# US 12,015,373 B1 · Window unit for a building or structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,015,373 B1 - Document ID: US12015373B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/167,291 - Filed: 2023-02-10 - Published: 2024-06-27 - Granted: 2024-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-22 - Assignees: Clearvue Technologies Ltd - Applicants: Clearvue Technologies Ltd - Inventors: Steven Coonen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015373B1 ## CPC - H02S 20/26: Building materials integrated with PV modules, e.g. façade elements (H02S20/25 takes precedence) - E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light} - E06B 9/24: Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) - H10F 19/37: comprising means for obtaining partial light transmission through the integrated devices, or the assemblies of multiple devices, e.g. partially transparent thin-film photovoltaic modules for windows - H10F 19/807: {Double-glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets} - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - E06B 2009/2476: {Solar cells} - G02F 1/1533: {structural features not otherwise provided for} - 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) - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract A window unit for a building or structure comprises a first panel and a second panel each having an area transparent for at least a portion of visible light and a spacer spacing the first panel from the second panel. The spacer surrounds a space between the first and second panels. A first edge area of the first panel extends beyond a projection of the circumference of the spacer in a direction of a surface normal of the first panel. The window unit also comprises a housing incorporating at least one electric or electronic element which is indirectly or directly electrically coupled to at least one other electrical component positioned within the window unit. The housing is positioned at or near the spacer and at least partially within a projection of the circumference of the first edge area of the first panel in the direction of the surface normal of the first panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A window unit for a building or structure, the window unit comprising: a first panel having an area transparent for at least a portion of visible light, the first panel comprising first and second component panel portions, the first component panel portion having a first major surface which is parallel to a first major surface of the second component panel portion, the first major surface of the second component panel portion having a surface 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 projection of the first component panel portion along a surface normal of the first component panel portion extends beyond a circumference of the second component panel portion; a second panel having an area transparent for at least a portion of visible light; at least one series of solar cells positioned between the first and second component panel portions; a spacer spacing the first panel from the second panel, the spacer surrounding a space between the first and second panels, a first edge area of the first panel extending beyond a projection of the circumference of the spacer in a direction of a surface normal of the first panel; a housing provided between the first and second panels, the housing incorporating at least one electric or electronic element which is indirectly or directly electrically coupled to at least one other electrical component positioned within the window unit; wherein the housing is positioned at or near the spacer and at least partially within a projection of the circumference of the first edge area of the first panel in the direction of the surface normal of the first panel; and wherein the first major surface of the second component panel portion faces the spacer, and wherein an electrical lead electrically connecting the at least one series of solar cells to one or more of the at least one electric or electronic element incorporated in the housing is directable around an edge of the second component panel portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the housing is positioned entirely within the projection of the first edge area of the first panel in the direction of the surface normal of the first panel, which facilitates use of the window unit as an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) having standard dimension and installation requirements. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the second panel has substantially the same extension as the first panel and a recess is formed between the first edge area of the first panel, an edge area of the second panel, the spacer and the second panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The window unit of claim 3 wherein the recess is at least largely filled with butyl to form a primary seal of the window unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The window unit of claim 4, wherein the housing is positioned at least largely or entirely within the recess and is at least largely embedded in the butyl. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The window unit claim 1 comprising the other electrical component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the electrical element incorporated in the housing comprises at least one of diodes, a battery, a capacitor arrangement, control electronics for controlling electrical components, a battery charge controller and a voltage regulator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the electrical element comprises, or is provided in the form of, an electric lead. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 comprising a first electrical coupling for coupling the other electrical component to the electrical element incorporated within the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 comprising a second electrical coupling for coupling the electrical element to at least one other electrical component outside the widow unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the first panel comprises first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are bonded together in a manner such that an airgap between the first and second component panel portions is avoided. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 comprising at least one of a suspended particle device, an electrochromic coating, an electro fluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and an electrophoretic material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the window unit is a self-powered unit that does not necessarily require external wiring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one series of solar cells comprises bifacial solar cells having opposite first and second surfaces, each having an area in which light can be absorbed to generate electricity, the solar cells being positioned such that in use the first surfaces are oriented to receive light from the light incident direction and the second surfaces receive light from an opposite direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The window unit of claim 14 wherein the solar cells of the series of solar cells are positioned in an overlapping relationship, such as in a shingle-like arrangement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The window unit of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided in addition to the spacer and wherein the housing is positioned separate from but adjacent to the spacer.