Wireless powered electrochromic windows

Abstract

Electrochromic windows powered by wireless power transmission are described, particularly, the combination of low-defectivity, highly-reliable solid state electrochromic windows with wireless power transmission. Wireless power transmission networks which incorporate electrochromic windows are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochromic window configured to be powered by a wireless power transmission source. 
     
     
         2 . The electrochromic window of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless power transmission source transmits power via a radio frequency or a magnetic induction. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochromic window of  claim 2 , comprising a receiver, said receiver configured to convert wireless power transmissions from the wireless power transmission source to an electrical energy used to power an electrochromic device in the electrochromic window. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochromic window of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical energy is used to charge a battery, said battery used to power the electrochromic device. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochromic window of  claim 3 , wherein the electrochromic device is solid state and inorganic. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochromic window of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless power transmission source transmits power via a power transmission network. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochromic window of  claim 6 , wherein the power transmission network comprises a power node for relaying power transmitted from the wireless power transmission source to the electrochromic window. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochromic window of  claim 7 , wherein the functions of the electrochromic window are controlled via wireless communication. 
     
     
         9 . A method of powering an electrochromic device, the method comprising:
 i) generating a wireless power transmission;   ii) transmitting the wireless power transmission to a receiver; said receiver configured to convert the wireless power transmission into an electrical energy used to power the electrochromic device; and   iii) delivering the electrical energy to the electrochromic device and/or a battery used to power the electrochromic device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the electrochromic device is part of an electrochromic window. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein generating a wireless power transmission is performed via a wireless power transmitter that uses RF or magnetic induction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrochromic window comprises a wireless power receiver proximate the IGU of the electrochromic window. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless power transmitter transmits the wireless power transmission to the receiver via a wireless power transmission network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless power transmission network comprises a power node for relaying the wireless power transmission from the wireless power transmitter to the receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the functions of the electrochromic window are controlled via wireless communication. 
     
     
         16 . A wireless power transmission network comprising:
 i) a wireless power transmitter configured to transmit a wireless power;   ii) a power node, configured to receive the wireless power and relay the wireless power;   iii) a receiver configured to receive the relayed wireless power and convert the wireless power to an electrical energy; and   iv) an electrochromic device configured to receive the electrical energy.   
     
     
         17 . The wireless power transmission network of  claim 16 , wherein the electrochromic device is part of an electrochromic window. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless power transmission network of  claim 17 , wherein wireless power is transmitted via RF or via magnetic induction. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless power transmission network of  claim 18 , wherein the power node is configured to convert the wireless power, depending on the requirements of the electrochromic window, prior to relaying the wireless power to the electrochromic window; wherein the conversion comprises changing the wireless power into at least one of an electrical energy, a different form of wireless power, a different frequency of wireless power and a different polarity of wireless power. 
     
     
         20 . The wireless power transmission network of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of power nodes wherein each power node is configured to relay the wireless power to one or more additional electrochromic windows, each of the plurality of power nodes configured to relay the wireless power according to the requirements of the electrochromic windows comprising receivers corresponding to said each of the plurality of power nodes.