US4897771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reflector and light system
Assignee: Solid State Opto Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-11-24
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2007-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Reflector and light systems include collecting and back reflecting surfaces that efficiently collect the energy produced by a light source and redirect the light back through the collecting surface without restriking the collecting surface or the light source. The reflected light does not reach the focus for the back reflecting surface until the light exits the system. A lens-end bulb may be used as the light source to produce a projected cone of light that is focused on a target that is positioned in front of the second focus and a reflected cone of light that is focused on the same target. In one form of the invention, the back reflecting surface is eliminated to permit the projected light to be focused on one target located externally of one end of the system and the reflected light to be focused on another target located externally of the other end of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey R. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including a lens which projects a cone of light out through said opening means in said collector means, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects such additional light rays onto said reflector means and said reflector means in turn re-reflects such additional light rays through said collector means and out through said opening means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including a lens which projects a cone of light out through said opening means in said collector means, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects such additional light rays onto said reflector means and said reflector means in turn re-reflects such additional light rays through said collector means and out through said opening means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein such conical section of light has substantially constant stop and start angles which intersect said collector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said opening in said collector means has a radius substantially corresponding to the perpendicular distance from the principal optical axis of said system to a point on said collector means where the additional ray of light which defines said start angle and the reflected ray of said stop angle substantially intersect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a target positioned in front of said opening means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said collector and reflector means cooperate to cause substantially all of the light rays eminating from said light source to strike said target at a minimum acceptance angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the reflected cone of light intersects the projected cone of light on a plane where the cross-sectional area of such intersection substantially equals the cross-sectional area of said target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a target positioned substantially in the plane of said opening means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said target is positioned substantially where said projected and reflected cones of light intersect.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said collector means comprises a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having a concave collecting surface, and said reflector means comprises a back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said back reflector is a cold mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said collecting reflector and back reflector are parabolic dishes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said collecting reflector has an ellipsoidal contour, and said back reflector is in the form of flat plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said back reflector is in the shape of a flat circular disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said back reflector is connected to said collecting reflector by a cylindrical section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the ellipsoidal contour of said collecting reflector intersects said back reflector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising lens means disposed in said opening means in said collector means for focusing both the projected and reflected light onto a target exteriorly of said reflector assembly in front of said second focus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said lens means has a concave outer ring portion that refracts the reflected light into a parallel light beam, and a central portion that refracts the projected light into a parallel light beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally of said reflector assembly forwardly of said collector means, said collector means having opening means therein for passage of light from said light source, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including lens means which projects a cone of light out through said opening means in said collector means, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects substantially all of such additional light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means re-reflects such reflected light back through said collector means and out through said opening means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally of said reflector assembly forwardly of said collector means, said collector means having opening means therein for passage of light from said light source, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including lens means which projects a cone of light out through said opening means in said collector means, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects substantially all of such additional light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means re-reflects such reflected light back through said collector means and out through said opening means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 18 wherein such conical section of additional light rays has substantially constant start and stop angles which intersect said collector means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said opening means in said collector means has a radius substantially corresponding to the perpendicular distance from the principal optical axis of said system to a point on said collector means where the additional ray of light which defines said start angle and the reflected ray of light of said stop angle substantially intersect.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 further comprising a target positioned in front of said opening means where said projected and reflected light intersect.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said target is the end of a fiber optic cable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said collector and reflector means cooperate to cause substantially all of the projected and reflected light to strike said target at a minimum acceptance angle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the reflected light intersects the projected light on a plane where the cross-sectional area of such intersection substantially equals the cross-sectional area of said target.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
119 words
A reflector and light system comprising collector means having an ellipsoidal contour, said collector means terminating at one end in a relatively small opening and terminating in the opposite end in a relatively large opening, a first focus interiorly of said collector means adjacent said one end, and a second focus externally of said other end, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including a lens which projects a cone of light out through said small opening, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects such additional light rays toward said second focus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
119 words
A reflector and light system comprising collector means having an ellipsoidal contour, said collector means terminating at one end in a relatively small opening and terminating in the opposite end in a relatively large opening, a first focus interiorly of said collector means adjacent said one end, and a second focus externally of said other end, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, said light source comprising a lens-end bulb including a lens which projects a cone of light out through said small opening, and said bulb also produces additional light rays which are emitted radially in the shape of a conical section onto said collector means which reflects such additional light rays toward said second focus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 25 wherein such cone of additional light rays has substantially constant start and stop angles which intersect said ellipsoidal contour of said collector means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 25 further comprising a first target positioned externally of said small opening, and a second target positioned externally of said large opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said first target is positioned axially inwardly of said first focus corresponding to where the cross-sectional area of said first target substantially equals the cross-sectional area of the projected cone of light passing through said small opening.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 27 wherein at least one of said targets comprises an end of a fiber optic cable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said second target is positioned axially inwardly of said second focus corresponding to where the cross-sectional area of said second target substantially equals the cross-sectional area of the reflected cone of light passing through said large opening of said collector means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said collector means comprising a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having concave collecting surface means, and said reflector means comprising a substantially flat back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said collector means comprising a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having concave collecting surface means, and said reflector means comprising a substantially flat back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 31 further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the axial position of said back reflector relative to said collecting reflector to permit proper focusing of light from different light sources.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said adjustment means comprises an axially adjustable threaded connection between said back reflector and collecting reflector.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said adjustment means comprises a peripheral flange on said back reflector in threaded engagement with an external surface on said collecting reflector.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 31 further comprising a target positioned in front of said opening means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising external coupling means surrounding said opening means for supporting said target in front of said opening means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said target comprises a fiber optic cable, said cable having a cable connector on one end which is secured in place in said coupling means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 37 further comprising filter means for filtering out undesirable wavelengths.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a light pipe for transmitting light passing through said opening means to said target.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 39 wherein said target comprises a fiber optic cable, said cable having a cable connector on one end which is secured in place in the axial outer end of said light pipe.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 40 further comprising filter means within said light pipe for filtering out undesirable wave lengths.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
118 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, light source means positioned substantially at said first, focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally of said reflector assembly forwardly of said collector means, said collector means having opening means therein for passage of projected light from light source means, said light source means also producing additional light rays which are emitted radially onto said collector means which reflects substantially all of such additional light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means re-reflects substantially all such additional light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means substantially without striking said light source means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
118 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, light source means positioned substantially at said first, focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally of said reflector assembly forwardly of said collector means, said collector means having opening means therein for passage of projected light from light source means, said light source means also producing additional light rays which are emitted radially onto said collector means which reflects substantially all of such additional light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means re-reflects substantially all such additional light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means substantially without striking said light source means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 42 wherein the additional light rays that are emitted radially by said light source means are in the shape of a conical section having substantially constant start and stop angles which intersect said collector means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 43 wherein said opening means in said collector means has a radius substantially corresponding to the perpendicular distance from the principal optical axis of said system to a point on said collector means where the additional light rays which define said start and stop angles substantially intersect.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 42 wherein said collector means comprises a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having concave collecting surface means, and said reflector means comprises a substantially flat back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
173 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said collector means comprising a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having a concave collecting surface, and said reflector means comprising a back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus, said back reflector having an axial hole therethrough having a minimum diameter that will permit said light source including a light source holder to pass to facilitate positioning and removal of said light source without interfering with light collection or projection.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
173 words
A reflector and light system comprising a reflector assembly including collector means having a first focus, a light source positioned substantially at said first focus, and reflector means having a second focus located externally and forward of said collector means, said collector means having opening means through which light is reflected by said reflector means toward said second focus, said collector means being operative to collect light rays emitted by said light source and direct such light rays onto said reflector means, and said reflector means being operative to redirect such light rays back through said collector means and out through said opening means, said collector means comprising a rearwardly facing collecting reflector having a concave collecting surface, and said reflector means comprising a back reflector rearwardly spaced from said first focus, said back reflector having an axial hole therethrough having a minimum diameter that will permit said light source including a light source holder to pass to facilitate positioning and removal of said light source without interfering with light collection or projection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1235484A
Cited
GB119470A
Cited
US1589664A
Cited
US1575327A
Cited
US1645721A
Cited
US1731104A
Cited
US1894876A
Cited
US1880399A
Cited
US1995012A
Cited
US2131852A
Cited
US2340515A
Cited
GB763376A
Cited
US3078760A
Cited
US3455622A
Cited
US3494693A
Cited
US3832539A
Cited
US3770338A
Cited
US3900726A
Cited
US4151584A
Cited
US4241382A
Cited
US4305099A
Cited
US4463410A
Cited
US4420801A
Cited
US4460939A
Cited
US4496211A
Cited
US4420800A
Cited
US4587601A
Cited
US4447865A
Cited
US4576436A
Cited
US4494176A
Cited
US4536834A
Cited
US4654758A
Cited
US4755918A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |