Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A light collection systems with at least one light receiving element, such as a window, a photovoltaic element, a heating element, a light guiding element or combinations thereof, and at least one light reflector-deflector element. The light reflecting elements include a front light receiving surface, a rear surface, and a transparent volume, disposed between the front light receiving surface and the rear surface, the transparent layer being of a higher refractive index than of its surrounding. The transparent volume comprises an asymmetric pattern which is configured to at least partially reflect light by internal reflection and direct the light within the element, reflect some light off said front light receiving surface, reflect, deflect and guide light within the light reflector-deflector element; and direct light through the front light receiving surface towards the at least one light receiving element.

Abstract: A natural lighting apparatus using sunlight is provided. The natural lighting apparatus includes a second light condensing device provided in a focal region of a first light condensing device to convert sunlight condensed in the focal region by the first light condensing device into straight parallel light rays through the second condensing device to provide sunlight having a high luminous flux to an indoor space. This natural lighting apparatus may be used together with an artificial illumination apparatus in a hybrid illumination system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to light collection systems, the system comprising at least one light receiving element, selected from the group consisting of: a window, a photovoltaic element, a heating element, a light guiding element and combinations thereof, and at least one light reflector-deflector element, each element comprising a front light receiving surface, a rear surface, and a transparent volume, disposed between the front light receiving surface and the rear surface, the transparent layer being of a higher refractive index than of its surrounding, wherein the transparent volume comprises an asymmetric pattern which is configured to at least partially reflect light by internal reflection and direct the light within the element, reflect some light off said front light receiving surface, reflect, deflect and guide light within the light reflector-deflector element; and direct light through the front light receiving surface towards the at least one light receiving element.

Abstract: A sunlight coupler is provided, the sunlight coupler may include a beam integrator configured to concentrate beams of sunlight, which may be incident from a plurality of optical fibers, in the form of a single beam, a triplet lens focusing the concentrated beam on a specific position, and an optical fiber provided for transmission of the focused sunlight. The optical fiber may be a thermally-diffusion expand core fiber.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a substantially cylindrical tube defining an interior and an exterior, and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the tube defines a substantially cylindrical opening disposed in a plane at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the second end of the tube defines a substantially elliptical opening disposed in a plane at a second angle that is substantially non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A reflective surface is provided on the interior of the tube, and a substantially cylindrical flashing is provided about the exterior of the tube. A substantially transparent dome is coupled to the tube proximate the first end, and a diffuser is coupled to the tube proximate the second end.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a substrate and horizontally oriented elongated prisms. The substrate is positioned on mounted on an outside surface of a window of a building and includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. The second surface faces the outside surface. The substrate is made of transparent material. The prisms are arranged on the first surface and parallel to each other. Each prism includes a flat side surface facing upward and a curved side surface facing downward. The flat side surface and the curved side surface extend from the first surface and intersect at a line away from the first surface. Each curved side surface is configured for reflecting light passing through the flat side surface to a ceiling of the building.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, interior spaces are illuminated with a combination of harvested sunlight and artificial light emitted by one or more light-emitting elements.

Abstract: A general purpose energy saving light amplification unit suitable as a lantern, guide light, background light, safety light, ornament or decorative object, said unit adapted to harness external surrounding ambient light, or other remote energy sources from at least two directions, employing a plurality of reflector members to receive and concentrate energy in order to luminesce or fluoresce an optimally placed mutually shared luminescent or fluorescent body member, lodged in a tapered or convergent section of a hyperbola or between at least two juxtaposed reflectors, stimulating photon and electron activity resulting in maximum amount of transmitted visible light from at least two directions, irrespective of receptive direction or angle of origin of light source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to light collection systems, the system comprising at least one light receiving element, selected from the group consisting of: a window, a photovoltaic element, a heating element, a light guiding element and combinations thereof, and at least one light reflector-deflector element, each element comprising a front light receiving surface, a rear surface, and a transparent volume, disposed between the front light receiving surface and the rear surface, the transparent layer being of a higher refractive index than of its surrounding, wherein the transparent volume comprises an asymmetric pattern which is configured to at least partially reflect light by internal reflection and direct the light within the element, reflect some light off said front light receiving surface, reflect, deflect and guide light within the light reflector-deflector element; and direct light through the front light receiving surface towards the at least one light receiving element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising, on its surface, a light-diffusing array comprising at least 10 juxtaposed sub-gratings of parallel lines of features, said features being separated by domains with a refractive index differing from that of the features, each sub-grating comprising at least 20 repeated successive identical features equally spaced apart with a period p, said period varying non-monotonically from one edge of the sub-grating array to the other. This substrate redirects the light without iridescence in a daylighting application.

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: 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.

Abstract: A light guiding film has a film body and a micro-structured portion. The film body has a first side, a second side and a reference horizontal level vertical to the second side. The micro-structured portion is set on the second side and has a plurality of V-shaped grooves, and each one of the V-shaped grooves has a first sub-face and a second sub-face. The first sub-face has a first included angle between 16° and 22° with respect to said reference horizontal level, and the second sub-face has a second included angle between 8° and 17° with respect to said reference horizontal level. When an incident light beam injects downwardly on said micro-structured portion in a predetermined incident angle range, a predetermined percentage of said incident light beam emit an emissive light beam projected out in an included angle range between 0° and 90° with respect to said reference horizontal level.

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: 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.

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: An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus includes a one piece hollow tubular body having a first and second input legs and an output leg, each leg having a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, the first input leg being configured to receive a first light beam having a first intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the first leg to provide a first leg output beam, the second input leg being configured to receive a second light beam having a second intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the second leg to provide a second leg output beam, the first and second leg output beams being combined and reflected in the third leg to provide an output beam that is a combination of the first intensity and spectral content and the second intensity and spectral content and having a top hat profile.

Abstract: Provided is a light tunnel including a guide member for guiding an incident light to proceed therein while being reflected by a side wall thereof to merge the incident light into a uniform light beam, and an optical path change portion provided at least one end portion of the guide member inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis of an incident light to reflect the incident light and direct a path thereof.

Abstract: A resin molding body has two faces (front face 15 and lower face 19) perpendicular to each other, and also has a total reflecting face 23 approximately having an angle of 45° with respect to these two faces. Plural collimating lenses 16 and a spacer 17 are integrally formed on one face. Plural collimating lenses 20 and a spacer 21 are also integrally formed on the other face. A wall taking-away portion 26 is concavely arranged between the two faces so as to be located on the rear face side of the total reflecting face 23. Guide holes 18, 22 for inserting guide pins thereinto and connected to optical connectors, etc. are bored on the two faces of the resin molding body.

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: A diffuser is disclosed which transmits or reflects incident light into a specific range of angles. In a preferred embodiment, this light is uniformly scattered throughout a cone of angles. The diffuser consists of two parts. The first part diffracts or reflects light into a specific offset angle. The second part, in the preferred embodiment, uniformly scatters the light through a range of angles, which is centered on the offset angle. The diffusers have utility in applications such as screens for wrist watches, computers, calculators, and cell phones.

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 sun blind assembly including an incident surface and a lens element, the incident surface having a reflective region which reflects incident light and a non-reflective region which transmits incident light, the lens element and incident surface being arranged such that the transmitted light incident on the lens element is substantially refracted so as to appear of substantially uniform intensity

Abstract: A solar energy concentrator (1) is formed in the shape of a spiral horn, so that solar energy incident over a wide range of incident angles on the mouth (2) of the horn is concentrated by multiple reflections from inner walls (5) of the horn to emerge from an exit aperture (3) at the center of the horn. Solar energy emerging from the collector may be distributed by light pipes (40) to illuminate a building or may be transmitted to a solar energy conversion chamber (50) having a small entry aperture (51). The entry aperture (51) acts as black body absorbing all solar energy incident upon it and the solar energy may be converted within the chamber (50) either by photovoltaic cells and/or by heat absorbing media.

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 diffuser is disclosed which transmits or reflects incident light into a specific range of angles. In a preferred embodiment, this light is uniformly scattered throughout a cone of angles. The diffuser consists of two parts. The first part diffracts or reflects light into a specific offset angle. The second part, in the preferred embodiment, uniformly scatters the light through a range of angles, which is centered on the offset angle. The diffusers have utility in applications such as screens for wrist watches, computers, calculators, and cell phones.

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: An illumination device for transmitting and/or distributing light with an extractor that extends distally into the interior of the light guide. The illumination device includes a hollow light guide including a wall having an inner surface and a structured outer side. The structured outer side includes a plurality of prisms defining grooves that extend along a length of the light guide. An extractor extends substantially along the length of the light guide and projects distally from the inner surface towards an interior of the light guide. The extractor is operative to cause light to be released through the wall of the light guide. A method of attaching the extractor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a lighting system with light collection from a plurality of light sources including natural sunlight, distribution and control of said plurality of light sources, and a network of optical fibers and other components connecting said plurality of light sources and a plurality of lighting fixtures is disclosed. Sunlight is collected and integrated with other lighting sources to be distributed via a network of optical fiber cables and optical components. An unlimited combination of light collectors, distribution networks, and fixtures, is available for lighting system designs. The distribution network can run in and/or alongside wiring ducts for ease of maintenance and access. According to the time-of-day, time-of-year, weather condition, personal preference and presence, etc., control is provided at various locations for light collection, distribution, and lighting effect with brightness, colors, and patterns.

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: Molded block optics system (10) writes and reads data from an optical storage medium and includes first molded optics block (12) for receiving reference beam (60) and original object beam (46) that contains a predetermined data set. First molded optics block (12) includes reflective surfaces (18, 20, 22, and 24) and spatial light modulator (50). Reflective surfaces (18, 20, and 24) include reference beam surfaces (24) and object beam surfaces (18, 20, and 22). Reference beam surfaces (24) direct reference beam (60) to optical storage medium (16) at predetermined location (54). Spatial light modulator (50) modulates object beam (46) and directs modulated object beam (46) to predetermined location (54). Reference beam (60) and object beam (46) form an interference pattern that writes data on optical storage medium (16). First molded optics block (12) also directs reference beam (60) to optical storage medium (16) for generating reconstructed object beam (64).

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: 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.

Abstract: A light confining cavity collects much of the radiation reflected by a receiver, absorbing it imperfectly, and casts it again on the same receiver or on other receivers by means of an optical system. Only light in a bundle of rays of limited angular spread can escape from this cavity, which allows an entry aperture relatively large. Thus, the irradiance at the entry aperture may be low, and in some cases even lower than the irradiance at the absorber. In this way the requirements for the cavity materials and for the concentrating system feeding light to the cavity can be relaxed. The invention is of special interest in photovoltaic conversion devices because it improves the absorption of the solar cells and achieves higher conversion efficiency for photons of different energies by using solar cells of different materials.

Abstract: A compound construction matrix harvests energy incident on all peripheries of a building by providing compound components having anterior and posterior portions with respect to radiation, the anterior portions being generally transparent and the posterior portions being selectively translucent, transparent or opaque, the compound components being arranged in communicating relation to form walls and roofs having multiple internal cavities and passages between cavities which permit light and air to flow freely within the matrix, allowing light incident form any angle to be reflected from cavity sidewalls toward posterior portions to form overlapping incidence on translucent conversion surfaces and to pass through tinted conversion means for direct gain, and allowing air in each cavity to expand freely in any direction from sunlit to shaded portions and through apertures toward shaded portions of adjacent cavities, to thereby form a dynamic airstream passing over translucent conversion surfaces and non-transpare