Thin-sheet collimation optics for diode laser illumination systems for use in night vision and exterior lighting applications
First Claim
1. An optical element for directing a light, the optical element comprising:
- an input surface for receiving the light;
an output surface generally perpendicular to the input surface for emitting the light; and
a stepped surface angling between the input surface and the output surface, the stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting facets arranged so that the light is reflected only by the plurality of reflecting facets in passing from the input surface to the output surface.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical element, a lighting system utilizing the optical element and a method of manipulating light from a source to provide an illumination pattern suitable for use in a night vision system and exterior lighting applications is disclosed. The optical element has an input surface and an output surface disposed at approximately perpendicular to the input surface. A stepped surface angles between the input surface and the output surface intersecting the light inside the optical element. Multiple facets are formed in the stepped surface to reflect the light towards the output surface. The input, stepped and output surfaces are arranged such that the light reflects only from the stepped surface. The optical element has a rectangular shape in one embodiment and a wedge shape in a second embodiment.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An optical element for directing a light, the optical element comprising:
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an input surface for receiving the light;
an output surface generally perpendicular to the input surface for emitting the light; and
a stepped surface angling between the input surface and the output surface, the stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting facets arranged so that the light is reflected only by the plurality of reflecting facets in passing from the input surface to the output surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
an output area of the output surface; and
an input area of the input surface, the input area being no greater than ten percent of the output area.
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8. A lighting system comprising:
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a source of a light, the light being divergent in an emission pattern; and
an optical element disposed a predetermined distance from the source, the optical element having an input surface for receiving the light from the source, an output surface approximately perpendicular to the input surface for emitting the light, and a stepped surface angled between the input surface and the output surface, the stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting facets arranged so that the light is reflected only by the plurality of reflecting facets in passing from the input surface to the output surface, the predetermined distance for spatially expanding the emission pattern of the light prior to the input surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
the source being positioned at approximately the axis, and the source having an emission divergent angle measured normal to the axis; and
the plurality of facets arcing through an angle measured normal to the axis, the angle of the plurality of facets being at least as great as the emission divergence angle of the source.
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14. A method for manipulating a light emitted from a source, the light being divergent in an emission pattern from the source, the method comprising:
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spatially expanding the emission pattern of the light over a predetermined distance between the source and an optical element;
inserting the light into an input surface of the optical element in response to spatially expanding the emission pattern;
reflecting the light only from a plurality of facets formed in a stepped surface of the optical element in response to inserting the light; and
emitting the light from an output surface of the optical element in response to reflecting the light. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A thin sheet optical element comprising:
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an aspherical entrance surface for collimating light passing through the entrance surface;
a substantially planar exit surface generally perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the entrance surface; and
a stepped surface opposing the substantially planar exit surface having a plurality of steps generally parallel to the exit surface separated by associated angled facets disposed at an angle to reflect the light passing through the entrance surface through the optical element and out the exit surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification