Deep Well Daylight Harvesting System with Light Emitting Diodes Using Solar Generated Power

Abstract

A versatile length, deep well skylight, with supplementary light emitting diodes, that are powered by a back-up battery, charged by the sun. This green energy unit is self-contained and saves the cost of primary power. It is dual domed which attracts solar rays which are then reflected through a mirror polished aluminum interior. The light is then diffused through a lower lens to produce cool, even light in the structure interior.

The rim of the upper lens houses multiple solar panels which collect the solar energy for the battery back-up. The battery back-up provides the energy to the light emitting diodes through the inverter which converts the direct current electricity to alternating current electricity and then through the driver which in turn produces light from the light emitting diodes.

Light which is produced directly from the sun and/or indirectly through the light emitting diodes is then reflected through the deep well, mirror polished aluminum interior to the diffuser. The lower lens or diffuser spreads the light evenly across the interior of the structure. The unit is thermal neutral and designed for leak-proof installation. It is also designed for simple, easy maintenance with snap in parts and a hinged lower lens.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A skylight, comprising: a deep well comprising a first end, a second end opposite to said first end, and four panels positioned between said first end and said second end, said panels configured to form a square cross-section between said first end and said second end, said panels being coated with a reflective material; a dual-top lens connected to the first end, said dual-top lens comprising a first lens and a second lens, said second lens positioned between said first lens and the first end of the deep well; a bottom lens operatively connected to the second end of the deep well; a battery; at least one solar panel operatively connected to said battery and configured to charge said battery when exposed to sunlight; and at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to said battery and configured to provide light when receiving electricity from said battery.

3. The deep well skylight of claim 2, further comprising an inverter and at least one driver, the at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to the battery through said inverter and said at least one driver, said inverter configured to convert direct current to alternating current and said driver configured to cause the at least one light emitting diode to emit light.

4. The deep well skylight of claim 2, further comprising a top lens frame, said top lens frame comprising at least one channel and at least one weep hole, said at least one channel and at least one weep hole configured to remove accumulated moisture, said top lens frame mounted to the first end of the deep well, the dual-top lens connected to said top lens frame whereby the dual-top lens is connected to the first end of the deep well.

5. The deep well skylight of claim 4, wherein said at least one solar panel is located on the top lens frame on a side distal from the second end of the deep well and outside of said dual-top lens above the dual-top lens.

6. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said bottom lens is a diffusing lens.

7. The deep well skylight of claim 6, wherein said bottom lens is configured to filter out at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum from passing through said bottom lens.

8. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said bottom lens is operatively connected to the second end of the deep well skylight by a hinge.

9. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein the first lens of the dual-top lens is a pseudo-elliptical lens.

10. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein the second lens of the dual-top lens is a diffusing lens.

11. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein the dual-top lens further comprises an air gap between said first lens and said second lens.

12. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said first lens and said second lens of the dual-top lens are dome-shaped.

13. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said first lens is configured to filter out at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum from passing through said first lens.

14. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said second lens is configured to filter out at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum from passing through said second lens

15. The deep well skylight of claim 2, further comprising a lens gasket operatively connected to said dual-top lens and configured to prevent water penetration into the deep well or the dual-top lens.

16. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said deep well skylight is thermally neutral.

17. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said deep well skylight does not comprise a heat exchanger and is not operatively connected to a heat exchanger.

18. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein each of the four panels of the deep well are insulated.

19. The deep well skylight of claim 2, wherein said at least one driver is operatively connected to a controller configured to activate or deactivate the at least one light emitting diode via said at least one driver.

20. A deep well skylight, comprising: a deep well comprising a first end, a second end opposite to said first end, and four panels positioned between said first end and said second end, said panels configured to form a square cross-section between said first end and said second end, said panels being coated with a reflective material and said panels being insulated; a top lens frame mounted on the first end of said deep well, said top lens frame comprising at least one channel and at least one weep hole, said at least one channel and at least one weep hole configured to remove accumulated moisture; a dual-top lens mounted in said top lens frame comprising a first lens, a second lens and an air gap between said first lens and said second lens, said second lens positioned between said first lens and the first end of the deep well, said first lens and said second lens being dome-shaped, said second lens a diffusing lens; a lens gasket operatively connected to said dual-top lens and configured to prevent water penetration into the deep well or the dual-top lens; a bottom lens operatively connected to the second end of the deep well, said bottom lens being a diffusing lens; a battery; at least one solar panel operatively connected to said battery and configured to charge said battery when exposed to sunlight, said at least one solar panel positioned on said top lens frame outside of said dual-top lens; an inverter and at least one driver; and at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to the battery through said inverter and said at least one driver, said inverter configured to convert direct current to alternating current and said driver configured to cause the at least one light emitting diode to emit light; wherein said deep well skylight is thermally neutral.

21. A deep well skylight, comprising: a deep well comprising a first end, a second end opposite to said first end, and four panels positioned between said first end and said second end, said panels configured to form a square cross-section between said first end and said second end, said panels being coated with a reflective material and said panels being insulated; a top lens frame mounted on the first end of said deep well, said top lens frame comprising at least one channel and at least one weep hole, said at least one channel and at least one weep hole configured to remove accumulated moisture; a dual-top lens mounted in said top lens frame comprising a first lens, a second lens and an air gap between said first lens and said second lens, said second lens positioned between said first lens and the first end of the deep well, said first lens and said second lens being dome-shaped, said second lens a diffusing lens, said first lens being configured to filter out at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum from passing through said first lens; a lens gasket operatively connected to said dual-top lens and configured to prevent water penetration into the deep well or the dual-top lens; a bottom lens operatively connected to the second end of the deep well, said bottom lens being a diffusing lens, said bottom lens being configured to filter out at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum from passing through said bottom lens; a battery; at least one solar panel operatively connected to said battery and configured to charge said battery when exposed to sunlight, said at least one solar panel positioned on said top lens frame outside of said dual-top lens; an inverter and at least one driver; and at least one light emitting diode operatively connected to the battery through said inverter and said at least one driver, said inverter configured to convert direct current to alternating current and said driver configured to cause the at least one light emitting diode to emit light; wherein said deep well skylight does not comprise a heat exchanger and is not operatively connected to a heat exchanger, and wherein said deep well skylight is thermally neutral.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 Exploded Axonometric View

[0008] FIG. 2 Sectional View

[0009] FIG. 3 Exploded AxonometricRear

[0010] FIG. 4 Lens Plan and Elevations

[0011] FIG. 5 Lens Cover Details

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Special curved, dual top lenses attract light from all directions. The pseudo-elliptical lens design collects daylight, funneling and dispersing beams of light into the shaft of highly polished aluminum walls that reflect and intensify the light. The dual top lens also serves as an insulation barrier and internal lens disperses light evenly into the deep well preventing hot spots. The square design reduces loss of light rays bouncing from wall to wall. The bottom lens is a special diffuser that disperses the light evenly onto the floor. Inside is a modular LED light system for low light or night time use. The LED strips are positioned to utilize the reflective aluminum in the same manner as daylight from outside. The solar panels, located on the top lens frame, generate and store energy to be used during low light or night use when the LEDs are active.

[0013] Sunshine units are well sealed at the roof and there are no limitations on the building structure. It can be installed on any roof pitch.

[0014] The units are made of the highest quality polished aluminum and metal alloys and measure 2 feet2 feet and can be from a depth of 2 to 12 feet.

[0015] Sunshine III utilizes the newest LED/Driver technology with options of 50 or 100 watts

[0016] The unit weight 66 pounds, has a fireproof rating of B1, a lens UV protection rating of 3 and is IP 67-totally protected against dust and immersion.

[0017] There is minimum to no maintenance cost and there is easy access to all parts. Components are snap on and off for replacements. The hinged bottom lens allows for easy access to the inside unit. The unit is UL and CE certified.

1. Dual Dome Top Lenscaptures light from all angles in any weather condition while also providing thermal barrier to maintain the unit's thermal neutrality and UV protected.
2. Solar Panelscollect solar energy for the battery back-up
3. Wire(s) from solar panels to inverter
4. Wire(s) to inverterrouted within panel
5. Panelsinternal steel frame, insulation, inside exterior high polished aluminum and external standard aluminum
6. Aluminum Ledge to mount to unit roof curb/frame
7. Battery Back-upprovides energy for LED's as needed
8. Wire(s) between inverter & battery back-up
9. Inverterconverts DC to AC
10. Wire(s) between inverter & driver
11. Driverdimmable
12. LED Mountholds LED's
13. External Driver Wireto switch, timer, or photo cell system
14. LED Stripswhen natural light diminishes the system utilize LED's to replace that light and regulate LUX output to the interior.
15. Diffusing Bottom Lensprovides glare free natural light to the interior while also screening out the more harmful spectrums of sunlight.
16. Outer Lens Frameprovides support
17. Inner Strengthening Frameprovides greater support
18. Inner Channelscollects accumulated moisture
19. Weep Holesdrainage allowance
20. Top Finishing PlateAluminum outside plate which screws into the inner frames securing the lens
21. Lens GasketUsed to prevent water from entering via the lenses
22. Top Outer LensCollects light
23. Top Inner LensInsulation barrier and light diffusing lens
24. Breakout ADetail Outer lens frame
25. Breakout BDetail Upper lens gasket

Materials

Part Description Specs

[0018] Top lens frame Aluminum alloy 5052 H32, T=1.6

[0019] Top outside lens Acrylic (MISUBISHI)+UV, T=3

[0020] Top inside lens Acrylic (MISUBISHI)+UV, T=3

[0021] Top inside lens frame White PVC+UV, soft white PVC

[0022] Inside panel Single surface mirror aluminum sheet, T=0.5

[0023] Outside panel Aluminum 6063, T=0.5

[0024] Bottom lens frame Al alloy 6063

[0025] Bottom lens Acrylic (MISUBISHI)+UV, T=3, Satin or Clear Finish

[0026] Hinge (for bottom lens) Stainless steel 304, T=1

[0027] Curb plates Aluminum 5052 H32, T=1.6

[0028] Curb inside top edge border Treated Wood

[0029] Curb shoe Aluminum 5052 H32, T=1.6

[0030] Power Supply Output Voltage is 32 Vdc, Output current is 1400 mA, Output Power is 44.8 W

[0031] Input Voltage is 120 Vac to 277 Vac.

[0032] Efficiency is around 87% and both TRIAC & 0-10V dimmable.

[0033] LED Strips 4 strips, 2 feet long each, LED bulbs natural white to warm white 2700 k to 5000 k

[0034] Fasteners Exposed fasteners shall be stainless steel or zinc coated

[0035] Thermal Insulation Material Fireproof rating B1