EP0528645A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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High aspect ratio lighting element
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1992-08-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A lighting element (10) has a light source (11) positioned so as to provide a beam of light at a grazing angle to a light extractor (18). The extractor (18) has a plurality of linear triangular prisms (24,26,28) on the side (22) struck by the beam of light. The prisms (24,26,28) lie in a smooth arcuate curve.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. c/o Minnesota Mining & Miller
- 👤 Kenneth A. c/o Minnesota Mining & Aho
- 👤 Sanford Jr. c/o Minnesota Mining & Cobb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0013; G02B6/0015; G02B6/002; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/235; F21S43/236; F21S43/239; F21S43/242; F21S43/245; F21S43/247; F21S43/249; F21S43/26; F21V; F21V7/00; G02B6/0096; G02B6/0023; G02B6/0031; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G02B6/0045; G02B6/0046; G02B6/005; G02B6/0055; G02B6/0066; G02B6/007; G02B6/0071; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133615
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A lighting element comprising: a housing defining an optical cavity having an optical window; a light extractor for directing light out of said optical cavity through said optical window, said light extractor having a first side and a second side, said second side having a plurality of linear triangular prisms thereon, each of said prisms having first and second facets, said prisms defining a smooth arcuate curve; a light source positioned so as to provide a beam of light traveling at a grazing angle to said second surface of said extractor and approaching said extractor from a first end thereof such that said light will enter each of said prisms through said prism's first facet, be totally internally reflected by said prism's second facet and emerge from said extractor through said first side.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lighting element according to Claim 1 wherein said curve is designed to provide collimated output from said fixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lighting element according to Claim 1 wherein said curve is designed to provide uniform light output over said optical window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A lighting element according to Claim 1 further comprising a second source positioned so as to provide a beam of light traveling at a grazing angle to said second surface of said extractor and approaching said extractor from a second end thereof opposite said first end such that said light will enter each of said prisms through said prism's second facet, be totally internally reflected by said prism's first facet and emerge from said extractor through said first side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lighting element according to Claim 4 wherein said curve is designed to provide collimated output from said fixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
132 words
A lighting element according to Claim 1 wherein said light source comprises: a second light extractor for directing light toward said first light extractor, said second light extractor having a first side and a second side, said second side having a plurality of linear triangular prisms thereon, each of said prisms having first and second facets, said prisms defining a smooth arcuate curve; a light source positioned so as to provide a beam of light traveling at a grazing angle to said second surface of said second extractor and approaching said second extractor from a first end thereof such that said light will enter each of said prisms through said prism's first facet, be totally internally reflected by said prism's second facet and emerge from said second extractor through said first side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lighting element of Claim 6 wherein each of said curves is designed to provide collimated output from said fixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lighting element of Claim 6 wherein each of said curves is designed to provide uniform light output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lighting element of Claim 1 wherein said prisms form isosceles triangles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lighting element of Claim 9 wherein said prisms have included angles in the range of 59 to 79 degrees.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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