Apparatus and method of guiding and shaping light from light source
US7055995B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/30
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling light from a non-rectangular light source. The apparatus and method relate to using a light guide of a single piece of light-transmissive material having a plurality of external surfaces. One external surface is shaped to collect and substantially collimate light from the light source into the interior of the light guide. At least one external surface is shaped to internally control and direct light such that it issues from the light guide in a substantially rectangular pattern and with substantially total internal reflection. The light guide can be used to create a single controlled beam pattern. In another aspect, one light guide could be adapted to issue two controlled beam patterns. Still further, two light guides could be mounted in a common housing and used to generate two beam patterns. One exemplary application of two beam patterns is a bow light for marine vessels. One pattern would issue a red pattern; the other a blue-green pattern; each angularly offset from the other in a horizontal plane, such as dictated by marine regulations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.