Abstract: An improved system for synchronizing the positioning of a reflector assembly used in solar lighting apparatus for illuminating the interior of a roofed building. The reflector assembly is rotatable about a vertical access for tracking daily movements of the sun. The assembly includes return, track and seek sensors, the return sensor, in the turn-on mode, generating a signal corresponding to sensed sunlight, which energizes the systems motor. The system comprises the master tracking assembly and a plurality of follower units. Each motor shaft extends into a gear box and is coupled to a worm gear. A radial worm gear is mounted to a shaft member and is driven by the worm gear. The shaft member in turn drives the mirror reflector assembly. A stepper wheel having a plurality of indentations formed thereon is also mounted to the shaft member.

Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus for illuminating the interior of a roofed building includes a reflector assembly rotatable about a vertical axis for tracking daily movements of the sun. The reflector assembly includes multiple planar reflector panels each extending about a horizontal axis and supported between a pair of opposing, parallel side frame members inclined upwardly toward their rear ends at approximately a 25.degree. angle to the horizontal. The reflector panels are oriented in their operative position at right angles to the side frame members and are inclined at approximately a 65.degree. angle to the horizontal. The reflector panels are spaced apart from one another by a distance approximating the width of each panel to prevent leading reflector panels from shading trailing reflector panels.

Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus is disclosed for illuminating the interior of roofed building while simultaneously generating electrical power from one or more photovoltaic panels secured to the reflector apparatus for rotation therewith to track daily movements of the sun. The photovoltaic panels may be pivotally supported by the hinged reflector of the reflector apparatus and may be slidingly secured to a track for allowing the photovoltaic panels to fold to a horizontal position when the reflector apparatus is closed. Alternatively, arrays of photovoltaic panels may be supported on opposite sides of the reflector apparatus by brackets secured to a lower frame member of the reflector apparatus. A wind detection apparatus is also disclosed for simulating the onset of darkness during the existence of dangerously high winds.

Abstract: A tracking reflector assembly for a skylight includes a ring-shaped base member rotatably supported above the skylight by a plurality of rollers which engage a channel formed within an annular wall of the ring. A reflector is pivotally coupled to the ring for reflecting light into the skylight to supplement light which strikes the skylight directly. A vertical drive motor operates in response to a pair of photosensors for raising and lowering the reflector to follow changes in the angular elevation of the sun. The ring-shaped base member includes a toothed lower surface engaged by a gear coupled to a horizontal drive motor for rotating the ring-shaped base member in response to a third photosensor for following east-to-west movement of the sun. Each of the aforementioned photosensors is normally shaded and actuates the associated drive motor only when being struck by direct sunlight.