Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers, supported by one or more resilient polymer-based layers. A first set of electrostatic forces help cause the shutter to extend and remain in an extended position, whereas an electric field can be setup to help encourage the retraction of the shutter from an extended or at least partially extended position.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and a conductive layer. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position, and a second voltage is applied to a stop to electrostatically hold the shutter in the closed position. The first and second voltage levels can be reduced once the shutter is extended to the closed position, the reduction to the first voltage level being greater than the reduction to the second voltage level.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to circuitry for controlling dynamic shades and/or associated methods. An insulating glass (IG) unit includes a spacer system helping to maintain first and second substrates in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another and to define a gap therebetween. The shade is interposed between the first and second substrates. It includes a first conductive layer provided on the interior major surface of the first substrate; and a shutter including at least one polymer substrate, first and second conductive coatings, and first and second dielectric layers. The at least one polymer substrate is extendible to a shutter closed position and retractable to a shutter open position. A control circuit includes a boosting transformer (e.g., a flyback transformer) coupled to a power source and the shade, with the boosting transformer being controllable to produce a voltage for charging the shade and to discharge accumulated shade capacitance.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers, supported by one or more resilient polymer-based layers. A first set of electrostatic forces help cause the shutter to extend and remain in an extended position, whereas an electric field can be setup to help encourage the retraction of the shutter from an extended or at least partially extended position.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and a conductive layer. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position, and a second voltage is applied to a stop to electrostatically hold the shutter in the closed position. The first and second voltage levels can be reduced once the shutter is extended to the closed position, the reduction to the first voltage level being greater than the reduction to the second voltage level.