Abstract: An imaging method for generating a substantially one-dimensional scan line image using multiple spatial light modulators, to modulate a homogenous light field, and then anamorphically imaging and concentrating the modulated light to form the scan line image. The spatial light modulators include light modulating elements that are arranged in two-dimensional array and are individually adjustable to either pass/reflect received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating two-dimensional modulated light fields. Anamorphic optical systems are used to image and focus received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure.

Abstract: A linear concentrating solar collector includes two trough-type reflectors having respective curved reflective surfaces that define respective focal lines, and are connected along a common edge in a decentered arrangement such that the focal lines are parallel and spaced-apart, and such that solar radiation reflected by the curved reflective surfaces is concentrated and overlaps in a defocused state. A solar cell is disposed in the overlap region to receive the all of the reflected radiation from the curved reflective surfaces in a defocused state. An optional solid optical structure is used to support and position the trough-type reflectors and solar cell, and to facilitate self-forming of the curved reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A single-pass imaging system utilizes a light source and a spatial light modulator to generate a two-dimensional modulated light field, and uses a catadiotropic anamorphic optical system to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light in order to generate a high-intensity, substantially one-dimensional line image on an imaging surface (e.g., the surface of a drum cylinder). The catadiotropic anamorphic optical system utilizes one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lens elements to image the modulated light field in the cross-process direction, and one or more cylindrical/acylindrical mirror elements to image and concentrate the modulated light field in the process direction. The line image is generated with sufficient energy to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The imaging system simultaneously generates all component pixel images of the line image, thus facilitating a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater.

Abstract: A method for generating an elongated concentrated scan image on an imaging surface of a scan structure (e.g., a drum cylinder) in an imaging (e.g., xerographic or lithographic) apparatus, wherein the imaging surface is caused to move in a cross-scan (process) direction. A spatial light modulator having a two-dimensional array of light modulating elements is used to modulate a two-dimensional light field in response to predetermined scan image data, and then the modulated light is anamorphically imaged and concentrated onto an elongated imaging region defined on the imaging surface. To avoid smearing, movement of the imaging surface is synchronized with the modulated states of the light modulating elements such that image features of the scan image are scrolled (moved in the cross-scan direction) at the same rate as the cross-scan movement of the imaging surface, whereby the features remain coincident with the same portion of the imaging surface.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including multiple spatial light modulators, each including light modulating elements arranged in two-dimensional array disposed in a homogenous light field, multiple anamorphic optical systems, each disposed downstream from an associated spatial light modulator, a scan structure, and an image stitching controller. The light modulating elements of each spatial light modulator are individually adjustable to either pass received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating a two-dimensional modulated light field. Each anamorphic optical system images and focuses received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure.

Abstract: A single-pass imaging system for a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater that includes a homogenous light generator for generating homogenous light from high energy IR lasers, a spatial light modulator including light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and an anamorphic optical system. The light modulating elements are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an “on” modulated state and an “off” modulated state, whereby in the “on” modulated state each modulating element modulates its received homogenous light portion such that an associated modulated light portion is directed onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system. In the second modulated state, the associated homogenous light portion is prevented (e.g., blocked) from passing to the anamorphic optical system.

Abstract: An anamorphic projection optical system is disclosed that takes in a relatively low intensity two-dimensional light field, and anamorphically images and concentrates the light field to generate a substantially one-dimensional, high intensity line image extending in a process direction on an imaging surface. The optical system includes a process-direction optical subsystem formed by one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lenses in an all-refractive arrangement, or a combination of cylindrical/acylindrical lenses and mirrors to generate the line image with sufficient energy, for example, to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The anamorphic optical system also includes a cross-process-direction optical subsystem formed by one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lenses and an optional cylindrical/acylindrical field lens to image the modulated light field in the cross-process direction.

Abstract: Two substantially one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously generated by modulating a two-dimensional homogenous light field using a spatial light modulator having light modulating elements arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. An upper group of modulating elements are configured using a first scan line image data group, and a lower group of modulating elements are configured using a second scan line image data group. The homogenous light source is then pulsed (toggled) to direct the two-dimensional homogenous light field onto the spatial light modulator. The resulting two-dimensional modulated light field is directed through an anamorphic optical system, which images and concentrates the modulated light on an imaging surface such that two parallel one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously formed on the imaging surface.

Abstract: A method for generating an elongated concentrated scan image on an imaging surface of a scan structure (e.g., a drum cylinder) in an imaging (e.g., xerographic or lithographic) apparatus, wherein the imaging surface is caused to move in a cross-scan (process) direction. A spatial light modulator having a two-dimensional array of light modulating elements is used to modulate a two-dimensional light field in response to predetermined scan image data, and then the modulated light is anamorphically imaged and concentrated onto an elongated imaging region defined on the imaging surface. To avoid smearing, movement of the imaging surface is synchronized with the modulated states of the light modulating elements such that image features of the scan image are scrolled (moved in the cross-scan direction) at the same rate as the cross-scan movement of the imaging surface, whereby the features remain coincident with the same portion of the imaging surface.

Abstract: An imaging (e.g., lithographic) apparatus for generating an elongated concentrated scan image on an imaging surface of a scan structure (e.g., a drum cylinder) that moves in a process (cross-scan) direction. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator having a two-dimensional array of light modulating elements for modulating a two-dimensional light field in response to predetermined scan image data, and an anamorphic optical system is used to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light onto an elongated imaging region defined on the imaging surface. To avoid smearing, movement of the imaging surface is synchronized by an image position controller with the modulated states of the light modulating elements such that image features of the scan image are scrolled (moved in the cross-scan direction) at the same rate as the cross-scan movement of the imaging surface, whereby the features remain coincident with the same portion of the imaging surface.

Abstract: A low profile heliostat with elongated louvered mirror segments is provided. Its envelope of revolution has the shape of a flat disc to enable heliostat fields with very high ground coverage ratio. The heliostat's disc-shaped footprint rotates around a substantially vertical axis (akin to a carousel). The short dimension of the mirror segments is drastically shorter than the disc's diameter. Embodiments are described in which the motion relies on two concentric rings, which are individually rotated around a vertical axis. The lower ring acts as a platform providing mainly azimuth tracking, carrying the upper ring. The differential rotation between the upper ring and the lower ring is translated into a rotation of the mirror segments around a second, perpendicular, axis and used for elevation tracking. Disc-shaped heliostat with D-shaped cut-offs are described, to facilitate the required maintenance access even in highly dense heliostat fields.

Abstract: An anamorphic projection optical system is disclosed that takes in a relatively low intensity two-dimensional light field, and anamorphically images and concentrates the light field to generate a substantially one-dimensional, high intensity line image extending in a process direction on an imaging surface. The optical system includes a process-direction optical subsystem formed by one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lenses in an all-refractive arrangement, or a combination of cylindrical/acylindrical lenses and mirrors to generate the line image with sufficient energy, for example, to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The anamorphic optical system also includes a cross-process-direction optical subsystem formed by one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lenses and an optional cylindrical/acylindrical field lens to image the modulated light field in the cross-process direction.

Abstract: A single-pass imaging system utilizes a light source and a spatial light modulator to generate a two-dimensional modulated light field, and uses a catadiotropic anamorphic optical system to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light in order to generate a high-intensity, substantially one-dimensional line image on an imaging surface (e.g., the surface of a drum cylinder). The catadiotropic anamorphic optical system utilizes one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lens elements to image the modulated light field in the cross-process direction, and one or more cylindrical/acylindrical mirror elements to image and concentrate the modulated light field in the process direction. The line image is generated with sufficient energy to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The imaging system simultaneously generates all component pixel images of the line image, thus facilitating a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater.

Abstract: An single-pass imaging system utilizes a light source, a spatial light modulator and an anamorphic optical system to form a substantially one-dimensional high intensity line image on an imaging surface (e.g., the surface of a drum cylinder). The light source and the spatial light modulator are used to generate a relatively low intensity two-dimensional modulated light field in accordance with an image data line such that each pixel image of the line is elongated in the process (Y-axis) direction. The anamorphic optical system utilizes a cylindrical/acylindrical optical element to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light field in the process direction to form the substantially one-dimensional high intensity line image. The line image is generated with sufficient energy to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The imaging system simultaneously generates all component pixel images of the line image, thus facilitating a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater.

Abstract: A single-pass imaging system for a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater that includes a homogenous light generator for generating homogenous light from high energy IR lasers, a spatial light modulator including light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and an anamorphic optical system. The light modulating elements are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an “on” modulated state and an “off” modulated state, whereby in the “on” modulated state each modulating element modulates its received homogenous light portion such that an associated modulated light portion is directed onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system. In the second modulated state, the associated homogenous light portion is prevented (e.g., blocked) from passing to the anamorphic optical system.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including multiple spatial light modulators, each including light modulating elements arranged in two-dimensional array disposed in a homogenous light field, multiple anamorphic optical systems, each disposed downstream from an associated spatial light modulator, a scan structure, and an image stitching controller. The light modulating elements of each spatial light modulator are individually adjustable to either pass received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating a two-dimensional modulated light field. Each anamorphic optical system images and focuses received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure.

Abstract: Two substantially one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously generated by modulating a two-dimensional homogenous light field using a spatial light modulator having light modulating elements arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. An upper group of modulating elements are configured using a first scan line image data group, and a lower group of modulating elements are configured using a second scan line image data group. The homogenous light source is then pulsed (toggled) to direct the two-dimensional homogenous light field onto the spatial light modulator. The resulting two-dimensional modulated light field is directed through an anamorphic optical system, which images and concentrates the modulated light on an imaging surface such that two parallel one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously formed on the imaging surface.

Abstract: Substantially one-dimensional scan line images at 1200 dpi or greater are generated in response to predetermined scan line image data. A substantially uniform two-dimensional homogenous light field is modulated using a spatial light modulator in accordance with the predetermined scan line image data such that the modulated light forms a two-dimensional modulated light field. The modulated light field is then anamorphically imaged and concentrated to form the substantially one-dimensional scan line image. The spatial light modulator includes light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: An imaging method for generating a substantially one-dimensional scan line image using multiple spatial light modulators, to modulate a homogenous light field, and then anamorphically imaging and concentrating the modulated light to form the scan line image. The spatial light modulators include light modulating elements that are arranged in two-dimensional array and are individually adjustable to either pass/reflect received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating two-dimensional modulated light fields. Anamorphic optical systems are used to image and focus received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure.

Abstract: A solar-tower system includes a raised solar receiver disposed on a tower and a mirror array including multiple flat mirrors for reflecting sunlight onto the raised receiver. The mirror array is disposed on a carousel-type platform that is rotatable around a vertical axis, and the raised receiver is maintained at a substantially fixed position relative to the mirror array for all rotational positions of the platform. A solar azimuth tracking controller controls the platform's rotational position to track the sun's azimuth angle such that sunlight shines on the mirror array from a fixed apparent azimuth angle at all times during daylight hours. Each flat mirror pivots around a corresponding unique axis, and a solar elevation tracking controller individually controls each mirror's pivot position to track the sun's elevation angle such that sunlight is accurately reflected onto the raised solar receiver at all times during daylight hours.