Tractrix-based optical device for use with illumination sources in optical systems
US10168516B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0927
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tractrix-based optical device is provided. The tractrix-based optical device includes a light receiving surface, a light emitting surface, and an intermediate portion of transparent material between the light receiving surface and the light emitting surface. The intermediate portion includes a boundary connective surface that adheres to a tractrix when in cross-section to provide total internal reflection of light propagating from the light receiving surface to the light emitting surface. The tractrix-based optical device can align and correlate light from multiple off-axis light emitting elements, or from an extended source light emitting element, thereby providing a generally uniform output distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.