Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Brown
Stephen C. Brown has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11067869Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Erich R. Klawuhn, Trevor Frank, Douglas Silkwood
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Publication number: 20210215990Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: View, Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Trevor Frank, Travis D. Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
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Publication number: 20210208468Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Gordon Jack, Sridhar K. Kailasam, Stephen C. Brown, Anshu A. Pradhan
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Patent number: 11016357Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Erich R. Klawuhn, Trevor Frank, Douglas Silkwood
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Publication number: 20210149266Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Erich R. Klawuhn, Trevor Frank, Douglas Silkwood
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Patent number: 11003041Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to networks of electrochromic windows. The networks may be configured in particular ways to minimize the likelihood that the windows on the network draw more power than can be provided. The network may include particular hardware components that provide additional power to windows as needed. The network may also be configured to adjust how the windows therein transition to prevent overloading the network. The techniques described herein can be used to design networks of electrochromic windows that are undersized when considering the amount of power that would be needed to simultaneously transition all the windows on the network using normal transition parameters, while still allowing simultaneous transitions to occur.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Jose Vigano, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Publication number: 20210108960Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: View, Inc.Inventors: Erich R. Klawuhn, Douglas S. Silkwood, Jason Zedlitz, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Patent number: 10942413Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to networks of electrochromic windows. The networks may be configured in particular ways to minimize the likelihood that the windows on the network draw more power than can be provided. The network may include particular hardware components that provide additional power to windows as needed. The network may also be configured to adjust how the windows therein transition to prevent overloading the network. The techniques described herein can be used to design networks of electrochromic windows that are undersized when considering the amount of power that would be needed to simultaneously transition all the windows on the network using normal transition parameters, while still allowing simultaneous transitions to occur.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Jose Vigano, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Patent number: 10908470Abstract: “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Patent number: 10901286Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Trevor Frank, Travis D. Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
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Patent number: 10895498Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: VIEW, INC.Inventors: Erich R. Klawuhn, Douglas S. Silkwood, Jason Zedlitz, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Patent number: 10859983Abstract: A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen C. Brown, Vijay Mani
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Publication number: 20200363261Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Erich R. Klawuhn, Douglas S. Silkwood, Jason Zedlitz, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Publication number: 20200355977Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora
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Publication number: 20200301236Abstract: “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
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Patent number: 10747082Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Stephen C. Brown, David Walter Groechel, Robert T. Rozbicki
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Patent number: 10732028Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: VIEW, INC.Inventors: Erich R. Klawuhn, Douglas S. Silkwood, Jason Zedlitz, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shivastava
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Patent number: 10712627Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: VIEW, INC.Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora
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Patent number: 10704322Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to power distribution networks for optically switchable windows. A number of different topologies are provided. In many embodiments, a control panel may be connected with a trunk line, which is connected to a plurality of optically switchable windows. The plurality of optically switchable windows may be powered by the shared trunk line. This topology provides substantial improvements over topologies in which each optically switchable window is connected to the control panel via separate, individual lines. Further, certain embodiments herein relate to installation kits for installing power distribution networks for optically switchable windows.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: View, Inc.Inventors: Jose Vigano, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Kevin Kazuo Kaneshiro
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Publication number: 20200200595Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Erich R. Klawuhn, Douglas S. Silkwood, Jason Zedlitz, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava