US 6,480,336 B2 · Mini-optical light shelf daylighting system

Abstract

The mini-optical light shelf daylighting system is implemented in the paradigm of a window treatment that is applicable to both new installations as well as existing window glazing. In particular, the mini-optical light shelf is a passive, static optical device which receives incident daylight transmitted through a window and efficiently redirects it uniformly onto the interior ceiling surface in a diffuse manner, thereby creating a useful source of interior illumination. The mini-optical light shelf comprises multiple shelves, each of which contains an identical optically shaped top surface to allow light to be efficiently collected and accurately directed onto the ceiling surface. The optical shelves are narrow and can be implemented in the paradigm of a window treatment. The window area is partitioned into a view related glazing section and a daylight collection and redirection glazing area. The occupant's views out of the building remain unobstructed through the view related area of the glazing to a height of approximately seven feet. Traditional window treatments can be used for this portion of the glazing for shading, privacy, and blackout control. The daylight incident on the daylight collection area of the glazing is collected and redirected onto the ceiling plane in a glare free uniform manner.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A daylighting apparatus, mountable adjacent to a window opening located on a wall of a room, for redirecting incident sunlight into said room to illuminate said room, comprising:

frame means for mounting said daylighting apparatus juxtaposed said window opening, where said window opening presents an occupant of said room with a field of view to look through said window opening;
and
a plurality of identical light reflecting element means, mounted in said frame means in a fixed position, that is a substantially parallel, equally spaced apart relationship, for redirecting said incident sunlight into said room, each of said light reflecting element means comprising:
an elongated substantially linear member having a first edge located proximate said window opening and a second edge distal from said first edge, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface being of a geometry to redirect said incident sunlight received from a predetermined range of directions onto a predetermined region of a ceiling surface of said room absent said redirected incident sunlight being transmitted into said field of view,
light blocking element means, integral to said bottom surface at a predetermined location and extending at an acute angle with reference to said top surface toward said first edge, for blocking low altitude components of said incident sunlight from entering said room.

2 more elements

A daylighting apparatus, mountable adjacent to a window opening located on a wall of a room, for redirecting incident sunlight into said room to illuminate said room, comprising:

a plurality of support members having a top end and a bottom end;
header means attached to said plurality of support members at said top end thereof for maintaining said plurality of support members in a vertically oriented, parallel, spaced apart relationship when said header means is attached to a header of said window opening, where said window opening presents an occupant of said room with a field of view to look through said window opening;
and
a plurality of identical light reflecting element means, mounted on said plurality of support members in a fixed position, that is a substantially horizontally oriented, parallel, equally spaced apart relationship, for redirecting said incident sunlight into said room, each of said light reflecting element means comprising:
an elongated substantially linear member having a first edge located proximate said window opening and a second edge distal from said first edge, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface being of a geometry to redirect said incident sunlight received from a predetermined range of directions onto a predetermined region of a ceiling surface of said room absent said redirected incident sunlight being transmitted into said field of view,
light blocking element means, attached to said bottom surface at a predetermined location and extending at an acute angle with reference to said top surface toward said first edge, for blocking low altitude components of said incident sunlight from entering said room.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mini-optical light shelf daylighting system

Life of this patent

Mini-optical light shelf daylighting system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19