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Title: Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with summation

Abstract

A solar light distribution system includes a solar light concentrator that is affixed externally to a light transfer tube. Solar light waves are processed by the concentrator into a collimated beam of light, which is then transferred through a light receiving port and into the light transfer tube. A reflector redirects the collimated beam of light through the tube to a light distribution port. The interior surface of the light transfer tube is highly reflective so that the light transfers through the tube with minimal losses. An interchangeable luminaire is attached to the light distribution port and provides light inside of a structure. A sun tracking device rotates the concentrator and the light transfer tube to optimize the receiving of solar light by the concentrator throughout the day. The system provides interior lighting that uses only renewable energy sources, and releases no carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1179017
Patent Number(s):
9025249
Application Number:
14/100,069
Assignee:
UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F21 - LIGHTING F21S - NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES
G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2013 Dec 09
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 42 ENGINEERING

Citation Formats

Maxey, Lonnie Curt. Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with summation. United States: N. p., 2015. Web.
Maxey, Lonnie Curt. Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with summation. United States.
Maxey, Lonnie Curt. Tue . "Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with summation". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1179017.
@article{osti_1179017,
title = {Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with summation},
author = {Maxey, Lonnie Curt},
abstractNote = {A solar light distribution system includes a solar light concentrator that is affixed externally to a light transfer tube. Solar light waves are processed by the concentrator into a collimated beam of light, which is then transferred through a light receiving port and into the light transfer tube. A reflector redirects the collimated beam of light through the tube to a light distribution port. The interior surface of the light transfer tube is highly reflective so that the light transfers through the tube with minimal losses. An interchangeable luminaire is attached to the light distribution port and provides light inside of a structure. A sun tracking device rotates the concentrator and the light transfer tube to optimize the receiving of solar light by the concentrator throughout the day. The system provides interior lighting that uses only renewable energy sources, and releases no carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2015},
month = {5}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Solar energy collection
patent, February 1981


Light radiator
patent, April 1988


Small skylight with non-tracking solar collector
patent, January 2001


Internal natural light delivery system
patent, January 2002


Concentrating solar energy receiver
patent, November 2004


Hybrid solar lighting systems and components
patent, June 2007


Hybrid solar lighting distribution systems and components
patent, July 2011


Sunlight collection system and apparatus
patent, February 2013


Multi-junction solar cells with a homogenizer system and coupled non-imaging light concentrator
patent, January 2014


Opto-mechanical joint assemblies
patent, December 2014


Solar Energy Utilization Unit and Solar Energy Utilization System
patent-application, January 2008


Solar Concentrator System
patent-application, April 2008