Solatube International, Inc.

Paul August Jaster

David Windsor Rillie

Keith Kopitzke

Ding Yao Shay

John Futhey

David James Wilson

Keith Robert Kopitzke

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.

Daylight collectors with thermal control

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.

Daylight collectors with diffuse and direct light collection

Devices and methods for collecting daylight in clear and cloudy weather conditions

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.

Daylight collection systems and methods

High aspect ratio daylight collectors

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.

Thermally insulating fenestration devices and methods

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.

Daylighting devices with auxiliary lighting system and light turning features

In some embodiments, a sunlight collection system has an upper portion with prismatic elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the periphery of the upper portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. In certain embodiments, a prism ring is positioned within the cylindrical portion and is configured to refract sunlight entering the sunlight collection system.

Sunlight collection system and apparatus

A skylight cover has an upper dome portion formed with plural prism elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the open periphery of the dome portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. A cylindrical prism ring is positioned against a surface of the cylindrical portion and bears prisms configured to refract light.

Skylight cover with prismatic dome and cylinder portions

Direct and indirect light diffusing devices and methods

Daylighting systems and methods with auxiliary lighting fixtures are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting apparatus including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface and an auxiliary light fixture. The tube can be disposed between a transparent cover positioned to receive daylight and a diffuser positioned inside a target area of a building. In certain embodiments, the tube is configured to direct the daylight transmitted through the transparent cover towards the diffuser. The auxiliary light fixture can include a lamp disposed within the tube and a light control surface configured to reflect light exiting the lamp towards the diffuser and to transmit daylight propagating through the tube from the direction of the transparent cover. The lamp can be disposed on the sidewall of the tube.

Daylighting devices and methods with auxiliary lighting fixtures

A skylight shaft substrate is rendered internally reflected in several ways. To limit the formation of focal points that can lead to hot spots as light travels down the shaft, the shaft substrate is formed with dimples or longitudinal corrugations.

Skylight tube with reflective structured surface

A non-specular skylight collimator has at least two axially successive collimator segments from top to bottom, with the segments becoming successively less flared from top to bottom. A skylight diffuser assembly typically covers the open end of the bottom segment.

Growing community of inventors

Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

Paul August Jaster