Directing and controlling the distribution of radiant energy

• US 4,509,825 A
• Filed: 06/27/1983
• Issued: 04/09/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated Kansas City
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Scrivan, Michel A., Rhoads, Jack G., Otto, Stanley W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINTERCORN, RICHARD
• Application Number:
  US06/508,523
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 350/259, 350/265, 350/263, 350/264
• US Class Current: 359/592
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/00 Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight roofs with sky-light opening E04D13/03; sun blinds for windows with means for redirecting light onto ceiling of a room E06B9/00; hybrid lighting devices combining artificial and natural light F21S19/00; solar heat collectors F24S; solar cells or solar cell modules H01L31/00

Abstract

The invention is directed to controllably directing radiant light for illumination purposes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controllably directing radiant light comprising in combination

(a) holding means for a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements adapted to be positioned in the path of radiant light,

(b) a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements held by said holding means, said Fresnel lens light reflective elements having light reflective surfaces of differing angularity with respect to the horizontal plane so that light striking said reflective elements is reflected therefrom in different paths to a desired target area.

2. Apparatus for controllably directing radiant light comprising in combination

(a) holding means for a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements adapted to be positioned adjacent a building aperture penetrable by radiant light,

(b) a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements held by said holding means, said Fresnel lens light reflective elements having light reflective surfaces of differing angularity with respect to the horizontal plane so that light striking said reflective elements is reflected therefrom in different paths to a desired target area.

3. Apparatus for controllably directing incident sunlight within an enclosure comprising in combination

(a) a frame holding a series of horizontally extending louver members and adapted to be positioned adjacent an aperture in a building enclosure through which sunlight enters the building,

(b) a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements on the top surfaces of said louver members, said Fresnel lens light reflective elements having light reflective surfaces of differing angularity with respect to the horizontal plane so that incident sunlight striking said reflective elements is reflected therefrom in different paths to a desired target surface within said enclosure.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the majority of Fresnel lens surfaces on an upper louver member have a greater degree of angularity with respect to the horizontal plane than the majority of Fresnel lens surfaces on a lower louver member.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the majority of Fresnel lens surfaces on a lower louver member have a greater degree of angularity with respect to the horizontal plane than the majority of Fresnel lens surfaces on an upper louver member.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the apex of the facets of the Fresnel lenses points generally inwardly toward the enclosure.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the apex of the facets of the Fresnel lenses points generally outwardly away from the enclosure.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the louver members are formed of a translucent material.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the louver members are pivotable about their axes to differing extent.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the bottom surface of the louvers carry a design.

11. Apparatus for controllably directing incident sunlight within an enclosure comprising in combination

(a) holding means for a plurality of light reflective elements adapted to be positioned adjacent an aperture in a building enclosure through which sunlight enters the building,

(b) a plurality of Fresnel lens light reflective elements held by said holding means, said light reflective elements having light reflective surfaces of differing angularity with respect to the horizontal plane so that incident sunlight striking said reflective elements is reflected therefrom in different paths to a desired target surface within said enclosure.

12. Apparatus for controllably directing incident sunlight within an enclosure comprising in combination

(a) a frame holding a series of horizontally extending louver members and adapted to be positioned adjacent an aperture in a building enclosure through which sunlight enters the building,

(b) a plurality of light reflective elements on the top surfaces of said louver members, said light reflective elements having light reflective surfaces of differing angularity with respect to the horizontal plane so that incident sunlight striking said reflective elements is reflected therefrom in different paths to a desired target surface within said enclosure.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the louver members are pivotable about their axes to differing extent.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the bottom surface of the louvers carry a design.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the louver members are formed of a translucent material.