Light collection and distribution

Abstract

A light box is designed to receive sunlight guided through optical-fibers and to divert it through optics onto a photovoltaic chip which converts sunlight into electrical energy. The optics can be arranged as a prism or a reflective surface. The chip is not integrated with the light box.

1 . A method for collecting light at a housing adapted to receive light from a plurality of point light sources; the method comprising:
 receiving light beams from a plurality of light sources via at least one light transmissive region;   securing the light sources relative to the housing with a securing means to direct their respective beams through the light transmissive regions into the housing; and   guiding the beams into overlap at an exit region of the housing to form an illumination zone of substantially uniform intensity distribution.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising receiving the beams from the light sources at an inclined reflecting surface arranged to reflect them to the illumination zone in overlap. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  comprising reflecting the beams from the reflecting surface in overlap toward at least one microstructured diffuser at the illumination zone, wherein the microstructured diffuser is adapted to spread the received light with a substantially uniform intensity distribution over an area with a defined geometrical shape. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the securing means is configured to secure the light sources in one or more arrays. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  comprising receiving the beams from two sets of light sources secured at opposite walls of the housing at two inclined reflecting surfaces that reflect them in overlap to the illumination zone. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the angle of the inclined reflective surface with respect to the horizontal lower surface of the housing is 30° to 60°, optionally 45°. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising receiving the light beams from terminal ends of optical fibers. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising receiving the light beams from light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising directing the light of uniform intensity and defined geometrical shape exiting the microstructured diffuser at a photovoltaic component of the same geometrical shape