Liquid light guide system for interior lighting
OwnerVictor Babbitt, Neil L. McClureinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquid-filled light guide is coupled with a solar collector and a light dispersion device to form a system used to illuminate the interior of a human-inhabitable structure, such as building, underground space or lightless underwater space. The liquid filled light guide establishes a light transmissive pathway that may be split and joined through the use of liquid filled coupling devices.
Claims30
A light collection and distribution system for use in illuminating the interior of a structure comprising:
- a solar collector for use in gathering sunlight,
- a light dispersion device capable of dispersing light collected by the solar collector for illumination purposes;
- and
- a liquid-filled light guide connected to the solar collector and the light dispersion device for transmission of light from the solar collector to the light dispersion device.
A method of fitting a building with a light collection and distribution system, comprising:
- installing a solar collector at a location capable of gathering sunlight;
- installing a plurality of light dispersion devices;
- and
- coupling the solar collector and the light dispersion devices with a liquid-filled light guide to establish a light transmissive pathway between the solar collector and the light dispersion devices.
A solar light distribution system, comprising:
- a tubular structure having a first index of refraction and a diameter greater than one-half inch;
- liquid material with favorable optical properties and having a second index of refraction;
- and
- tubular end caps connectable to tubular structure that permits the transmission of light,
- said liquid material contained within tubular structure by tubular end caps, such that light is permitted to traverse the assembly via total internal reflection,
- said liquid material being transparent mineral oil with a specific gravity of 0.81 to 0.89,
- said end caps connectable to other end caps and optical means to support the transmission of light.
A light collection and distribution system for use in illuminating the interior of a structure comprising:
- a solar collector for use in gathering sunlight,
- a light dispersion device capable of dispersing light collected by the solar collector for illumination purposes;
- and a mineral oil-filled light guide connected to the solar collector, and the light dispersion device for transmission of light from the solar collector to the light dispersion device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.