Lighting device

• US 9,146,012 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bartol, Anthony J., Verfuerth, Neal R., Wang, Jun, King, Brandon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US13/769,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20130342911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 359/597, 362/1, 362/145, 362/267, 362/555, 362/557, 362/558, 362/576
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/03 Sky-lights; Domes; Ventilating sky-lights E04D13/14 takes precedence; structures therefor, e.g. dormer windows E04B7/18; saw-tooth roofs with light-transmission E04B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 2013/0345 with skylight shafts extending from roof to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/007 characterised by the means for transmitting light into the interior of a building
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 19/005 Combining sunlight and electric light sources for indoor illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A lighting device includes a substantially cylindrical tube defining an interior and an exterior, and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the tube defines a substantially cylindrical opening disposed in a plane at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the second end of the tube defines a substantially elliptical opening disposed in a plane at a second angle that is substantially non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A reflective surface is provided on the interior of the tube, and a substantially cylindrical flashing is provided about the exterior of the tube. A substantially transparent dome is coupled to the tube proximate the first end, and a diffuser is coupled to the tube proximate the second end.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical tube extending between an interior of a building and an exterior of the building, the tube having a first opening at a first end of the tube configured to receive light from the exterior and a second opening at a second end of the tube configured to emit light into the interior;

a reflective surface disposed on an interior surface of the tube;

a supplemental light source coupled to the tube and configured to illuminate the interior of the building; and

a plurality of projections disposed proximate the second end and extending inwardly, the projections configured to at least partially support a diffuser.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser wherein the diffuser comprises a substantially planar member having an elliptical-shaped perimeter and configured to fit within the second opening at the second end of the tube.

3. The lighting device of claim 2 further comprising a seal between the diffuser and the tube to prevent entry of contaminants into an interior space within the tube, wherein the contaminants include at least one of moisture, heat and dust.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser wherein the diffuser comprises a substantially convex member having an elliptical shape-shaped perimeter and configured to fit at least partially within the second opening at the second end of the tube.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser wherein the diffuser comprises a substantially concave member having an elliptical shape-shaped perimeter and configured to fit at least partially within the second opening at the second end of the tube.

6. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the supplemental light source comprises one or more LEDs.

7. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the supplemental light source comprises a ring of LEDs positioned around an exterior of the tube and substantially near the second end of the tube.

8. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the supplemental light source comprises one or more LEDs positioned to illuminate the reflective surface disposed on the interior surface of the tube.

9. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor configured to acquire data regarding a light level in the interior, wherein the supplemental light source is configured to be controlled based on the data regarding the light level in the interior.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the supplemental light source is configured to be controlled by a controller located remotely from the lighting device.

11. A lighting system, comprising:

a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tube configured to receive light from a light source external to a building, and the second end of the tube configured to emit the light to an interior of the building; and

a reflective surface disposed on the interior of the tube; and

a supplemental light source located remotely from the tube, the supplemental light source including a transceiver configured to receive a wireless signal for controlling the supplemental light source in response to data acquired by a light sensor configured to measure a light level of the interior of the building.

12. The lighting device of claim 11 wherein the reflective surface comprises a white reflective surface.

13. The lighting device of claim 11 wherein the reflective surface comprises a mirror reflective finish.

14. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the light sensor is configured to measure an amount of light emitted by the tube.

15. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the light sensor is located remotely from tube, and wherein the light sensor is located remotely from the supplemental light source.

16. The lighting system of claim 11, further comprising a controller configured to control the supplemental light source to emit light such that the combined light from the supplemental light source and the tube meets a predefined desired light level.

17. A method of using a lighting device, comprising:

providing a tube defining an interior with a reflective surface and an exterior, and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the tube configured to receive light from a light source, and the second end of the tube configured to transmit the light to an interior of a building;

providing a supplemental light source positioned to illuminate a portion of the interior of the building, wherein the supplemental light source comprises at least one LED included in the lighting device;

measuring a light level in the interior of the building; and

controlling the light output of the supplemental light source based on the measured light level in the interior of the building.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the light level in the interior of the building is measured by a light sensor located remotely from the lighting device.