Y02B80/00

Light control film, light control system, and light control member

A light control film and a light control system, which not only simply change the amount of transmitted light but also can be used for a wider range of applications. This light control film includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a liquid crystal material, and a dichroic dye, and has a guest-host type liquid crystal layer in which light transmittance varies with the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the liquid crystal layer has a first haze value when the potential difference is a first potential difference, has a second haze value when the potential difference is a second potential difference, and has a third haze value higher than at least the second haze value when the potential difference is a third potential difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

System for tracking and allocating renewable energy contributions to a modular renewable energy system
11063437 · 2021-07-13 · ·

A modular photovoltaic (PV) array system includes a PV array installed onto a fleet vehicle such as a trailer, bus etc., a host control system into which a plurality of fleet vehicles can connect to collectively generate electricity, and a subscriber system which collectively tracks energy generation and allocates respective contributions to the system.

Solar heat-reflective roofing granules, solar heat-reflective shingles and process for producing the same

A process for preparing roofing granules includes forming kaolin clay into green granules and sintering the green granules at a temperature of at least 900 degrees Celsius to cure the green granules until the crystalline content of the sintered granules is at least ten percent as determined by x-ray diffraction.

Photonic-powered EC devices
11092868 · 2021-08-17 · ·

Electrochromic window systems and components thereof are disclosed, more particularly systems where electrochromic devices are powered and/or controlled using photonic energy. In some instances, a laser is driven by a driver to deliver photonic power and/or control information into an optical fiber. The optical fiber carries the power and control information to a photovoltaic converter and a controller. The photovoltaic converter and controller may be included within an insulated glass unit (IGU). The photovoltaic converter converts the light energy into electrical energy used to power a transition in an optical state of an electrochromic layer or layers within the IGU. The controller may be used to control the power delivered to the electrochromic layer(s), such that a smooth transition occurs. In some embodiments, control information may be transmitted in an upstream manner to communicate information regarding, for example, the state of an electrochromic device.

Method of automatically controlling motorized window treatments
11091956 · 2021-08-17 · ·

A load control system automatically controls the amount of daylight entering a building through at least one window of a non-linear façade of the building. The load control system comprises at least two motorized window treatments located along the non-linear façade, and a system controller. The controller is configured to calculate an optimal position for the motorized window treatments at each of a plurality of different times during a subsequent time interval using at least two distinct façade angles of the non-linear façade, such that a sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a maximum distance during the time interval. The controller is configured to use the optimal positions to determine a controlled position to which both of the motorized window treatments will be controlled during the time interval and to automatically adjust each of the motorized window treatments to the controlled position at the beginning of the time interval.

Self-contained EC IGU

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.

SELF-CONTAINED EC IGU

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.

Multi-Stop Manual Window Shade

The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.

ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS

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.

COATED ROOFING GRANULES, ROOFING MATERIALS MADE THEREFROM AND METHODS OF PREPARING COATED ROOFING GRANULES
20210270036 · 2021-09-02 ·

This invention relates to coated roofing granules, roofing materials made therefrom, and methods of preparing such coated roofing granules. By coating roofing granules with an aqueous coating that includes water, a silicon-containing oligomer or polymer, and an acrylic resin, coated roofing granules can be prepared that exhibit reduced staining as compared to traditional roofing granules that are treated with petroleum oil.