Onboard controller for multistate windows
View Patent ↗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.
1. A network comprising:
(a) two or more window assemblies, each comprising:
at least one electrochromic pane;
a window controller comprising (i) a circuit for processing digital signals including one or more discrete tint values received from the network, and (ii) a memory storing drive configuration parameters for driving tint state transitions in the at least one electrochromic pane, wherein the drive configuration parameters stored in the memory of the window controller comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: a voltage to be applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during an optical transition of the electrochromic pane, a rate of change of voltage to be applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during the optical transition of the electrochromic pane, and a current limit corresponding to a current applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during the optical transition of the electrochromic pane;
(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 one or more discrete tint values,
wherein each of the window controllers is configured to control said at least one electrochromic pane of its associated window assembly based on the one or more discrete tint values received from the network controller and the stored drive configuration parameters particular to each window assembly, and
wherein the network controller is physically separate from the window controllers; and
(c) an electrical path connecting the window controllers in a linear bus topology.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The network of claim 1 , wherein each window controller is positioned within about 1 meter of its associated window assembly.
6. The network of claim 1 , wherein the network controller comprises an embedded web server that enables control over an optical state of the electrochromic panes of the two or more window assemblies.
7. The network of claim 6 , wherein the network is commissioned via the embedded web server of the network controller.
8. The network of claim 7 , wherein the embedded web server may be controlled via Ethernet by a PC or smartphone.
9. The network of claim 1 , further comprising a building management system communicatively coupled to each of the window controllers.
10. 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.
11. The network of claim 10 , wherein the electrical path delivers both power and control information.
12. The network of claim 10 , wherein the electrical path provides low voltage power.
13. The network of claim 12 , 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.
14. 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.
15. The network of claim 1 , wherein the window controllers comprise wireless power receivers.
16. The network of claim 1 , wherein control information is distributed through wireless communication.
17. The network of claim 1 , wherein the window assemblies further comprise an optical and/or thermal sensor connected to the window controller.
18. The network of claim 1 , wherein the window assemblies are provided as insulated glass units (IGUs), each IGU comprising the at least one electrochromic pane, an additional pane, and a spacer between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane, wherein the window controller is positioned around two or more sides of the perimeter of the IGU.
19. The network of claim 1 , wherein the window assemblies are provided as insulated glass units (IGUs), each IGU comprising the at least one electrochromic pane, an additional pane, and a spacer between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane, wherein the window controller resides at least partly between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane of the IGU.
20. The network of claim 19 , wherein the window controller is positioned entirely between the electrochromic pane and the additional pane of the IGU.
21. The network of claim 19 , wherein the window controller is embedded in a secondary seal provided around the spacer.
22. 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 on electrochromic pane.
23. A network comprising:
(a) two or more window assemblies, each comprising:
at least one electrochromic pane;
a window controller comprising (i) a circuit for processing digital signals including one or more discrete tint values received from the network, and (ii) a memory storing (1) drive configuration parameters for driving tint state transitions in the at least one electrochromic pane, wherein the drive configuration parameters stored in the memory of the window controller comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: a voltage to be applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during an optical transition of the electrochromic pane, a rate of change of voltage to be applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during the optical transition of the electrochromic pane, and a current limit corresponding to a current applied to the window controller's associated electrochromic pane during the optical transition of the electrochromic pane, and (2) one or more information parameters selected from the group consisting of: warranty information, installation information, vendor information, batch identification, manufacturing date, window size, EC device cycle count, customer information, and controller zone membership;
(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 one or more discrete tint values,
wherein each of the window controllers is configured to control said at least one electrochromic pane of its associated window assembly based on the one or more discrete tint values received from the network controller and the stored drive configuration parameters particular to each window assembly, and
wherein the network controller is physically separate from the window controllers; and
(c) an electrical path connecting the window controllers in a linear bus topology.