Powered window system

Abstract

A window frame has a sash and a panel that is disposed parallel to the sash, both of which are slidably disposed in the frame. A receiver is fixed at a first end of the frame. When the sash is in a first position, the sash is disposed within the receiver. When the sash is in a second position, the sash is disposed outside the receiver. A motor is fixed relative to the frame with a drive system connecting the motor to the sash and/or the panel. A control input is connected to the motor and is configured to receive a signal from a controller, a sensor, and/or a building management system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A window unit comprising:
 a frame;   a receiver disposed at a first end of the frame;   at least one panel slidably disposed in the frame, wherein when the at least one panel is in an open position, the at least one panel is positioned substantially within the receiver, and wherein when the at least one panel is in a closed position, the at least one panel is positioned substantially outside of the receiver;   a motor;   a drive system connecting the motor to the at least one panel, wherein the motor and the drive system are configured to slide the at least one panel between the open position and the closed position; and   an egress system, wherein when the egress system is actuated, the at least one panel moves towards the open position.   
     
     
         16 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the egress system is coupled to the motor and the drive system such that when the egress system is actuated, the motor and the drive system moves the at least one panel towards the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The window unit of  claim 16 , wherein the egress system comprises a local power source. 
     
     
         18 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the egress system is coupled to at least one of the motor and the drive system such that when the egress system is actuated, the at least one of the motor and the drive system disengages from the at least one panel and the at least one panel moves towards the open position. 
     
     
         19 . The window unit of  claim 18 , further comprising a biasing element coupled between the frame and the at least one panel, and wherein the biasing element biases the at least one panel towards the open position. 
     
     
         20 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the egress system comprises a button for actuating the egress system. 
     
     
         21 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the egress system comprises a sensor for actuating the egress system. 
     
     
         22 . The window unit of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a force sensor configured to sense a force applied to the at least one panel. 
     
     
         23 . The window unit of  claim 22 , wherein the force is applied substantially orthogonal to the at least one panel. 
     
     
         24 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the egress system comprises an alarm. 
     
     
         25 . The window unit of  claim 15  further comprising a biasing element coupled between the frame and the at least one panel. 
     
     
         26 . The window unit of  claim 25 , wherein the biasing element biases the at least one panel towards the open position. 
     
     
         27 . The window unit of  claim 25 , wherein the biasing element biases the at least one panel towards the closed position. 
     
     
         28 . The window unit of  claim 25 , wherein the frame comprises a head and a sill, the biasing element coupled between at least one of the head or the sill and the at least one panel. 
     
     
         29 . The window unit of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more solar cells sized to power the motor. 
     
     
         30 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the motor is fixed to the frame. 
     
     
         31 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one panel comprises a window sash and an auxiliary panel disposed substantially parallel to the window sash, and wherein the window sash and the auxiliary panel are independently moveable between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         32 . The window unit of  claim 31 , wherein the window sash and the auxiliary panel are coupled to separate drive systems, motors, and egress systems. 
     
     
         33 . The window unit of  claim 31 , wherein the window sash and the auxiliary panel are coupled to a single drive system, motor, and egress system. 
     
     
         34 . The window unit of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver is defined at least partially by an exterior panel, an interior panel, and the frame.