Devices and Methods for Resonant Illumination
First Claim
1. A device configured to direct light to illuminate a target area, the device comprising:
- a movable mirror, wherein the mirror is operatively connected to a bias;
wherein the bias is mounted to an engine support;
further wherein the bias is configured to move the mirror with respect to the engine support in an undamped oscillation; and
a mirror driver configured to move the mirror at a resonant frequency by loading and unloading the bias,wherein the mirror is further configured to project collimated light produced by a light source to form an illumination pattern when the light source is activated and the mirror is moving at the resonant frequency or a harmonic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are methods, devices and systems for effective, adjustable wide-field illumination. In particular resonant engines for illuminating a broad area by resonant oscillation, and methods of moving at least one mirror at or near a resonance are described. A resonant engine includes one or more mirrors that may be oscillated to reflect light from a light source(s) to create a target illumination pattern. Devices and systems in which the mirror or mirrors are oscillated at an energy-efficient manner are described. Also described are optics, control features, and techniques that may be utilized to enhance the energy efficiency of the resonant engines and system described.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device configured to direct light to illuminate a target area, the device comprising:
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a movable mirror, wherein the mirror is operatively connected to a bias;
wherein the bias is mounted to an engine support;
further wherein the bias is configured to move the mirror with respect to the engine support in an undamped oscillation; anda mirror driver configured to move the mirror at a resonant frequency by loading and unloading the bias, wherein the mirror is further configured to project collimated light produced by a light source to form an illumination pattern when the light source is activated and the mirror is moving at the resonant frequency or a harmonic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for efficiently illuminating a wide pattern of illumination, the method comprising:
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moving a mirror of a mirror system at a resonant frequency for the mirror system, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 10 and about 1000 Hz, and wherein the mirror system comprises; a bias, operatively connected to said mirror; a housing, wherein the bias is operatively connected to the housing; and a mirror driver, configured to load the bias and thereby drive movement of the mirror; and illuminating a light source to produce collimated light, wherein light from the light source is reflected from the mirror to produce a target pattern of illumination.
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15. A device for reflecting light over a broad region, the device comprising:
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a mirror configured to receive and reflect light from a light source, wherein the mirror is operatively connected to a rotor; a bias mounted to an engine support, wherein the bias is operatively connected to the rotor so that the mirror oscillates when the bias is loaded and unloaded by moving the rotor; and a stator connected to the engine support, wherein the stator is configured to act on the rotor and load the bias. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification