Abstract: A method of making illumination systems for illuminating building interiors comprises positioning first and second opaque, rigid reflective side walls at a distance from one another with reflective surfaces facing each other. The method further comprises positioning a reflective grid panel with parallel longitudinal walls and parallel transverse walls joining the longitudinal walls between the side walls, defining rectangular light-transmitting openings. The method also includes positioning an LED light source above the grid panel to illuminate it at incidence angles ranging from 0° to at least 45°. Additionally, the method comprises positioning a light diffusing sheet of optically transmissive dielectric material approximately coextensive with the grid panel parallel to the grid panel between the side walls above the grid panel. The transverse walls of the grid panel and the reflective side walls are configured to diffusely reflect portions of light transmitted through the rectangular openings.

Abstract: A daylight redirecting window film formed by a flexible multi-layer film laminate with a total thickness of less than one millimeter and configured to be applied to an indoor-facing window surface of a building facade. The window film includes a pair of outer film substrates flanking a light redirecting core layer. The core layer includes a parallel array of channels defining total internal reflection (TIR) surfaces and linear optically transmissive structures protruding transversely thought the core layer and bonded to the outer film substrates. A light output surface of the outer film substrate which is disposed on an indoor-facing side of the laminate includes a two-dimensional pattern of light scattering microstructures which are configured to spread light at least in a plane that is perpendicular to the channels.

Abstract: Materials comprising metamaterials exhibiting form-induced birefringence and anisotropic optical properties are provided. The disclosed articles comprise structures with critical dimensions which are on the order of or smaller than the wavelength for the gigahertz and terahertz spectral range. Methods of preparing same using stereolithography are disclosed. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods pertain to spectroscopic ellipsometry methods comprising a biaxial (orthorhombic) layer homogenization approach is to analyze the terahertz ellipsometric data obtained at three different sample azimuth orientations. The disclosed articles and methods demonstrate provide an avenue to fabricate metamaterials for the terahertz spectral range and allows tailoring of the polarizability and anisotropy of the host material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved light transmitting plastic panel (100) used in buildings for providing a variable daylight either during a day or in various areas of the building. The light transmitting plastic panel (100) consists of two transparent plates (102A, 102B) and a plurality of transparent hollow cells of V-type (104A, 104B) and rhombus shaped cells (106) located in between these plates (102A, 102B). In particular, a structure of the hollow cells is a repetitive sequence of one rhombus cell (106) in between two V-type cells (104A, 104B). Further, some of the hollow cells are made opaque with a predetermined pattern. With this specific structure, the variable daylight is achieved based on a time of day. In another aspect of the invention, differential daylight is provided for different areas of the building by forming a non-continuous flow pattern of opaque hollow cells across the length of the light transmitting plastic panel (100).

Abstract: A retractable window covering for natural illumination of building interiors by redirecting the incident daylight at angles that promote its deeper penetration into the interior space. The window covering comprises an optically transmissive, flexible polymeric sheet having reflective surfaces incorporated into its material and configured to redirect at least a portion of light propagating through the sheet towards a desired direction. The window covering is operable from a closed to an open position so as to increase or decrease the amount of redirected and/or admitted light.

Abstract: A daylighting slat (40) includes a daylighting plate (40) extending in one direction. The daylighting plate (40) includes: a transparent base material (41) having a curved or angled shape in a cross-section taken perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the daylighting plate (40); a plurality of transparent daylighting sections (42) at least in a first region (41Aa) of a first face (41A) of the base material (41); and gap portions between the daylighting sections (42), wherein each of the daylighting sections (42) has a side face in contact with one of the gap portions, a part of the side face serving as a reflection face where light incident to that daylighting section (42) is reflected.

Abstract: A daylighting device (10) including: a flexible base material (20) having light-transmitting properties; and a plurality of daylighting sections (30) on at least one of faces (20a) of the base material (20), each of the daylighting sections having light-transmitting properties and including at least two protrusion portions adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A daylighting slat (4) includes: a daylighting plate (51); and a support member (24) that supports the daylighting plate (51), in which the daylighting plate (51) includes; a base that has light transparency; and a plurality of daylighting parts that are provided on a first surface of the base, have light transparency, and form a gap portion between the plurality of daylighting parts, in which a part of a side surface of a daylighting part, which is in contact with the gap portion, functions as a reflecting surface that reflects light entering the daylighting part, and the support member (24), at least a part of which has light transparency, includes a gripping portion (25) that grips at least a part of a peripheral part of the daylighting plate (51) and has light absorbability, and a protective plate (26) formed of a plate body that is provided so as to face a first surface or a second surface of the daylighting plate (51).

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a light source. The outer tube has a reflecting inner wall. The inner tube is disposed in the outer tube and coaxial with the outer tube. The inner tube has a reflecting outer wall. A ring-shaped light channel is formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The ring-shaped light channel has a light entrance and a light exit corresponding to two ends of the outer tube respectively. A segment of the inner tube protrudes from the light exit. The light source is disposed at the light entrance. A light beam emitted from the light source enters the ring-shaped light channel through the light entrance, is reflected multiple times by the reflecting inner wall of the outer tube and the reflecting outer wall of the inner tube, and travels out of the illumination apparatus through the light exit.

Abstract: Light management constructions contain an optical substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first major surface is a microstructured surface with asymmetrical structures. The asymmetrical structures form an ordered arrangement of a plurality of multi-sided refractive prisms, with the multi-sided refractive prisms having a cross section of 4 or greater sides. The light management constructions can be incorporated into optical articles such as windows.

Abstract: Provided is a daylighting device (10) including a daylighting member (11) that has a base having light transparency, a plurality of daylighting portions that are provided on one surface of the base and have light transparency, and gap portions provided between the plurality of daylighting portions; and a light diffusion member (12) that is arranged on a light output surface side of the daylighting member (11) and diffuses light output from the daylighting member (11).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel construction for an illuminated light splitter in a mirror-lined light duct. In particular, the present disclosure addresses the ability to split partially collimated light travelling through a light duct into two different light ducts using light diverters, while extracting a portion of the light from each of the light ducts and also from the common intersection region. In some cases, the visual appearance of the illumination in the intersection region can appear non-uniform due to the presence of the light diverters, and the present disclosure provides an illuminated light duct splitter (100, 200, 300) configuration that homogenizes the output from the illuminated duct within the intersection region (117, 217, 317).

Abstract: A lighting film 1 includes a base member 10 which has light-transmitting properties, a plurality of protrusion portions 11 which have light-transmitting properties and are formed on one surface of the base member 10 so as to be adjacent to each other, and a gap portion 12 which is formed between the protrusion portions. In the protrusion portion 11, a first end surface 11a on the base member 10 side or a second end surface 11b on an opposite side to the base member 10 is configured as a light incidence end surface, and a side surface 11c which comes into contact with the gap portion 12 is configured as a reflective surface of totally reflecting light which is incident from the light incidence end surface. The base member 10 or a member that is formed on one surface of the base member 10 and has light-transmitting properties is exposed in the gap portion 12.

Abstract: A window glass includes an incident surface, an emergent surface opposite to the incident surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite to the bottom surface. The incident surface and the emergent surface are interconnected between the top surface and the bottom surface. A plurality of sawteeth is defined on the emergent surface. Each sawtooth includes a first surface adjacent to the top surface and a second surface adjacent to the bottom surface. In each sawtooth, an angle between the first surface and the incident surface is over 90 degrees. The second surface and the incident surface cooperatively define an acute angle. The acute angle increases from the top surface down to the bottom surface and causes the redirection of early morning sunlight up to a ceiling of a room or building containing the window glass.

Abstract: Light management film constructions contain a first optical film having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first major surface is a microstructured surface with asymmetrical structures. The asymmetrical structures form an ordered arrangement of a plurality of multi-sided refractive prisms, with the multi-sided refractive prisms having a cross section of 3 or greater sides. A second optical film contacts and is bonded to substantially all of the structures of the first major structured surface of the first optical film. The light management constructions can be incorporated into optical articles such as windows.

Abstract: An optical element includes a first surface, a second surface positioned to face the first surface, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces arrayed in a first region defined by the first surface and the second surface, wherein the reflecting surfaces have a first length in a first direction vertical to the first surface and are arrayed at a pitch in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, light incident on one of the first surface and the second surface is reflected by the reflecting surfaces toward the other surface, and predetermined parameters satisfy predetermined relational formulae representing conditions for ensuring total reflection at the reflecting surfaces and for avoiding total reflection at a light emergent surface.

Abstract: A flexible sheet-form optical system, referenced to as a light redirecting fabric, which has a fabric-like behavior and light redirecting properties. The light redirecting fabric comprises a soft and flexible sheet of optically transmissive material, such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride. A surface of the flexible sheet includes a plurality of parallel slits having spaced-apart walls configured to reflect light by means of a total internal reflection. At least a portion of daylight incident onto the sheet is internally redirected at angles other than the angle of incidence which is exploited to enhance daylight harvesting and illumination of a building interior. Disclosed also are a method and apparatus for making the light redirecting fabric. The method includes steps of mechanical slitting of the flexible sheet with a blade, elastic stretch-elongation of the sheet along a direction perpendicular to the slits, and making at least a portion of the sheet elongation irreversible.

Abstract: A device of the skylight type for capturing, transmitting and diffusing natural light into the interior of a room, that comprises a duct configured as an inverted truncated pyramid made of a reflecting material having on its upper end a translucent plane adaptable to the conditions of the existing cover that receives the natural light. Given said duct material and configuration, the light is conducted by the inner walls of said duct to the lower end thereof, where it is joined to a light diffuser plate of a material having total internal reflection, said diffuser plate emerging transversely to the horizontal plane of the ceiling in the room that is going to be lighted. A connecting element provides a finish to the joint between said transmitting duct and said diffuser block. The device provides aesthetic and spatial characteristics that contribute light and ornamentation to the building, while being simple and easy to install.

Abstract: A flexible sheet-form optical system, referenced to as a light redirecting fabric, which has a fabric-like behavior and light redirecting properties. The light redirecting fabric comprises a soft and flexible sheet of optically transmissive material, such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride. A surface of the flexible sheet includes a plurality of parallel slits having spaced-apart walls configured to reflect light by means of a total internal reflection. At least a portion of daylight incident onto the sheet is internally redirected at angles other than the angle of incidence which is exploited to enhance daylight harvesting and illumination of a building interior. Disclosed also are a method and apparatus for making the light redirecting fabric. The method includes steps of mechanical slitting of the flexible sheet with a blade, elastic stretch-elongation of the sheet along a direction perpendicular to the slits, and making at least a portion of the sheet elongation irreversible.

Abstract: Attachment methods for daylighting sheets and a resulting optical construction enable daylighting microstructures to be secured to a light incident surface, such as a glazing. Applying an adhesive to selected portions of the daylighting microstructures creates a transparent, optical adhesive surface that enables the daylighting microstructures to be oriented outward, facing the incident light, and effectively seals the microstructures against the glazing to prevent ingress of dust and contaminants that would degrade optical efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lamp (4) and to a lighting system and device (1) for lighting interiors such as dwellings or offices, the LED lamp (6) including an LED-supporting body (5) having a substantially circular or polygonal crown-shaped plan and provided with a plurality of LEDs on one of the surfaces thereof, which body defines a hollow inner space (17) through which natural light can pass via means (22) for conveying natural light provided on the device, such as, for example, segments of reflective tube (2,2?) that convey natural light or an optical fiber (3b). The lighting system enables the transmission via a communication channel (13) of the signal generated by a transducer element (10), involving at least one element (11) for transmitting to the corresponding receiver elements (12) which modify the elements (7) that control each lamp.

Abstract: A flexible sheet-form optical system, referenced to as a daylighting fabric, which has a fabric-like behavior and light redirecting properties. The daylighting fabric comprises a soft and flexible sheet of optically transmissive material, such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride. A surface of the flexible sheet includes a plurality of parallel slits having spaced-apart walls configured to reflect light by means of a total internal reflection. At least a portion of daylight incident onto the sheet is internally redirected at angles other than the angle of incidence which is exploited to enhance daylight harvesting and illumination of a building interior. Disclosed also are a method and apparatus for making the daylighting fabric. The method includes steps of mechanical slitting of the flexible sheet with a blade, elastic stretch-elongation of the sheet along a direction perpendicular to the slits, and making at least a portion of the sheet elongation irreversible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a window and light guiding film therein. The light guiding film includes a film base and at least one microstructure. The microstructure is disposed on a side of the film base, and comprises a first surface and a second surface. The refraction index of the microstructure is 1.9 to 2.6. A first inclination angle is between the first surface and a reference plane, the reference plane is perpendicular to the film base, and a second inclination angle is between the second surface and the reference plane, wherein the first inclination angle is less than or equal to the second inclination angle.

Abstract: A flexible sheet-form optical system, referenced to as a daylighting fabric, which has a fabric-like behavior and light redirecting properties. The daylighting fabric comprises a soft and flexible sheet of optically transmissive material, such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride. A surface of the flexible sheet includes a plurality of parallel slits having spaced-apart walls configured to reflect light by means of a total internal reflection. At least a portion of daylight incident onto the sheet is internally redirected at angles other than the angle of incidence which is exploited to enhance daylight harvesting and illumination of a building interior. Disclosed also are a method and apparatus for making the daylighting fabric. The method includes steps of mechanical slitting of the flexible sheet with a blade, elastic stretch-elongation of the sheet along a direction perpendicular to the slits, and making at least a portion of the sheet elongation irreversible.

Abstract: A solar collector utilizes multiple reflections of light passing down a tapered, pyramidal-type structure made of highly-reflective mirrored surfaces. A right-angled truncated reflective pyramidal structures have been discovered to have many properties which make them superior to existing concentrator geometries. The use of a tapered, pyramidal-type structure creates multiple reflections which appear at the collector output in the form of a Buckminster-Fullerene display, providing improved collector efficiency and amplification when compared to prior art “concentrators” of the Fresnel lens or parabola type.

Abstract: A daylighting system for use in a building including a louver array having a first longitudinal element, and a second longitudinal element spaced therefrom. At least one of the first and second elements has an asymmetrical profile, each of the first and second longitudinal elements has a bottom profile including a parabolic surface, portions of opposing surfaces of the first and second longitudinal elements define a compound parabolic concentrator profile having a non-horizontal centerline that is tilted upwards, and the array prevents line of sight therethrough. A louver for a daylighting system includes (i) a leading edge defined by a leading connecting surface disposed between a parabolic concentrator surface and a flat surface; and (ii) a trailing edge defined by a trailing connecting surface disposed between a lower compound parabolic concentrator profile, and an upper compound parabolic concentrator profile. A method for designing a louver profile is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wafer-level lens array, a method of manufacturing a wafer-level lens array, a lens module, and an imaging unit capable of preventing the permeation of air into a substrate unit or a lens unit to be molded when a wafer-level lens array having the substrate unit and the lens units integrated with each other is molded. There is provided a method of integrally manufacturing a wafer-level lens array including a substrate unit and a plurality of lens units arranged on the substrate unit using a transfer mold having a plurality of concave portions corresponding to at least the plurality of lens units provided in a surface thereof. The method includes: supplying a resin to each concave portion, the amount of resin supplied being more than the volume of the concave portion; and performing molding to integrate the resin overflowing from the concave portions, thereby forming the substrate unit.

Abstract: Light management constructions contain an optical substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first major surface is a microstructured surface with asymmetrical structures. The asymmetrical structures form an ordered arrangement of a plurality of multi-sided refractive prisms, with the multi-sided refractive prisms having a cross section of 4 or greater sides. The light management constructions can be incorporated into optical articles such as windows.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar tracking skylight system for illumination, primarily including a light guide, a solar tracking controller, a two-axis tracking mechanism, an energy converter and energy storage system, and a weather protective cover. The system uses the solar tracking controller to detect the direction of the light, thereby enabling the two-axis tracking mechanism to move toward the light to facilitate the light guide in collecting light and diffusing it indoors for illumination use. The protective cover provides waterproofing, and the energy converter and energy storage system is used to store electrical energy generated by the solar energy panel for system use. External power is not needed for the system to operate and provide indoor lighting, thereby achieving the objective of saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Abstract: A decollimator for a daylighting system includes a conical section having a circular end, a square end, and a conical shape tapering inwardly from the circular end to the square end. A mixing zone section is attached to the square end of the conical section and has a square cross sectional shape of a substantially constant cross sectional dimension. The decollimator also includes either a window with a converging Fresnel lens on the circular end of the conical section, a window with a diverging Fresnel lens on an end of the mixing zone section opposite the conical section, or both. When the conical section receives collimated light, the conical section, the mixing zone section, and the Fresnel lens together decollimate the light and provide the decollimated light out of the mixing zone section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light guiding film including a film base and at least one microstructure. The microstructure is disposed on a side of the film base, and comprises a first surface and a second surface. A first inclination angle is between the first surface and a reference plane, the reference plane is perpendicular with the film base, and a second inclination angle is between the second surface and the reference plane. The total energy of the output light beams with the output angles from 85 to 120 degrees is more than 40% of the total energy of the output light beams with the output angles from 0 to 180 degrees. Therefore, the light guiding film can guide the incident light beams into a room near horizontally and avoid glare.

Abstract: A light shelf for daylighting an interior space with reflected sunlight has a reflective upper surface having a cyma-reversa profile along a vertical cross-section perpendicular to the window, with a convex region adjacent to the window and a concave region distal from the window.

Abstract: A direct beam solar lighting system for collecting and distributing sunlight into a room. The system includes a rotatable solar collector head to receive sunlight and to reflect the sunlight downward into a transition tube having a reflective interior surface. The light-concentrating transition tube reflects sunlight into a reflective light tube which directs the reflected sunlight through a plenum space into the room. The system includes a drive mechanism for rotating the rotatable solar collector, and a light fixture at end of the light tube to disburse said reflected sunlight onto a ceiling and a wall in the room. In an embodiment the system includes one or more homogenizing reflectors within the solar collector for collecting the sunlight and directing the sunlight more uniformly over the aperture of the transition tube. In an alternative embodiment, the solar collector includes a rotatable tiltable mirror for providing two-axis tracking.

Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: A dichroic mirror includes a substrate and a dielectric multilayered film formed on a surface of the substrate. The dielectric multilayered film includes a first period layer with a structure represented by a formula (0.33H0.66L0.33H)n and a second period layer with a structure represented by a formula (2HM)m. Wherein H represents a high refractive index layer, L represents a low refractive index layer, M represents a middle refractive index layer, all of the H, L and M are set at ¼ lambda of a reference wavelength associated with the film, the m and n represent the number of repetitions of the structure, enclosed by the parentheses, used in the correspond first period layer or second period layer.

Abstract: A direct beam solar lighting system for collecting and distributing sunlight into a room. The system includes a rotatable solar collector head to receive sunlight and to reflect the sunlight downward into a transition tube having a reflective interior surface. The light-concentrating transition tube reflects sunlight into a reflective light tube which directs the reflected sunlight through a plenum space into the room. The system includes a drive mechanism for rotating the rotatable solar collector, and a light fixture at end of the light tube to disburse said reflected sunlight onto a ceiling and a wall in the room. In an embodiment the system includes one or more homogenizing reflectors within the solar collector for collecting the sunlight and directing the sunlight more uniformly over the aperture of the transition tube. In an alternative embodiment, the solar collector includes a rotatable tiltable mirror for providing two-axis tracking.

Abstract: A daylighting system for structures consisting of a solar energy collector means including a modified Cassegrainian optical system, a means of moving said collector means to an attitude tracking the sun's position in the sky during daylight hours, a heat separation means for removing heat from the concentrated beam of sunlight and for applying said heat to other uses, and one or more hollow members each comprising a reflective internal surface for distributing the sunlight inside said structure.

Abstract: An artificial and natural lighting system placed in the roof of a building that is substantially self-contained and powered. A photovoltaic cell provides electricity stored in a battery to power light emitting diodes. A highly reflective interior coating applied to the light shaft maximizes lighting intensity. A sensor detects illumination intensity and temperature within the light shaft to control the balance of natural and artificial light provided to maintain predetermined illumination intensity. The light shaft is insulated to reduce heat transfer and a thermal collector removes heat from the building. In one embodiment, a Fresnel lens is utilized to focus natural light onto the photovoltaic cell. In another embodiment, conventional fluorescent lighting powered by external line voltage is combined with light emitting diodes powered primarily by a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is disclosed which includes a measuring unit equipped with a dielectric block and a thin film layer; an incidence system for making a light beam enter the dielectric block so that a condition for total internal reflection is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer; and a photodetector for receiving the light beam totally reflected at the interface. The measuring unit is measured a plurality of times, and a change in the state of attenuated total reflection during the plurality of measurements is detected. The sensor further includes a tilt measurement section for measuring the longitudinal tilt of the interface which changes the incidence angles during the plurality of measurements, and a calculating section for obtaining a measured value in which errors due to the longitudinal tilt have been corrected.

Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: What is described here is a method and an element of lighting rooms by selective guidance of daylight, comprising an optically transparent main body through which the light is incident into the respective room, and including plurality of structures on which light is deflected by total reflection into the respective room. The invention is characterized by the provision that the plurality of structures consists of parallel crazes.

Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: A commercial greenhouse roof and roof glazing system that maximizes the intake of direct winter sunlight while managing spring, summer and fill sunlight to similar levels so that continuous produce and other crops can be grown. This system has transparent corrugated roofing sheets with north and south facing sections running in an east/west direction, where portions of the outer face of the outer glazing sheet are coated, insulation separates each sheet at locations of top surface coating, gas spaces separate each sheet at locations of no coating, and reflective material coats the interior surface of the interior sheet at portions of insulation. This system has no moving parts other than the movement of the sun in relationship to the structure. The color of the sunlight spectrum is split in the summer months so that the photosynthetic active portion is maximized in summer months leaving the unwanted summer heat gain outside of the structure.

Abstract: A lens, suitable for directing radiation, comprises an array of planar reflecting elements or slats. Each reflecting element is of non-uniform extent or surface area t and/or is of non-uniformly spacing d from adjacent elements. The elements may be parallel or non-parallel. Each element is positioned such that the ratio of spacing d.sub.n to extent t.sub.n is determined by the angle of incidence on the nth element .gamma..sub.n as is given by the relationship (a) where d.sub.n is the spacing between the nth and (n+1)th adjacent elements of the lens, t.sub.n is the length of the nth element and M is the magnification of the lens.

Abstract: An optical component comprises at least one substantially planar element having a plurality of elementary surfaces capable of acting to reflect by total internal reflection light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a first range of incident angles associated with each surface, and to refract light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a second range of incident angles associated with each surface. Refracted light at low angles of incidence passes straight through to provide a view through the component.

Abstract: A stack of light-deflecting elements are installed in a window. Each deflecting element has a solar ray inlet, a curved middle section and an end comprising a ray outlet into the room. Each element is rectilinear at the outlet end so that rays are dispersed and emerge from the light-deflecting elements in prisms of rays, the bottom edge of which is horizontal. The solar rays entering the light-deflecting elements are subjected to multiple total internal reflections at a different angle. The angle of the normal line of the deflector elements to the horizontal is selected so that the largest possible amount of sunlight can be captured and conveyed into the room to illuminate the room with a uniform, diffuse distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to direct daylight through an aperture toward a target area in a building or other structure is disclosed. A housing provides a base attachable to the building and a support structure for supporting a reflector above the aperture. According to one embodiment of the invention the reflector is in the shape of an inverted cone. A light diffusing lens structure is disposed in the optical path between the reflector and the target area. In use, light is transmitted through the support structure, reflected from the surface of the reflector, and dispersed about the target area by the light diffusing lens structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light transmitting panels mainly applied to lighting windows in openings of general buildings and lighting quantity or range adjusting methods for interiors of general buildings using any of the light transmitting panels. One of the light transmitting panels consists of two transmitting plates and plural refractive columns located in parallel to each other between the two plates, and another of the light transmitting panels consists of base faces with reflecting zones parallel to each other formed on them. Furthermore, optional sunlight patterns S1, S2 and S3 incident from the sun located differently in altitude or azimuth with respective incident angles of .alpha., .beta. and .gamma. in reference to altitude or azimuth satisfying the relation of .alpha.<.beta.<.gamma.

Abstract: There is provided illuminating apparatus including an illuminating channel 10 defined between an incident surface 11, an emergent surface 12, an upper surface 13 and a lower surface 14. The upper surface 13 includes end portions 15 which may be adhered to the lower end portions 16 of an adjacent illuminating channel. The portion of the upper surface 13 between the end portions 15 comprises a steeply inclined outer portion 17, a horizontal central portion 20 and a shallow inner inclined portion 21. Light entering the incident face 31 at a low angle of incidence is reflected by total internal reflection in turn from the lower outer surface 32 of a first cavity 33, the central portion of the upper surface 34 of a second cavity 35, and then the inner lower surface 36 of the first cavity 33 before emerging from the emergent face 37.