Method and apparatus for a passive solar day lighting system
US6299317A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/40
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a passive, fiber-optic day-lighting system collects and transports sunlight as a cost-effective technology solution for day-lighting applications. The system utilizes a low concentration ratio sunlight collection system, in expensive optical fibers, and an inexpensive passive solar thermal tracker. The sun-light collection system uses an array of conical compound parabolic concentrators with concentration ratio in the range of 50-500. The sun-light collection system may also use an array of square or rectangular shaped Fresnel lenses with circular concentric grooves. The array of Fresnel lenses can be formed on a single sheet of plastic, which will minimize the cost of manufacturing and reduce the cost of assembly of individual lenses into an array. The sun-light collection may also use arrays of two concentrators in tandem.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.