Power management for electrochromic window networks
Various embodiments herein relate to networks of electrochromic windows. The networks may be configured in particular ways to minimize the likelihood that the windows on the network draw more power than can be provided. The network may include particular hardware components that provide additional power to windows as needed. The network may also be configured to adjust how the windows therein transition to prevent overloading the network. The techniques described herein can be used to design networks of electrochromic windows that are undersized when considering the amount of power that would be needed to simultaneously transition all the windows on the network using normal transition parameters, while still allowing simultaneous transitions to occur.
1. A network comprising:
(a) two or more window assemblies, each including at least one electrochromic pane, and a window controller for driving optical transitions on the electrochromic pane;
(b) a network controller and/or master controller communicatively coupled with the window controller of each of the two or more window assemblies; and
(c) a power supply electrically connected with the window assemblies, wherein the network controller and/or master controller is configured to cause one or more of the two or more window assemblies to undergo optical transitions using:
a first set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a first amount of power, and,
a second set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a second amount of power to undergo optical transitions using the first set of transition parameters, the second amount of power being greater than the first amount of power, using a second set of transition parameters.
2. The network of claim 1 , wherein the second amount of power exceeds a capacity of the power supply and the first amount of power does not exceed the capacity of the power supply.
3. The network of claim 1 , wherein the first set of transition parameters result in a first transition time period, and the second set of transition parameters result in a second transition time period, the second transition period being longer than the first transition period.
4. The network of claim 1 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to drive component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to drive component, the second ramp to drive component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to drive component.
5. The network of claim 1 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to hold component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to hold component, the second ramp to hold component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to hold component.
6. The network of claim 1 , wherein the first set of transition parameters are configured for use when the supply of available power on the network is greater than the collectively demanded for power on the network.
7. The network of claim 6 , wherein the first set of transition parameters may be optimized to provide fast switching or another desirable characteristic.
8. The network of claim 1 , wherein the second set of transition parameters are configured to conserve power.
9. The network of claim 1 , wherein a first maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is greater than a second maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a similar transition using the second set of transition parameters.
10. The network of claim 9 , wherein the first maximum ramp rate is at least about 5% higher than the second maximum ramp rate.
11. The network of claim 1 , wherein a first magnitude of a drive voltage during a drive component of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is higher than a second magnitude of the drive voltage during the drive component of the transition under using the second set of transition parameters.
12. The network of claim 11 , Wherein the first magnitude of the drive voltage is at least about 5% higher than the second magnitude of the drive voltage.
13. A method of operating a network, wherein:
the network comprises: (a) two or more window assemblies, each including at least one electrochromic pane, and a window controller for driving optical transitions on the electrochromic pane, and (b) a network controller and/or master controller communicatively coupled with the window controller of each of the two or more window assemblies; and (c) a power supply electrically connected with the window assemblies; and
the method comprises:
causing one or more of the two or more window assemblies to undergo optical transitions by:
(i) using a first set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a first amount of power, and,
(ii) using a second set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a second amount of power to undergo optical transitions using the first set of transition parameters, the second amount of power being greater than the first amount of power.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second amount of power exceeds a capacity of the power supply and the first amount of power does not exceed the capacity of the power supply.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of transition parameters result in a first transition time period, and the second set of transition parameters result in a second transition time period, the second transition period being longer than the first transition period.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to drive component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to drive component, the second ramp to drive component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to drive component.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to hold component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to hold component, the second ramp to hold component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to hold component.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of transition parameters are configured for use when the supply of available power on the network is greater than the collectively demanded for power on the network.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second set of transition parameters are configured to conserve power.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein a first maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is greater than a second maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a similar transition using the second set of transition parameters.
21. The method of claim 13 , wherein a first magnitude of a drive voltage during a drive component of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is higher than a second magnitude of the drive voltage during the drive component of the transition under using the second set of transition parameters.
22. An apparatus comprising:
a controller configured to operate a network, the network comprising (a) two or more window assemblies, each including at least one electrochromic pane, and a window controller for driving optical transitions on the electrochromic pane (b) a network controller and/or master controller communicatively coupled with the window controller of each of the two or more window assemblies; and (c) a power supply electrically connected with the window assemblies; wherein the controller is configured to operate the network by:
causing one or more of the two or more window assemblies to undergo optical transitions by:
(i) using a first set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a first amount of power, and,
(ii) using a second set of transition parameters when the two or more window assemblies collectively demand a second amount of power to undergo optical transitions using the first set of transition parameters, the second amount of power being greater than the first amount of power.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the second amount of power exceeds a capacity of the power supply and the first amount of power does not exceed the capacity of the power supply.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the first set of transition parameters result in a first transition time period, and the second set of transition parameters result in a second transition time period, the second transition period being longer than the first transition period.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to drive component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to drive component, the second ramp to drive component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to drive component.
26. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the first set of transition parameters include a first ramp to hold component, and the second set of transition parameters include a second ramp to hold component, the second ramp to hold component having a lower magnitude than the first ramp to hold component.
27. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the first set of transition parameters are configured for use when the supply of available power on the network is greater than the collectively demanded for power on the network.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein a first maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is greater than a second maximum ramp rate experienced during a ramp to drive portion of a similar transition using the second set of transition parameters.
29. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein a first magnitude of a drive voltage during a drive component of a transition using the first set of transition parameters is higher than a second magnitude of the drive voltage during the drive component of the transition under using the second set of transition parameters.