Electrochromic Window Control for Leakage Detection and Low Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling optically-switchable windows, such as electrochromic windows, face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and implementing intelligent control systems to optimize lighting conditions while ensuring reliable operation and power resilience.
Innovation Solution
A window controller system with current meters and controllers that monitor and manage current flow to detect leakage, implement sleep modes for efficient tint transitions, and store tint state information during power outages, using voltage changes of less than 20 mV per 10 milliseconds for controlled tint adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous monitoring and control systems are implemented for optically switchable windows, then lighting conditions can be optimized and operational reliability improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller stores tint state information in memory before power outages occur, enabling the system to resume operation without losing critical state data. This preliminary action ensures operational reliability during power interruptions without requiring continuous high-power monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements sleep mode where the controller periodically monitors system state rather than continuously operating at full power. Current meters measure leakage current periodically to detect faults, and the controller wakes up only when necessary to adjust tint states, significantly reducing average power consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If intelligent control systems with multiple sensors and controllers are deployed, then system performance and lighting optimization improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent IGU controllers, each managing a specific insulated glass unit. Each controller contains its own current meters and processing unit, allowing distributed control that improves overall system performance while keeping individual controller units simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring current through integrated current meters, detecting leakage current, storing tint state information in memory, controlling tint transitions, and managing sleep mode. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated unit, improving performance without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Speed
If fast tint transitions are implemented with higher voltage rates of change, then responsiveness improves, but system stability and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the voltage rate of change during tint transitions, using higher rates when rapid response is needed and lower rates when precision is critical. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize between speed and stability based on real-time conditions, achieving both fast transitions and maintained control precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances energy efficiency by reducing power consumption, ensures reliable operation through intelligent control, and maintains tint states during power interruptions, thereby improving system integration and performance.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in one or more optical properties when stimulated to a different electronic state
Implementation Method 2
a first current meter of a set of current meters is configured to measure current provided by the window controller system to the IGU via a first electrical pathway that couples the window controller system to the IGU, and a second current meter of the set of current meters is configured to measure a return current that returns to the window controller system from the IGU
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a window controller system is provided, the window controller system comprising: a plurality of sets of wires, each set of wires of the plurality of sets of wires operatively coupling the window controller system to an insulated glass unit (IGU) of a set of IGUs controlled by the window controller system; a plurality of sets of current meters, each set of current meters associated with an IGU of the set of IGUs; and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine, using a first current meter, a current provided to a IGU; determine, using a second current meter, a return current from the IGU; compare the current provided with the return current; and determine leakage current information associated with a wire of an electrical pathway based at least in part on the comparison of the current provided with the return current.