Inset solar prism

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FIG. 1 is an elevation of the prismatic solar beam line and in combination form a step opposite the angular concentrator with the prisms shown in section. 20 wedge faces.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the inset solar prism, en I claim:

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The two angular wedge faces 10 have inner edges

INSET SOLAR PRISM which form the apex 11 of the prism. The outer edges terminate in the vicinity of the edges of the planar face

BACKGROUND and are parallel thereto.

Prior art includes the Prismatic Solar Beam Concen The apex and the centerline of the prism are inter sected by the prismatic plane.

trator, U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,879, 2/4/86, by this inventor. The prism has a series of eight graduated structural This concentrator features two prisms having the same cavities 12 defined by two opposed parallel sides 13 shape and outside dimensions as the inset solar prism but adjacent to and equidistant from the angular wedge having a solid interior. The inset solar prism has struc- 10 faces, and defined by two opposed inset faces 14 parallel tural cavities which reduce the volume and weight of to the planar face 9 and equidistant from the angular the prism by 75 percent. The inset solar prism is de wedge faces.

signed to replace the solid prisms of the prismatic solar The opposed sides 13 are opaque so as to intercept beam concentrator. The weight reduction is critical, radiation not perpendicular to the opposed faces 14. because the prismatic solar beam concentrator will be 15 The opposed sides 13 are equal in depth. mounted on the roofs of buildings. The opposed faces 14 are equal in width. DRAWENGS The upper edge of each opposed side 13 and the inner edge of each opposed face 14 terminate in a common

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the prismatic solar beam line and in combination form a step opposite the angular concentrator with the prisms shown in section. 20 wedge faces.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the inset solar prism, en I claim:

larged. 1. An inset solar prism comprising in generala hollow transparent glass prism having a planar face which re

DESCRIPTION ceives a rectangular beam and having two angular

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the prismatic solar beam 25 wedge faces which refract the beam to form two con concentrator 1. The concentrator has two equilateral centrated convergent rectangular beams, and compris double prisms 2, each with a planar face 3 and two inga inhollow particular;

transparent glass prism (8) having a planar angular wedge faces 4 of equal dimensions, and three equilateral double prisms 5, each with two angular 30 face (9) and two angular wedge faces (10) opposite wedge faces 6 of equal dimensions and two angular said planar face,

V-groove faces 7 of equal dimensions. Equilateral said planar face having two parallel edges and a cen means two equal sides. terline parallel to said edges, The planar faces 3 receive two rectangular beams of each said angular wedge face having a common inner diffused sunlight which are perpendicular to the faces 35 each edge forming an apex (11) opposite said centerline, and which are transmitted through the prisms to the said angular wedge face having an outer edge two angular wedge faces 4. The beams are refracted out parallel to said edge of said planar face and termi of the prisms by the angular wedge faces to form two nating in the vicinity thereof, concentrated convergent rectangular beams which are said prism having a prismatic plane bisecting said then refracted twice more by the three double prisms. apex and occupying said centerline, said prism having an elongate dimension of unspeci

Each prism 2 has a cross sectional area of 1900 cm2. fied length parallel to said centerline, The length of the prisms will be determined by the said prism having a series of eight structural cavities length of the roof on which the beam concentrator is (12) of graduated width defined by two opposed mounted. It is apparent that even a relatively short parallel sides (13) adjacent to and equidistant from beam concentrator of twenty or thirty feet will create a 45 said angular wedge faces, and defined by two op weight problem, and it is for this reason that the lighter posed inset faces (14) parallel to said planar face inset solar prism (475 cm2) has been designed. and equidistant from said angular wedge faces, The inset solar prism is a hollow transparent glass said opposed sides being opaque, prism 8 having a planar face 9 and two angular wedge said opposed sides being equal in depth, faces 10 opposite the planar face. The two angular 50 said opposed faces being equal in width, wedge faces are planar also. each said opposed side having an upper edge, Planar face 9 has two parallel edges and a centerline each said opposed face having an inner edge, parallel to the edges. The elongate dimension of the each said upper edge and each said inner edge termi prism parallel to the centerline is unspecified, though it nating in a common line so as to form in combina is contemplated that the unit length of the beam concen 55 tion a step.

trator will be 118 cm or 4 feet.