric film of the at least one sensor is lead-free and transparent and the piezoelectric film of the actuator is lead-free and transparent.

3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator covers substantially all of the surface of the second glazing.

4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the regions of the actuator is a separate piezoelectric film applied to the surface of the second glazing.

5. A system according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of regions cover substantially all of the surface of the second glazing.

6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor has a plurality of regions, each region configured to detect at least one frequency.

7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is disposed within the frame.

8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a plurality of controllers, each controller coupled to at least one region of the actuator.

9. A system for controlling noise in a fenestration assembly, the system comprising:

a fenestration assembly comprising at least one glazing and a frame, the at least one glazing having a first surface and a second surface;

at least one sensor positioned on the first surface of the at least one glazing and configured to generate noise detection signals, wherein the at least one sensor is a piezoelectric film;

an actuator positioned on the second surface of the at least one glazing, the actuator having a plurality of regions, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric film; and

a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to control each of the regions to generate a different frequency based on the noise detection signals.

10. A system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor has a plurality of regions, each region configured to detect at least one frequency.

11. A system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller comprises a plurality of controllers, each controller coupled to the actuator.

12. A system for controlling noise in a fenestration assembly, the system comprising:

a fenestration assembly comprising a first glazing, a second glazing and a frame;

at least one sensor coupled to the first glazing and the second glazing and configured to generate noise detection signals;

an actuator disposed between the first glazing and the second glazing and coupled to the frame, the actuator having a at least a first region and a second region; and

a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to control the first region of the actuator to generate a first frequency with a first phase shift based on the noise detection signals and to control the second region of the actuator to generate the first frequency with a second phase shift based on the noise detection signals.

13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric film.

14. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the piezoelectric film is lead-free and transparent.

15. A system according to claim 12 , wherein each of the regions of the actuator is a separate piezoelectric film.

16. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the frame comprises a first spacer and a second spacer and the piezoelectric film is coupled to the first spacer and the second spacer.

17. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the frame comprises a first spacer and a second spacer and each of the piezoelectric films is coupled to the first spacer and the second spacer.

18. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor is a piezoelectric film and has a plurality of regions, each region configured to detect at least one frequency.

19. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the controller comprises a plurality of controllers, each controller coupled to at least one region of the actuator.

20. A system for controlling noise in a fenestration assembly, the system comprising:

a fenestration assembly comprising at least one glazing and a frame, the at least one glazing having a surface;

at least one sensor coupled to the at least one glazing and configured to generate noise detection signals;

an actuator positioned on the surface of the at least one glazing, the actuator having at least a first region and a second region; and

a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to control the first region of the actuator to generate a first frequency with a first phase shift based on the noise detection signals and to control the second region of the actuator to generate the first frequency with a second phase shift based on the noise detection signals.

21. A system according to claim 20 , wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric film applied to the surface of the at least one glazing.

22. A system according to claim 20 , wherein the first region of the actuator and the second region of the actuator are separate piezoelectric films applied to the surface of the at least one glazing.

Assignments (9)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Mar 28, 2024
From: MI WINDOWS AND DOORS, LLC; MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC; SUNRISE WINDOWS, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066944/0935 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054815/0679 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054815/0708 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS (TERM LOAN) Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
To: MI WINDOWS AND DOORS, LLC; MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 054815/0958 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS (REVOLVER) Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
To: MI WINDOWS AND DOORS, LLC; MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 054816/0001 →
ENTITY CONVERSION - CORPORATION TO LLC Recorded Jan 6, 2020
From: MILGARD MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
To: MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 051485/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2019
From: MI WINDOWS AND DOORS, LLC; MILGARD MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
To: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 050944/0761 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2019
From: MI WINDOWS AND DOORS, LLC; MILGARD MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
To: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 050945/0297 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2014
From: XU, JIAN; VILHAUER, KEVIN D.
To: MILGARD MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 033028/0646 →