Optical device for LED-based lamp

• US 7,329,029 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Light Engine Limited
• Original Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
• Inventors: Parkyn, William A. Jr., Falicoff, Waqidi, Benitez, Pablo, Minano, Juan Carlos, Sun, Yupin, Munoz, Fernando, Chaves, Julio Cesar
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember; Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US10/816,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 362/231, 362/311, 362/326, 362/334, 362/335, 362/336, 362/359, 362/800, 362/235, 359/708, 359/726, 359/737
• US Class Current: 362/329
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0061 the light source comprising a LED semiconductor devices with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier specially adapted for light emission H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0071 adapted to illuminate a complete hemisphere or a plane extending 360 degrees around the source
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0927 Systems for changing the beam intensity distribution, e.g. Gaussian to top-hat
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/095 Refractive optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/06 with cylindrical or toric faces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/08 with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/58 Optical field-shaping elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements

Abstract

An optical device for coupling the luminous output of a light-emitting diode (LED) to a predominantly spherical pattern comprises a transfer section that receives the LED'"'"'s light within it and an ejector positioned adjacent the transfer section to receive light from the transfer section and spread the light generally spherically. A base of the transfer section is optically aligned and/or coupled to the LED so that the LED'"'"'s light enters the transfer section. The transfer section can comprises a compound elliptic concentrator operating via total internal reflection. The ejector section can have a variety of shapes, and can have diffusive features on its surface as well. The transfer section can in some implementations be polygonal, V-grooved, faceted and other configurations.

Claims

1. An optical device for distributing the radiant emission of a light emitter comprising:

a lower transfer section; and

an upper ejector section situated upon the lower transfer section, said lower transfer section operable for placement upon the light emitter and operable to transfer the radiant emission to said upper ejector section, said upper ejector section shaped such that the emission is redistributed externally into a substantial solid angle wherein said transfer section is a solid of revolution having a profile in the shape of an equiangular spiral displaced laterally from an axis of said solid of revolution so as to place a center of said equiangular spiral on an opposite side of said axis therefrom.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said light emitter comprises multiple sources of light.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said multiple light sources are light emitting diodes.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said multiple light-emitting diodes have differing wavelengths.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said multiple wavelengths chromatically combine in normal human vision to produce a white hue.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the luminosities of said multiple wavelengths are capable of individual control to deliver a gamut of colors in normal human vision.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said multiple wavelengths are compatible with night-vision.