Collimating TIR lens devices employing fluorescent light sources

• US 5,676,453 A
• Filed: 05/22/1995
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: TIR Technology LP
• Inventors: Parkyn, William A. Jr., Pelka, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Application Number:
  US08/445,547
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 362/260, 362/33, 362/147, 362/216, 362/291, 362/292, 362/298, 362/309, 362/326, 362/337, 362/338, 362/339, 362/340, 362/804, 362/328
• US Class Current: 362/260
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/832 curved
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/00 Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/31 having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/70 with reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/425 Horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/006 Systems in which light light is reflected on a plurality of parallel surfaces, e.g. louvre mirrors, total internal reflection [TIR] lenses Fresnel mirrors G02B5/09, Fresnel lenses G02B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0042 for use with direct solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0047 for use with a light source G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence; details of lighting devices in general F21V; non-semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S3/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/009 for use with infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12102 Lens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/09 Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, not otherwise provided for adapting the beam shape of a laser diode G02B19/0052; adapting the beam shape of an LED G02B19/0061; coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; beam shaping specially adapted for lasers H01S3/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/00 Simple or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/08 with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 : Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 : Heat exchange systems

Abstract

A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Claims

1. A luminaire, comprising, in combination:

a) a TIR lens having multiple facets, and extending lengthwise along a first arc, and

b) a light source facing said TIR lens and extending lengthwise along a corresponding second arc spaced from said first arc,

c) said first arc defining a first looping path, and said second arc defining a second looping path,

d) said first looping path having a first overall diameter at the locus of an outermost facet, and said second looping path having a second overall diameter, said first overall diameter being at least about twice said second overall diameter.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said looping paths is toroidal.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a back-reflecting mirror positioned to reflect backlight from said source toward said TIR lens, said mirror having one of the following shapes:

i) flat

ii) cusp-shaped.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second looping path is annular.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a fluorescent lamp, which is tubular.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said second looping path defines a central axis normal to a plane defined by said second looping path, and said first looping path extends about said axis.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein a plane containing said axis intersects said TIR lens along two arcs and intersects said tubular lamp at two circular cross sections toward which said TIR lens arcs are respectively concave.

8. The combination of claim 6 including a back-reflecting mirror positioned to reflect backlight from said source toward said TIR lens.

9. The combination of claim 1 including a back-reflecting mirror positioned to reflect backlight from said source toward said TIR lens.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said TIR lens comprises:

a'"'"') a radiant energy transmitting body means,

b'"'"') said means comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said perimeters of said elements project from said cross section to extend annularly about, and define a common axis, said entry faces facing said incident radiant energy.

12. A luminaire, comprising, in combination:

a) a TIR lens having multiple facets, and extending lengthwise along a first arc, and

b) a light source facing said TIR lens and extending lengthwise along a corresponding second arc spaced from said first arc,

c) and including a back-reflecting mirror positioned to reflect backlight from said source toward said TIR lens,

d) said mirror having a cusp projecting toward the light source along its length along said second arc.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said TIR lens comprises

a'"'"') a radiant energy transmitting body means,

b'"'"') said means comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face.