US5557478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonimaging radiant energy device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-09-01
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Granted: 1996-09-17
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Expires: 2013-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A nonimaging radiant energy device may include a hyperbolically shaped reflective element with a radiant energy inlet and a radiant energy outlet. A convex lens is provided at the radiant energy inlet and a concave lens is provided at the radiant energy outlet. Due to the provision of the lenses and the shape of the walls of the reflective element, the radiant energy incident at the radiant energy inlet within a predetermined angle of acceptance is emitted from the radiant energy outlet exclusively within an acute exit angle. In another embodiment, the radiant energy device may include two interconnected hyperbolically shaped reflective elements with a respective convex lens being provided at each aperture of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Winston
- 👤 Xiaohui Ning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B19/00; G02B19/0033; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/70; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0028; G02B19/0038; G02B19/0042; F24S2023/83; F24S2023/837; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A radiant energy transformer for receiving radiant energy impinging upon said transformer within a first acute angle and emitting said radiant energy within a second acute angle, said transformer comprising: a reflective element having a nonlinear reflective surface; first lens means operatively coupled to transmit radiant energy to said reflective element; second lens means operatively coupled to receive radiant energy from said reflective element; the shape of said reflective element causing radiant energy that impinges upon said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element from within a first acute angle with respect to said radiant energy transformer to be reflected such that said radiant energy emerges from said radiant energy transformer exclusively within a second acute angle with respect to said radiant energy transformer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A radiant energy transformer for receiving radiant energy impinging upon said transformer within a first acute angle and emitting said radiant energy within a second acute angle, said transformer comprising: a reflective element having a nonlinear reflective surface; first lens means operatively coupled to transmit radiant energy to said reflective element; second lens means operatively coupled to receive radiant energy from said reflective element; the shape of said reflective element causing radiant energy that impinges upon said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element from within a first acute angle with respect to said radiant energy transformer to be reflected such that said radiant energy emerges from said radiant energy transformer exclusively within a second acute angle with respect to said radiant energy transformer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises a substantially hollow body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 2 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means and said second lens means comprises concave lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 2 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 2 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means, wherein said second lens means comprises concave lens means, and wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises a solid body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 6 wherein one of said first and second lens means comprises a curved surface on said solid body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second lens means comprise curved surfaces on said solid body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 6 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means and said second lens means comprises concave lens means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 6 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 6 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means, wherein said second lens means comprises concave lens means, and wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective element has a radiant energy inlet and a radiant energy outlet, wherein said first lens means is operatively coupled to said reflective element at said radiant energy inlet, and wherein said second lens means is operatively coupled to said reflective element at said radiant energy outlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 12 wherein said reflective element comprises a substantially hollow body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 13 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means and said second lens means comprises concave lens means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 13 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 13 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means, wherein said second lens means comprises concave lens means, and wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 13 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a diameter that decreases from said radiant energy inlet and said radiant energy outlet towards an intermediate point between said radiant energy inlet and said radiant energy outlet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 12 wherein said reflective element comprises a solid body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein one of said first and second lens means comprises a curved surface on said solid body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein said first and second lens means comprise curved surfaces on said solid body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means and said second lens means comprises concave lens means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein said first lens means comprises convex lens means, wherein said second lens means comprises concave lens means, and wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a cross-section which is substantially hyperbolic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
A radiant energy transformer as defined in claim 18 wherein said nonlinear reflective surface of said reflective element has a diameter that decreases from said radiant energy inlet and said radiant energy outlet towards an intermediate portion between said radiant energy inlet and said radiant energy outlet.
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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) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |