Method and device for controlling the passage of radiant energy into architectural structures

An assembly for controlling the passage of radiant energy through a skylight, a roof or a wall comprising:

• at least two linked planar control members positioned across the defined region,
• the control members being mounted for generally parallel linked movement relative to each other between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• a first plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a first control member and a second plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a second control member, the respective transmitting areas and blocking areas of the first and second control members being sized, shaped and positioned so that the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the blocking areas of the second control member when the members are in the closed position and the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the transmitting areas of the second control member when the panels are in the open position;
• and
• a motorized motion unit for imparting relative movement between the control members.

A method for controlling the passage of radiant energy through a defined region comprising:

• providing at least two linked control members positioned across the defined region,
• the control members being mounted for generally parallel linked movement relative to each other between a closed position and an open position;
• a first plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a first control member and a second plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a second control member, the respective transmitting areas and blocking areas of the first and second control members being sized, shaped and positioned so that the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the blocking areas of the second control member when the members are in the closed position and the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the transmitting areas of the second control member when the panels are in the open position, and
• a motorized motion unit for imparting relative movement between the control members;
• adjusting the relative position of all of the control members by imparting movement through the motion unit to one of the control members to thereby vary the passage of radiant energy through the defined region.

A panel system capable of controlling the passage of radiant energy comprising:

• a plurality of glazing panel system units, each unit having interior and exterior glazing panels;
• at least two control members associated with each glazing panel system unit, where at least one control member is movable,
• the control members being mounted for generally parallel movement relative to each other between a closed position and an open position;
• a first plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a first control member and a second plurality of transmitting areas and blocking areas in a second control member, the respective transmitting areas and blocking areas of the first and second control members being sized, shaped and positioned so that the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the blocking areas of the second control member when the members are in the closed position and the transmitting areas of the first control member are aligned with the transmitting areas of the second control member when the panels are in the open position;
• a motion control device;
• and
• a linkage between a movable control member associated with each of the glazing panel system units and the motion control device.