Epicycloidal light guide and illuminating facility
US6621978B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S385/901
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a light guide capable of transferring light from an illuminating apparatus to a certain distant destination. The light guide includes a light source, and a hollow guide unit extended from the light source and having a transparent lateral surface. The present invention provides a pipe shaped light guide having a cross section of an epicycloidal curve for enhancing power and a light emitting characteristic. In the present invention, light is transmitted using a light transmitting material or a prism at a portion of a cross section of the epicycloidal curve, and a reflection plate formed of a high reflection ratio is installed at the remaining portions of the cross section of the same. In addition, an expensive lens or prism is not used in the present invention thereby decreasing fabrication cost. It is possible to provide a high efficiency light guide. In particular, it is possible to improve illumination and energy efficiency characteristics by changing the type of the epicycloid or changing an optical parameter of a material which forms the wall surface of the light guide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.