Ring-lens system for efficient beam formation
First Claim
1. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
- a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres,b) said system of optical elements having a first surface that is ellipsoidal or nearly ellipsoidal, said first surface characterized as refracting a first group of light rays from a first sector of said light source,c) said system of optical elements having a second surface that is paraboloidal or nearly paraboloidal, said second surface characterized as producing total internal reflection of a second group of light rays from a second sector of said light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention consists of a highly efficient beamforming system of ring-lens elements that may be used in automobile headlights, flashlights, and for other lighting products. The lens captures most of the light from an omnidirectional source, so that light from a solid angular cone of nearly 4 steradians is utilized with little or no reliance on a metallic reflector. The surfaces of the lens elements may be formed integrally with a hot light source, such as an incandescent lamp, so that the filament of the light source is inserted directly into an internal cavity of the lens. The lens may also be formed in optical contact with a cold light source, such as a light emitting diode, to reduce Fresnel losses and increase light utilization efficiency. An integrated system of optical surfaces collects light, including downwardly-directed light, from the source to further increase light utilization to a high efficiency of 75-90%. The number of surfaces on the lens are at least three, and one or more of these surfaces use total internal reflection (TIR) to redirect the light. The lens may be formed in either a two piece construction or a one piece construction having an internal air gap. The lens may be made from silicone or a high temperature glass having a low thermal expansion coefficient.
128 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system of optical elements having a first surface that is ellipsoidal or nearly ellipsoidal, said first surface characterized as refracting a first group of light rays from a first sector of said light source, c) said system of optical elements having a second surface that is paraboloidal or nearly paraboloidal, said second surface characterized as producing total internal reflection of a second group of light rays from a second sector of said light source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 17, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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2. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system collecting substantially all of the light from both of said hemispheres to form a light beam of specified angular properties, c) said system characterized in that none of said optical elements blocks light from another of said optical elements and none of said optical elements allows light to pass uncollected between said optical elements, d) said optical elements having one or more optical surfaces that redirect light by one of the following; refraction total internal reflection e) said optical elements forming an output light beam with substantially contiguous portions, f) said optical lens being formed from one or more substantially transparent optical materials, each having a respective index of refraction and forming an optical cavity such that the optical lens is integral with or in optical contact with said light source, said system of optical elements having a first surface that is ellipsoidal or nearly ellipsoidal, said first surface characterized as refracting a first group or light rays from a first sector of said light source, and wherein said system of optical elements has a second surface that is paraboloidal or nearly paraboloidal, said second surface characterized as producing total internal reflection of a second group of light rays from a second sector of said light source. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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13. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system collecting substantially all of the light from both of said hemispheres to form a light beam of specified angular properties, c) said system characterized in that none of said optical elements blocks light from another of said optical elements and none of said optical elements allows light to pass uncollected between said optical elements, d) said optical elements having one or more optical surfaces that redirect light by one of the following; refraction total internal reflection e) said optical elements forming an output light beam with substantially contiguous portions, f) said optical lens being formed from one or more substantially transparent optical materials, each having a respective index of refraction and forming an optical cavity such that the optical lens is integral with or in optical contact with said light source, g) and wherein said optical lens is of two-piece construction, one piece having first, second, third, and fourth surfaces, and a second piece having fifth, sixth and seventh surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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18. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system collecting substantially all of the light from both of said hemispheres to form a light beam of specified angular properties, c) said system characterized in that none of said optical elements blocks light from another of said optical elements and none of said optical elements allows light to pass uncollected between said optical elements, d) said optical elements having one or more optical surfaces that redirect light by one of the following; refraction total internal reflection e) said optical elements forming an output light beam with substantially contiguous portions, f) said optical lens being formed from one or more substantially transparent optical materials, each having a respective index of refraction and forming an optical cavity such that the optical lens is integral with or in optical contact with said light source, g) and wherein at least one of said substantially transparent optical materials is a high temperature glass with a low thermal expansion coefficient.
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19. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system collecting substantially all of the light from both of said hemispheres to form a light beam of specified angular properties, c) said system characterized in that none of said optical elements blocks light from another of said optical elements and none of said optical elements allows light to pass uncollected between said optical elements, d) said optical elements having one or more optical surfaces that redirect light by one of the following; refraction total internal reflection e) said optical elements forming an output light beam with substantially contiguous portions, f) said optical lens being formed from one or more substantially transparent optical materials, each having a respective index of refraction and forming an optical cavity such that the optical lens is integral with or in optical contact with said light source, g) and wherein at least one of said substantially transparent optical materials is a flexible, solid, optical material. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An optical lens for achieving high efficiency beam formation from a light source radiating light into both upper and lower hemispheres, comprising:
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a) a system of optical elements, each element of which redirects light from said source radiating from a particular sector of said hemispheres, b) said system collecting substantially all of the light from both of said hemispheres to form a light beam of specified angular properties, c) said system characterized in that none of said optical elements blocks light from another of said optical elements and none of said optical elements allows light to pass uncollected between said optical elements, d) said optical elements having one or more optical surfaces that redirect light by one of the following; refraction total internal reflection e) said optical elements forming an output light beam with substantially contiguous portions, f) said optical lens being formed from one or more substantially transparent optical materials, each having a respective index of refraction and forming an optical cavity such that the optical lens is integral with or in optical contact with said light source, g) and wherein said lens includes a rigid shell, and said substantially transparent optical material consists of a liquid or gelatinous lens material enclosed within said rigid shell. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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31. An optical lens for achieving beam formation from a light source in a first body having a cylindrical surface terminating at a first dome, comprising in combination:
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a) a second body extending about said first dome and defining a second dome for refracting light transmitted in a first region of said first dome, said domes having a common axis, b) and a first reflecting surface surrounding said domes for reflecting light transmitted via a second region of said first dome. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification