Direct and indirect light diffusing devices and methods

• US 8,098,433 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solatube International, Inc. (Kingspan Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Solatube International, Inc. (Kingspan Group PLC)
• Inventors: Rillie, David Windsor, Kopitzke, Keith Robert, Shay, Ding Yao, Jaster, Paul August
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, KEVIN C
• Application Number:
  US12/636,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20110141570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 359591-599, 359/641, 52/17, 52/22, 52 28- 29, 521/733, 52199-200, 52244-245, 126/623, 385/900
• US Class Current: 359/591
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/007 characterised by the means for transmitting light into the interior of a building
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0042 for use with direct solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/147 using averaging effects by spatially variable reflectivity on a microscopic level, e.g. polka dots, chequered or discontinuous patterns, or rapidly moving surfaces G02B27/1086 takes precedence

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a daylighting apparatus comprising an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube opposite the first end. A diffuser can be positioned at the second end of the tube. The diffuser can comprise a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room, a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one upper region (e.g., a ceiling or upper wall surface) of the room and a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one lower region (e.g., a floor surface) of the room.

Claims

1. A daylighting apparatus comprising:

an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube and a second end of the tube opposite the first end; and

a diffuser positioned at the second end of the tube, the diffuser comprising a first optical structure configured such that, when the day lighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room;

a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one ceiling or upper wall surface of the room; and

a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one floor or lower surface of the room;

wherein the first optical structure comprises at least one reflective surface interrupted by a plurality of openings configured to permit at least some of the transmitted portion of the daylight to pass through the first optical structure.

2. The daylighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first optical structure comprises a reflective surface shaped and positioned to turn the reflected portion of the daylight.

3. The daylighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflective surface comprises at least a first face configured to reflect collimated daylight at a first incident angle.

4. The daylighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reflective surface comprises at least a second face configured to reflect the collimated daylight at a second incident angle different from the first incident angle.

5. The daylighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflective surface comprises at least a first curved face configured to reflect collimated daylight at a plurality of incident angles.

6. The daylighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflective surface comprises a lower reflective face region, a middle reflective face region, and an upper reflective face region.

7. A daylighting apparatus comprising:

an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube and a second end of the tube opposite the first end; and

a diffuser positioned at the second end of the tube, the diffuser comprising a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room;

a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one ceiling or upper wall surface of the room; and

a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one floor or lower surface of the room;

wherein the first optical structure comprises a reflective surface shaped and positioned to turn the reflected portion of the daylight;

wherein the reflective surface comprises a lower reflective face region, a middle reflective face region, and an upper reflective face region; and

wherein each of the lower reflective face region, the middle reflective face region, and the upper reflective face region comprises a conical frustum.

8. A daylighting apparatus comprising:

an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube and a second end of the tube opposite the first end; and

a diffuser positioned at the second end of the tube, the diffuser comprising a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room;

a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one ceiling or upper wall surface of the room; and

a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one floor or lower surface of the room;

wherein the first optical structure comprises at least one aperture shaped and positioned to permit at least some of the transmitted portion of the daylight to pass through the first optical structure.

9. A daylighting apparatus comprising:

an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube and a second end of the tube opposite the first end; and

a diffuser positioned at the second end of the tube, the diffuser comprising a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room;

a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one ceiling or upper wall surface of the room; and

a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one floor or lower surface of the room;

wherein the diffuser comprises a second optical structure configured to receive light exiting the first optical structure.

10. The daylighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second optical structure is configured to spread the reflected portion of the daylight.

11. The daylighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second optical structure is configured to spread the transmitted portion of the daylight.

12. A daylighting apparatus comprising:

an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube and a second end of the tube opposite the first end; and

a diffuser positioned at the second end of the tube, the diffuser comprising a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room;

a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one ceiling or upper wall surface of the room; and

a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one floor or lower surface of the room;

wherein the first optical structure comprises a reflective element generally in the shape of a frustum of a hyperboloid.