# US 12,009,775 B2 · Solar window construction and methods

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- Number: US 12,009,775 B2
- Document ID: US12009775B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/977,080
- Filed: 2022-10-31
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-09
- Applicants: Brian Patrick Janowski
- Inventors: Brian Patrick Janowski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009775B2

## CPC

- H02S 20/26: Building materials integrated with PV modules, e.g. façade elements (H02S20/25 takes precedence)
- E06B 3/22: Hollow frames {(E06B3/205 takes precedence)}
- E06B 3/36: with a single vertical axis of rotation at one side of the opening, or swinging through the opening (wings requiring lifting before opening E06B3/52)
- E06B 3/4407: {Single-hung, i.e. having a single vertical sliding panel}
- E06B 3/4415: {Double-hung, i.e. with two vertical sliding panels}
- E06B 3/66: Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together {(reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10)}
- E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light}
- H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
- H02S 30/10: Frame structures
- H02S 40/38: Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
- Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV]
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
- H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)
- E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Disclosed are novel forms of operable and fixed windows capable of at least one or more of: producing an electrical current utilizing a transparent or semi-transparent solar collecting coating or film on a pane, and selectively changing one or more of opacity and tint of one or more electrochromatic layers in the window. Some embodiments disclose a scaffold assembly to enclose the perimeter of the substrate and one or more transparent solar cells or electrochromatic layers, or transparent solar cells and electrochromatic layers. Various structural and electrical configurations are disclosed satisfying kinematic demands of operable windows. Wired and wireless configurations of the windows are contemplated as are self-powered versions whereby the transparent solar collector or wireless power powers electrochromatic functions. Also disclosed are self-powered and self-contained glaze units with control wirelessly or from user interface controls on an indoor facing pane. Also disclosed are other smart window functions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of converting a fixed or operable window that is absent of one or more of photovoltaics and electrochromatics on a glaze (non-PVEC glaze) of the fixed or operable window to have a self-contained and self-powered photovoltaic electrochromatic glaze (PVEC glaze):
obtaining the fixed or operable window having a sash with the non-PVEC glaze seated in a scaffold assembly of the fixed or operable window;
removing a glaze bead from a bead recess of one or more of: a first stile, a second stile, a first rail, and a second rail of the scaffold assembly of the fixed or operable window having the non-PVEC glaze;
removing at least a portion of one or more of sealants and gaskets present in a rabbet of the scaffold assembly;
removing the non-PVEC glaze of the fixed or operable window from the scaffold assembly of the sash;
obtaining the self-contained and self-powered PVEC glaze wherein said PVEC glaze is sized for fit within the rabbet of the scaffold assembly of the sash;
applying at least one of gaskets and sealants operable to seal the PVEC glaze in the scaffold assembly;
orientating the PVEC glaze for positional fit within the fixed or operable window;
seating the PVEC glaze in the rabbet of the scaffold assembly; and
securing the self-powered and self-contained PVEC glaze within the scaffold assembly with a glaze bead along the one or more rails and stiles of the sash.

### Claim 2

A photovoltaic electrochromatic (PVEC) glaze system kit comprising one or the other or both of at least one master PVEC glaze and at least one slave PVEC glaze whereby each master and slave PVEC glaze comprises a user terminal located on the indoor broad surface of a first pane of said master and slave PVEC glaze; and
whereby the user terminal on the master PVEC glaze is operable to wirelessly transmit to said user terminal on said slave PVEC glaze instructions to control levels of at least one of opacity and tint of electrochromatic layers of the at least one slave PVEC glaze.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The PVEC glaze system kit of claim 2 whereby at least one of the PVEC glazes are utilized within at least one of a fixed window and an operable window.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The PVEC glaze system kit of claim 2 whereby at least one of the PVEC glazes are utilized within a skylight.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The PVEC glaze system kit of claim 2 whereby at least one of the PVEC glazes are utilized within a motor vehicle.

### Claim 6

An operational solar collecting window comprising:
a sash portion;
a window frame portion encircling said sash portion for mounting within the wall of a building structure;
said sash portion comprising a glaze with a generally transparent solar collector portion capable of producing an electrical current when exposed to light;
said sash portion comprising a scaffold enclosing the periphery of said generally transparent solar collector portion;
a solar terminal;
said solar collector portion electrically coupled to said solar terminal;
said solar terminal comprising a positive solar terminal and a negative solar terminal;
an exit conductor for conducting electricity from said solar terminal;
said exit conductor having a sash lead for electrical coupling with said solar terminal;
said exit conductor having a functional lead at said window frame portion;
a scaffold port to provide passage of a conductor through said scaffold;
a portion of said exit conductor residing in said scaffold port;
a bridge portion of said exit conductor extending between said sash portion and said window frame portion;
said sash portion operational via pivoting or sliding with respect to said window frame portion;
said bridge portion of said exit conductor transferring electrical current between said sash portion and said frame portion;
said frame portion comprising a frame port for passage of a conductor through said window frame portion; and,
a portion of said exit conductor residing in said frame port.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said exit conductor can be electrically uncoupled at said bridge portion for separating said sash portion from said window frame portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said bridge portion of said exit conductor comprises a braided wire.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said bridge portion of said exit conductor has a longer fatigue life under bending stress than at least one other portion of said exit conductor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said bridge portion of said exit conductor is at least partially curvilinear.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
an electrical plug on an end of said bridge portion of said exit conductor;
at least one or both of a frame port plug secured in said window frame portion, and a sash port plug secured in said sash portion; and
wherein said electrical plug is configured for electrical mating with at least one or both of said frame port plug and sash port plug.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
an electrical joiner at said bridge portion of said exit conductor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said exit conductor is secured within said window frame portion or said sash portion using one or more of: a sealant, an adhesive, and a compression grommet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
a low-E coating, wherein said low-E coating is applied to a portion of said glaze.

### Claim 15 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
a hydrophilic coating on a portion of said glaze.

### Claim 16 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 wherein said exit conductor is electrically coupled to an inverter or solar system of a building.

### Claim 17 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
a frame port extending through said frame with a portion of said exit conductor disposed therein;
a sash port extending through said sash with a portion of said exit conductor disposed therein;
and,
wherein said sash port is positioned across from said frame port at the pivoting side of said window.

### Claim 18 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
a frame port through said window frame portion with a portion of said exit conductor disposed in said frame port; and
wherein said frame port extends to an outside extension channel at a lateral face of said window frame portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 6)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 6 further comprising:
an electrochromatic coating;
said electrochromatic coating on a portion of said glaze wherein said electrochromatic coating is at least partially powered by said generally transparent solar collector portion.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The operational solar collecting window of claim 19 further comprising:
a touch sensitive control coupled to said glaze operable for touch adjustment of at least one of opacity and tint of said electrochromatic coating.