Rotating Sunlight Beam Distribution for Fractional Lighting Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems are inefficient in energy consumption due to their design during a time when energy was cheap, and there is a need for a solution to reduce energy usage, especially with the increasing scarcity and cost of energy-producing fuels.
Innovation Solution
A solar-energy lighting system that uses a rotating coherent light beam, combining solar and man-made light sources, with a solar collector mounted on rooftops and a man-made light collector below, employing an altazimuth telescope-type mount to gather and direct sunlight into a focused beam, which can be supplemented by a backup man-made light source, utilizing Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) controlled motors for precise tracking and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional lighting systems are used, then lighting coverage is continuous, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a rotating beam of light that sweeps across multiple lighting zones in sequence rather than illuminating all zones simultaneously. The beam rotates periodically to cover different areas, creating the perception of continuous lighting through persistence of vision while actually consuming energy only during the rotation cycle, thereby significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
2Productivity
If a rotating light beam is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but lighting continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by rotating the light beam at a sufficient speed that creates the visual perception of continuous illumination through persistence of vision. The rotation speed is optimized so that human eyes cannot detect the intermittent nature of the light, making the periodic action appear continuous while still achieving energy savings by not illuminating all areas simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If solar collectors are used to gather sunlight, then renewable energy utilization improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the solar collector system with an alt-azimuth mount that can track the sun's movement across the sky, allowing the same apparatus to gather sunlight effectively at different times of day and seasons. This multi-functional capability enables the system to adapt to varying solar positions without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby improving renewable energy utilization while managing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces energy consumption by maintaining a consistent light source through persistence of vision, allowing for fractional use of energy, thereby lowering costs and improving efficiency, and can be adapted for various lighting applications with flexible design options.
Implementation Method 1
The solar-collector would be typically manufactured with the altazimuth telescope-type mount... The solar-collector will gather the sunlight and compound it into a smaller beam, and direct the said smaller beam downward
Implementation Method 2
Some filtering of the lights may be necessary, which can be easily accomplished with various existing filters and prisms
Implementation Method 3
The system reduces energy consumption by providing a constant and efficient lighting solution through persistence of vision
Data Source
AI summary
The Sun, a giant laser, being 93 million miles from Earth, is the greatest point-source light in existence. The light-rays emanating from the Sun as photons traveling 93 million miles in distance, is a nearly-perfectly collimated light form. The intent of this invention is to capture those highly collimated light-ray photons and gently redirect them in several directions, while greatly compounding them, and keeping them in a highly parallel form to be delivered to the final destination. This invention is supported by a second source light, in which the Sun's location is replaced by the HID element in a newly invented form for capturing and compounding the light-rays. Compounding for both sources can be as great as desired.