Photovoltaic Powering And Control System For Electrochromic Windows

Patent · Tue Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 2000

OSTI ID:879576

Schulz, Stephen C ^[1]; Michalski, Lech A ^[2]; Volltrauer, Hermann N ^[3]; Van Dine, John E ^[4]

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1. Tewksbury, MA
2. Pennington, NJ
3. Englishtown, NJ
4. Faribault, MN

A sealed insulated glass unit is provided with an electrochromic device for modulating light passing through the unit. The electrochromic device is controlled from outside the unit by a remote control electrically unconnected to the device. Circuitry within the unit may be magnetically controlled from outside. The electrochromic device is powered by a photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells may be positioned so that at least a part of the light incident on the cell passes through the electrochromic device, providing a form of feedback control. A variable resistance placed in parallel with the electrochromic element is used to control the response of the electrochromic element to changes in output of the photovoltaic cell.

• Research Organization: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS
• DOE Contract Number: FC36-97GO10251
• Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (St. Paul, MN)
• Patent Number(s): US 6055089
• Application Number: 09/257305
• OSTI ID: 879576
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English