Patent Publication Number: US-6341041-B1

Title: Internal natural light delivery system

Description:
This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/112,672, filed Jul. 9, 1998 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/969,237, filed Nov. 13, 1997 now abandoned, entitled “INTERNAL NATURAL LIGHT DELIVERY SYSTEM”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The &#39;237 Application is in turn related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/034,337, filed Dec. 23, 1996, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/036,287, filed Jan. 27, 1997. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present system relates to the collection of visible light energy from solar radiation and the distribution of such light energy to the internal areas of a building for rumination purposes. A great variety of light transmitting systems have been proposed in this field of art. Most of the known systems typically include a light collector element mounted on the roof of a building for collecting the radiation energy and some form of light diffuser element connected to the collector element from which the light is emitted into the internal area of the building. Other systems further include some form of conductor element mounted between the collector element and diffuser element to provide an extended optical path through which the light energy may be transmitted over a particular distance. 
     There are a number of drawbacks associated with the lighting systems currently known in this field. Indeed, there are serious drawbacks associated with some of the more complex systems in that they are quite expensive both to purchase and install and require a good deal of ongoing maintenance. Further problems are encountered as these rooftop-mounted systems are susceptible to the adverse effects of weather. Moreover, the known systems do not effectively collect natural light throughout the day because the collector element utilized fails to track the daily movement of the sun and the changing direction of the sun&#39;s rays. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a less expensive passive lighting system having a collector element mounted adjacent a vertical translucent surface of a building for the collection of visible light energy therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a natural lighting system that is modular in design and hence easily adaptable to both new and existing building structures. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a natural lighting system which is mounted entirely within the interior space of a building. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a natural lighting system which employs a plurality of reflectors for transmitting solar rays collected at a vertical collector element along a reflective conduit to an internally-mounted light diffusion element for the dispersion of natural light about an interior area of the building. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a natural lighting system that is greatly effective in transmitting natural light throughout the daylight hours. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying detailed description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present system relates to an internal natural light delivery system designed to bring natural light into unexposed areas of an enclosed building structure. Such concept particularly lends itself to buildings having more than one floor. Because of the impracticality of penetrating horizontal floor levels above, light is intended to be gathered from a vertical and external translucent or transparent surface. The primary components of the internal natural light delivery system include: 
     1. a rotatable collector having a first reflector adjacent an internal surface of a translucent external structure of a building and a sun-tracking element; the reflector directs light rays upward in a substantially vertical direction and the sun-tracking element rotates the collector to provide direct sunlight to the reflector throughout the daylight hours; 
     2. a first hollow member adjacent the collector such that light rays reflected upward by the first reflector are directed through the first hollow member; 
     3. a first elbow adjacent the first hollow member, the first elbow having a second reflector and disposed such that the light rays directed through the first hollow member encounter the second reflector and are reflected in a substantially horizontal direction; 
     4. a second hollow member adjacent the first elbow and disposed such that light rays reflected by the second reflector are directed through the second hollow member and into an internal area of a building; 
     5. a second elbow adjacent the second hollow member, the second elbow having a third reflector, the second elbow disposed such that at least a portion of light rays directed through the second hollow member is directed downward by the second reflector; 
     6. a diffuser adjacent the second elbow whereby at least a portion of the light rays reflected by the second reflector are dispersed into the internal space of the building. 
     The first hollow member is preferably substantially vertical and the second hollow member is preferably substantially horizontal. Additionally, the first hollow member and the second hollow member may have reflective internal surfaces. The first reflector of the collector may be a flat, concave or convex reflective surface. The translucent surface is preferably transparent and is more preferably a window. 
     The present system is also designed to be of modular construction whereby ease of installation may be accomplished even within an existing building structure. The collector and associated first hollow member may be mounted either as a free-standing unit or in secure relationship to a column of the building. The associated second hollow member and first and second elbows preferably are positioned within the plenum space of the building—a space typically reserved for mechanical/electrical structures anyway. 
     Another embodiment of the internal natural light delivery system includes: 
     1. a hollow member comprising a reflective internal surface and an open end, the open end is adjacent a translucent external structure of a building and configured such that a portion of the reflective internal surface is optically available to light rays transmitted through the translucent external structure; whereby at least a portion of the light rays is reflected through the hollow member by the internal reflective surface; 
     2. an elbow adjacent said hollow member comprising a reflector, said elbow disposed such that at least a portion of light rays reflected through said hollow member is directed into an internal space of said building; and 
     3. a diffuser adjacent the elbow whereby at least a portion of the light rays reflected by the reflector are dispersed into the internal space of the building. 
     The hollow member is preferably substantially horizontal, and the entire internal natural light delivery system may be located in the plenum space of the building. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the internal natural light delivery system mounted within the interior of a building structure. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an internal area of a building being serviced by an internal natural light delivery system. 
     FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the collector and first hollow member of the present system mounted adjacent a vertical window. 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the internal natural light delivery system mounted within a building structure. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative mounting configuration of the internal natural light delivery system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the internal natural light delivery system. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative collector configuration in the present internal light delivery system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to FIG. 1, internal natural light delivery system  1  is shown. The system illustrated includes a hollow member  2 , a second hollow member  3  and a first elbow  4  connected therebetween. 
     Particularly in connection with a new construction project, the first hollow member  2  may be mounted upon a window sill  5  as well as on an adjacent vertical column  6  whereby such first hollow member  2  may be concealed within the column&#39;s build-out structure  7 . Such positioning places the first hollow member  2  and associated collector  8  (not shown, but see FIG. 4) in vertically-adjacent relation to the building&#39;s window  9 . 
     First hollow member  2  extends upwardly past the ceiling level  10  of the building whereby it connects to first elbow  4 . First elbow  4  then connects to second hollow member  3  which, in turn, extends a particular distance to the desired area of internal light dispersion. First hollow member  2 , first elbow  4  and second hollow member  3  are all preferably constructed of an internally-reflective material to assist in the transmission of light rays  11 , which pass through window  9  and into the collector (not shown in FIG. 1) along the length of these components in a direction generally indicated as  12  so as to be ultimately dispersed into the interior space  13 . 
     It is within the contemplation of the present system that the first hollow member  2  be supported in any number of ways so as to be adjacent the window  9  for the collection of Light rays  11 . Options include a floor standing support system as well as a ceiling-hung version. Similarly, the present system also contemplates that the first hollow member  2  need not extend vertically downward as far as the sill  5  as the proper collection of light rays  11  may be accomplished at a level substantially higher than that which is indicated. (See FIG. 5.) 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the system is shown whereby second hollow members  3  are shown extending a distance across an interior space  13  to second elbows  14 . In practice, light rays  11  which enter this system through window  9  are reflected upwards through first hollow members  2  and across second hollow members  3  to second elbows  14 . 
     FIG. 3 is a close-up top view of an embodiment whereby the lower end of first hollow member  2  includes an open end  15  through which light rays  11  may be received after passing through the window  9 . Housed within first hollow member  2  in the area of open end  15  is a collector  8  which may be used to initiate the collection/transmission of light procedure associated with the present invention. Again, first hollow members  2  are placed upon window sill  5  and vertically adjacent to vertical column  6  of the building whereby hollow members  2  may be concealed within the column&#39;s build-out structure  7 . 
     Looking now at FIG. 4, the position of the collector  8  is shown with respect to first hollow member  2 . The reflector of collector  8  may be planar, concave or convex in shape and is manufactured of a highly reflective material. 
     First hollow member  2  is connected to a first elbow  4  comprising a second reflector  23  whereby the light that had been traveling along vertical path  16  with first hollow member  2  is redirected along path  17  within the second hollow member  3 . Preferably, second reflector  23  comprises a planar reflective surface positioned at 90° with respect to both first hollow member  2  and second hollow member  3  to redirect the light along the prescribed path. The light travels along path  17  within second hollow member  3  whereby it encounters second elbow  14 . 
     Second elbow  14  comprises third reflector  24  which preferably comprises a planar reflective surface as previously described for first elbow  4  to redirect the light toward the diffuser  18 . Diffuser  18  which is adjacent second elbow  14  may be one of many known light dispersions fixtures which ultimately pass the reflected light into the interior space  13 . 
     Again, the first hollow member  2  is positioned adjacent window  9 . The first hollow member  2  extends upwardly through the associated ceiling  19  and into the plenum space  20  of that floor whereby it is preferably connected to a first elbow  4 . First elbow  4  is further preferably connected to a second hollow member  3  whereby the light is redirected from the first hollow member  2  to the second hollow member  3 . Second hollow member  3  extends a desired distance to the particular location on such floor where it is desired that the light be dispersed. At such point, second hollow member  3  is preferably connected to a second elbow  14  which redirects the reflected light to the diffuser  18 . Diffuser  18  is preferably integrally mounted with the ceiling  19  much like any other light fixture, whereby it may ultimately disperse the reflected light into the interior space  13 . 
     While the primary transmission of light is accomplished via the collector  8  and the second and third reflectors  23  and  24 , each of the first hollow members  2 , second hollow members  3 , first elbow  4  and second elbow  14  have internal reflective surfaces to assist in the overall optical transmission of reflected light from the collector  8  to the diffuser  18 . Depending upon the configuration of the plenum space  20  of a particular floor (the space defined between ceiling  19  and floor  21 ), it may be necessary to include additional elbows between first elbow and second elbow  14  in order to direct the light toward the desired location of dispersion. It is also within contemplation of the present system that the first and second elbows  4  and  14  and second hollow member  3  be mounted below the ceiling  19  when circumstances do not permit the mounting of such components within the plenum space  20 . Additionally, while the components of the preferred embodiment have been shown with a substantially circular cross section, other cross-sectional shapes may be used to successfully accomplish the aforementioned transmission of light. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, there illustrated is an alternative mounting configuration of the internal natural light delivery system of the present invention. First hollow members  2  are mounted adjacent window  9  well above window sill  5 . First hollow members  2  are adjacent column  6  and are enclosed in build-out structure  7 . The operation of the system of FIG. 5 is substantially identical to that discussed above with reference to FIG.  1 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, illustrated there is an alternative collector configuration for the internal natural light delivery system of the present invention. Collector  90  is mounted inside first hollow member  2  as shown. Collector  90  has a reflective surface  92 . Collector  90  is attached to a half-spherical base portion  94 . Circular base portion  96  is attached to base portion  94  by rod  95 . Circular base portion  96  rotates around axis  100 , which is parallel and central to rod  95 . Spherical base portion  94  rotates around an axis (not shown) which is transverse to axis  100 . Although not shown, reflective surface  92  has a photocell. The photocell detects the direction from which the sun&#39;s direct rays are coming. The photocell communicates with a motor (not shown) through a controller (also not shown), so that the base portions  94  and  96  rotate appropriately to align reflective surface  92  substantially perpendicular to the sun&#39;s rays throughout the daylight hours. One example of a sun-tracking device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,145 to Corio, which is incorporated fully here in its entirety. In this way, reflective surface  92  redirects the sun&#39;s rays substantially vertically upward through hollow member  2  throughout the daylight hours with great effectiveness. 
     Turning next to FIG. 6, illustrated there is another embodiment of internal natural light delivery system  60  of the present invention. In FIG. 6, hollow member  62  having open end  64  is disposed adjacent translucent structure  66 . Hollow member  62  has internal reflective surface  68 . Open end  64  is configured such that a portion of internal reflective surface  68  is optically available to light rays  70  transmitted through translucent structure  66 . Light rays  70  are reflectively transmitted through hollow member  62  to elbow  72  by internal reflective surface  68 . Elbow  72  comprises reflector  74  and is disposed such that the reflected light rays  76  directed through hollow member  62  are directed into interior space  78 . Diffuser  80  adjacent elbow  72  disperses reflected light rays  76  into internal space  78 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, the natural light delivery system  60  may be disposed entirely within the plenum space  82  when plenum space  82  is enclosed by translucent structure  66  as, for example, in a building that has a translucent glass outer surface for the windows and encasing the various plenum spaces. Alternatively, natural light delivery system  60  may be disposed generally within an internal space of the building. 
     While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications as incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.