Abstract: A catadioptric high-aperture optical element includes a substrate made of a transparent material; and a lens formed on the substrate. The lens includes, plural refractive features formed on a central portion of the lens, and plural reflective features formed on a ring portion of the lens. The plural refractive features are shaped to refract light incoming from the substrate and the plural reflective features are shaped to achieve total internal reflections with the light incoming from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a Fresnel lens with a light receiving effect, including a converging surface and an incidence surface opposite to the converging surface. The incidence surface is provided with an optically effective refractive region and an optically reflective region annularly surrounding the optically effective refractive region. The optically reflective region is provided at least with a prism annularly disposed outside the optically effective refractive region. The prism is provided with a refraction surface which is in adjacent to the optically effective refractive region and a reflection surface which is disposed at a first angle relative to the refraction surface. In addition, a tail end of the prism is an inverted hook part. Therefore, the effective working area of the refraction surface and the reflection surface can be increased, thereby improving the light receiving effect of the Fresnel lens.

Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle. The illumination device may be used to selectively illuminate a truck bed or another vehicle location or compartment. The illumination device includes a primary lens having a plurality of optical features that help target light in preferred directions. The optical features may include optical segments or optical portions having a number of optical wedges. In one embodiment, the illumination device is used in a truck bed application.

Abstract: An all-reflective coronagraph optical system for continuously imaging a wide field of view. The optical system can comprise a fore-optics assembly comprising a plurality of mirrors that reflect light rays, about a wide field of view centered around the Sun, to an aft-optics assembly that reflects the light rays to an image sensor. A fold mirror, having an aperture, is optically supported between the fore-optics assembly and the aft-optics assembly. The aperture defines an angular subtense (e.g., 1.0 degree) sized larger than the angular subtense of the Sun. The aperture facilitates passage of a direct solar image and a solar thermal load. A thermal control subsystem comprises a shroud radiatively coupled to each fore-optics mirror and the fold mirror. A cold radiator is thermally coupled to each shroud. Heaters adjacent fore optics mirrors and the fold mirror control temperature to provide a steady state optical system to minimize wavefront error.

Abstract: An optical structure includes a body facing a light emitting surface of a light emitting diode package and including a portion protruding toward the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode package, where a surface of the protruding portion faces the light emitting surface and forms a reflective surface of the optical structure; and a leg elongated from a periphery of the body toward the point light source, where the leg supports the body to be spaced apart from the light emitting diode package.

Abstract: A flash lens and a flash module employing the same. The flash lens includes a lens unit including an incident surface, a reflecting surface, and a light-emitting surface; and a lens seating portion disposed at a lower portion of an edge of the light-emitting surface, extending and protruding from the reflecting surface, and including a pattern formed in a lower surface thereof. In addition, the flash module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the flash lens and a light emitting diode (LED) chip integrally formed with the flash lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for converting solar energy, comprising a solar radiation capturing unit (11) comprising at least one lens having a entry surface (11a) for the incident solar radiation and an exit surface (11b) for emitting the solar radiation in refracted form to a solar radiation concentrating unit (12) comprising a reflector surface (12a) for reflecting the solar radiation incident on the reflector surface (12a) from the exit surface of the lens (11b) to at least one target area (13) of the solar radiation concentrating unit (12). The device (10) comprises positioning means (14) for orienting the solar radiation capturing unit (11) and the solar radiation concentrating unit (12) with respect to each other through rotation about at least one axis (11?) perpendicular to a plane formed by the lens.

Abstract: A solar water heating system, including: (a) a solar heating collector, having: (i) an array of convex lenses; (ii) a panel disposed below the array of convex lenses, wherein the array of convex lenses focuses sunlight on the panel to heat areas of the panel; (iii) a fluid chamber disposed below the panel; and (iv) a plurality of members extending from the panel into the fluid chamber to transfer heat from the panel into fluid in the fluid chamber; (b) a fluid reservoir; (c) a fluid inlet line for moving fluid from the fluid reservoir into the fluid inlet of the solar heating collector; (d) fluid outlet line for moving fluid from the fluid chamber of the solar heating collector to the fluid reservoir; and (e) a pump for moving fluid cyclically through the fluid chamber of the solar collector and the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A laminated optical disk, applied for lighting system or solar energy system, includes a plurality of annular lenses, a base and a circular light guiding unit. The annular lenses are arranged in order from center to outside to form a disk-structure. Each annular lens has a light-input curved surface and a light-output curved surface respectively matching the different thickness of the base. The light-input curved surface is opposite to the center. The light-output curved surface is opposite to the light-input curved surface, and facing to the center. The light is incident on the light-input curved surface, refracted and tended to concentrate by the light-input curved surface. Besides, the light exiting from the annular lens is to be refracted to the direction of the center by the light-output curved surface. The base of the laminated optical disk can significantly improve the light leakage problem by different annular lenses.

Abstract: The solar-based power generator is a system for producing usable electricity from water, which is heated through concentration of ambient, environmental light. The generator includes a reservoir having an open upper end. The reservoir receives a volume of water therein. A convex lens is mounted on an upper edge of the reservoir. The convex lens covers the open upper end. A steam output port is in fluid communication with a steam-based electrical generator. The convex lens concentrates ambient light on the water stored within the reservoir, thus heating the water and to converting the liquid water to steam. Additionally, a methane-burning electrical generator is in communication with the reservoir. Pollutants in the water produce methane during heating and decomposition, which is burned by the methane-burning electrical generator.

Abstract: A flash lens and a flash module employing the same. The flash lens includes a lens unit including an incident surface, a reflecting surface, and a light-emitting surface; and a lens seating portion disposed at a lower portion of an edge of the light-emitting surface, extending and protruding from the reflecting surface, and including a pattern formed in a lower surface thereof. In addition, the flash module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the flash lens and a light emitting diode (LED) chip integrally formed with the flash lens.

Abstract: A solar energy gathering device includes a heat storage unit, a number of heat gathering units and a number of Fresnel lenses. Each of the heat gathering units includes a transparent glass block having a vacuum receiving space, and a heat pipe received in the vacuum receiving space and in thermally contact with the heat storage unit. The Fresnel lenses are attached on each of the glass blocks, and configured for converging solar light to the heat pipes through the glass bocks.

Abstract: A solar heater has a light collector which collects light incident on the light collector into a beam that extends along a beam axis. A plurality of thermally conductive plates is arranged along the beam axis, each of the plates having an aperture on the beam axis. For each plate, the aperture of the plate is smaller than apertures of all plates disposed between each plate and the light collector along said beam axis. A fluid pathway is associated with one or more of the plates for transferring heat to a fluid in the fluid pathway. In a related method of heating a fluid, light rays are collected into a beam and passed through progressively smaller apertures in a plurality of serially arranged plates such that a portion of the beam is incident on each one of said plates. The fluid is thermally contacted with the plates.

Abstract: A light ray concentration device includes a concentrating lens and a base for holding the concentrating lens. The concentrating lens includes a planar surface defining a number of first Fresnel zones and a convex surface facing away from the planar surface and defining a number of second Fresnel zones. The first and second Fresnel zones are coaxial with each other.

Abstract: A solar power system for supplying concentrated solar energy. The system includes a cylindrical absorber tube carrying the working fluid and a concentrator assembly, which includes an array of linear lenses such as Fresnel lenses. The concentrator assembly includes a planar optical wafer paired with each of the linear lenses to direct light, which the lenses focus on a first edge of the wafers, onto the collector via a second or output edge of the wafers. Each of the optical wafers is formed from a light transmissive material and acts as a light “pipe.” The lens array is spaced apart a distance from the first edges of the optical wafers. This distance or lens array height is periodically adjusted to account for seasonal changes in the Sun's position, such that the focal point of each linear lens remains upon the first edge of one of the optical wafers yearlong.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting device includes a spherical concentrator, a track, a sliding element, and at least one solar panel. The track is curved and has a center overlapping with that of the spherical concentrator. The sliding element is disposed on the track, and is controlled to move along the track according to the motion of the Sun during the course of a day. The solar panel is mounted on the sliding element to move along with the sliding element. The solar panel faces the spherical concentrator. Thus, the sunlight can be focused on the solar panel by the spherical concentrator throughout the day.

Abstract: A multiplicity of Fresnel lenses are attached to tubular branches of a tree-like support structure. Fiber optic bundles are connected to the Fresnel lenses and routed inside the tubular branches and collected as a larger fiber optic bundle inside a main trunk structure to which each of the branches is connected. The larger fiber optic bundle may be connected to a remotely located power generating plant or other processing facility via a fiber optic transmission network. A domed solar energy collector includes an outer dome and one or more inner domes concentrically nested therewith, one or more Fresnel lenses being positioned on the hemispherical surface of each of the outer and inner domes. Each of the inner domes is sized and positioned such that its hemispherical surface lies on the focal point of the next larger dome to thereby multiply the solar energy focused through each of the domes to a collection area within the innermost dome.

Abstract: A tower type heat dissipating structure is applied to dissipate the heat of a solar power system. The solar power system is provided with a reflector having a hemispheric surface for reflecting the sunlight to a solar cell. The heat dissipating structure comprises a heat-conducting plate, a plate type heat pipe and a plurality of heat dissipating fins. One side of the heat-conducting plate is connected with the solar cell, and the other side is provided with a groove for being embedded an end of the plate type heat pipe. The heat dissipating fins is arranged with an inclination angle against the plate type heat pipe that can promote the heated air within the gaps to rise. The heat is rapidly conduced to prevent the solar cell from being destroyed by overheating for reducing the repairing costs.

Abstract: A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.

Abstract: A solar powered pipe for use in igniting pipe tobacco. The solar pipe has a light concentrating lens to direct the sun's rays onto the tobacco in a pipe and a retractable arm to regulate the intensity of the heat over the tobacco from the light concentrating lens. Both the lens and the retractable arm are connected to a mounting plate by pivotal joints. When the solar pipe lighter is not in use, it may be folded to fit inside a pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting solar energy to thermal and electrical energy including a photovoltaic grid for converting the concentrated solar energy into electrical energy mounted on a copper plate that provides even temperature dispersion across the plate and acts as a thermal radiator when the apparatus is used in the radiant cooling mode; and a plurality of interconnected heat transfer tubes located within the enclosure and disposed on the plane below the copper plate but conductively coupled to the copper plate for converting the solar energy to thermal energy in a fluid disposed within the heat transfer tubes. Fresnel lenses are affixed to the apparatus on mountings for concentrating the solar energy on to the photovoltiac grid and functioning as a passive solar tracker.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a volatile medium is provided. The apparatus of the invention includes a base and a rotatable lens positioned above the base. The rotatable lens rotates independently of the base in the direction of a light source. The lens is positioned such that a focal point of a lens is focused on the volatile medium. The heat generated by focusing the light in this manner vaporizes the volatile medium and releases the medium into the surrounding atmosphere in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collimating light energy falling randomly from myriad directions on a fixed-positioned thin flat surface. The collimated rays are then concentrated by an assembly of prismatic slabs and optical or fiber optic means to achieve light concentrations of 700 or more times than that of normal sunlight. Applications are given for new products such as collimated beam non-blinding motor vehicle headlights; fixed-positioned solar collectors that collect and concentrate more than 80% of the direct and diffused radiation falling on their surfaces; generation of high pressure steam by means of solar energy; and efficient and economical photovoltaic and thermoelectric generators and fiber optic acceptors for concentrating and transmitting significant quantities of light energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sunlight collection apparatus with increased sunlight gathering and receiving capabilities, which is cheap to produce and allows reliable collection of sunlight without having to track the sun. This sunlight collection apparatus has a light collection portion, facing toward the sun, for collecting sunlight; a light conducting portion, having optical fiber cables, for conducting sunlight collected by said light collection portion indoors; and a light scattering portion, provided at a tip of said light conducting portion, for lighting a room with sunlight conducted by said light conducting portion. The light collection portion has a plurality of lens elements arranged facing in the direction of the sun, with the front surface of each lens element which faces toward the sun having a curved surface. The lens elements have a tapered shape in a rearward direction from the front surface.

Abstract: There is provided a converging solar module of a simple structure which can accurately track the sun and efficiently generate electricity. A converging solar module comprises an electricity generating converging lens (10) made of resin having a flat shape, and a solar battery cell (12) placed in the vicinity of a focal area of the converging lens (10). The converging lens (10) and the solar cell (12) are rotatable as a unit. The electricity generating converging lens (10) is attached to a shaft (20) of a rotation driving motor (18). Using sunlight converged by a cylindrical position detecting converging lens (40), a position detecting sensor (42) locates the sun, and outputs information regarding the position of the sun as angle information to a controller (48).

Abstract: A multiple lens solar heating unit consisting of a piping component, a housing component with a transparent housing cap, holes within the housing component for entry and exit of the piping component, multiple lens mounting braces affixed parallel wise to inner walling of the housing component, a plurality of external lens holders mounted to the braces by mounting pins and rotatably pivotable in an XY plane, an equivalent plurality of internal lens holders mounted one each to each external lens holder by mounting pins and rotatably pivotable in an XZ plane and an equivalent plurality of magnifying lens mounted one each within each internal lens holder.

Abstract: A solar powered cigarette lighter comprising a hollow tube fitted at one end with a light gathering lens and near the other end of the tube with a rod, the tip of which rod holds a light reflective substance positioned at the focal point of the lens to indicate where the end of a cigarette inserted transversely through a port the side of the tube should be positioned so as to ignite the cigarette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for obtaining heat and/or electrical energy from sunlight with at least one solar collector (2) having an absorber (4) and an energy concentrator (6) surrounding the absorber over its length and at least regions of its periphery and optically concentrating the sunlight on the absorber (4). The energy concentrator (6) has a prism arrangement (12) of transparent material at least at its peripheral region which will be illuminated by the sunlight in accordance with the sun's daily movements, with a plurality of axial adjacent prisms (14) running parallel to the absorber (4) and distributed around the periphery. All the prisms (14) are equal sided in cross section and their apexes (18) are directed towards the absorber (4).

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Abstract: A TIR lens having a central axis, and toward which light from a light source is to be directed, and a light ray deviator positioned along the path of light travel between the source and the TIR lens, for deviating light rays toward portions of the lens spaced from the axis, thereby to more evenly distribute light flux at the output of the TIR lens.

Abstract: A fiber optical solar power generating system provides a tower outside a structure to be supplied with solar energy and on which a multiplicity of collectors are provided. An optical fiber trunk carries the collected optical energy to the structure in which a photovoltaic and/or a light/heat transducing stack can be provided and to which light is distributed from the optical fiber trunk so that the transducers need not occupy large areas of the property.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Abstract: The reflection mirror apparatus of this invention, which can be applied to light projector, sterilizing lamp and development device, improves the light reflection precision and the light collecting performance, making it possible to clearly focus the reflected on an object of interest. The reflection mirror apparatus consists of a reflection mirror body made up of two or more reflection mirror bases, and plate-like reflection mirror auxiliary members. The reflection mirror base body and the reflection mirror auxiliary members can be assembled and disassembled by means of screws to a desired size.