689 results about "Parabolic reflector" patented technology

An optical device is for spatially displacing the output of a light-emitting diode (LED) and coupling the output to a predominantly spherical emission pattern produced at a useftul height above the LED. The device is made of a transparent dielectric material, such as an injection-molded plastic. It comprises a lower transfer section that receives the LED's light from below and an upper ejector section that receives the transferred light and spreads it spherically. One or more LEDs. are optically coupled to the bottom of the transfer section, which operates by total internal reflection upon their entire hemispherical emission. One embodiment operates as a flashlight-bulb substitute with the ejector section radiating onto a parabolic reflector, which forms the beam. Thus hemisphencally emitting LEDs can be used in parabolic-mirror flashlights wherein these LEDs by themselves may be unsuitable for that role.

A composite reflecting surface for a linear LED array incorporates a truncated circular parabolic reflector surrounding each LED and a trough axially above the circular parabolic reflectors defined between parallel longitudinal reflecting surfaces. The short circular parabolic reflectors collimate wide angle light from the LED into a direction parallel to the LED optical axis. The longitudinal reflecting surfaces are linear parabolic surfaces altered to improve the vertical spread of the light radiation pattern. Longitudinal convex ribs project inwardly from the basic linear parabolic shape. The convex shape of the ribs “sprays” the light incident upon it in a vertically spread pattern. The composite reflecting surface makes use of light from a linear array of LEDs that would otherwise be wasted.

A light fixture consists of one or more light emitting diode (LED) packaging systems within a housing. Each LED packaging system includes one or more LED light sources that simultaneously shines onto opposing reflecting surfaces, then shines forward through encapsulation material. The housing consists of a cluster of prewired sockets with an outer reflective surface. Electrical wiring runs from the rear of the first socket and then to an adjacent socket in a daisy chain fashion. Each socket includes connectors configured to provide each LED packaging system with a source of electricity. The housing has diffusers that adjust the light to an evenly distributed appearance.

Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and imaging system and method can include use of transducer and a reflective surface to simultaneously produce multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue. The system can include a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, a graphical user interface and / or a parabolic reflector. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures, including brow lifts, fat reduction, sweat reduction, and treatment of the décolletage. Skin tightening, lifting and amelioration of wrinkles and stretch marks are provided.

A touch screen system, including a housing, a display mounted in the housing, a plurality of light pulse emitters mounted in the housing below the display, a plurality of light pulse receivers mounted in the housing below the display, a first light guide, mounted in the housing along a first edge of the display, including a first substantially parabolic reflective surface for reflecting light pulses transmitted by the emitters, and a first substantially elliptical refractive surface, positioned substantially above the first substantially parabolic reflective surface, for refracting the reflected light pulses over the display, a second light guide, mounted in the housing along an opposite edge of the display, including a second substantially elliptical refractive surface for further refracting the light pulse refracted by the first substantially elliptical refractive surface, and a second substantially parabolic reflective surface, positioned substantially below the second substantially elliptical refractive surface, for reflecting the further refracted light pulses to the receivers, and a calculating unit, mounted in the housing and connected to the receivers, to determine a location of a pointer on the display that partially blocks the light pulses refracted by the first light guide, based on outputs of the receivers corresponding to light pulses refracted by the second light guide.

This invention relates to devices for coupling light between an optical waveguide and an optical element in a manner that is substantially independent of temperature, using reflective optics. Certain embodiments of the invention concern improved designs for the transmit and receive optics of a waveguide-based optical touch screen sensor, incorporating reflective optics. The improved designs have substantially temperature independent operation and reduced optical losses. In one preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates a parabolic or quasi-parabolic reflector. In another preferred embodiment the improved design incorporates an elliptical or quasi-elliptical reflector. The transmit and receive elements and associated waveguides preferably comprise photo-patternable polymers.

Wireless radio apparatuses for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission / communication of high bandwidth signals having dual receivers and transmitters. Radio devices and systems may include a pair of reflectors separated by an isolation choke boundary. The device may be configured to operate in any appropriate band (e.g., a 5 GHz band, a 24 GHz band, etc.) and may simultaneously transmit and receive with minimal crosstalk. The isolation choke boundary may have ridges that extend between the first and second parabolic reflectors to a height that may be tuned to the band. The isolation choke boundary provides greater than 10 dB isolation between the first and the second parabolic reflectors may be in a fixed configuration relative to each other so that they are aligned to send / receive in parallel. The two reflectors may be formed of a single housing, with fixed parallel alignment.

Integrated touch sensor and solar panel stack-up configurations that may be used on portable devices, particularly handheld portable devices such as a media player or phone are disclosed. The solar cell stack-up configurations may include one or more touch sensor layers and one or more solar cell layers. By integrating both the touch sensors and the solar cell layers into the same stack-up, surface area on the portable device may be conserved. The solar panel may be mounted face down or otherwise obstructed by a touch sensor or other component. In this configuration, the device may include light channels that allow light into the device and direct the light around the component and to the solar panel. A parabolic reflector may be used to direct the light.

A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a "soda straw" collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches. Employing subtraction also cancels "glint" caused by specular reflections of the illumination source off the peaches and into the cameras.

A lens arrangement with an achromatic homogenizer and collimator for multiple LEDs. The lens arrangement combines the hemispherical emittance profiles from one or more LEDS into a collimated beam without chromatic aberration. The lens arrangement has one or more LEDs, a homogenizer, a solid lightpipe, an internal parabolic reflector, a retroreflector, and a refractor. The emittance profiles of the LEDs are distributed evenly over space and angle by multiple reflections inside a diffusely reflecting cavity of the homogenizer. The internal reflector has a numerical aperture of 1.0, which defines a hemispherical solid angle of collection within air. The retroreflector directs rays away from the LEDs. The retroreflection permits space for the electronics of high radiance LEDs. The refractor converts the retroreflector rays in a plurality of shapes. The lens is optimally designed for applications with high standards for color mixing, uniformity, and efficient conversion of electrical power into light.

Devices and systems, and methods of using them, for point-to-point transmission / communication of high bandwidth signals. Radio devices and systems may include a pair of reflectors (e.g., parabolic reflectors) that are adjacent to each other and configured so that one of the reflectors is dedicated for sending / transmitting information, and the adjacent reflector is dedicated for receiving information. Both reflectors may be in a fixed configuration relative to each other so that they are aligned to send / receive in parallel. In many variations the two reflectors are formed of a single housing, so that the parallel alignment is fixed, and reflectors cannot lose alignment. The device / systems may be configured to allow switching between duplexing modes. These devices / systems may be configured as wide bandwidth zero intermediate frequency radios including alignment modules for automatic alignment of in-phase and quadrature components of transmitted signals.

A continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system includes a unique fluid level sensor having a point light source, parabolic reflector, sensor array, and detection, processing and control system. The point light source illumines a parabolic reflector wherein the point light source is located at the focus of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector reflects light from the point light source to produce a parallel light curtain. This parallel light curtain is parallel to an axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflector. The parallel light curtain illumines a chamber such as a chamber in an ophthalmic surgical device used to contain surgical fluid. The sensor array coupled to the chamber detects the parallel light curtain illuminating the chamber. The sensor array provides an output to a detection / processing / control system in order to determine the fluid level within the chamber. This optical method of determining the surgical fluid levels may be advantageous in that it prevents physical contamination of the surgical fluids.

A Catadioptric Light Distribution System is disclosed. The system collects and collimates the hemispherical pattern of light emitted by a Lambertian light emitting diode (LED) into a collimated beam directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the LED. The system comprises a circular condensing lens having a center axis that is aligned with the optical axis of the LED and which is configured to receive an collimate a portion of the light from the LED defined by a central cone of light centered around the optical axis. A parabolic reflector having circular opening formed therethrough is centered on the center axis of the parabolic reflector and is positioned around the LED to receive and redirect the light which does not form the cone that impinges upon the condensing lens in a collimated annular beam in a direction away from the condensing lens. The light reflected and culminated by the parabolic reflector is directed onto a circular annular double bounce mirror which is configured and positioned to receive the annular beam from the parabolic reflector and reflect that beam of light 180° so that it is collimated in an annular beam which passes around the edge of the condensing lens. Thus, substantially all the light emitted by the LED is culminated into a beam of light that is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the LED by either the condensing lens or by the combination of the parabolic reflector and the double bounce mirror.

A composite reflecting surface for a linear LED array incorporates a truncated circular parabolic reflector surrounding each LED and a trough axially above the circular parabolic reflectors defined between parallel longitudinal reflecting surfaces. The short circular parabolic reflectors collimate wide angle light from the LED into a direction parallel to the LED optical axis. The longitudinal reflecting surfaces are linear parabolic surfaces altered to improve the vertical spread of the light radiation pattern. Longitudinal convex ribs project inwardly from the basic linear parabolic shape. The convex shape of the ribs “sprays” the light incident upon it in a vertically spread pattern. The composite reflecting surface makes use of light from a linear array of LEDs that would otherwise be wasted.

A system for treating a substance using a storage vessel and two or more devices disposed in a top of the storage vessel. Each device has: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is supplied to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources.

A Catadioptric Light Distribution System that collects and collimates the hemispherical pattern of light emitted by a Lambertian light emitting diode (LED) into a collimated beam directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the LED. The system comprises a circular condensing lens having a center axis that is aligned with the optical axis of the LED parabolic reflector having circular opening formed therethrough which is centered on the center axis of the parabolic reflector and a double bounce mirror. The light reflected and culminated by the parabolic reflector is directed onto the circular annular double bounce mirror so that this light is collimated in an annular beam which passes around the edge of the condensing lens.

An illumination system for illuminating an object includes a light source and a lens array system. The light source includes an illumination element emitting light rays and surrounded by a parabolic reflector. The lens array system includes a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate. The first lens array plate includes a matrix of lenslets where, in one embodiment, each lenslet has a shape matching the aspect ratio of the object to be illuminated. The second lens array plate includes a radial pattern of wedge shaped lenslets each corresponding to a lenslet in the first lens array plate. Each wedge shaped lenslet in the second lens array plate has dimensions that are selected to provide a radial and theta collection angles matching the maximum divergence angle of the light source and the maximum divergence angles of the corresponding lenslet in the first lens array plate.

A solar collector arrangement includes a number of assemblies (1), which are immersed or partially immersed in a pond of water (2). Each assembly (1) includes a parabolic reflector (3) and an absorber (6). Barriers (10) are located on or near the surface of the water (2) and operate to reduce waves which may otherwise disturb the direct passage of sunlight in windy conditions. The complete immersion of the assembly (1) in the liquid serves to simultaneously protect and cool the apparatus, while allowing ease of sun10 tracking movements by buoyancy induced rotation. Partially immersed versions have higher efficiency and protect against severe weather by inverting into the water.

A rear-loading LED module for a rear combination lamp is disclosed. One or more LEDs are mounted on a printed circuit board that mechanically holds them at the focus of a faceted, parabolic reflector. Light from the LEDs diverges transversely and horizontally, and is collimated by the reflector, and the reflected collimated light is directed in a generally longitudinal direction out of the rear combination lamp, toward the viewer. The LED module itself is generally longitudinally oriented, and is insertable longitudinally into the interior of the reflector from a hole at the vertex of the reflector. The printed circuit board, an optional thermal pad adjacent to the printed circuit board, and a thermally conductive layer adjacent to the optional thermal pad are all generally planar layers, are all generally parallel to each other, and may optionally all have the same footprint. Together, the printed circuit board, the thermal pad and the thermally conductive layer may all form a generally planar ledge.

A light source comprises a lamp such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp and its irradiated light is emitted after being parallelized by a parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector is made by pressing metal such as stainless and its light exit side aperture is covered with a transparent plate made of glass, etc. The transparent plate prevents fragments of glass of the lamp and the like from scattering when the lamp bursts. The parabolic reflector does not have an aperture (cut-out) for ventilation, but heat radiation fins are formed on the outer surface of it.

The invention discloses a multi-line laser radar system for automobiles, which is characterized in that a laser device, a spherical reflector and a parabolic reflector form a set of simple and effective beam shaping system to enable laser beams to be aligned in the horizontal direction and divergent in the direction of an optical axis of the system, an output light spot is a linear light spot, and the distance among a plurality of angle targets in the direction of a vertical axis can be detected by transmitting single pulses. The laser device generates linear beams used as radar scanning signals, the parabolic reflector is used for collecting echo signals of objects, the collected echo signals firstly pass through an optical filter and then incidence onto a photoelectric receiver array, and a motor drives a transmitting light path part and a receiving light path part to integrally rotate, thereby completing multi-line target scanning. In the invention, the linear beams are used as the radar scanning signals, the off-axis parabolic reflector is used for collecting the echo signals, and the photoelectric receiver array is used for receiving the echo signals. The multi-line laser radar system for the automobiles has the advantages of high detection efficiency, short light path, light weight, small volume and the like and is suitable for various automobiles.

A recycling system and method for increasing the brightness of light output using at least one recycling light pipe with at least one light source. The output end of the recycling light pipe reflects a first portion of the light back to the light source, a second portion the light to the input end of the recycling light pipe, and transmits the remaining portion of the light as output. The recycling system is incorporated into a projector to provide color projected image with increased brightness. The light source can be white LEDs, color LEDs, and dual paraboloid reflector (DPR) lamp.

A retro-directive antenna for communicating with a geostationary satellite autonomously detects the direction from which a signal is received, and transmits a beam that points back along the same direction. An array feed is used to illuminate a parabolic reflector. Each feed element of the retro-directive antenna is associated with a unique pointing direction of the beam in the far field. As the transmit energy is switched to different feed elements, the far-field beam is scanned, making it possible to track a geostationary satellite in a slightly inclined orbit. This eliminates the need for mechanical tracking and maintains high antenna gain in the direction of the geostationary satellite. The use of a toroidal reflector with multiple linear array feeds spaced in the azimuth direction enables multi-beam operation, allowing multiple geostationary satellites, spaced by up to fifteen beam widths in azimuth, to be tracked simultaneously and independently.

A portable flashlight includes a housing having a first end, a second end, a base, and an axis running from the first end to the second end of the housing. A rechargeable battery is connected to the base of the housing, so that the battery may be used as a stand for the battery. In the first end of the flashlight, a parabolic reflector having a focus is positioned, so that the focus of the reflector is positioned on the axis of the housing. A fixture or socket for holding an electric light is positioned so as to hold the light at the focus of the reflector. A handle is connected to the housing, where the handle has a first end and a second end. An elastic cord runs from the first end of said handle to the second end of the handle; and one end of the elastic cord may be released from the handle, wrapped around a support for the flashlight, and reattached to the handle. The handle may be rotated relative to the axis of the housing.