Abstract: An optical coupling assembly is useful for coupling a source of light, having high brightness and focussed at a focal plane, to a plurality of optical light conductors. The coupling assembly includes a light transmissive elongated segmented rod-shaped coupling member formed of a plurality of longitudinal sections and a retainer member for holding the longitudinal sections together in an assembled relationship. The coupling member has a central longitudinal axis and at an input end is disposed at the focal plane of the light source, while at an output end is disposed against leading ends of the plurality of optical light conductors. Each longitudinal section of the coupling member has a plurality of spaced longitudinal surfaces capable of internally reflecting light traveling within the longitudinal section.

Abstract: A projection headlamp system for a vehicle includes a high beam subsystem and a low beam subsystem. Each of the high and low beam subsystems includes a pair of light pattern projecting arrangements, a remote single arc discharge light source, a pair of solid optical coupling devices, and a pair of elongated light distributing conductors coupled at output ends to the pair of light pattern projecting arrangements and coupled at input ends to the pair of solid optical coupling devices. The high and low beam subsystems employ either separate single arc discharge light sources or a common single arc discharge light source.

Abstract: An optical coupling assembly is useful for coupling a source of light, having high brightness and being non-coherent and focussed at a focal plane, to a plurality of optical light conductors. The coupling assembly includes an elongated light transmissive coupling member which has a central longitudinal axis and is disposed between the focal plane of the light source and leading ends of the optical light conductors. The elongated coupling member is any one of a limited number of different polygonal cross-sectional shapes. Also, the coupling member can have either a hollow tubular or a solid configuration. The hollow tubular member is coated with a highly reflective material. In one embodiment, the polygonal cross-sectional shape of the coupling member remains constant along the entire axial length of the coupling member.

Abstract: Improved collection optics for a lighting system comprised of a light source, reflector and light receptive component include a multi-portion reflector or a non-imaging optical collector having a positive curvature located at an input end to the light receptive component. The collection optics capture additional lumens for transmission through the light guide. The optical arrangement can also collect different colors of light from the source that would otherwise be omitted from transmission through the light receptive component.

Abstract: A low voltage DC input ballast circuit for a discharge lamp particularly suitable for a central lighting system includes an input filter stage which feeds into a first boost converter circuit controlled by way of a pulse width modulator device. The first boost converter provides warm-up and steady state run signals to the lamp in a voltage fed manner over a coupling circuit using components which are reduced in size relative to conventional discharge ballast circuits. Control circuitry provides various monitoring functions, an example of which is that, in the event of a low input voltage, the lamp will operate in a dimmed or faded manner rather than maintain lumen output by drawing additional current. A second boost converter circuit is associated with a starter circuit arrangement and operates such that starting pulses can be generated and repeated if necessary in a very rapid manner.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided with a source of backlighting which augments reflected incident light to provide increased contrast. A liquid crystal cell which does not contain dye, but becomes clear when a field is applied, is sandwiched in back of a liquid crystal cell with a dye and electrically connected so that when the front liquid crystal cell is turned ON to make selected portions of it transparent, the back liquid crystal cell is OFF so that corresponding portions of it are highly reflecting. No voltage is allowed to be applied across nonselected portions of the front liquid crystal and a voltage is applied across corresponding nonselected portions of the back liquid crystal making the nonselected portions of the back liquid crystal clear, producing a display of high contrast. Sandwiched to the rear of the back liquid crystal cell is a clear plastic wedge which is edge lighted.

Abstract: A lighting system particularly suited for an automotive application in which it is desired to utilize a central light source and couple the light output therefrom to a headlamp assembly having a number of conventional components includes introducing an output end of a light guide to the reflector assembly in place of an incandescent lamp, and disposing a mirror at the output end of the light guide to reflect light onto a conventional parabolic reflector. The mirror is preferably planar and serves to direct the light from the output end of the light guide to the parabolic reflector for collimation thereby and subsequent passage through a conventional lens member.

Abstract: A light coupling arrangement for use with a central lighting system having a high brightness light source disposed in a housing includes a plurality of optical fibers having input ends and output ends which are distributed to various spaced apart location in the desired manner. The input ends of the optical fibers are stripped of cladding and compressed together within a first sleeve member so that boundaries between individual optical fiber input ends are substantially eliminated thereby resulting in a color and intensity mixing at such input end which translates to a uniform color and intensity distribution to the various spaced apart locations. A rod member can be disposed in optical contact with the input ends of the optical fibers and together with the optical fibers, slip fit within an outer sleeve member that assists the first sleeve member in maintaining the compressed relation of the input ends of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A projection headlamp lighting system includes a light source to generate light, a light distributing arrangement to distribute the light to a preselected lighting position, and a light projecting arrangement at the lighting position to project the light in the desired pattern. The light distributing arrangement includes at least one elongated optical light conductor having respective input and output ends. The light projecting arrangement includes an optical structure in the configuration of at least one stair step attached to and protruding axially outwardly from a transverse end face on the output end of the light conductor, and a collector lens being spaced from the outer end of the light conductor.

Abstract: A high brightness discharge light source includes an arctube having an arc chamber formed therein and in which is disposed a fill of gas energizable to a discharge condition. At least two electrodes extend into the arc chamber and are separated by an arc gap of between 2 and 3.5 mm. The dose of mercury disposed in the arc chamber and various arc tube dimensions are selected so as to achieve a balance between three constraints including operating voltage thereby defining lamp efficacy, convective stability and structural integrity of the discharge lamp. A balance between arc gap, arc chamber diameter, wall thickness and the mercury density of the lamp yield a discharge lamp which achieves a light output on the order of 50,000 lumens per square centimeter.

Abstract: An improved remote headlamp system includes a single light source operable in conjunction with a reflector arrangement constructed in a manner so as to generate at least two light spots from such single light source. These two light spots are picked up by the separate input ends of light transmissive elements such as optical fibers or light guides. The output ends of the light transmissive devices are directed to either side of the automobile with one side being imaged by a lens or mirror element to provide the spread portion of the standard pattern of road illumination and the other side being imaged by another lens or mirror element to provide the narrow, focused portion of the road illumination pattern. An arrangement for switching between high and low beam operation is also provided.

Abstract: A lamp containing a fill of xenon, mercury and metal halide is disclosed which serves as a light source for lighting applications and is particularly suitable for automotive forward lighting applications. The xenon ingredient operates to provide for instant light necessary for automotive applications, whereas, the mercury and metal halide ingredients operate to provide for a long life, high efficiency lamp relative to either a xenon or tungsten lamp. The dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp of the present invention are approximately three-fifths (3/5) of those of a typical tungsten lamp utilized for automotive forward lighting applications. The reduced dimensions of the xenon-metal halide lamp allows for correspondingly reduced dimensions of a related reflector for such a xenon-metal halide lamp which accommodates the needs of aerodynamically styled automobiles.

Abstract: Heat sink means are provided for a metal halide lamp to enable more light output during lamp start-up. A xenon-metal halide lamp employing the heat sink means is disclosed along an with automotive headlamp having this lamp for its light source.

Abstract: Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The xenon aggravates convection which causes arc-bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamps on unidirectional current upon which a frequency-modulated high frequency ripple has been imposed, acoustic resonance is used to straighten out the arc. The use of unidirectional current permits a reduction in cost and size of the ballast control circuits operated from auto storage battery. Frequency modulation of the ripple broadens the band allowing acoustic straightening of the arc. Additional control of the arc plus reduction of cataphoresis may be achieved through a horizontal magnetic field at the arc, transverse to current flow.

Abstract: A light coupling arrangement for efficiently coupling a light source to a light distribution arrangement includes a solid optical coupling device constructed of a light transmissive material and configured in an essentially planar manner such that the length and width dimensions are significantly greater than the depth dimension. An aperture is formed on at least one side along the equatorial surface of the optical coupling device and allows connection to the light distribution arrangement. A bore, formed in the optical coupling device and having a flat polished surface, houses the light source in a manner such that the optical coupling device can act as a heat sink for the light source.

Abstract: A projection headlamp lighting system includes a light source to generate light, a light distributing arrangement to distribute the light to a preselected lighting position, and a light projecting arrangement at the lighting position to project the light in the desired pattern. The light distributing arrangement includes a plurality of elongated optical light conductors being of different diameter sizes and having respective input and output ends. The light projecting arrangement includes a housing for holding the output ends of the optical light conductors in an array to project a desired light pattern that is substantially tailored to optimally fit a vehicle's field of illumination with minimal obstruction of the projected light.

Abstract: In this automobile lighting system there is (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state, (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from the source and an output end to which this light is transmitted by the light guide, (iii) an indicating device at the output end for controlling the passage of light from the output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between the indicating device and the exterior location for receiving light passing through the indicating device from the light guide output end. The indicating device comprises a shutter having an opaque portion, a light blocking position in which the opaque portion blocks the passage of light from the output end to the lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through the indicating device to the lens.

Abstract: Miniature high pressure arc lamps containing a substantial pressure of xenon, in addition to metal halide and mercury, can provide instant light at turn-on and are suitable for automotive headlamps. The high pressure of xenon aggravates convection which causes arc bowing and overheating of the envelope above the arc. By operating the lamp at high frequency within selected bands, acoustic modes are excited in the fill which straighten the arc and make the envelope more isothermal. Frequency modulation of the input can be used to broaden the band selected for acoustic operation and relax the tolerance on arc tube and circuit parameters needed for a match. Acoustic operation may also be used to effect physical displacement of the arc for beam switching.

Abstract: Anode and cathode means are provided for a metal halide lamp which cooperate in providing more rapid light output during lamp start-up. A xenon-metal halide lamp employing the improved discharge electrode means is disclosed along with an automotive headlamp having this lamp for its light source.

Abstract: A lighting system particularly suite for aerodynamically styled automobiles and aircraft is disclosed. The lighting system emits light from a strip arranged across a vehicle such as the automobile. The lighting system may comprise various subsystems finding application for the high and low beam frontal illumination and rear illumination all of the automobile. Each of the subsystems comprises a high intensity light source coupled to one end of each of a plurality of light pipes or optical fibers with each having their other end preferably positioned relative to a reflective element and lens. The reflective elements are arranged relative to a lens element to provide a prescribed illumination patterns. In one embodiment the lenses are arranged relative to each other and are located across a strip of the automobile to provide a composite beam to serve the needs of the high and low beam illumination patterns for the automobile.