GB2452527A - Optical panel - Google Patents

Optical panel Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2452527A
GB2452527A GB0717350A GB0717350A GB2452527A GB 2452527 A GB2452527 A GB 2452527A GB 0717350 A GB0717350 A GB 0717350A GB 0717350 A GB0717350 A GB 0717350A GB 2452527 A GB2452527 A GB 2452527A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
mass
optical
panel
particles
optical panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0717350A
Other versions
GB0717350D0 (en
Inventor
Alan Parker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Beadlight Ltd
Original Assignee
Beadlight Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Beadlight Ltd filed Critical Beadlight Ltd
Priority to GB0717350A priority Critical patent/GB2452527A/en
Publication of GB0717350D0 publication Critical patent/GB0717350D0/en
Publication of GB2452527A publication Critical patent/GB2452527A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
    • F21V5/002—Refractors for light sources using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V3/00—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B5/00—Floors; Floor construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted therefor
    • E04B5/46—Special adaptation of floors for transmission of light, e.g. by inserts of glass
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
    • E04B9/32—Translucent ceilings, i.e. permitting both the transmission and diffusion of light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • F21V31/04—Provision of filling media
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/02—Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
    • G02B5/0205—Diffusing elements; Afocal elements characterised by the diffusing properties
    • G02B5/0236—Diffusing elements; Afocal elements characterised by the diffusing properties the diffusion taking place within the volume of the element
    • G02B5/0242—Diffusing elements; Afocal elements characterised by the diffusing properties the diffusion taking place within the volume of the element by means of dispersed particles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/006—General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/20—Filters

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

An optical panel 11 comprises a plenum chamber 18 containing a mass of discrete optical particles M that are pressurised. The particle sizes can be uniform or vary. The pressurisation can be generated by loading imposed on the mass by the containment or, if the chamber is not completely filled thus defining a free surface, arise from the weight of the particles in the mass. The plenum walls 12-17 may be an acrylic material and the particles may be glass. The optical panel can be used to diffuse light for illumination with lights mounted along its edges, as a display panel, and may be part of a load bearing structure such as a floor or wall.

Description

[1] 2452527
OPTICAL PANEL
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an optical panel. In particular it is concerned with the provision of an optical panel which serves to diffuse light radiation passing from one side of the panel to a viewable side of the panel so that the viewable side discloses a uniformly diffused light output. This light output can be of light in the visible and/or in the near visible spectrum
BACKGROUND ART
Modem sources of light are available which, while being physically small, provide a powerful light output to an extent that direct viewing of the light source can lead to discomfort. In our Patent GB 2,392,488 there is disclosed an illuminating device comprising a body member surrounding one or more sources of light aligned on a longitudinal axis of the member. The body member has one or more transparent regions through which light from each source passes. The device includes optical particles tying between the light sources and the insides of the transparent regions.
The optical particles serve to diffuse the light in order to overcome dazzle.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an optical panel comprising a containment bounding a plenum; a mass of discrete optical particles contained within the plenum; the particle mass being subject to pressurisation.
According to a first preferred version of the first aspect of the present sizes of the particles in the mass vary in accordance with a predetermined spectrum of particle sizes. [2]
According to a second preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the pressurisation is generated by loading imposed on the mass by way of the containment.
According to a third preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the mass serves to define a free surface within the plenum and the pressurisation arises from the weight of the particles in the mass.
According to a second aspect of the present invention an optical panel according to the first aspect or any preferred version thereof adapted to serve as, or for incorporation in, a load bearing structure.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a display unit made up of two or more optical panels according to the first aspect or of any preferred version thereof.
According to a first preferred version of the third aspect of the present invention there is provided a display unit adapted to serve as, or for incorporation in, a load bearing structure.
Among other aspects the present invention provides an optical panel which can serve as a wall, floor or ceiling unit which allows light to pass through from natural or powered sources. Typically when used as part of a floor the unit readily supports the weight of a passer-by.
BRIEF DEscRIFrIoN OF DRAWINGS An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view; and Figure 2 is a section on section lI-Il of Figure 1. [3J
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Optical panel 11 is a rigid structure made up of front panel 12, rear panel 13, side panels 14, 15 and end panels 16,17. The panels 12 -17 are made of an acrylic material.
The panels enclose a plenum chamber 18 which, in this embodiment, is completely filled with a mass M of glass optical particles which vary in size between and The spectrum of the sizes depends on the optical effect required. The end panel 16 is removed prior to filling and the optical particles poured in to create the mass M. The end panel 16 is then replaced and driven into the mass M so as to pressurise the mass M. The end panel is then secured in place by threaded pins on axis in such a way as to cause the panels to maintain pressure on the mass M. By pressurising in this way the optical properties of the mass are maintained which in this case ensures uniform diffusion of light through the panel 11.
In the present embodiment the optical particles making up the mass M are of clear glass. In alternative embodiments other transparent material can be used of glass or of plastics material or combinations of these. In addition some or all of the particles can be coloured.
The panels 12-17 are made up of a material or materials, and fabricated in such a way to be strong enough for the panel 11 to be incorporated in a load bearing structure such as a floor or wall. In this embodiment the panel 11 is of rectangular form and section. However a panel according to the present invention can be formed in any shape to enclose a plenum chamber. A panel can provide for varying local thicknesses of mass on different localities within the panel.
The panel 11 can be used in a display context, such as a wall panel, either on its own or in combination with one or more other panels of a similar type and can include an illumination function. If required the, or each, panel can have a light or lights mounted on one side or along the edges so as to show a uniformly diffused light to a viewer from the other side or edges. [4J
In alternative embodiment containment similar to that described in connection with the figures and having a comparable plenum chamber which the mass of optical particles does not wholly fill but leaves a free surface of the particles. The weight of the mass of optical particles acts to pressurise the mass particularly in its lower region.
This can be particularly useful in the case of containments of large size.
While the embodiments of the present invention are particularly applicable to diffusion of light in the visible spectrum the invention is not limited to such light.
Typically it can be used in relation to an application requiring diffusion of radiation in the near visible spectrum such as infra-red or ultra-violet. In such an application the near visible radiation having been passed through the optical panel could be used to illuminate a material with which the radiation interacts to give a visible effect.
INDUSrRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention provides an optical panel of distinctive appearance which can be used in a variety of applications including decoration, display, structural, illumination or signal display or combinations of any of these. The panel can also be made of sufficient strength to act as a load bearing component. [51

Claims (8)

1 An optical panel comprising a containment bounding a plenum; a mass of discrete optical particles contained within the plenum; the particle mass being subject to pressurisation.
2 An optical panel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sizes of the particles in the mass vary in accordance with a predetermined spectrum of particle sizes.
3 An optical panel as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pressurisation is generated by loading imposed on the mass by way of the containment.
4 An optical panel as claimed in Claim I wherein the mass serves to define a free surface within the plenum and the pressurisation arises from the weight of the particles in the mass.
An optical panel as claimed in any preceding claim adapted to serve as, or for incorporation in, a load bearing structure.
6 An optical panel as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
7 A display unit made up of two or more optical panels as claimed in any preceding claim.
8 A display unit as claimed in Claim 7 adapted to serve as, or for incorporation in, a load bearing structure.
GB0717350A 2007-09-07 2007-09-07 Optical panel Withdrawn GB2452527A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0717350A GB2452527A (en) 2007-09-07 2007-09-07 Optical panel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0717350A GB2452527A (en) 2007-09-07 2007-09-07 Optical panel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0717350D0 GB0717350D0 (en) 2007-10-17
GB2452527A true GB2452527A (en) 2009-03-11

Family

ID=38640351

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0717350A Withdrawn GB2452527A (en) 2007-09-07 2007-09-07 Optical panel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2452527A (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4675575A (en) * 1984-07-13 1987-06-23 E & G Enterprises Light-emitting diode assemblies and systems therefore
US4929021A (en) * 1988-11-14 1990-05-29 Designs For Leisure, Ltd. Ornament displaying furniture
EP0658655A1 (en) * 1993-12-15 1995-06-21 Michel Niezen Illuminated means
US6336735B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-01-08 Mie Enterprises, Inc. Ornamental lighting device simulating a desired shape
GB2418011A (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-15 Telectra Ltd An illumination or display device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4675575A (en) * 1984-07-13 1987-06-23 E & G Enterprises Light-emitting diode assemblies and systems therefore
US4929021A (en) * 1988-11-14 1990-05-29 Designs For Leisure, Ltd. Ornament displaying furniture
EP0658655A1 (en) * 1993-12-15 1995-06-21 Michel Niezen Illuminated means
US6336735B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-01-08 Mie Enterprises, Inc. Ornamental lighting device simulating a desired shape
GB2418011A (en) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-15 Telectra Ltd An illumination or display device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0717350D0 (en) 2007-10-17

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)