 |
SunTracker One Brings The Sun Inside
SunTracker One is an active solar lighting fixture that follows the sun to direct more of its rays inside a building. It uses the same principles as a heliostat, a device used by astronomers to direct the sun's light in a constant direction. The word 'heliostat' was coined in the mid-1700's.
(SunTracker One)
SunTracker consists of a Plexiglas acrylic dome placed on the roof; light passes through to Optix Acrylic panel mirrors with reflectivity of over 90%. A controller is used to keep the mirrors properly aligned; the motor itself is powered by capacitors that are charged by a photovoltaic cell.
According to the manufacturer, SunTracker produces up to nine times more light than a passive skylight and distributes it more evenly and over a wider area. Its illumination is equivalent to 800 watts of fluorescent lighting. In addition to saving on lighting costs, HVAC needs are also reduced due to the waste heat produced by standard electical lighting.
I'm certain that I read about similar devices in science fiction novels of the 1980's, with light gathered on the roof and then sent via fiber optics throughout the building. This system is more direct, and probably has less light loss.
The basic idea for this has been around for a while; see this interesting article on Light Tubes for similar effects. I found out about this product here.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/27/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Engineering ")
Stick-On Tape Speakers, As Predicted By Bruce Sterling
Flexible tape speakers, someday.
Has Climate Change Already Been Solved By Aliens?
'I had explained," said Nessus, "that our civilisation was dying in its own waste heat.' - Larry Niven, 1970.
Skin Electronics 3D Printed
'June's body is a tracery of lambent lines, like some arcane capillary circuitry...' - Paul Di Filippo, 1985
Super-Resolution Microscopy Provides '4D' Views
View the magnified interior of living cells.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Sleeep PRO Earplug For Maximum Rest
'Merton... placed the electrodes of the sleep-inducer on his forehead.'
Inspired By Japan, Nap Pods For Hajj
It's always a good time for a nap.
Amphibio 3D Printed Gill Shirt
'... we can descend and live down there at one of those year-round aquatic resorts.'
How Do You Put An Asteroid Into Earth Orbit? Carefully!
'...she would have to be coaxed by another series of pats into a circular orbit.'
PD Aerospace Space Plane By 2023
'The sleek, tapered space shuttle lay immobile upon the private landing field...'
Foldimate Folds Your Clothes Perfectly
Look ma, my room is clean! I can hear you now.
Robots Help People Get Dressed, As Predicted In 1931
Yes, people of the future, robots will dress you.
International Space Station Leak Plugged - With Finger
'These tag-alongs search out stray leaks.'
Robot Snake Flies, Fights Fires
Just a prototype, but still amazing.
IPAL Chinese Robot Babysitter
'But Nanny is different...'
ZKZM-500 LASER Assault Rifle
'The Iranian reached back into the locker and got a pair of laserifles.'
LA Subway Scanner, As Seen In 'Total Recall'
'I'm afraid to tell you this Mr. Quaid, but you have suffered a schizoed embolism...'
Sion Electric Car Covered With Solar Panels
'It drew its power from six square yards of sunpower screens on its low curved roof.'
PAL-V Liberty Flying Helicopter Car
'...lifted themselves to skimming flight upon whirling helicopters."
Space Drones - UK's Effective Space To Launch Rocket Tugs
'Twenty rocket tugs towed it from its Earth hangar out into space.'
DIY Autonomous Robot Detects Trash
'The search-bug detached itself and rolled forward.'
