Self-contained ec igu

Abstract

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. Also described are self-meshing networks for electrochromic windows.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:
 a first lite;   a second lite;   an electrochromic device coupled to the first lite;   a spacer between the first lite and the second lite;   an interior region defined between the first lite and the second lite, and inside a perimeter formed by the spacer; 
 one or more sensors between the first lite and the second lite, within the interior region. 
     
     
         2 . The IGU of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is closer to the second panel than to the first panel. 
     
     
         3 . The IGU of  claim 1 , wherein the IGU comprises a first sensor on a first side of the first lite and a second sensor on a second side of the second lite, wherein the first lite is opposite and parallel to the second lite. 
     
     
         4 . The IGU of  claim 1 , further comprising an obscuration material between the sensor and the first lite. 
     
     
         5 . The IGU of  claim 4 , wherein the obscuration material comprises a polymeric protection layer. 
     
     
         6 . The IGU of  claim 4 , wherein the obscuration material fully covers an area of the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The IGU of  claim 4 , further comprising a window controller positioned in the interior region, wherein the window controller comprises the sensor, and wherein the obscuration material covers the window controller and the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The IGU of  claim 1 , wherein the interior region of the IGU is hermetically sealed from an outside environment. 
     
     
         9 . The IGU of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured to measure light intensity, temperature, direction, and/or weather conditions. 
     
     
         10 . The IGU of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is closer to the first lite than to the second lite. 
     
     
         11 . The IGU of  claim 4 , wherein the electrochromic device comprises:
 a first transparent conductive layer;   a second transparent conductive layer;   an electrochromic layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer;   a counter electrode layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; and   an ion conducting layer between the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer.   
     
     
         12 . The IGU of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, a mirror material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The IGU of  claim 11 , wherein the first transparent conductive layer and/or the second transparent conductive layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of indium oxide, indium tin oxide, doped indium oxide, tin oxide, doped tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, doped zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, doped ruthenium oxide, gold, platinum, silver, aluminum, a nickel alloy, a titanium nitride, a tantalum nitride, a titanium oxynitride, a tantalum oxynitride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The IGU of  claim 11 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nickel oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, nickel vanadium oxide, nickel chromium oxide, nickel aluminum oxide, nickel manganese oxide, nickel magnesium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, Prussian blue, cerium titanium oxide, cerium zirconium oxide, vanadium oxide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The IGU of  claim 11 , wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, niobium oxide, titanium oxide, copper oxide, iridium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, tungsten-molybdenum oxide, tungsten-vanadium oxide, lithium, sodium, potassium, molybdenum, vanadium, titanium, and combinations thereof.