Optical system having retro-reflectors
US6312144A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/0006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation onto a target surface comprised generally of a radiation source, a primary reflector and a retro-reflector having a shape complementary to the shape of the primary reflector is disclosed. The primary reflector has a reflecting surface for reflecting the radiation from the source which is substantially concave in shape. The radiation source emits substantially uniform radiation flux in substantially all directions which is collected by the primary reflector and redirected toward the target surface. The retro-reflector, having a complementary shape which depends upon the shape of the primary reflector, is positioned so as to intercept a portion of the radiation redirected toward the target surface. The retro-reflector reflects the intercepted portion of the radiation back toward said primary reflector along the same path such that the redirected radiation is channeled back through the source. In such a manner, flux density at the target surface is improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.