Illuminators using reflective optics with recycling and color mixing
First Claim
1. A light system comprising:
- a light source comprising;
at least one light emitting element;
a collection optic comprising a reflector with reflective walls for receiving light from the at least one light emitting element, the walls being at an angle with respect to the at least one light emitting element to generally collimate light emitted by the at least one light emitting element, the collection optic having an end with a first cross-sectional area;
a partially reflective element at the end of the collection optic, the partially reflective element for transmitting light that meets certain criteria to an application system and for reflecting light that does not meet the certain criteria back towards the at least one light emitting element for re-reflection by the collection optic back towards the partially reflective element; and
an application system optically coupled to the light source for employing the light transmitted by the partially reflective element, the partially reflective element reflecting light that would not be effectively employed in the application system had the light not been reflected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various optical techniques are described for obtaining a specified light output from an LED source. One technique uses a parabolic reflector surrounding an LED or LED array to create a collimated beam, and the light exit opening of the parabolic reflector is defined by a reflective disc with an opening of the desired size. Any generated light that is outside of the opening is reflected back into the parabolic reflector and re-reflected until the light exits the opening. For mixing different light colors from different LEDs or energized phosphors, a mixing tunnel is used. The mixing tunnel includes angled dichroic mirrors or angled polarizer mirrors that selectively reflect and pass selected colors or polarizations of light to a single output port of the mixing tunnel. Efficient and compact ways to energize phosphors are also described. Other optical techniques are also described.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light system comprising:
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a light source comprising;
at least one light emitting element;
a collection optic comprising a reflector with reflective walls for receiving light from the at least one light emitting element, the walls being at an angle with respect to the at least one light emitting element to generally collimate light emitted by the at least one light emitting element, the collection optic having an end with a first cross-sectional area;
a partially reflective element at the end of the collection optic, the partially reflective element for transmitting light that meets certain criteria to an application system and for reflecting light that does not meet the certain criteria back towards the at least one light emitting element for re-reflection by the collection optic back towards the partially reflective element; and
an application system optically coupled to the light source for employing the light transmitted by the partially reflective element, the partially reflective element reflecting light that would not be effectively employed in the application system had the light not been reflected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification