Patent ID: 8000014
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: F24S,G02B,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A sunlight redirector, comprising: an array of plane mirrors, each mirror having a surface normal vector; non-stretching linkages pivotally interconnecting longitudinally adjacent ones of the mirrors and constraining movement of the mirrors such that the normal vectors remain parallel while the mirrors move; a first pivotable coupling in a first one of the longitudinally adjacent mirrors; and a second pivotable coupling in a second one of the longitudinally adjacent mirrors; the first and second pivotable couplings permitting the first and second mirrors to move with respect to either one of two mutually perpendicular axes and preventing movement of the first and second mirrors with respect to a third axis; wherein: the first and second pivotable couplings are first and second universal joints each having a first member rotatable with respect to a first one of the two mutually perpendicular axes, and a second member rotatable with respect to a second one of the two mutually perpendicular axes; the first mirror surrounds and pivots on the first member of the first universal joint; and the second mirror surrounds and pivots on the first member of the second universal joint.