Systems and related methods for collecting light transmitted through an architectural opening

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024142688-A1
Application number	US-202217979377-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 2, 2022
Priority date	Nov 2, 2022
Publication date	May 2, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one aspect, a system for collecting light directed through an architectural opening includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening. A portion of light from a light source is absorbed by the plurality of optical fibers. One or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are configured to transmit the absorbed light to one or more light collection elements.

First claim

1 . A system for collecting light transmitted through an architectural opening, the system comprising:
an architectural opening through which light is configured to be directed; a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening; at least one light collection element positioned relative to the plurality of optical fibers; and wherein at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers redirects and transmits a portion of the light directed through the architectural opening to the at least one light collection element.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion of the at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is orientationally positioned to direct light from the optical fiber to the at least one light collection element.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers absorbs light radially from a light source and transmits the absorbed light axially along a length of the optical fiber to at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers is in the form of a fibrous mesh.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the fibrous mesh comprises a first set of optical fibers and a second set of optical fibers, the first set of optical fibers having an orientation different than the orientation of the second set of optical fibers.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light collection element converts light into electricity.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light collection element comprises one or more photovoltaic elements, wherein the one or more photovoltaic elements are in electric communication with an energy storage device.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light collection element comprises one or more optical elements.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a glass structure is positioned within the architectural opening.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the glass structure comprises one or more glass panes, wherein the plurality of optical fibers is positioned adjacent to one or more glass panes.

11 . A kit for collecting light transmitted through an architectural opening, the kit comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers configured to be positioned within an architectural opening, wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is configured to absorb light radially from a light source and transmit the absorbed light axially along a length of the optical fiber to at least one of a first end portion and a second end portion; and at least one light collection element configured to receive the light transmitted from at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion of at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers.

12 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers is in the form of a fibrous mesh.

13 . The kit of claim 12 , wherein the fibrous mesh comprises a first set of optical fibers and a second set of optical fibers having an orientation different than the orientation of the second set of optical fibers.

14 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the at least one light collection element is in electric communication with an energy storage device.

15 . A method for collecting light transmitted through an architectural opening, the method comprising:
absorbing at least a portion of the light transmitted through the architectural opening with a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening; transmitting the absorbed light through at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers to at least one light collection element; and converting the absorbed light transmitted to the at least one light collection element into electricity for storage within an energy storage device.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion of the at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is orientationally positioned to direct light from the optical fiber to the at least one light collection element.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers is in the form of a fibrous mesh.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of absorbing at least a portion of the light transmitted through the architectural opening further comprises each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers absorbing the light radially from a light source and wherein the step of transmitting the absorbed light through the at least one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers to the at least one light collection element further comprises transmitting the absorbed light axially along a length of the at least one optical fiber to the at least one light collection element.

19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising transmitting the electricity to the energy storage device.

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein a glass structure is positioned within the architectural opening, wherein the glass structure comprises one or more glass panes, wherein the plurality of optical fibers is positioned adjacent to one or more glass panes.

Assignees

• Battelle Savannah River Alliance Llc

Inventors

• Ward Patrick A

Classifications

• G02B6/0006 Primary

  Coupling light into the fibre (in general G02B6/4298) · CPC title

• G02B6/0008

  the light being emitted at the end of the fibre · CPC title

• F21S11/002

  characterised by the means for collecting or concentrating the sunlight, e.g. parabolic reflectors or Fresnel lenses · CPC title

• G02B6/08

  with fibre bundle in form of plate · CPC title

• E06B9/24 Primary

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title