Totally internally reflecting thin, flexible film
First Claim
1. A thin, flexible film of a transparent polymeric material, comprising a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite said structured surface on the other side, wherein said structured surface includes a linear array of miniature isosceles prisms having substantially perpendicular sides arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves, the perpendicular sides of said prisms make an angle of approximately 45°
- with said smooth surface opposite said structured surface, said film being capable of being curled such that said smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve having a diameter of less than 3 inches.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thin, flexible film made of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface and an opposite smooth surface, wherein light striking either surface, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected. The structured surface includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prisms make an angle of approximately 45° with the smooth surface, and when the film is curled the smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve without materially affecting the performance of the film. Because of the film'"'"'s flexibility and its ability to totally internally reflect light, it may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a collector of solar energy or as a light conduit. The performance of the film may be manipulated to permit controlled light leakage.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A thin, flexible film of a transparent polymeric material, comprising a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite said structured surface on the other side, wherein said structured surface includes a linear array of miniature isosceles prisms having substantially perpendicular sides arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves, the perpendicular sides of said prisms make an angle of approximately 45°
- with said smooth surface opposite said structured surface, said film being capable of being curled such that said smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve having a diameter of less than 3 inches.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A light conduit for transporting light, comprising a thin, flexible film of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite said structured surface on the other side, said structured surface having a linear array of miniature isosceles prisms having substantially perpendicular sides arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves, the perpendicular sides of said prisms make an angle of approximately 45°
- with said smooth surface opposite said structured surface, and said film is formed into a tubular configuration so that said smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve, whereby light entering the conduit, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected as it travels along the conduit.
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A thin, flexible film of a transparent polymeric material, comprising a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite said structured surface on the other side, said structured surface includes a linear array of miniature isoceles prisms having substantially perpendicular sides arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves, the perpendicular sides of said prisms make an angle of approximately 45°
- with said smooth surface opposite said structured surface, said film being capable of being curled such that said smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve having a diameter of less than 18 inches wherein said peaks are rounded to permit controlled light leakage in accordance with the ratio r/ρ
where r is the approximate radius of the round peaks and ρ
is the groove period.
- with said smooth surface opposite said structured surface, said film being capable of being curled such that said smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve having a diameter of less than 18 inches wherein said peaks are rounded to permit controlled light leakage in accordance with the ratio r/ρ
Specification