Patent US6829412B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6829412B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lensed tapered optical waveguide
Assignee: Meadowstar Enterprises Ltd
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Filing: 2002-05-28
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Granted: 2004-12-07
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Expires: 2022-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a curved surface such as a lens at the output of a tapered light pipe (TLP). The TLP in combination with the curved surface alters the divergence angle and the area of the light exiting the curved surface. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation substantially at a first focal point of a primary reflector so that the primary reflector produces rays of radiation reflected from the primary reflector that converge at a second focal point of the secondary reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that its input end is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the secondary reflector. The converging rays of radiation reflected from the secondary reflector pass through input end and are transmitted towards the curved surface, where their divergence angle and area are adjusted.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth K. Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0938; G02B27/0994; G02B19/00; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0028; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0047; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006; G02B6/10; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206; G02B6/4298; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; G02B26/00; G02B26/007; G02B26/008; G02B6/4214; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A collecting and condensing system comprising: an optical coupling element, said optical coupling element further comprising: a TLP to be illuminated with at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source, said TLP having an input end and an output end; a curved surface disposed fixedly to said output end; a reflector having a first and a second focal points; a source of electromagnetic radiation disposed proximate to said first focal point of said reflector to emit rays of radiation that reflect from said reflector and converge substantially at said second focal point; and wherein said input end of said TLP is located proximate to said second focal point of said reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A collecting and condensing system comprising: an optical coupling element, said optical coupling element further comprising: a TLP to be illuminated with at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source, said TLP having an input end and an output end; a curved surface disposed fixedly to said output end; a reflector having a first and a second focal points; a source of electromagnetic radiation disposed proximate to said first focal point of said reflector to emit rays of radiation that reflect from said reflector and converge substantially at said second focal point; and wherein said input end of said TLP is located proximate to said second focal point of said reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , wherein said reflector comprises a primary reflector having a first optical axis, and said first focal point is a focal point of said primary reflector, said reflector comprising further: a secondary reflector having a second optical axis placed substantially symmetrically to said primary reflector such that said first and second optical axes are substantially collinear, and wherein said second focal point is a focal point of said secondary reflector; and wherein said rays of radiation reflect from said primary reflector toward said secondary reflector and converge substantially at said second focal point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , comprising further a retro-reflector disposed opposite said reflector to reflect at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation that does not impinge directly on said reflector toward said reflector through the first focal point of said reflector to increase the flux intensity of the converging rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , comprising further a projection engine disposed to receive said radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , wherein said optical coupling element comprises further a waveguide selected from the group comprising a single core optic fiber, a fiber bundle, a fused fiber bundle, a polygonal rod, a hollow reflective light pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , wherein said optical coupling element comprises further a waveguide based polarization recovery system, said polarization recovery system comprising: a polarization beam splitter disposed proximate to said curved surface, to redirect a first polarized beam of light and pass a second polarized beam of light; a half-wave plate disposed proximate to said polarization beam slitter, in a path of said second polarized beam of light; a prism disposed proximate to said half-wave plate, to redirect said second polarized beam of light; and an output lightguide disposed in the a path of said first polarized beam of light and said path of said second polarized beam of light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , wherein said optical coupling element further comprises an optical power splitter, said optical power splitter comprising: a first output light guide disposed proximate to said curved surface; and a second output light guide disposed proximate to said curved surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The collecting and condensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a fiber optic, the fiber optic being illuminated by the radiation collected and condensed at said optical coupling element, the fiber optic releasing the collected and condensed radiation to provide for illumination at a desired location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for collecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source of electromagnetic radiation and substantially focusing the collected radiation onto a target, the method comprising the steps of: positioning said source of electromagnetic radiation substantially at a first focal point of a reflector; producing rays of radiation by said source; reflecting said rays of radiation by said reflector substantially toward a focal point of said reflector; converging said rays of radiation substantially at said second focal point of said reflector; positioning a substantially TLP having an input end and an output end so that said input end is substantially proximate to the second focal point of the reflector; positioning a curved surface so that a center of said curved surface is substantially proximate to the output end of the TLP; adjusting an area or a divergence angle of said rays of radiation by passing the rays of radiation reflected from said reflector through said input end of said TLP and toward the curved surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for collecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source of electromagnetic radiation and substantially focusing the collected radiation onto a target, the method comprising the steps of: positioning said source of electromagnetic radiation substantially at a first focal point of a reflector; producing rays of radiation by said source; reflecting said rays of radiation by said reflector substantially toward a focal point of said reflector; converging said rays of radiation substantially at said second focal point of said reflector; positioning a substantially TLP having an input end and an output end so that said input end is substantially proximate to the second focal point of the reflector; positioning a curved surface so that a center of said curved surface is substantially proximate to the output end of the TLP; adjusting an area or a divergence angle of said rays of radiation by passing the rays of radiation reflected from said reflector through said input end of said TLP and toward the curved surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A portable front projection system comprising: an optical coupling element, said optical coupling element further comprising: a TLP to be illuminated with at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source, said TLP having an input end and an output end; a curved surface disposed fixedly to said output end; a primary reflector having a first focal point and a first optical axis; a secondary reflector having a second focal point and a second optical axis placed substantially symmetrically to said primary reflector such that said first and second optical axes are substantially collinear; a source of electromagnetic radiation proximate to said first focal point to emit rays of radiation that reflect from said primary reflector toward said secondary reflector and converge substantially at said second focal point, said source being removably disposed in a fixture; a power supply for said source disposed fixedly near said source; and wherein said input end of said TLP is located proximate to said second focal point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A portable front projection system comprising: an optical coupling element, said optical coupling element further comprising: a TLP to be illuminated with at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said source, said TLP having an input end and an output end; a curved surface disposed fixedly to said output end; a primary reflector having a first focal point and a first optical axis; a secondary reflector having a second focal point and a second optical axis placed substantially symmetrically to said primary reflector such that said first and second optical axes are substantially collinear; a source of electromagnetic radiation proximate to said first focal point to emit rays of radiation that reflect from said primary reflector toward said secondary reflector and converge substantially at said second focal point, said source being removably disposed in a fixture; a power supply for said source disposed fixedly near said source; and wherein said input end of said TLP is located proximate to said second focal point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The portable front projection system of claim 10 , comprising further a projection engine disposed to receive said radiation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-12-07 | 2008-06-07 | 2008-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-12-07 | 2012-06-07 | 2012-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-12-07 | 2016-06-07 | 2016-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |