Glare control

• US 4,814,960 A
• Filed: 05/14/1986
• Issued: 03/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Liu P. Dong-Guang
• Original Assignee: Liu P. Dong-Guang
• Inventors: Liu, P. Dong-Guang
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, D.
• Application Number:
  US06/863,114
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 362/309, 362/303, 362/304, 362/336, 362/326, 362/341, 362/348, 362/307, 362/311, 362/305, 362/343, 362/255, 350/431, 350/444, 350/165, 350/320, 350/276 R, 350/277, 313/116, 313/112, 427/164, 427/165, 427/168
• US Class Current: 362/307
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/22 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/128 transparent spheres being embedded in matrix

Abstract

Micro-irregularities on a surface that interacts with (transmits or reflects) illumination from a light source are effective to control glare perceived by a viewer in the light path projected from the source, while maintaining effective energy and directionality of the projected light. Preferably the micro-irregularities are created by liquid dispersion comprising organic polymeric particles and allowing the coating to dry.

Claims

1. A method of reducing glare from an illumination device comprising a light source positioned to provide illumination that interacts with an optical glass surface, said device providing illumination projected in a light path, said method comprising,

by controlled etching of said glass, creating over all of said optical glass surface, micro-irregularities to control dispersion of said projected illumination, said micro-irregularities effectively maintaining the directionality and average intensity of the projected illumination.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said micro-irregularities are effective to increase light diffusion at said surface by a factor of 500-99,500.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said micro-irregularities substantially maintain the solid angle of said directed illumination.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a light bulb, and said optical surface is the exterior bulb surface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a light bulb, and said optical surface is a lens or mirror directing illumination from said bulb in said light path.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination device is an automobile headlight.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination device is light source is positioned and designed to illuminate a stadium or a street.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination device is light source is positioned on an aircraft landing field designed to guide aircraft during landing or take-off.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the micro-irregularities are created, and an inert coating is applied over the micro-irregularities and subsequently removed to control the amount of dispersion achieved.