Patents Assigned to Solatube International, Inc.
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Patent number: 12168593Abstract: An L-shaped track has a vertical part configured to stand on the ground, a horizontal part configured to span over a roof, and a curved part in between. A motor-driven winch moves a carriage up and down the track. The carriage engages a skylight, which can be quickly and easily hoisted from the ground to the roof up the track to the roof to install the skylight.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: Marcelo Esposito, Kalen Eidenschink, John Calvanico
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Patent number: 11774119Abstract: A bottom-mounted whole house fan assembly includes an intake plenum mounted over an opening in a ceiling of a building. The intake plenum is supported on the ceiling in the attic of the building. One end of a flexible duct is connected to the intake plenum and the other end of the duct is connected to a fan so that the fan draws air in the building through the intake plenum and duct and exhausts the air in the attic from whence the air is vented to atmosphere. The fan is supported by at least one vertical strut that is connected to the ceiling at the lower end of the strut and to a housing of the fan at the upper end of the strut. A sound dampener is interposed between the strut and the fan housing and/or the ceiling beam to which the strut is attached.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2023Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: John Paul Calvanico, David Winsor Rillie, Tyler Brinkman
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Patent number: 11592197Abstract: A bottom-mounted whole house fan assembly includes an intake plenum mounted over an opening in a ceiling of a building. The intake plenum is supported on the ceiling in the attic of the building. One end of a flexible duct is connected to the intake plenum and the other end of the duct is connected to a fan so that the fan draws air in the building through the intake plenum and duct and exhausts the air in the attic from whence the air is vented to atmosphere. The fan is supported by at least one vertical strut that is connected to the ceiling at the lower end of the strut and to a housing of the fan at the upper end of the strut. A sound dampener is interposed between the strut and the fan housing and/or the ceiling beam to which the strut is attached.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: John Paul Calvanico, David Winsor Rillie, Tyler Brinkman
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Patent number: 11585093Abstract: A dimmer mechanism is movable by a motor that is powered by solar-charged supercapacitors between a first configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks little of the interior of a skylight tube to maximize light throughput into a room, and a second configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks more of the interior of a skylight tube to reduce light throughput into the room.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: David Rillie, Joseph Prenn, Kalen Eidenschink
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Patent number: 11168480Abstract: A dimmer mechanism is movable by a motor that is powered by solar-charged supercapacitors between a first configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks little of the interior of a skylight tube to maximize light throughput into a room, and a second configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks more of the interior of a skylight tube to reduce light throughput into the room.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: David Rillie, Joseph Prenn, Kalen Eidenschink
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Patent number: 9921397Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting assembly, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9816675Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9816676Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9291321Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9127823Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for illuminating the interior of a building with natural daylight are disclosed. In some embodiments, a daylighting apparatus includes a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, an at least partially transparent light collector with one or more light turning elements, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. The one or more light turning elements can turn direct and indirect daylight into the tube so that it is available to illuminate the building. In some embodiments, the tube is disposed between the light collector and a diffuser positioned inside a target area of a building. In certain embodiments, the tube is configured to direct at least a portion of the daylight transmitted through the light collector towards the diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 8982467Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 8955269Abstract: A skylight shaft is coated with a highly reflective film to maximize the amount of light transmitted from the top of the skylight to a room below the skylight. Surface irregularities are formed in the shaft or adhesive that holds the film onto the shaft to diffuse the light and thereby prevent the formation of focal “hot spots” in the room below.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventor: David Windsor Rillie
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Patent number: 8958157Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments provide internally-reflective tube assemblies for use in a tubular daylighting device configured to direct daylight into an interior of a building when installed on a roof of the building. A tube assembly may include multiple tube segments including connection projections, such as hook-type structures, for weaving or otherwise connecting and/or securing tube segments together. In some embodiments, sidewalls of tube segments connected together are substantially parallel to one another at or near the connection region.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: David Windsor Rillie, Thomas P. Griego, Jeffrey S. Robertson
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Publication number: 20140268347Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments provide internally-reflective tube assemblies for use in a tubular daylighting device configured to direct daylight into an interior of a building when installed on a roof of the building. A tube assembly may include multiple tube segments including connection projections, such as hook-type structures, for weaving or otherwise connecting and/or securing tube segments together. In some embodiments, sidewalls of tube segments connected together are substantially parallel to one another at or near the connection region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: David Windsor Rillie, Thomas P. Griego, Jeffrey S. Robertson
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Patent number: 8837048Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for illuminating the interior of a building with natural daylight are disclosed. In some embodiments, a daylighting apparatus includes a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, an at least partially transparent light collector with one or more light turning elements, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. The one or more light turning elements can turn direct and indirect daylight into the tube so that it is available to illuminate the building. In some embodiments, the tube is disposed between the light collector and a diffuser positioned inside a target area of a building. In certain embodiments, the tube is configured to direct at least a portion of the daylight transmitted through the light collector towards the diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Publication number: 20140160570Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Publication number: 20140160556Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting assembly, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 8601757Abstract: Some embodiments provide a fenestration apparatus including at least one glazing pane capable of being installed in an opening of a building envelope and a tessellated structure disposed adjacent to the at least one glazing pane. The tessellated structure can include at least one partition having a first face and a second face. The at least one partition can define a plurality of spatially separated cells within a substantially contiguous region of the opening. Each of the plurality of spatially separated cells can have a cell width and a cell depth. Each of the plurality of spatially separated cells can be at least partially surrounded by the first face of the at least one partition, the second face of the at least one partition, or a combination of the first face and the second face of the at least one partition.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: Paul August Jaster, Keith Robert Kopitzke, David James Wilson, David Windsor Rillie
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Patent number: 8568011Abstract: Some embodiments provide a daylighting apparatus comprising an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube opposite the first end. A diffuser can be positioned at the second end of the tube. The diffuser can comprise a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room, a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one upper region (e.g., a ceiling or upper wall surface) of the room and a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one lower region (e.g., a floor surface) of the room.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.Inventors: David Windsor Rillie, Keith Robert Kopitzke, Ding Yao Shay, Paul August Jaster
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Publication number: 20130135744Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for illuminating the interior of a building with natural daylight are disclosed. In some embodiments, a daylighting apparatus includes a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, an at least partially transparent light collector with one or more light turning elements, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. The one or more light turning elements can turn direct and indirect daylight into the tube so that it is available to illuminate the building. In some embodiments, the tube is disposed between the light collector and a diffuser positioned inside a target area of a building. In certain embodiments, the tube is configured to direct at least a portion of the daylight transmitted through the light collector towards the diffuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Solalube International, Inc.