• KIEAE Journal
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2003

Scale model measurements should be conducted under an actual sky or in a simulated sky where conditions can be held constant. A number of successful attempts have been made to develop artificial sky domes with man-made sun emulators. With reference to formerly-developed examples, sky simulator facility has recently been activated in oder to provide desirable sky conditions for teaching and studies. The structure is a 6m-diameter dome and promises to set various condition for energy related and lighting research activities. The sky dome is also equipped a heliodon, the tilt table, to facilitate additive direct sun impact under clear skies. Shading studies, using scale models with the heliodon, reveal how a building's design blocks or permits light's passage to the interior; solar access studies, and tests of the reflection and transmittance characteristics of new daylighting technologies. The design and construction specification and the initial operating experience with a building configuration are reported.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 2004

Architects may evaluate building models to see how a building will shadow itself and its neighbors at various times. A heliodon, a tilt-table which is a machine that imitates the rotation and orbit of the Earth, helps architects wanting to analyze patterns of shadow patch, passive solar heating options, site solar panels, or control solar heat gain. The heliodon swivels in three directions for setting latitude, season, and time of day. Using the device, an architect first clamps a model to the tabletop, then turns the table to the coordinates of interest. Usually, the winter and summer solstices receive strong attention, for they represent extreme cases, A more recent installation at a university adds to its heliodon a set of lamps to recreate the illumination level and more accurate patterns of shadow patch. The table holds the building model at various angles to a spotlight, which mounts in the pole. The set of scale model measurement describes the validity of various electric lamps as an artificial sun to approximate the sun's parallel rays, helping designers to distinguish between illuminated areas in and around a building and those regions falling in the shadows.