Skylight

Abstract

An improved skylight is described that includes a plurality of compound parabolic concentrator like structures into the functional layers of the skylight to provide more visual light transmittance with less solar heat gain—more light with less heat—to wider areas of building interiors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skylight to provide daylighting to building interiors
 including one or more layers,   each layer comprising a panel or plurality of panels,   said panels including a plurality of optical structures which deflect and transmit light through total internal reflection on curved interfaces, examples of such optical structures including compound parabolic concentrators   whereby incident sunlight is substantially directed in a divergent beam distributed towards the building floor.   
     
     
         2 . The skylight of  claim 1  with said panels being disposed into a polyhedral, hemispherical, parabolic, paraboloidal, pyramid, dome or other similar shape 
     
     
         3 . The skylight of  claim 1  with said panels comprised of transparent materials including plastics with examples including acrylic, poly methyl metha acrylate, polycarbonate or glasses including tempered low-iron glass. 
     
     
         4 . The skylight of  claim 1  with the said optical structures having lateral cross-section with a polygonal pattern, examples including hexagonal or honeycomb-like, said pattern chosen for a more complete tiling or coverage of the surfaces of the said panels. 
     
     
         5 . The skylight of  claim 1  comprising at least two layers including an outer layer located toward the building exterior and an inner layer located toward the building interior,
 means provided for adjustable venting to building exterior of heated air between the said layers or from proximity of building envelope whereby solar heat gain to building interior becomes adjustable. 
 
     
     
         6 . The skylight of  claim 1  with said panels provided with surface texturing or roughening whereby the diffusion and distribution of light into the building interior is maximized. 
     
     
         7 . The skylight of  claim 1  including means of thermal insulation provided to one or more surfaces not directly facing the sun whereby solar heat gain to building interior is minimized. 
     
     
         8 . The skylight of  claim 1  including structural or supporting members for said panels comprising one or more said layers whereby fall protection is provided.