Window units for buildings or structures

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a window unit for a building or structure. The window unit comprises a first panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light. The first panel has a pair of opposing major surfaces. The window unit also comprises a second panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light. The window unit further comprises a spacer that spaces the first panel from the second panel. At least one electrical or electronic element is disposed within the spacer and is indirectly or directly electrically coupled to at least an electrical component disposed within the window unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to window units for buildings or structures, and in particular to window units that include electronic and / or electrical components, such as solar cells. [Background technology]

[0002] Buildings such as office towers, residential high rises, and hotels use large amounts of exterior window panels and / or facades that incorporate glass panels. Such glass panels receive a large amount of sunlight, which in turn heats up the interior spaces necessitating the use of air conditioning, which uses a lot of energy worldwide.

[0003] PCT International Application Nos. PCT / AU2012 / 000778, PCT / AU2012 / 000787, and PCT / AU2014 / 000814 (owned by the applicant) disclose spectrally selective panels that may be used as window panes and are transparent to visible light but have solar cells that absorb light such as infrared light to generate electricity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a further improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a window unit for a building or structure, the window unit comprising a first panel having a pair of opposing major surfaces, the first panel having an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light, a second panel having a pair of opposing major surfaces, the second panel having an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light, a spacer between the first and second panels, and at least one electrical or electronic element disposed within the spacer and electrically connected, indirectly or directly, to at least an electrical component disposed within the window unit.

[0006] The window unit may include at least one electrical component. The at least one electrical component may be disposed within the space between the first panel and the second panel.

[0007] The at least one electrical component may include a film or coating applied to a surface of the window unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the at least one electrical component is provided in the form of at least one array of solar cells disposed along at least one edge of the first panel and facing a surface of the first panel.

[0009] The window unit may further comprise a frame having corner elements and side elements, each corner element being mechanically coupled to two side elements.

[0010] The spacer may be part of a spacer structure that may enclose an interior space between the first and second panels and may include a corner spacer portion and an elongated side spacer portion. At least one electrical or electronic element may be disposed within the corner spacer portion. The spacer structure, together with the layer of butyl, may form a primary seal of the window unit.

[0011] The window unit may include a first electrical coupling, and at least one electrical or electronic element may be indirectly or directly electrically coupled between at least one string of solar cells or another electrical component and the first electrical coupling. The spacer may include a first electrical coupling, such as an electrical feedthrough (which may be hermetically sealed), a capacitive coupling, a plug, a lug, or a socket. Additionally, the frame may include an electrical coupling that may be coupled to the first electrical coupling of the spacer. The first electrical coupling of the spacer or the electrical coupling in the frame may include a wireless connection, such as a WIFI or Bluetooth connection.

[0012] The at least one electric or electronic element disposed within the spacer may comprise or be provided with electric leads and may or may not comprise further electric or electronic components such as diodes and a battery or capacitor arrangement for storing electricity generated by the at least one string of solar cells. The at least one electric or electronic element may also include electronic components such as a battery charge controller, a voltage regulator and further controllers for controlling the functioning of the window unit.

[0013] The window unit further comprises at least one of a suspended particle device, an electrochromic coating, an electrofluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, and an electrophoretic material, and the at least one electrical or electronic element disposed within the spacer can be coupled to at least one of them.

[0014] The first and second panels may be bonded together in such a way that an air gap between the at least one series of solar cells with spacers and the first and second panels is avoided and the solar cells with spacers are sandwiched between the first and second panels. The first and second panels may be bonded together such that a laminated structure is formed. The bonding may be by means of an adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a refractive index at least close to that of the material of the first and / or second component panel parts, which may be, for example, glass or a suitable polymeric material.

[0015] In a first particular embodiment, the window unit includes at least one string of solar cells disposed along an edge of the first panel. A spacer may be disposed directly on the edge of the first panel and disposed in the plane of the at least one string of solar cells. The first and second panels sandwiching the at least one string of solar cells and the spacer may be bonded using polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The at least one string of solar cells and the spacer may be sandwiched between sheets of PVB. In this embodiment, the bonding may be as follows: First, a sheet of PVB may be placed between the first panel and the at least one string of solar cells along with the spacer. The bonding of the at least one string of solar cells and the spacer to the first panel may be performed by applying heat to the sheet of PVB material. An additional sheet of PVB material may be placed on top of the at least one string of solar cells and the spacer. An additional (thicker) PVB sheet may be placed on the area of ​​the first panel where the solar cells and spacers are not located. A second panel can then be placed on the exposed surface of the PVB sheet(s) and bonded to the exposed surface of the PVB sheet by further application of heat such that a laminate structure is formed and the solar cells with spacers are sandwiched between the first and second panels.

[0016] In an alternative second specific embodiment, a spacer can space the first and second panels from one another and at least one other electrical component can be disposed between the first and second panels. The spacer can space the first and second panels from one another such that a gas-filled gap is formed between the first and second panels. In this case, the spacer can be adhered between the first and second panel portions using an adhesive such as butyl.

[0017] The first panel may also comprise component panel portions that are laminated together using a PVB as described above in the context of the first specific embodiment of the invention. Additionally, the window unit may comprise at least one string of solar cells sandwiched between the first and second component panel portions as described above in the context of the first specific embodiment of the invention.

[0018] The first component panel portion may have a first major surface parallel to the first major surface of the second component panel portion, and the first major surface of the second component panel portion may have an area smaller than an area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first and second component panel portions are arranged such that a protrusion of the first component panel portion extends beyond the circumference of the second component panel portion along a surface normal.

[0019] In one embodiment, the window unit is a self-powered unit that does not necessarily require external wiring. In this embodiment, the spacer may or may not include electrical connections accessible from the outside of the window unit. In this embodiment, the window unit may include blinds that are powered using electricity generated by, for example, at least one string of solar cells.

[0020] The at least one string of solar cells can include bifacial solar cells having opposing first and second surfaces, each having an area where light can be absorbed to generate electricity, and the solar cells are arranged such that, in use, the first surface receives light from a light incident direction and the second surface is oriented such that it receives light from the opposite direction. The solar cells of the at least one string of solar cells can be arranged in an overlapping relationship such as a shingle-like arrangement.

[0021] The first panel may also include diffractive elements and / or luminescent materials to redirect or deflect incident infrared light towards the edges of the first panel. Redirecting or deflecting infrared radiation with luminescent materials or diffractive elements has the advantage that it can reduce the transmission of infrared radiation into a building, which can result in less overheating of spaces within the building and reduced air conditioning costs.

[0022] The at least one string of solar cells can be a first string of solar cells having active surfaces oriented substantially parallel to a major surface of the first panel. The first panel can have a plurality of edges, and the window unit can include at least one second string of solar cells disposed along an edge surface of the window unit, each solar cell of the second string of solar cells facing the edge surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first string of solar cells, and receiving light directed to the edge of the first panel by a light emitting material or diffractive element of the first panel.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a window unit for a building or structure, the window unit comprising a first panel having an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light and having first and second component panel portions, the first component panel portion having a first major surface parallel to a first major surface of the second component panel portion, the first major surface of the second panel having an area smaller than an area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that a protrusion of the first component panel portion along a surface normal extends beyond a periphery of the second component panel portion.

[0024] The window unit may further include at least one string of solar cells disposed between the first and second component panel portions and oriented along an edge of the first component panel portion.

[0025] The window unit may also include a second panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light, and a spacer that spaces the first panel and the second panel.

[0026] The spacer may be part of a spacer structure that surrounds the interior space between the first and second panels and may include a corner element and elongated side portions each coupled to the two side portions. Electrical or electronic elements, such as electrical feedthroughs, capacitive couplings, plugs, lugs, or sockets, may be disposed within the corner spacer elements.

[0027] The present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, the following of which is made with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a window unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] A window unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. The window unit 100 may be provided, for example, in the form of a building window, a skylight, an automobile window, or any other structure that typically includes a window.

[0030] The window unit 100 comprises a frame 102 having four corner elements 112 and four side elements 110. The window unit 100 further comprises a first panel 108 spaced from a second panel (not shown) by a spacer (not shown). The first panel 108 and the second panel are transparent to visible light. The window unit 100 also includes a series of four solar cells 106.

[0031] The window unit 100 may further include devices (not shown) that operate using electricity generated by the array of solar cells 106. For example, the window unit 100 may incorporate devices or systems such as blinds, curtains, air dampers, fans, sensors or pumps. Additionally, the window unit 100 according to embodiments of the invention may comprise components that adjust the transmittance or another optical property of the window unit, for example, PDLC materials, electrochromic coatings, electrofluidic materials, liquid crystal devices, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) materials or electrophoretic materials. The window unit, in one variation, also includes electronic components necessary for the operation and control of such devices and components. The electronic components are disposed within a spacer (not shown) that spaces the first panel 108 from the second panel.

[0032] The window unit 100 may be a self-powered unit and may not require external wiring. With the necessary electrical and electronic components located within the spacer, the window unit can be powered and operated without the need for wiring.

[0033] In alternative embodiments, the window unit may include external electrical connections and feedthroughs. Additionally, the frame of the window unit 100 may include electrical connections for coupling an external battery for storing electricity generated by the solar cells 110. For example, the frame may be positioned such that the external battery can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the window unit 100 using a snap fit or the like.

[0034] Next, components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Similar components are given similar reference numbers.

[0035] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a window unit 200 including a first panel 108 and a second panel 208. Both the first panel 108 and the second panel 208 are transparent to visible light. The string of solar cells 106 is disposed between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208. In this embodiment, the string of solar cells 106 includes a two-sided roof solar cell having an active front and rear surface. The first panel 108 and the second panel 208 are spaced apart by a spacer 210. The spacer 210 includes a hermetically sealed electrical feedthrough 212. The electrical feedthrough 212 is electrically coupled to the string of solar cells 106 using electrical leads (not shown).

[0036] The spacer 210 surrounds the interior space between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208. The first panel 108 and the second panel 208 are stacked together and the spacer 210 is sandwiched between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208 along with the string of solar cells 106. To bond the string of solar cells 106 and the spacer 210 to the panels 108, 208, first a sheet of PVB is placed between the first panel 108 and the string of solar cells 106 with the spacer 210. The PVB sheet is then exposed to heat so that bonding of the solar cells 106 to the first panel 108 occurs. Then, an additional sheet of PVB material is placed over the string of solar cells 106 with the spacer 210 to protect and encapsulate the string of solar cells 106. Additionally, an additional (thicker) PVB sheet is placed over the areas of the first panel 108 where no solar cells or spacers are placed. The second panel 208 is then again adhered to the exposed surface of the PVB sheet by the application of heat such that a laminate structure is formed and the solar cells 106 with spacers 210 are sandwiched between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208.

[0037] A butyl layer 214 is applied over the spacer 210 to form the primary seal of the window unit 200 .

[0038] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of components of a further variation 300 of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Like components are given like reference numbers. In this embodiment, the second panel comprises component panel portions 304, 306. The component panel portion 304 is spaced from the first panel 108 by a spacer 308. A gap is provided between the first panel 108 and the spacer 308. The gap may be filled with a gas, such as an inert gas. The spacer 308 surrounds the gap. The spacer 308 includes an electrical component 310 coupled to a hermetically sealed feedthrough 312 in this embodiment.

[0039] An array of solar cells 106 are sandwiched between a first component panel section 304 and a second component panel section 306. The first component panel section 304 has through holes 314 through which electrical leads pass. The electrical leads electrically connect the solar cells 106 to electrical components 310 on a spacer 308. The first component panel section 304 and second component panel section 306 are described above with reference to FIG. 2 and are laminated together in the same manner as the first panel 108 and second panel 208 of the window unit 200 described above. A butyl layer 214 is applied over the spacer 310 to form the primary seal of the window unit.

[0040] The window unit 300 further includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 316. The PDLC material is disposed on the outer surface of the first panel 108 and is electrically coupled to an electrical or electronic component 310 by electrical leads routed through holes 318. In this embodiment, the electrical or electronic component 310 includes control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 316. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 300 may alternatively include components or switchable materials other than a PDLC material.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of components of a further variation 400 of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Like components are given like reference numbers. The window unit 400 is similar to the window unit 300, but in this embodiment the first component panel portion 305 of the second panel has an extension that is smaller than the extensions of both the second component panel portion 306 and the first panel 108. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the edge region of the second component panel portion 306 extends beyond the edge of the first component panel portion 305, which has the advantage that electrical leads can be guided to the spacer 308 (and electrical and electronic components 310 thereon) within the circumferential projections of the second component panel portion 306 and the first panel 108.

[0042] The window unit 400 further includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 402. The PDLC material 402, in this example, is disposed on an inner surface of the first panel 108 and is electrically coupled to an electrical or electronic component 310 by electrical leads (not shown). In this embodiment, the electrical or electronic component 310 comprises control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 402. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 400 may alternatively comprise components or switchable coatings other than a PDLC material, such as an electrochromic coating, an electrofluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, or an electrophoretic material.

[0043] 5 shows a cross-sectional view of components of another variation of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similar components are provided with similar reference numbers. Window unit 500 is similar to window unit 400, but in this embodiment, the second panel also comprises a first component panel portion 502 and a second component panel portion 504 that are laminated together. Window unit 500 comprises a suspended particle device 503 sandwiched between the first and second component panel portions 502, 504. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that window unit 500 may alternatively comprise, for example, electrochromic coatings, electrofluidic materials, liquid crystal devices, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, and electrophoretic materials.

[0044] The first component panel portion 502, in this embodiment, has a smaller major surface than both of the second component panel portions 504. As can be seen in Figure 5, the edge regions of the second component panel portion 504 extend beyond the edges of the first component panel portion 502, and electrical leads 508 are guided from the suspended particle device 503 to the spacer 308 (and the electrical and electronic components 310 thereon) within a circumferential protrusion of the second component panel portion 502.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of components of a further variation 600 of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similar components are given similar reference numbers. The window unit comprises a first panel 108 spaced from a second panel 208 by a spacer 602. The window unit 600 does not include a solar cell, but in this embodiment includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 603. The PDLC material 603 is electrically coupled to an electric or electronic component 604 disposed within the spacer 602. The electric or electronic component 604 includes control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 603. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 600 may alternatively include components or coatings other than the PDLC material 603, such as electrochromic coatings, electrofluidic materials, liquid crystal devices, and electrophoretic materials.

[0046] As mentioned above and explained with reference to Figure 1, the window unit 100 comprises a frame 102. The frame 102 may comprise a corner element or side element with electrical feedthroughs for coupling to the electrical feedthroughs of the spacers 210, 308, 602. Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a corner element 700 that may replace the corner element 112 shown in Figure 1, the corner element 700 having electrical feedthroughs with couplings 704, 726 and electrical leads 728.

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further variant of a corner element of a frame. Similar components are given similar reference numbers. The corner element 800 shown in Fig. 8 may also replace the corner element 112 shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment the corner element 800 comprises an electric or electronic component 802, which may be a battery that may comprise a control electronic circuit.

[0048] The array of solar cells 106 may be of any suitable type in any of the described embodiments. For example, the solar cells may comprise different types of semiconductor materials, such as one or more of Si, CdS, CdTe, GaAs, CIS, or CIGS. Additionally, the solar cells may be arranged in a shingle arrangement and may include bifacial solar cells.

[0049] The electrical and electronic components 310 in the window units 200, 300, 400 and 500 may also include a diode and battery or capacitor arrangement for storing electricity generated by the solar cells 106. Additionally, the electrical and electronic components 310 may include a battery charge controller. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical and electronic components 310 may include a voltage regulator to allow direct use of the electricity generated by the solar cells 106 by other devices in the window unit.

[0050] Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in any of the described embodiments, the spacer 308 may alternatively not include electronic components, but may simply include electrical components provided in the form of electrical conductors for electrical connection to feedthroughs. Additionally, the spacer 308 may not include a feedthrough, but may simply house a battery and control electronics for controlling another component or device of the window unit, or for storing electrical energy received from electrical components of the window unit.

[0051] Any one of the first and second panels, in any of the described embodiments, may include a diffraction grating, a luminescent material, and / or a scattering material arranged to preferentially deflect incident infrared light towards an edge region of the panel. The window unit may also include a further solar cell facing the edge of the panel arranged to receive the deflected incident infrared light.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the referenced prior art does not constitute an admission that the referenced prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. 1. A window unit for a building or structure, comprising: a first panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light and having a pair of opposing main surfaces; a second panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light and having a pair of opposing main surfaces; a spacer for spacing the first panel and the second panel; at least one electrical or electronic element disposed within the spacer and electrically connected indirectly or directly to at least an electrical component disposed within the window unit; 1. A window unit for a building or structure comprising:

2. The window unit of claim 1 comprising the at least one electrical component.

3. the at least one electrical component being provided in the form of at least one string of solar cells disposed along at least one edge of the first panel; 3. A window unit according to claim 2.

4. the spacer forms part of a spacer structure that surrounds an interior space between the first panel and the second panel. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the at least one electrical or electronic component is disposed within a corner spacer portion of the spacer structure.

5. A window unit according to claim 4.

6. 6. The window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a first electrical coupling, wherein the at least one electrical or electronic element is indirectly or directly electrically coupled between the at least one electrical component and the first electrical coupling.

7. the spacer comprises the first electrical coupling portion; 7. A window unit according to claim 6.

8. the spacer includes an electrical feedthrough; 8. A window unit according to claim 6 or claim 7.

9. the at least one electrical or electronic element comprises an electrical lead; A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the at least one electric or electronic element comprises at least one of a diode, a battery, and a capacitor arrangement; A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the electric or electronic element comprises control electronics for controlling the at least one electric component; A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the at least one electrical component comprises at least one of a suspended particle device, an electrochromic coating, an electrofluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, and an electrophoretic material; A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. at least one string of solar cells, the first panel and the second panel being coupled together in such a manner that an air gap between the at least one string of solar cells with the spacers and the first and second panels is avoided, and the solar cells with the spacers are sandwiched between the first and second panels. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. the first panel and the second panel are bonded together to form a laminated structure; Window unit according to claim 13.

15. the window unit includes at least one string of solar cells disposed along an edge portion of the first panel, the spacer is disposed directly on an edge of the first panel and is in the plane of the at least one string of solar cells, and the first panel and the second panel are laminated together. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. the spacer spaces the first panel and the second panel to form a gas-filled gap between the first panel and the second panel, the first panel having a stacked component panel portion. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. at least one string of solar cells sandwiched between a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion; 17. A window unit according to claim 16.

18. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the window unit is a self-powered unit not necessarily requiring external wiring.

19. a solar cell array including at least one solar cell, the solar cell comprising a bifacial solar cell having opposing first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces each having an area where light can be absorbed to generate electricity, the solar cell arranged such that, in use, the first surface receives light from the direction of incidence of the light and the second surface receives light from the opposite direction; A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. the solar cells of the string of solar cells are arranged in overlapping relationship in a shingle-like arrangement; 20. A window unit according to claim 19.

21. the first panel comprises a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion, the first component panel portion having a first major surface parallel to a first major surface of the second component panel portion, the first major surface of the second panel having an area smaller than an area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that a protrusion of the first component panel portion along a surface normal extends beyond a perimeter of the second component panel portion. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A building or structure, comprising: a first panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light; and a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion, the first component panel portion having a first main surface parallel to a first main surface of the second component panel portion, the first main surface of the second panel having an area smaller than an area of ​​the first main surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that a protruding portion of the first main surface of the first component panel portion extends beyond an outer periphery of the second component panel portion; Building or structure.

23. at least one string of solar cells disposed between the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion; 23. A window unit according to claim 22.

24. a second panel having an area transparent to at least a portion of visible light; and a spacer disposed between the first panel and the second panel to provide a space therebetween. Window unit according to claim 22 or claim 23.

25. the spacer is part of a spacer structure that surrounds an interior space between the first panel and the second panel; 25. A window unit according to claim 24.

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