Stepped light collection and concentration system, components thereof, and methods
US7817885B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A light guide includes a light guide layer having a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary output aperture (exit) for light traveling in a forward propagation direction out of the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., CPV applications) and, which forms a primary input aperture (entrance) for light traveling in a rearward propagation direction into the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., illuminator applications), and a first plurality of light injection elements stepped (staggered) in a forward light propagation direction in a first plane along lines parallel to the side-end surface or clocked (tilted) about a y-axis in a z-axis-light propagation direction in a respective first plane, wherein the light injection elements are disposed along parallel lines normal to the side-end surface. The light guide component may further comprise at least a second plurality of light injection elements stepped in at least second plane. A light guide system includes a component light guide, a lenslet array disposed adjacent a top surface of the light guide, and a light-transmitting, TIR medium layer disposed immediately adjacent at least one of the top and bottom su…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.