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 panel;   a window controller coupled to the second panel; and   a photovoltaic cell coupled to the window controller, the electrochromic device, and the first lite.   
     
     
         2 . The IGU of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         3 . The IGU of  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The IGU of  claim 3 , wherein the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, a mirror material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The IGU of  claim 4 , wherein the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, allyl diglycol carbonate, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), polyester, polyamide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The IGU of  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The IGU of  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising:
 a first lite having a first length;   a second lite having a second length, wherein the second length is less than the first length;   an electrochromic device coupled to the first panel; and   a window controller coupled to the first lite and/or to the second lite.   
     
     
         9 . The IGU of  claim 8 , further comprising a cover proximate the window controller, wherein the cover can be opened to access the window controller. 
     
     
         10 . The IGU of  claim 9 , wherein the cover extends into a viewable area of the electrochromic device. 
     
     
         11 . The IGU of  claim 8 , further comprising a photovoltaic cell, wherein both the photovoltaic cell and the electrochromic device are positioned between a plane formed by the first lite and a plane formed by the second lite. 
     
     
         12 . The IGU of  claim 8 , wherein the window controller is positioned between a plane formed by the first lite and a plane formed by the second lite. 
     
     
         13 . The IGU of  claim 8 , wherein the second lite further comprises a third length, the second length and the third length being positioned substantially parallel to one another on opposite edges of the second lite, wherein the third length is longer than the second length. 
     
     
         14 . The IGU of  claim 8 , further comprising a photovoltaic cell coupled to the window controller. 
     
     
         15 . The IGU of  claim 14 , wherein the electrochromic device has a first width and the first lite has a second width. 
     
     
         16 . The IGU of  claim 15 , wherein the first width is the same as the second width. 
     
     
         17 . The IGU of  claim 14 , further comprising a spacer between the first lite and the second lite.