US4789989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar simulator employing flexible-optics
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1987-09-25
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2007-09-25
Abstract
Abstract The solar simulator of the invention comprises a source of high intensity light simulating as closely as possible the spectral radiance of the sun directed through a flexible optic light guide into a chamber and pressure sealed through a chamber wall where this light is then directed on to a test specimen in a column or otherwise. The high intensity light is provided by one or more illuminating sources which can be positioned at the distal end or ends of the fiber optics or embedded within a fiber or liquid optic core.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore G. Stern
- 👤 Mickey Cornwall
- 👤 Donald A. Nirschl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:13
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/006; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206; G02B6/4298; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An improved efficiency solar simulator system for substantially simulating the spectral radiance of the sun comprising: a high intensity light source producing substantially the spectral radiance of the sun; source optics for concentrating the high intensity light from the source into a narrow concentrated beam of light; a vacuum chamber having confining walls positioned remote from said high intensity light source; a test specimen positioned within said vacuum chamber; an elongated flexible illumination guide means for guiding said narrow concentrated beam of light from said source optics through an opening in said confining wall of said vacuum chamber and forming a pressure tight seal with said opening, and means positioned within said vacuum chamber for expanding said narrow concentrated beam of light to illuminate said test specimen therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An improved efficiency solar simulator system for substantially simulating the spectral radiance of the sun comprising: a high intensity light source producing substantially the spectral radiance of the sun; source optics for concentrating the high intensity light from the source into a narrow concentrated beam of light; a vacuum chamber having confining walls positioned remote from said high intensity light source; a test specimen positioned within said vacuum chamber; an elongated flexible illumination guide means for guiding said narrow concentrated beam of light from said source optics through an opening in said confining wall of said vacuum chamber and forming a pressure tight seal with said opening, and means positioned within said vacuum chamber for expanding said narrow concentrated beam of light to illuminate said test specimen therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source is at least one high intensity xenon light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source comprises a plurality of xenon light sources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said source optics comprise at least one elliptical or parabolic reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated flexible illumination guide has said high intensity light source positioned in series therewith intermediate it ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said source optics comprises said elongated flexible illumination guide and said high intensity light source is embedded therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source comprises a plurality of high intensity lights and said elongated flexible illumination guide comprising first input ends equal in number to said plurality of high intensity lights, a single output end and a transition means intermediate said first input ends and said single output end connecting said first input ends to said output end whereby the concentrated light from each of said first input ends being further concentrated into said single output end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said high intensity light source is a single high intensity light and said illumination guide means comprises a plurality of first input ends all of which concentrate high intensity light, a single output end and a transition means positioned is series therebetween whereby the concentrated light from each of said input ends being further concentrated into said single end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated illumination guide means comprises fiber optics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fiber optics are formed from fused silica cores with silica cadding and have a numerical aperture of about 0.2.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated illumination guide means comprises a rigid clad rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated illumination guide means comprises a liquid optics medium confined within a flexible tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein the core of said flexible light guide is a silicone fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said illumination guide means includes an output end and said improved efficiency solar simulator system additionally comprising a light collimator positioned adjacent to said output end of said illumination guide means for collimating the light therefrom prior to illuminating said test specimen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said improved efficiency solar simulator system additionally comprises a vacuum chamber having an enclosure wall which seals said chamber from the atmosphere for containing said test specimen and said elongated flexible illumination guide means extends into said vacuum chamber through said wall and has a sealed relationship therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |