Variable apex angle prism

Abstract

A prism having a variable apex angle is described. The prism has a variable volume and an apex angle of the prism varies based on variations in the volume of the prism.

1 . An assembly comprising a prism having a variable volume, wherein an apex angle of the prism varies based on variations in the variable volume of the prism.  
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 (i) the prism is positioned to receive solar rays; and    (ii) the apex angle of the prism is controllably varied based on a position of the sun relative to the prism.    
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the prism comprises an expandable cavity configured to contain a fluid, wherein varying a volume of fluid contained in the cavity varies the volume of the prism to vary the apex angle of the prism.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , where the prism comprises: 
 (a) a first transparent plate;    (b) a second transparent plate connected to the first transparent plate with a pivotal connector, wherein the second transparent plate is pivotable relative to the first transparent plate; and    (c) an expandable member connected to both the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate thereby forming a prism cavity, wherein the expandable member can expand and contract in response to the second transparent plate pivoting relative to the first transparent plate such that the variable volume of the prism is variable.    
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a reservoir including a fluid in fluid communication with the prism cavity.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a fluid-movement mechanism configured to move the fluid out of the reservoir and into the prism cavity and out of the prism cavity and into the reservoir; wherein 
 (i) when fluid is moved into the prism cavity, the second transparent plate is operable to pivot away from the first transparent plate and the prism cavity is operable to increase in volume,    (ii) when fluid is moved out of the prism cavity, the second transparent plate is operable to pivot toward the first transparent plate and the prism cavity is operable to decrease in volume, and    (iii) an apex angle of the prism varies as the second transparent plate pivots relative to the first transparent plate.    
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (a) a first electrode formed on a first surface of the prism; and    (b) a second electrode formed on a second surface of the prism, wherein 
 (i) the first surface and the second surface pivot relative to one another when the volume varies,  
 (ii) the fluid comprises an electro-optic material, and  
 (iii) the prism is operable to provide a prismatic power, wherein said prismatic power can be varied when an electric potential is provided across the first and second electrodes generating an internal electric field in the electro-optic material and providing a dynamic refractive index of the electro-optic material.  
   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the electro-optic material comprises a liquid crystal material.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 (i) the first electrode comprises a plurality of substantially parallel linear electrodes; and    (ii) separately controllable voltages are provided to at least some of the linear electrodes providing a controllable refractive index gradient in the electro-optic material.    
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes comprise substantially planar contiguous electrodes.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element is arranged in optical communication with the prism and positioned to receive and concentrate light rays after having passed through the prism.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the light focusing element comprises a Fresnel lens.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a photovoltaic device in optical communication with the light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element concentrates the light rays toward the photovoltaic device.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element is arranged in optical communication with the prism and positioned to receive and concentrate light rays after having passed through the prism.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the light focusing element comprises a Fresnel lens.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a photovoltaic device in optical communication with the light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element concentrates the light rays toward the photovoltaic device.  
     
     
         17 . An assembly comprising: 
 (a) a prism positioned to directly or indirectly receive light rays, wherein the prism comprises 
 (i) a first side,  
 (ii) a second side connected to the first side with a pivotal connector,  
   wherein the second side can pivot relative to the first side, 
 (iii) a third side connected to both the first side and the second side thereby forming a prism cavity, wherein the third side can expand and contract in response to the second side pivoting relative to the first side such that a volume of the prism cavity is variable;  
   (b) a reservoir including a fluid, where the reservoir is in fluid communication with the prism cavity; and    (c) a fluid-movement mechanism configured to move the fluid out of the reservoir and into the prism cavity and out of the prism cavity and into the reservoir; wherein 
 (i) when fluid is moved into the prism cavity the second side is operable to pivot away from the first side and the prism cavity is operable to increase in volume,  
 (ii) when fluid is moved out of the prism cavity the second side is operable to pivot toward the first side and the prism cavity is operable to decrease in volume, and  
 (iii) an apex angle of the prism varies as the second side pivots relative to the first side.  
   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid-movement mechanism is configured to controllably move the fluid out of the reservoir and into the prism cavity and out of the prism cavity and into the reservoir based on an angle of incidence of the light rays on the prism.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 (i) the light rays are solar rays; and    (ii) the fluid-movement mechanism is configured to controllably move the fluid out of the reservoir and into the prism cavity and out of the prism cavity and into the reservoir based on a position of the sun relative to the prism.    
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element is arranged in optical communication with the prism and positioned to receive and concentrate the solar rays after having passed through the prism.  
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a photovoltaic device in optical communication with the light focusing element, wherein the light focusing element concentrates the light rays toward the photovoltaic device.  
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising an expandable bladder included within the prism cavity, wherein the fluid is contained within the bladder.