Abstract:
A mechanical actuation system for a light fixture that allows for translation of an array of optics relative to an array of light sources in a defined plane. The system can prevent undesired movement such as rotation or out-of-plane motion. A simple and intuitive user interface enables a user to point a resulting light beam in a desired direction without requiring an understanding of the internal mechanical system. The user interface may include a manually manipulated touch point such as a joystick, knob, or other interface.
Abstract:
A steerable illumination fixtures include an emitting source and a refractive optical system that steers an emitted beam by relative translation of the emitting source against the optical system. The light emitting source may be placed along an optical axis of one or more lenses to produce an output beam along that axis, or translated in-plane (orthogonal to the optical axis) relative to the lenses to produce a steered beam. The optical system may include refractive lenses and in some embodiments mixing channels and/or one or more baffles with apertures. The design is typically optimized to produce a round, uniform beam that retains approximately the same power level and beam width as it is steered. It is beneficial, but not required, that a second lens have a diameter equal to or larger than a first lens. The lenses may be configured so that the effective focal plane of the two lenses together is located approximately at the plane of the light emitting source.
Abstract:
Methods for forming optical articles with antireflective nanostructured (ARN) surfaces. An aluminum layer is deposited or otherwise applied to the cavity of an injection mold tool. Sequential chemical treatments such as anodization and etching steps form an 5 ARN mold texture on the interior surface of the cavity. The ARN mold texture is a negative of a desired surface texture of the article. During injection molding, the desired ARN surface is thereby produced in the optical article.
Abstract:
The system captures and concentrates sunlight for transmission to interior spaces or to a PV system. A solar collector uses arrayed refractive lenses (22), opposing concave focusing mirrors (88), and a movable coupling sheet (30) forming part of a lightguide. The lenses and mirrors have an asymmetric shape, such as having aspect ratios of 3:4 or 1:2, so as to have an asymmetric aperture to better receive light at the different ranges of angles of the sun's rays over the course of a year. The long axis of the apertures is generally oriented in an East-West. The movable sheet contains small angled mirrors (32), and the sheet is translated to position the angled mirrors at the focal points of the sunlight for maximum deflection of the sunlight to an output of the collection system. A position sensor provides feedback regarding the position of the angled mirrors relative to the focal points.
Abstract:
An array of LEDs (40) is supported by a support mechanism (65) that both supports conductors (66,68) leading to the LEDs (40) and sinks heat from the LEDs (40). The support mechanism may be a transparent heat-conducting sheet (65) or an array of cantilevered arms at different angles that support the LEDs (40) and sink heat. This reduces the blockage of light. The LEDs (40) are positioned generally in the focal plane of an array of concave mirrors (38) that collimate the light. The LEDs (40) and array of mirrors (38) are translatable with respect to one another to steer the aggregate light beam to customize the emission. In another embodiment, multiple LEDs are positioned over each mirror in the mirror array, and the combination of LEDs illuminated over each mirror is used to steer the aggregate light beam from the luminaire.
Abstract:
An automatic optical coupling device that uses liquid to couple focused light into a light-guide is described. The liquid moves within a chamber or layer via the thermocapillary effect in order to automatically track and couple a moving spot of focused light. Also provided is the application of these coupling devices in an array feeding into a common light-guide, optical designs to improve the performance of these arrays, and the application of such arrays to light collection.
Abstract:
The backfiring optical systems for directional luminaires described herein provide engineered diffusion and tailoring of the beam to correct undesirable artifacts. In one embodiment a back-firing optical system comprises a light source, a solid lens having an entry face and a back face, and a surface reflector. The surface reflector is disposed in close proximity to the lens, and spaced apart from the back face of the lens by an air gap.
Abstract:
A luminaire for providing configurable static lighting or dynamically-adjustable lighting. The luminaire uses an array of focusing elements that act on light provided via a corresponding array of sources or via an edge-lit lightguide. Designs are provided for adjusting the number of distinct beams produced by the luminaire, as well as the angular width, angular profile, and pointing angle of the beams. Designs are also provided for systems utilizing the adjustable luminaires in various applications.
Abstract:
The system captures and concentrates sunlight for transmission to interior spaces or to a PV system. A solar collector uses arrayed refractive lenses (20) and opposing concave focusing mirrors (22) and a movable coupling sheet (30) forming part of a lightguide (26). The transparent sheet (30) contains small angled mirrors (32), where each angled mirror (32) corresponds to a particular set of the lenses/focusing mirrors and is in the focal plane. The lightguide (26) also includes a fluid (28) surrounding the transparent sheet (30), and lower index cladding layers (29) sandwich the fluid. The sheet (30) is translated within the fluid (28) by an actuator to position the angled mirrors (32) at the focal points of the sunlight for maximum deflection of the sunlight to an edge of the lightguide (26) for extraction to a light transmission system or to a PV system. A position sensor on the sheet (30) provides feedback regarding the position of the angled mirrors (32) relative to the focal points.