Optical architectures for combining multiple lamps in light valve projectors

US6545814B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Terry Alan Bartlett · Dallas, US
• Keith H. Elliott · Plano, US
• D. J. Segler · Allen, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 8, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 26, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B27/143
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An integrating rod (100) for combining light beams from two or more sources. A first light beam (104) enters the integrating rod 100 through a first entrance face (102) to a first reflecting face (110). The light is reflected by the first reflecting face (110) and travels along the major axis (114) of the integrating rod (100) to an exit face (116). A second light beam (108) from a second light source enters the integrating rod (100) through a second entrance face (106). The second light beam may be reflected by a second reflecting face (112) and travels along the major axis (114) to the exit face (116). The two light beams experience multiple reflections as they travel along the integrating rod and leave the integrating rod (100) through the exit face (116) as a single homogenous light beam.