A window system includes a window frame; a transparent window pane; an energy harvesting device coupled to the window frame or the transparent window frame; an output device that uses or transmits electricity; and a battery housed in the window frame, the battery being in electrical communication with the energy harvesting device and the output device.

A sunshade is provided that is intended to be attached to a building by supports arranged along an inner side, so as to protect the building from solar radiation. The sunshade includes a fixed part equipped with supports, and a moving part guided by guide members that allow the sunshade to be moved toward the fixed part in order to obtain an overlapping of these parts under the effect of a motorizing system, these two fixed and moving parts accepting photovoltaic cells.

A power generating blind assembly for harnessing solar energy passing through a window includes a set of window blinds for mounting in a window. The set of window blinds includes an upper housing, a lower member and a plurality of slats. A plurality of solar cells is each positioned on a respective one of the slats to be exposed to sunlight passing through the window. An adjustment unit is integrated into the set of window blinds and the adjustment unit adjusts an angle of the plurality of slats. In this way the adjustment unit facilitates the plurality of solar cells to capture the maximum amount of solar energy.

A motorized window covering assembly including a head rail, a bottom rail, and a window covering extending therebetween. Located at the head rail is a power storage device, while an electronic port (e.g., transferring power and/or data) is located at the opposite bottom rail. Electrical conductors are routed through the window covering electrically connecting the power storage device to the electronic port. The power storage device is chargeable at any position of the bottom rail relative to the head rail.

An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.

The present invention relates to a self-contained, self-regulating intelligent automated window treatment with increased energy efficiency consisting of: (1) a headrail; (2) a tube located within the headrail; (3) a motor located within the headrail, preferably within the tube; (4) window treatment fabric with one terminus of the fabric affixed to the tube within the headrail, and with the fabric extending from the tube and out from the headrail; (5) a smart bottom rail attached to the terminus of the shade fabric furthest from the tube with the bottom rail containing, at least one sensor, at least one control button, and a battery that provides power to the sensor(s) and control button(s), and wherein the smart bottom rail communicates with the motor in the headrail. Types of sensors used may include environmental sensors, motion sensors, and inertial sensors.

In another embodiment of the invention, the battery in the bottom rail may be a rechargeable battery. In a further embodiment, the bottom rail may contain at least one solar panel, which may be used to provide charge to the rechargeable battery.

In another embodiment of the invention, the headrail further consists of a solar panel and a rechargeable battery that may be charged by the solar panel. In a further embodiment solar power stored in the rechargeable battery of the bottom rail may be transferred to the rechargeable battery-powered motor of the headrail.

A laminated glass luminescent concentrator is provided which includes a solid medium having a plurality of fluorophores disposed therein. In some embodiments, the fluorophore is a low-toxicity quantum dot. In some embodiments, the fluorophore has significantly reduced self-absorption, which allows for unperturbed waveguiding of the photoluminescence over a long distance. Also disclosed are apparatuses for generating electricity from the laminated glass luminescent concentrator, and its combination with buildings and vehicles.

A roll shade system is disclosed. The roll shade system includes a motor configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, a support shaft supporting the motor wherein the support shaft is configured to remain stationary during operation of the motor, and a roll shade tube configured to be rotatable about the motor and the support shaft during operation of the motor. The roll shade system further includes stationary components including a wiring connector, an input wiring system, a bearing, an antenna, a coaxial cable, a motor controller, a counterbalance spring. The roll shade system also includes rotatable components including a bearing housing and one or more O-rings.

A rechargeable electric externally-hung venetian blind assembly includes a venetian blind main body and a controller. The top of the venetian blind main body is provided with an upper cover, and the controller is detachably installed on the surface of the upper cover and controls the lifting and lowering of the venetian blind main body. Two ends of the upper cover are provided with a sealing cover, and the sealing cover and the upper cover enclose an accommodating space. When the venetian blind main body is in a tightened state, the venetian blind main body is accommodated in the accommodating space to avoid damage during transportation. The rechargeable electric externally-hung venetian blind assembly achieves the technical effects of convenient and safe transportation and easy installation, use and maintenance.

A façade element has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, in particular organic PV modules, and a plurality of connectors. The PV modules are arranged flat so that each PV module is adjacent to one or more other PV modules. Each of the PV modules have two bus bars for the connection of one or more of the connectors, which bus bars are connected to one or more cells of the PV module. The bus bars of two adjacent PV modules are electrically connected to one another in parallel by a connector, so that the bus bars together with the connectors form an electrical grid.