US 2026/0139484 A1 · LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PANEL FOR BUILDINGS AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Abstract

A light-transmitting panel for a building such as a greenhouse. The panel includes a light-transmitting member positioned between an inner surface and an outer surface of the panel, the light-transmitting member including a plurality of light-transmitting devices (e.g., light pipes) and a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the light-transmitting devices. Each of the light-transmitting devices includes a light-receiving portion, a light-emitting portion and a transmission portion between the light-receiving portion and the light-emitting portion. The panel may be connected to a frame along its perimeter. In some embodiments, sensors and/or functional components may be provided in connection with the panel and may be configured to exchange signals with an electronic system to provide monitoring and/or control functionality.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A light-transmitting panel for a building, the light-transmitting panel comprising:

a. an inner surface, an outer surface and a perimeter surrounding the inner surface and outer surface;
b. a light-transmitting member positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, the light-transmitting member comprising:
i. a plurality of light transmitting devices positioned alongside one-another, each light transmitting devices including a light-receiving portion, a light-emitting portion and a transmission portion between the light-receiving portion and the light-emitting portion;
and
ii. a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the light-transmitting devices in the plurality of light transmitting devices.

2 more elements

A panel system comprising:

a plurality of light-transmitting panels for a building, each light-transmitting panel comprising:
a. an inner surface, an outer surface and a perimeter surrounding the inner surface and outer surface of the light-transmitting panel;
b. a light-transmitting member positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, the light-transmitting member comprising:
i. a plurality of light transmitting devices positioned alongside one-another, each light transmitting device including a light-receiving portion, a light-emitting portion and a transmission portion between the light-receiving portion and the light-emitting portion;
and
ii. a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the light-transmitting devices in the plurality of light transmitting devices;
and
c. at least one sensor configured to sense a characteristic of an environment of the panel and generate a signal conveying a measurement of the characteristic;
and
a monitoring system in communication with said at least one sensor, the monitoring system comprising a processing apparatus configured for:
receiving the signal conveying the measurement of the characteristic;
and
processing the signal and rendering a user interface on a display device in communication with the monitoring system, the user interface presenting information derived by processing the measurement of the characteristic.

10 more elements

An electronic monitoring system for a plurality of light-transmitting panels using in a building, the light-transmitting panel comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a characteristic of an environment of the panel and generate a signal conveying a measurement of the characteristic, the monitoring system being communication with said at least one sensor for receiving the signal conveying the measurement of the characteristic, the monitoring system comprising a processing apparatus for:

receiving the signal conveying the measurement of the characteristic:
and
processing the signal and rendering a user interface on a display device in communication with the monitoring system, the user interface presenting information derived by processing the measurement of the characteristic.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Light-transmitting panel for buildings and method of using same

Life of this patent

Light-transmitting panel for buildings and method of using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42