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US4657397A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Light collector and its use for spectroscopic purposes

Assignee: OEHLER OSKAR
•
Filing: 1983-06-23
•
Granted: 1987-04-14
•
Expires: 2003-06-23
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Abstract

Abstract The device for collecting the radiation of a light source (20) within a concave mirror comprises a cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical parabolic or elliptical reflector (10'), which is covered with a curved or planar retroreflector (40) having an opening (42). The retroreflector (40) returns part of the light into the vicinity of the source (20) and brings about, due to the partial transparency of this area, that an intense, quasi-parallel light beam can be coupled out through opening (42). After passing through a monochromator element (31), this light can e.g. be supplied to a gas measuring cell (68). The optical efficiency of the device is increased by the concave mirror (57) in a shape supplementing reflector (10', 10"). The measuring signal can be determined by means of a light detector or a microphone (69). In the latter case, an acoustically decoupling gas exchange device is required, which can e.g. be realized by means of capillaries filled with the liquid (75, 75').

Inventors

  • 👤 Oskar Oehler
  • 👤 David Sourlier
  • 👤 Alexis Fries

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/1702; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J1/0407; G01J1/0422; G01J1/08; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/031; G01N21/25; G01N21/255; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3504; G02; G02B; G02B19/00; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0019; G02B19/0023; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0047; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a body influencing characteristics of irradiated light arranged between the light source and the retroreflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a body influencing characteristics of irradiated light arranged between the light source and the retroreflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical device according to claim 1 wherein the reflector is elliptical and the retroreflector is flat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical device according to claim 1 wherein the reflector is parabolic and the retroreflector is planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
An optical device according to claim 2 wherein said reflector is a rotational ellipsoid; and said light source comprises a spot about said focal point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An optical device according to claim 2 wherein said reflector is a rotational ellipsoid defined by a rotational axis; and said light source comprises a filament linear to said rotational axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
An optical device according to claim 3 wherein said reflector is part of a rotational paraboloid; and said light source comprises a spot about said focal point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
An optical device according to claim 3 wherein said reflector is part of a rotational paraboloid with a rotational axis; and said light source comprises a filament linear to said rotational axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 36 words
An optical device according to claim 2 wherein the reflector is an elliptical partial cylinder with a cylinder axis; and the light source is in a zone about a focal line linear to the cylinder axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 36 words
An optical device according to claim 3 wherein the reflector is a parabolic partial cylinder with a cylinder axis and the light source is in an area about a focal line linear to the cylinder axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
An optical device according to claim 1 wherein the reflector is one part of a rotational ellipsoid, the retroreflector being another part of the rotational ellipsoid; and the light source is a spot at a focal point of the rotational ellipsoid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 52 words
An optical device according to claim 1 wherein the reflector is part of an elliptical cylinder; the retroreflector is formed with the same elliptical curve as the reflector; and the light source is located in one area around two focal lines linear to a cylinder axis, the light source being a filament.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical device according to claim 1 wherein said light source is partially transparent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 175 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry and being part of an elliptical cylinder; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such at at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area, the retroreflector being formed with the same elliptical curve as the reflector; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening, the light source being located in one area around two focal lines linear to a cylinder axis and being a filament; and additional lateral reflectors coupled to the reflector at an angle to the cylinder axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 175 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry and being part of an elliptical cylinder; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such at at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area, the retroreflector being formed with the same elliptical curve as the reflector; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening, the light source being located in one area around two focal lines linear to a cylinder axis and being a filament; and additional lateral reflectors coupled to the reflector at an angle to the cylinder axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical device according to claim 13 wherein the lateral reflectors extend adjacent the retroreflector and define a slit therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 13 wherein the lateral reflectors are planar and orthogonal to the cylinder axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical device according to claim 13 wherein the lateral reflectors are planar and are acutely angled to the cylinder axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical device according to claim 13 wherein the additional lateral reflectors are curved.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
An optical device according to claim 17 wherein the lateral reflectors have a cylindrical-parabolic curvature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical device according to claim 18 wherein there is a continuous transitional curvature from the elliptical cylinder to the lateral reflectors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 141 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a body influencing characteristics of irradiated light arranged between the light source and the retroreflector, the retroreflector being elliptically curved.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 141 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a body influencing characteristics of irradiated light arranged between the light source and the retroreflector, the retroreflector being elliptically curved.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical device according to claim 20 wherein the light-influencing body has light-refracting properties.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical device according to claim 21 wherein the light-influencing body has light-absorbing and partially reflecting properties.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 34 words
An optical device according to claim 22 wherein the light-absorbing body is a cell filled with a measuring gas, feed lines with valves being connected to the cell to replace gas in the cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 136 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a light-influencing body located in a light beam path extending through the opening in retroreflector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 136 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave reflector having a plane of symmetry; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and defining a source area; a retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and a light-influencing body located in a light beam path extending through the opening in retroreflector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical device according to claim 24 wherein the light-influencing body has light-absorbing and partly reflecting properties.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 34 words
An optical device according to claim 25 wherein the light-influencing body is a cell filled with a measuring gas, feed lines with valves being connected to the cell to replace gas in the cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical device according to claim 25 wherein the light-influencing body has, alongside a light-absorbing medium, a device with a light-absorbing layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical device according to claim 27 wherein the light-influencing body is a gas cell and the light-absorbing medium is a gas.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 24 wherein a monochromatic element is located in the path of emitted light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical device according to claim 29 wherein said monochromatic element is an optical band pass filter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 24 wherein a light-refracting body is located in the path of emitted light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 24 wherein a light-scattering body is located in the path of emitted light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 24 wherein a light-diffracting body is located in the path of emitted light.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 160 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave parabolic reflector having a plane of symmetry and being a parabolic partial cylinder with a cylinder axis; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and in an area about a focal line linear to the cylinder axis, and defining a source area; a planar retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and additional lateral reflectors coupled to the reflector at an angle to the cylinder axis.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 160 words
An optical device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam bundle, comprising: a concave parabolic reflector having a plane of symmetry and being a parabolic partial cylinder with a cylinder axis; a light source mounted at a focal point of said reflector and in an area about a focal line linear to the cylinder axis, and defining a source area; a planar retroreflector at least partially covering a concave portion of said reflector and arranged such that at least some light beams emitted from said light source are reflected back into said source area; an opening in said retroreflector at an intersection of said plane of symmetry and said retroreflector; mounting means for supporting said light source in said reflector, said mounting means intersecting said reflector at a location spaced from a point on said reflector in said plane of symmetry and opposite said opening; and additional lateral reflectors coupled to the reflector at an angle to the cylinder axis.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 20 words
An optical device according to claim 34 wherein the lateral reflectors extend adjacent the retroreflector and define a slit therebetween.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical device according to claim 34 wherein the lateral reflectors are planar and orthogonal to the cylinder axis.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical device according to claim 34 wherein the lateral reflectors are planar and are acutely angled relative to the cylinder axis.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 14 words
An optical device according to claim 34 wherein the additional lateral reflectors are curved.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 15 words
An optical device according to claim 38 wherein the lateral reflectors have a cylindrical-elliptical curvature.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB793777A Cited
US3179898A Cited
DE2104393A1 Cited
US3745325A Cited
US3763348A Cited
US4188543A Cited
US4188542A Cited
US4557603A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-04-13 1990-10-13 1991-04-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-04-13 1994-10-13 1995-04-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-04-13 1998-10-13 1999-04-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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