US6443594B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
One-piece lens arrays for collimating and focusing light and led light generators using same
Assignee: Signify Holding BV
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Filing: 2000-03-31
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2020-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A lens array for a lamp directs light to a light conduit such as an optical fiber or light pipe for guiding light to a remote location. An array of LED serve as light sources. The lens array includes an integrally formed member having a number of collimator lenses positioned in the lens array so that each lens can operate as a collimator for a corresponding LED to produce a respective collimated beam of light. The lenses have optical properties that are optimized according to where their corresponding LED are positioned in the LED array, so that the lens array is provided with lens prescriptions that produce refraction of the collimated beams of light toward an entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Marshall
- 👤 Gerard Harbers
- 👤 Michael D. Pashley
- 👤 Stephen Herman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; F; F21; F21V; F21V5/00; F21V5/007; F21V5/008; F21Y; F21Y2115/00; F21Y2115/10; G02B5/00; G02B5/04; G02B5/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A lens array for a lamp using a light conduit such as an optical fiber or light pipe for guiding light to a remote location, and an array of LED as light sources, the lens array comprising an integrally formed member having a plurality of collimator lenses, the lenses positioned in the lens array so that each lens can operate as a collimator for a corresponding LED to produce a respective collimated beam of light, the lenses having optical properties which are optimized according to where their corresponding LED are positioned in the LED array, wherein the lens array is provided with lens prescriptions that produce refraction of the collimated beams of light toward an entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A lens array for a lamp using a light conduit such as an optical fiber or light pipe for guiding light to a remote location, and an array of LED as light sources, the lens array comprising an integrally formed member having a plurality of collimator lenses, the lenses positioned in the lens array so that each lens can operate as a collimator for a corresponding LED to produce a respective collimated beam of light, the lenses having optical properties which are optimized according to where their corresponding LED are positioned in the LED array, wherein the lens array is provided with lens prescriptions that produce refraction of the collimated beams of light toward an entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lens array of claim 1 , wherein each of the lens prescriptions defines a refractive surface thait refracts an associated collimated beam of light toward the entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lens array of claim 1 , wherein the lens prescription also provides the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens array of claim 1 , wherein the one or more lenses are located at a periphery of the lens array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lens array of claim 4 , wherein the lens prescription also provides the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lens array of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the lenses of the lens array are provided with lens prescriptions which provide the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens array of claim 6 , wherein the one or more lenses are located at a periphery of the lens array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A light emitting diode (LED) light generator for a lamp using a light conduit such as an optical fiber or light pipe, comprising: an array of LED as light sources, each LED generating diverging light; an integrally formed member defining a plurality of collimator lenses positioned in a lens array so that each of the lenses operates to collimate the diverging light generated by a corresponding one of the LED into a respective collimated light beam, the lenses having optical properties which are optimized according to where their corresponding LED are positioned in the LED array; and a collection lens for focusing the collimated light beams at an entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A light emitting diode (LED) light generator for a lamp using a light conduit such as an optical fiber or light pipe, comprising: an array of LED as light sources, each LED generating diverging light; an integrally formed member defining a plurality of collimator lenses positioned in a lens array so that each of the lenses operates to collimate the diverging light generated by a corresponding one of the LED into a respective collimated light beam, the lenses having optical properties which are optimized according to where their corresponding LED are positioned in the LED array; and a collection lens for focusing the collimated light beams at an entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light generator of claim 8 , wherein the collection lens is a planar member with Fresnel lenses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light generator of claim 8 , wherein the collection lens is a unitarily formed curved member with Fresnel lenses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lighting system for signage and illumination applications, the system comprising an optical fiber for guiding light to a predetermined location, and the light generator of claim 8 , wherein the optical fiber includes an entrance aperture which forms the predetermined target of the light generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The light generator of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the lenses of the lens array are provided with lens prescriptions which provide the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light generator of claim 12 , wherein the one or more lenses are located at a periphery of the lens array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The light generator of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the lenses of the lens array are provided with lens prescriptions that produce refraction of the collimated light beams toward the entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The light generator of claim 14 , wherein each of the lens prescriptions defines a refractive surface that refracts an associated collimated beam of light toward the entrance aperture of the light conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light generator of claim 14 , wherein the collection lens is a planar member with Fresnel lenses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light generator of claim 14 , wherein the collection lens is a unitarily formed curved member with Fresnel lenses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light generator of claim 14 , wherein the one or more lenses are located at a periphery of the lens array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light generator of claim 18 , wherein the lens prescription also provides the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light generator of claim 14 , wherein the lens prescription also provides the one or more lenses with their own selected collimating characteristics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light generator of claim 20 , wherein the collection lens is a planar member with Fresnel lenses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light generator of claim 20 , wherein the collection lens is a unitarily formed curved member with Fresnel lenses.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |