US5842767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highly efficient illuminator and method of use thereof
Assignee: Luminit LLC
•
Filing: 1997-03-11
•
Granted: 1998-12-01
•
Expires: 2017-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for high efficiency illuminators are described. An illuminator includes an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, the first focal point and the second focal point defining a principle axis; an output coupler optically coupled to the elliptical reflector, the output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with the principle axis; and a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to the output coupler, the hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, the hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) the hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with the principle axis and ii) a plane defined by the input aperture is substantially coincident with the second focal point, the second end of the hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to the proximal end of the output coupler. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the efficiency of coupling between the light source and the coupler is substantially improved, albeit through an opening formed between the conical and spherical reflectors that is of smaller diameter than that of the coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Rizkin
- 👤 Ilya Agurok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:32
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V7/00; F21V7/04; F21V7/08; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
An apparatus, comprising: an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; a light source optically coupled to said elliptical reflector and located substantially at said first focal plane; an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis; a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining a first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler; and a first order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said first order spherical reflector including a first order input end defining a first order input aperture and a first order output end defining a first order output aperture, said first order input aperture and said first order output aperture defining a first order spherical reflector axis, said first order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said first order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first order output aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said first order output end of said first order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first end of said hollow conical reflector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
317 words
An apparatus, comprising: an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; a light source optically coupled to said elliptical reflector and located substantially at said first focal plane; an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis; a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining a first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler; and a first order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said first order spherical reflector including a first order input end defining a first order input aperture and a first order output end defining a first order output aperture, said first order input aperture and said first order output aperture defining a first order spherical reflector axis, said first order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said first order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first order output aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said first order output end of said first order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first end of said hollow conical reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said second order spherical reflector including a second order input end defining a second order input aperture and a second order output end defining a second order output aperture, said second order input aperture and said second order output aperture defining a second order spherical reflector axis, said second order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said second order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said second order output aperture is substantially coincident with a plane defined by said first order input aperture, said second order output end of said second order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first order input end of said first order spherical reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said output coupler includes a fiber optic coupler-splitter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said output coupler includes a second distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a first beamformer optically coupled to said first distal end and a second beamformer optically coupled to said second distal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said output coupler includes a second proximal end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a beamformer optically coupled to said first distal end and an illuminator optically coupled to said second proximal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an overall efficiency is at least 51%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said overall efficiency is at least 65%.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus, comprising: an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis, and a diameter of said first proximal end of said coupler defining an input diameter of said output coupler; and a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler, and a diameter of said first aperture of said hollow conical connector defining an input diameter of said hollow conical reflector, said input diameter of said hollow conical reflector being smaller than said input diameter of said output coupler.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus, comprising: an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis, and a diameter of said first proximal end of said coupler defining an input diameter of said output coupler; and a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler, and a diameter of said first aperture of said hollow conical connector defining an input diameter of said hollow conical reflector, said input diameter of said hollow conical reflector being smaller than said input diameter of said output coupler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a light source optically coupled to said elliptical reflector and located substantially at said first focal plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a first order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said first order spherical reflector including a first order input end defining a first order input aperture and a first order output end defining a first order output aperture, said first order input aperture and said first order output aperture defining a first order spherical reflector axis, said first order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said first order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first order output aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said first order output end of said first order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first end of said hollow conical reflector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said second order spherical reflector including a second order input end defining a second order input aperture and a second order output end defining a second order output aperture, said second order input aperture and said second order output aperture defining a second order spherical reflector axis, said second order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said second order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said second order output aperture is substantially coincident with a plane defined by said first order input aperture, said second order output end of said second order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first order input end of said first order spherical reflector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein an overall efficiency is at least 51%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said overall efficiency is at least 65%.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said output coupler includes a fiber optic coupler-splitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said output coupler includes a second distal end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a first beamformer optically coupled to said first distal end and a second beamformer optically coupled to said second distal end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said output coupler includes a second proximal end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a beamformer optically coupled to said first distal end and an illuminator optically coupled to said second proximal end.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
267 words
A method, comprising: (A) providing an illuminator with (1) an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; (2) a light source optically coupled to said elliptical reflector and located substantially at said first focal plane; (3) an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and a diameter of said first proximal end of said coupler defining an input diameter of said output coupler; and (4) a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said input aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler, and a diameter of said first aperture of said hollow conical connector defining an input diameter of said hollow conical reflector, said input diameter of said hollow conical reflector being smaller than said input diameter of said output coupler; and (B) illuminating said light source.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
267 words
A method, comprising: (A) providing an illuminator with (1) an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, said first focal point and said second focal point defining a principal axis; (2) a light source optically coupled to said elliptical reflector and located substantially at said first focal plane; (3) an output coupler optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and a diameter of said first proximal end of said coupler defining an input diameter of said output coupler; and (4) a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to said output coupler, said hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, said hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) said hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said input aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said second end of said hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to said proximal end of said output coupler, and a diameter of said first aperture of said hollow conical connector defining an input diameter of said hollow conical reflector, said input diameter of said hollow conical reflector being smaller than said input diameter of said output coupler; and (B) illuminating said light source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
135 words
The method of claim 21, wherein providing includes providing said illuminator with a first order spherical reflector optically coupled to said elliptical reflector, said first order spherical reflector including a first order input end defining a first order input aperture and a first order output end defining a first order output aperture, said first order input aperture and said first order output aperture defining a first order spherical reflector axis, said first order spherical reflector being positioned such that i) said first order spherical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with said principal axis and ii) a plane defined by said first order output aperture is substantially coincident with said second focal point, said first order output end of said first order spherical reflector being mechanically connected to said first end of said hollow conical reflector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising deilluminating the light source; and repeating the steps of illuminating and deilluminating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4956759A
Cited
US5161874A
Cited
US5479545A
Cited
US5491620A
Cited
US5309339A
Cited
US5317484A
Cited
US5436806A
Cited
US5567031A
Cited
US5428509A
Cited
US5515242A
Cited
US5695277A
Cited
US5469337A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |