Daniel L Colbert

US Patent:

20070146624, Jun 28, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/615684

Inventors:

Dwight Duston - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Joshua Haddock - Roanoke VA, US
William Kokonaski - Gig Harbor WA, US
Ronald Blum - Roanoke VA, US
Steven Parry - Goleta CA, US
Daniel Colbert - Santa Barbara CA, US

Assignee:

SolBeam, Inc. - Laguna Niguel CA

International Classification:

G02F 1/13

US Classification:

349193000

Abstract:

Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism is operable to provide controllable steering of solar rays. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode, a reference electrode and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and reference electrodes. In one implementation, the first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes positioned on a first substrate and the reference electrode is positioned on a second substrate. Such implementation can include that when separately controllable voltages are provided to at least some of the linear electrodes, a gradient electric field is provided within the electro-optic material to cause the electro-optic material to have a refractive index gradient. The refractive index gradient can be controlled by varying the magnitude of the separately controllable voltages provided to at least some of the linear electrodes.

US Patent:

20070146910, Jun 28, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/615715

Inventors:

Dwight Duston - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Joshua Haddock - Roanoke VA, US
William Kokonaski - Gig Harbor WA, US
Ronald Blum - Roanoke VA, US
Daniel Colbert - Santa Barbara CA, US

Assignee:

SolBeam, Inc. - Laguna Niguel CA

International Classification:

G02B 5/04

US Classification:

359834000

Abstract:

Techniques and assemblies for steering light rays are described. An electro-optic prism is operable to provide controllable steering of light rays. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode including multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes on a first substrate and a reference electrode on a second substrate. An electro-optic material is positioned between the first electrode and the reference electrode. When separately controllable voltages are provided to at least some of the linear electrodes, a gradient electric field is provided within the electro-optic material to cause the electro-optic material to have a refractive index gradient. The refractive index gradient can be controlled by varying the magnitude of the separately controllable voltages provided to at least some of the linear electrodes. Some implementations include using the electro-optic prism together with a static prism and/or physically adjusting a position of the electro-optic prism and a light focusing element in optical communication therewith.

US Patent:

20070153227, Jul 5, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/615782

Inventors:

Dwight Duston - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Joshua Haddock - Roanoke VA, US
William Kokonaski - Gig Harbor WA, US
Ronald Blum - Roanoke VA, US
Daniel Colbert - Santa Barbara CA, US

Assignee:

SolBeam, Inc. - Laguna Niguel CA

International Classification:

G02F 1/13

US Classification:

349202000

Abstract:

Techniques and assemblies for light ray steering are described. A method for directing light rays includes steering the light rays using a static prism and controllably steering the light rays using an electro-optic prism, such that the combination of the light ray steerings from the static prism and the electro-optic prism substantially steer the light rays to impinge on a light focusing element at a predetermined angle. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode positioned on a first substrate, a second electrode positioned on a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes. Applying multiple voltages to some or all of the multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes generates a refractive index gradient across the electro-optic prism. The direction of solar rays exiting the electro-optic prism is controllable by controlling the refractive index gradient. The method further includes receiving the light rays at the light focusing element and focusing the light rays, after the light rays have passed through the static prism and the electro-optic prism.

US Patent:

20070157924, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/615691

Inventors:

Dwight Duston - Laguna Niguel CA, US
Joshua Haddock - Roanoke VA, US
William Kokonaski - Gig Harbor WA, US
Ronald Blum - Roanoke VA, US
Daniel Colbert - Santa Barbara CA, US

Assignee:

SolBeam, Inc. - Laguna Niguel CA

International Classification:

F24J 2/00

US Classification:

126714000

Abstract:

Techniques and assemblies for light ray steering are described. A method includes receiving solar rays onto a surface of an electro-optic prism. The electro-optic prism includes a first electrode positioned on a first substrate, a second electrode positioned on a second substrate, and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes multiple substantially parallel linear electrodes. The method further includes applying multiple voltages to some or all of the substantially parallel linear electrodes to generate a refractive index gradient across the electro-optic prism. The method further includes controlling the refractive index gradient so that the solar rays exit the electro-optic prism in a direction substantially normal to a light focusing element, and utilizing the light focusing element to focus the solar rays on a solar energy collector.