Daylight collection systems and methods

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A daylighting apparatus configured to direct natural daylight into an interior of a building, the apparatus comprising:
 an at least partially transparent light-collecting assembly comprising a substantially vertical sidewall portion and a horizontal collector base aperture;   a reflector positioned and configured to reflect natural daylight towards the substantially vertical sidewall portion; and   a light turning assembly positioned and configured to turn light transmitted through the at least partially transparent light-collecting assembly towards the collector base aperture;   wherein the daylighting apparatus is configured to provide natural illumination to the interior of the building when the daylighting apparatus is installed on a roof of the building and when the daylighting aperture is aligned with an opening formed in a roof of the building.