Light redirecting structure

Abstract

A generally plano rectangular louvers are capable of being ganged in a stacked tiltable array to enhance light re-direction when titled to follow the solar elevation. Combinations of features and optical characteristic avoid optical artifacts and enhance efficiency of light utilization and manufacturing. Different louvers can be combined in alternative ways in such arrays. Light directly louvers, films, sheets and panels deploy a grooves that re-direct exterior sunlight for deeper penetration into rooms and building interiors. Absorbing structure are combined with films or panel that while reducing total interior illumination, reduce the potential for annoying glare at low solar elevations

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A light redirecting film or sheet comprising:
 a) a front surface having a plurality of spaced apart grooves to provide for total internal reflection of incident light,   b) a rear surface opposite the front surface,   c) a plurality of uniformly spaced apart regions for absorbing a portion of light re-directed by total internal reflection at the front surface,   d) wherein the uniformly spaced apart regions are opaque elements and provide an overall internal attenuation of incident light of about 10% to about 40%.   
     
     
         2 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are spaced apart by about 1-10 mm. 
     
     
         3 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 2  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are spaced apart by about 2-8 mm. 
     
     
         4 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 3  wherein the uniformly spaced apart regions are round dots that are spaced apart by about 3-7 mm. 
     
     
         5 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are round dots disposed in columnar arrays. 
     
     
         6 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are round dots disposed in columnar arrays with an offset of adjacent columns. 
     
     
         7 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are round dots having a diameter of between about 0.5 to 3 mm. 
     
     
         8 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 2  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements have a grey appearance. 
     
     
         9 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are disposed on the front surface. 
     
     
         10 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are disposed on the rear surface. 
     
     
         11 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 9  further comprising a continuous layer of an adhesive film that is disposed on the first surface of the light redirecting film or sheet. 
     
     
         12 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 10  further comprising a continuous layer of an adhesive film that is disposed on the first surface of the light redirecting film or sheet. 
     
     
         13 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 9  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque elements are disposed on the front surface are an adhesive material for attaching the light directing film or sheet to a glazing panel. 
     
     
         14 ) The light redirecting film or sheet according to  claim 1  wherein the grooves are spaced apart by at least about 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         15 ) A window comprising:
 a) a planar transparent glazing panel having a front surface and a rear surface disposed opposite the front surface,   b) a light redirecting film or sheet having;
 i) a first surface having a plurality of spaced apart grooves to provide for total internal reflection of incident light, 
 ii) a second surface opposite the first surface, 
 iii) a plurality of uniformly spaced apart regions for absorbing a portion of light incident on the front surface of the glazing panel before exiting the second surface of the light redirecting film or sheet, 
 iv) wherein the light redirecting film or sheet is attached in a planar lamination with the planar transparent glazing panel and the uniformly spaced apart regions are opaque and provide an internal attenuation of incident light of about 10% to about 40%. 
   
     
     
         16 ) The window according to  claim 15  wherein the first surface of the light redirecting film or sheet is attached to the rear surface of the planar transparent glazing panel and the uniformly spaced apart regions are disposed on the second surface of the light redirecting film or sheet. 
     
     
         17 ) The window according to  claim 15  wherein the uniformly spaced apart regions are disposed on the first surface of the light redirecting film or sheet to provide adhesive attachment of the first surface of the light redirecting film or sheet to the rear surface of the planar transparent glazing panel. 
     
     
         18 ) The window according to  claim 15  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque regions are spaced apart by about 1-10 mm. 
     
     
         19 ) The window according to  claim 15  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque regions are spaced apart by about 2-8 mm. 
     
     
         20 ) The window according to  claim 15  wherein the uniformly spaced apart opaque