LED modifying apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An irradiation apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of solid state radiation sources;
a plurality of optical waveguides, wherein each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators;
a support structure to stabilize at least a first portion of the second ends of the plurality of optical waveguides; and
an optical element placed in the path of the radiation emanating from the second end of the waveguide that alters the path of the radiation.
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Abstract
A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.
97 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An irradiation apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of solid state radiation sources;
a plurality of optical waveguides, wherein each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators;
a support structure to stabilize at least a first portion of the second ends of the plurality of optical waveguides; and
an optical element placed in the path of the radiation emanating from the second end of the waveguide that alters the path of the radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An irradiation apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of solid state radiation sources;
a plurality of optical waveguides, wherein each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators;
a support structure to stabilize at least a first portion of the second ends of the plurality of optical waveguides; and
a polarizer placed in the path of the radiation emanating from the second end of the waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An irradiation apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of solid state radiation sources;
a plurality of optical waveguides, wherein each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators, and wherein one or more of the second ends forms an optical element that alters the path of radiation; and
a support structure to stabilize at least a first portion of the second ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An irradiation system, comprising:
a solid state radiation source, comprising a plurality of LED dies to generate radiation that is capable of modifying a radiation modifiable chemical formulation;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the LED dies;
a plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives concentrated radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators;
an optical element placed in the path of radiation emanating from one or more of the second ends of the plurality of optical fibers; and
a substrate to support the radiation modifiable chemical formulation. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An irradiation system, comprising:
a solid state radiation source, comprising a plurality of LED dies to generate radiation that is capable of modifying a radiation modifiable chemical formulation;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the LED dies;
a plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives concentrated radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators;
a polarizer placed in the path of radiation emanating from one or more of the second ends of the plurality of optical fibers; and
a substrate to support the radiation modifiable chemical formulation. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An irradiation system, comprising:
a solid state radiation source, comprising a plurality of LED dies to generate radiation that is capable of modifying a radiation modifiable chemical formulation;
a plurality of optical concentrators, wherein each concentrator receives radiation from one or more of the LED dies;
a plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a first end and a second end, wherein each first end receives concentrated radiation from one or more of the plurality of optical concentrators, and wherein one or more of the second ends forms an optical element; and
a substrate to support the radiation modifiable chemical formulation. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
Specification