THE PLYLIGHT SOLAR HYBRID SYSTEM:

Our patented Solar Hybrid Lighting System distributes sunlight and artificial light singly or in combination through one light distribution system.  It can track the sun at any time and any where and deliver fully collimated and concentrated sunlight into a space.  It uses the sunlight directly – there are no photovoltaic conversion costs or losses.

THE FOUR BASIC COMPONENTS:

• The sunlight collector / concentrator is used for collecting, concentrating, and re-collimating sunlight.
• The collector is comprised of a large concave parabolic reflector (110) and a large convex parabolic reflector (120) that share a common focal point. Collimated sunlight (S) that strikes reflector (110) is reflected towards its focal point. This light is intercepted by reflector (120) which re-collimates this concentrated light and reflects it downward through the center of reflector (110).

• The sunlight concentrator is connected to two elbows (70 and 80) each comprising a mirror set 45 degrees to the collimated beam of light. These elbows rotate about axis A-A and B-B.
• The combined effect of the rotation of the elbows permits the sunlight concentrator to track the sun through any position in the sky while always directing concentrated and collimated sunlight down tube (89).

• This box allows for the blending of sunlight and artificial light which then can be distributed through one light distribution system.
• The light blender box consists of a 50-50 beam splitter (90). This is positioned at 45 degrees to the incoming sunlight and an artificial light source (95).  Note: the beam of sunlight and the beam of artificial light start by being perpendicular to each other.
• The beam splitter (90) allows 50% of the sunlight to pass through it and the other 50% to be reflected. The same is true for the light from the artificial light source (95).
• A mirror (92) completes the box turning the 50% of the direct sunlight and the 50% of the reflected artificial light into a second light distribution tube (93).

• The light from the blender box is directed or reflected into two light distribution tubes (LDTs) (91 and 93) for distribution in a space.
• It should be noted that in addition to LDTs for the distribution of this hybrid light, a tubeless system using a diffuser located immediately before the Light Blender Box (just for sunlight distribution), or immediately after this box for hybrid light distribution can be employed.