Light recapturing system and method

Abstract

A system for recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting that light into electrical current which can be used to power the same light source or other devices. An exemplary embodiment may use photovoltaic cells to recapture light from ceiling lights and convert it into a source of power for the ceiling light. Another embodiment may be a tanning bed that recaptures light using photovoltaic cells. Some embodiments may recapture light from multiple lighting fixtures. An exemplary embodiment may include a computer and battery for storing energy produced by the photovoltaic cells. Another exemplary embodiment is a method of recapturing light emitted by a light source and converting the light into energy which can be used to power electrical activities.

1 . A system for recapturing a portion of the light produced by a light source, comprising:
 a power source;   a light source in electrical communication with said power source, said electrical light source adapted to emit light;   a photovoltaic cell array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, said photovoltaic cell array adapted to convert light into an electrical current, and   a conducting member capable of conducting the electrical current from the photovoltaic cell array to said light source,   wherein the overall energy used by the electrical light source from the power source is reduced.   
   
   
       2 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  wherein said light source is a fluorescent light bulb. 
   
   
       3 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  wherein said photovoltaic cell array forms a portion of a housing for said light source. 
   
   
       4 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  wherein said photovoltaic cell array forms a housing for said light source in its entirety. 
   
   
       5 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  wherein said photovoltaic cell array is positioned to receive light from said light source and one or more additional light sources. 
   
   
       6 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a computer in communication with said power source, and   a battery electrically connected to said photovoltaic cell array,   wherein said computer is able to dictate the transport of electrical current produced b y said photovoltaic cell array to said battery for energy storage.   
   
   
       7 . The light recapturing system of  claim 6  wherein said light source, said photovoltaic cell array, and said conducting member are in association with a tanning bed. 
   
   
       8 . The light recapturing system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said light source is a coiled tube, and   said photovoltaic cell array is of a tubular form that is capable of being located within said coiled tube.   
   
   
       9 . A system for recapturing light expelled from a light source, comprising:
 a power source;   an electrical light source in electrical communication with said power source, said electrical light source adapted to project light in a first direction where the light is needed and a second direction where the light is not needed;   a photovoltaic cell array that is strategically positioned with respect to said electrical light source so as not to interfere with projection of light in said first direction while simultaneously capturing light from said light source cast in said second direction; and   a conducting member capable of conducting electrical current from said photovoltaic cell array.   
   
   
       10 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said electrical light source is a fluorescent light bulb.   
   
   
       11 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said photovoltaic cell array forms a portion of a housing for said electrical light source.   
   
   
       12 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said photovoltaic cell array forms an entire housing for said electrical light source in its entirety.   
   
   
       13 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said photovoltaic cell array is positioned to receive light from the electrical light source and one or more additional light source.   
   
   
       14 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a computer in communication with said photovoltaic cell array;   a battery electrically connected to said photovoltaic cell array,   wherein said computer is able to dictate the transport of electrical current produced by said photovoltaic cell array to said battery for energy storage.   
   
   
       15 . The light recapturing system of  claim 14  wherein:
 said electrical light source, said photovoltaic cell array, and said conducting member are in association with a tanning bed.   
   
   
       16 . The light recapturing system of  claim 9  wherein:
 said electrical light source is a coiled tube; and   said photovoltaic cell array is of a tubular form that is capable of being located within said coiled tube.   
   
   
       17 . A method for recapturing a portion of the light expelled from an electrical light source, comprising:
 introducing at least one electrical light source to an electrical current produced by a power source;   exposing at least one photovoltaic cell to light, and   electrically connecting the at least one photovoltaic cell to said at least one electrical light source so that electrical current produced by the photovoltaic cell may be utilized by the at least one electrical light source or another energy expenditure.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 placing said at least one photovoltaic cell in sufficient proximity to said at least one electrical light source such that it may be exposed to the light produced by said at least one electrical light source.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 housing said at least one electrical light source in a structure that is at least partially comprised of said at least one photovoltaic cell.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 housing said at least one electrical light source in a structure that is entirely comprised of a photovoltaic cell array comprising said at least one photovoltaic cell.