# US 4,394,860 A · Solar light bulb > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,394,860 A - Document ID: US4394860A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/191,122 - Filed: 1980-09-26 - Granted: 1983-07-26 - Earliest claimed: 1980-09-26 - Inventors: Derrick A. Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394860A ## CPC - H10F 77/488: {Reflecting light-concentrating means, e.g. parabolic mirrors or concentrators using total internal reflection} - F24S 23/00: Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/44: Heat exchange systems - Y02E 10/52: PV systems with concentrators - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A system for generating light directly using solar energy is provided herein. It includes a concentrator and accumulator for the sun's rays to generate a concentrated beam of visible solar radiation. A distributor shaft is provided for distributing the beam of visible solar radiation. A fork is provided in the distributor shaft to define a plurality of branch lines, each provided with a mirror at the intersection to direct the beam down the respective branch line to permit parallel fractions of the beam to be reflected off the respective mirrors and to pass down the respective branch line. A solar bulb is provided including a double walled upper bulbous portion including the inlet from the branch line and a pair of heat outlet tubes, and a double walled lower bulbous portion, the upper portion thereof being divergently reflective, with the lower portion having walls which are either transparent or translucent to provide greater light diffusion, and the space between the two walls being maintained under vacuum to provide heat insulation values. A structure is provided within the solar bulb for the absorption and radiation of the concentrated beam of visible solar radiation. Preferably structure is provided connected to the solar bulb to draw in outside air in the summer to direct it past the solar bulb and to air vent hot air produced at the solar bulb to the outside, thereby providing light with minimal heat in the summer. The same structure is operated in the winter to draw in household air to direct it past the solar bulb and to recirculate such heated air produced at the solar bulb to the house, thereby providing light and heat in the winter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for generating light directly using solar energy comprising: (a) a single master concentrator and accumulator for the sun's rays to generate a concentrated beam of visible solar radiation; (b) a single master distributor shaft for distributing said beam of visible solar radiation as a collimated light; (c) a fork in said single master distributor shaft providing a pair of branch shafts extending in opposite directions, the fork being provided with a pair of mirrors to direct said collimated light beam along each branch shaft, each branch shaft being provided with a plurality of light-ray conducting tubes extending at right angles to said branch shaft, each branch shaft being provided with a mirror at the intersection of said branch shaft with said light-ray conducting tube to direct said beam down each said light-ray conducting tube by reflecting parallel fractions of said beam, the cross-sectional area of said branch shaft decreasing as the distance from the fork increases; (d) a solar bulb operatively associated with each light-ray conducting tube, said solar bulb including a double walled upper bulbous portion providing an inlet from said light-ray conducting tube and a pair of heat outlet tubes, and a double walled lower bulbous portion, the upper portion thereof being divergently reflective, with the lower portion having walls which are either transparent or translucent to provide greater light diffusion, and the space between the two walls being maintained under vacuum to provide heat insulation values; and (e) means within said solar bulb for the absorption and radiation of said concentrated beam of visible solar radiation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said means (e) includes a sealed vacuum secondary reflector bulb within the solar bulb including a reflecting cone at the base thereof, upper portions of said reflector bulb including a pair of convex light reflecting mirrors, the lower portion of the reflector bulb including a pair of angularly positioned flat light reflecting mirrors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 including fan means to withdraw heat from said bulbs, to be vented outdoors to provide a system of light with a minimum of heat. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 including fan means which is operative to circulate heat from the solar bulbs to the indoors or which is inactive to permit radiant indoor heating from the solar bulbs, when required. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said means (3) includes a secondary sealed vacuum reflector bulb within said solar bulb, and includes a lower convex heat reflecting mirror, and an upper one-way type heat reflecting convex mirror, and, disposed between said two heat reflecting mirrors, is a conventional material which produces luminous light when heated. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein said conventional material is a glowing gas mantle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein said conventional material is a fluorescent gas. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 including a supplemental source of electricity, whose power is controlled to be dependent inversely on the absolute quantity of said concentrated beam of visible solar energy within said branch line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 including fan means to withdraw heat from the bulbs, to be vented outdoors to provide a system of light with a minimum of heat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 including fan means which is operative to circulate heat from the solar bulbs to the indoors or which is inactive to permit radiant indoor heating from the solar bulbs, when required. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein said means (e) includes a secondary sealed vacuum reflector bulb within said solar bulb and is formed of globular one-way mirrored material with a heat-reflecting surface, and, therewithin, is an incandescent filament which creates light when heated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 including a supplemental source of electricity, whose power is controlled to be dependent inversely on the absolute quantity of said concentrated beam of visible solar energy within said branch line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 including fan means to withdraw heat from the bulbs, to be vented outdoors to provide a system of light with a minimum of heat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 including fan means which is operative to circulate heat from the solar bulbs to the indoors or which is inactive to permit radiant indoor heating from the solar bulbs, when required.