Self-regulating solar window device

A window device for controlling the transmission of solar radiation therethrough, comprising:

• (a) a first diffuser means forming the exterior of the device for diffusing incoming solar radiation;
• (b) a second diffuser means spaced interiorly from said first diffuser means for further diffusing incoming solar radiation;
• (c) a plurality of substantially planar vanes situated between said first and second diffuser means, with each of said vanes having reflective surfaces and being pivotable about an axis passing through its center of gravity, said vanes being interconnected to move substantially in unison;
• (d) means for automatically controlling the inclination of said vanes about their respective axes in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, said inclination controlling means comprising first sensor means situated between said first and second diffuser means so as to be shaded by at least one of said vanes in direct proportion to the inclination of said vane for sensing the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, and first actuator means operatively coupled to the output of said first sensor means and to said vanes for pivoting said vanes in response to the output of said first sensor means;
• (e) a plurality of substantially planar insulating panels spaced interiorly from said second diffuser means, with each of said panels being pivotable about an axis passing through its center of gravity and being interconnected to move substantially in unison;
• and
• (f) means for automatically controlling the inclination of said panels about their respective axes in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, said means for controlling the inclination of said panels comprising second sensor means situated between said first and second diffuser means so as to be shaded by at least one of said vanes in direct proportion to the inclination of said vanes for sensing the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, and second actuator means operatively coupled to the output of said second sensor means and to said panels for pivoting said panels in response to the output of said second sensor means, whereby the amount of solar radiation transmitted through the window is controlled automatically,
• wherein said first and second sensor means include first and second reservoirs, respectively, containing first and second expansible fluids, respectively, whereby the thermal expansion of said fluids comprises the respective outputs of said first and second sensor means, and
• wherein said means for controlling the inclination of said vanes further includes means for applying a force to said vanes biasing them toward an open position in which substantially all of the incident solar radiation passes through the window, said first actuator means being adapted to overcome said biasing force at a predetermined level of solar radiation transmission.

A window device for controlling the transmission of solar radiation therethrough, comprising:

• (a) a first diffuser means forming the exterior of the device for diffusing incoming solar radiation;
• (b) a second diffuser means spaced interiorly from said first diffuser means for further diffusing incoming solar radiation;
• (c) a plurality of substantially planar vanes pivotally situated between said first and second diffuser means, with each of said vanes having reflective surfaces, said vanes being interconnected to move substantially in unison;
• and
• (d) means for automatically controlling the inclination of said vanes about their respective pivots in response to the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, said inclination controlling means comprising sensor means situated between said first and second diffuser means so as to be shaded by at least one of said vanes in direct proportion to the inclination of said vane for sensing the amount of solar radiation transmitted past said vanes, and first actuator means operatively coupled to the output of said sensor means and to said vanes for pivoting said vanes in response to the output of said sensor means;
• wherein said sensor means includes a reservoir containing an expansible fluid, whereby the thermal expansion of said fluid comprises the output of said sensor means, and
• wherein said means for controlling the inclination of said vanes further includes means for applying a force to said vanes biasing them toward an open position in which substantially all of the incident solar radiation passes through the window, said actuator means being adapted to overcome said biasing force at a predetermined level of solar radiation transmission, whereby the transmission of solar radiation through the window is controlled automatically.