Apparatus and method of using light sources of differing wavelengths in an unitized beam
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating a selected color of light comprising:
- a housing;
a plurality of light sources disposed in the housing, each radiating a color of light into an aperture of defined radial size; and
a corresponding plurality of reflectors disposed in the housing, each reflector arranged and configured to reflect light from a predetermined one of the plurality of light sources into the aperture, where the plurality of light sources and reflectors are arranged and configured with respect to each other to mix reflected light from the reflectors into a composite beam from the plurality of light sources into the aperture, the housing having a radial size comparable to the radial size of the aperture.where the arrangement and configuration of the plurality of light sources and reflectors to mix reflected light from the reflectors comprises a sequenced array of the plurality of light sources and reflectors in an alternating pairs, each reflector being positioned on a common optical axis with an aligned corresponding one of the plurality of light sources to provide a light source and reflector pair, each reflector with the possible exception of the first reflector of the sequenced array having a dichroic filter material which reflects the color of light radiated by the corresponding light source of the pair, and which transmits light radiated by all preceding light sources in the sequenced array.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of light sources, each radiating a color of light; a corresponding plurality of reflectors are arranged and configured so that the reflector reflects light from a predetermined one of the plurality of light sources. The reflected light from the plurality of reflectors is mixed to generate a composite light from the plurality of light sources. A sequenced or stacked array of the light sources and dichroic reflectors mixes the reflected light from the reflectors. Each reflector is positioned on a common optical axis with an aligned corresponding one of the plurality of light sources to provide a light source and reflector pair. Each reflector is coated with a dichroic filter material which reflects the color of light radiated by the corresponding light source of the pair, and which transmits light radiated by all preceding light sources in the sequenced array.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating a selected color of light comprising:
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a housing; a plurality of light sources disposed in the housing, each radiating a color of light into an aperture of defined radial size; and a corresponding plurality of reflectors disposed in the housing, each reflector arranged and configured to reflect light from a predetermined one of the plurality of light sources into the aperture, where the plurality of light sources and reflectors are arranged and configured with respect to each other to mix reflected light from the reflectors into a composite beam from the plurality of light sources into the aperture, the housing having a radial size comparable to the radial size of the aperture. where the arrangement and configuration of the plurality of light sources and reflectors to mix reflected light from the reflectors comprises a sequenced array of the plurality of light sources and reflectors in an alternating pairs, each reflector being positioned on a common optical axis with an aligned corresponding one of the plurality of light sources to provide a light source and reflector pair, each reflector with the possible exception of the first reflector of the sequenced array having a dichroic filter material which reflects the color of light radiated by the corresponding light source of the pair, and which transmits light radiated by all preceding light sources in the sequenced array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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5. A method for generating a selected color of light comprising:
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radiating light from selected ones of a plurality of colored light sources contained within a housing with a maximum radial size comparable to an aperture of defined size; reflecting light from each of the light sources into a common light beam into the aperture; and mixing reflected light in a common beam to generate a composite light of a selected composite color from the plurality of light sources. where mixing reflected light from the reflectors comprises providing a sequenced longitudinal array of the plurality of light sources and reflectors in an alternating pairs of light sources and reflectors, and where reflecting light from each of the light sources into a common light beam comprises reflecting light radiated from a light source by the corresponding reflector of the pair along a common optical axis while transmitting light from other ones of the plurality of light sources corresponding to other reflectors along the common optical axis with the possible exception of the first reflector of the sequenced array. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification