Light collimator, method, and manufacturing method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light collimator comprising:
- a plurality of elongated reflective channels that each have first and second openings, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.
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Abstract
A light collimator includes an array of elongated channels that have entry openings disposed towards a light source that are smaller than exit openings disposed towards an area to be illuminated. The elongated channels have relatively high specular reflectance. Due to the sloping walls of the channels from the entry openings to the corresponding exit openings, light entering the entry openings is reflected off the walls until it exits at an angle that provides substantial collimation of the light at the exit openings. Specific implementations include relatively flat structural panels and curved panels for use with a fluorescent bulb. Manufacturing methods and methods of use are also disclosed.
19 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A light collimator comprising:
a plurality of elongated reflective channels that each have first and second openings, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A light collimator for a fluorescent bulb, the light collimator comprising:
a curved structure of elongated channels that each have first and second openings, wherein each second opening for a channel is larger than the corresponding first opening for the channel, wherein the first openings are arranged to lie along an arc of a circle defined by a size of the fluorescent bulb, the second ends of the elongated channels being located in substantially the same plane. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A structural panel that collimates light, the structural panel comprising:
a plurality of elongated channels that each have first and second openings, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening, the first openings lying in a first plane and the second openings lying in a second plane. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for collimating light, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a collimator panel that comprises a plurality of elongated channels that each have first and second openings, wherein the second openings are larger than the corresponding first openings;
positioning the first openings in the collimator panel towards a light source; and
positioning the second openings in the collimator panel towards an area to be illuminated. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for manufacturing a light collimator, the method comprising the steps of:
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(A) forming from curable material a structure comprising a plurality of elongated reflective channels that each have first and second openings, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening; and
(B) exposing the structure to a curing process. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for manufacturing a light collimator for an extended light source, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a plurality of elongated cylindrical balloons of different sizes from curable film;
placing the plurality of balloons inside of each other in size order to form a cylindrical balloon structure;
inflating the plurality of balloons; and
curing the plurality of balloons. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for manufacturing a light collimator for an extended light source, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a balloon structure of a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers from curable film;
inflating the plurality of inflatable chambers in the balloon structure; and
curing the plurality of inflatable chambers in the balloon structure. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification