Abstract: A compact optical coupling member is useful for coupling non-coherent light from a source of light to a light distribution harness. The coupling member includes an elongated light transmissive body having a central longitudinal axis, an inlet end for receiving light from the light source, and an outlet end for providing light to a leading end of a light distribution harness. The elongated body has a polygonal cross-sectional shape for providing increased light mixing of the non-coherent light. The polygonal shape of the elongated body increases in size from a first cross-sectional area at the inlet end to an enlarged cross-sectional area at the outlet end for reducing, with respect to the longitudinal axis, the maximum angle of light passed through the outlet end relative to the maximum angle of light received through the inlet end.

Abstract: An interference filter or coating is provided in a predetermined pattern on a lamp envelope. The coating is comprised of alternating layers of high and low index of refraction materials applied to a vitreous outer surface of a lamp envelope. The coating may be geometrically symmetric or asymmetric, continuous or discontinuous with respect to the coating itself or the envelope to which it has been applied. The envelope can be masked prior to deposition of the coating so that removal of the mask leaves the filter in the desired pattern. The preferred process for forming the coating includes forming a boric oxide mask on a portion of the envelope, applying the coating over the mask and removing the coating from masked areas of the envelope by dissolving the mask in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A lamp-to-light guide coupling arrangement includes an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp comprising an arc tube with an ionizable fill, and an excitation circuit for electrically exciting the ionizable fill to induce therein a light-producing arc discharge. The coupling arrangement further includes a coupling device comprising a generally tubular, hollow body that has an inlet end for receiving light from the arc discharge and a larger, outlet end. The coupling device further comprises an interiorly directed reflector on a surface of the hollow body for reflecting visible light. Such coupling device is shaped so as to receive light at one solid angle over an area of the inlet end and to transmit light at a smaller solid angle but over a larger area of the outlet end. The coupling device is preferably formed from dielectric material. The reflector preferably comprises a refractory optical interference filter.

Abstract: A beam spreading device for use with a centralized lighting system and which can be applied to emergency vehicle lighting applications achieves a beam pattern light output which is essentially continuous over an output range of plus and minus 45 degrees from a center point. The beam pattern light output also has a predefined height associated therewith. The beam spreading device is constructed so as to have a curved surface which mixes the light travelling therethrough so as to achieve the continuous light output. Side wall surfaces of the beam spreading device provide for total internal reflectance properties of the beam spreading device. In one embodiment, a color wheel can be interposed between the output of optical fibers which transmit the light from the centralized light source to the necessary remote location, and the beam spreading device. The color wheel provides the ability to generate different color light outputs from a single light source.

Abstract: A light source and optical delivery arrangement for use with a projection lighting system as may be used in the stage and studio fields, includes a high brightness light source which achieves a light output in excess of 4000 lumens at a power rating of approximately 60 watts and wherein such efficiency is achieved in conjunction with a rated life of greater than about 4000 hours for such light source. The light source is disposed at the first optical focal point of an ellipsoidally shaped reflector with an input end of an optical coupler disposed at the second optical focal point of the reflector in order to receive the light output from the light source. The optical coupler member has a cross-sectional surface area which is polygonal in shaped and is effective so as to provide a light output therefrom which is essentially uniform in terms of color and intensity. A prismatic member is disposed on the optical coupler member for re-directing the light output into a lens member.

Abstract: An interference filter or coating is provided in a predetermined pattern on a lamp envelope. The coating is comprised of alternating layers of high and low index of refraction materials applied to a vitreous outer surface of a lamp envelope. The coating may be geometrically symmetric or asymmetric, continuous or discontinuous with respect to the coating itself or the envelope to which it has been applied. The envelope can be masked prior to deposition of the coating so that removal of the mask leaves the filter in the desired pattern. The preferred process for forming the coating includes forming a boric oxide mask on a portion of the envelope, applying the coating over the mask and removing the coating from masked areas of the envelope by dissolving the mask in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A centralized lighting system is provided having a high intensity light source which is disposed at approximately the first optical focal point of an ellipsoidally shaped reflector member. A mirror member, disposed in advance of a second optical focal point associated with the reflector member, receives light output from the light source and is constructed so as to divide the light output into at least first and second beam portions. The mirror member is further effective so as to separate the first and second beam portions by at least 90 degrees relative to one another. Corresponding at least first and second optical transmission members are receptive of the first and second beam portions and are effective for communicating the light output to locations remote from the light source. In one embodiment, the mirror member is V-shaped and is constructed of first and second mirror segments joined together so as to form an angle of less than about 85 degrees therebetween.

Abstract: A display system having a greyscale control arrangement for controlling light output from a plurality of optical fibers includes a light source effective for supplying a high brightness light output to the input ends of the plurality of optical fibers. A plurality of piezoelectric shutter members are disposed adjacent the light delivery ends of the optical fibers and are effective for controlling the delivery of light output through the optical fibers as a function of the on or off condition thereof. The delivery ends of the optical fibers are disposed relative to one another so as to form a plurality of display pixels. At least two of the optical fibers are combined to form each of the pixels. The diameters of the at least two optical fibers that make up each pixel are different thereby allowing that at least four different greyscale levels can be achieved for each display pixel.

Abstract: A central lighting system for providing light to locations remote from the light source includes first and second ellipsoidally shaped reflector members joined so as to substantially surround the light source. The reflector members collect the light output and focus it onto an input face of either a light guide or a non-imaging optical coupling member. If the optical coupling member is utilized, an angle to area conversion occurs so as to allow light introduced at high angles to an input face of the optical coupler to exit the optical coupler at a smaller angle. The reflector members can also be configured so that respective second optical focal points can reside at the apex of the opposing reflector member thereby allowing for a coupling efficiency of approximately 70% or greater.

Abstract: A light source includes an integral reflective coating on a portion of its envelope for reflecting light back through the source. The light from the source is directed by a reflector toward a focus thereof at which is located an input end of a light guide. The integral reflective coating allows a half ellipsoidal reflector to be used in one embodiment without depreciable loss of light. Accordingly, a pair of light sources can be arranged with a common focus to substantially double the brightness in the light guide. Alternatively, the light sources can provide a primary and redundant arrangement, or used to provide two levels of light in another arrangement. According to another embodiment, a hemispherical reflector is used to obtain unit magnification and increase the angular range through which light may enter the light guide.

Abstract: A retrofit optical assembly is provided for automotive headlamps that includes a multi-planar mirror that cooperates with a tapered end of a light guide to reduce glare. In an asymmetric parabolic reflective surface arrangement, the multi-planar mirror is offset from the longitudinal axis of the light guide to equalize the magnification and image size. This also has the beneficial effect of reducing the amount of light loss outside of the parabola.

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 coupling member includes oppositely flared front and rear end portions and a middle portion disposed along the longitudinal axis, with the middle portion extending between and connected to the front and rear end portions. The coupling member can have either a solid or tubular configuration. The middle portion of the coupling member has cylindrical shape and cross-sectional size of uniform dimensions and being less than the respective cross-sectional sizes of an inlet end of the front end portion and an outlet end of the rear end portion.

Abstract: A centralized lighting system having a plurality of output ports includes a high brightness light source disposed at the optical focal point of a parabolic reflector. The light source and reflector configuration deliver light output in an essentially parallel manner to a plurality of lens members effective for focussing the light output into a plurality of spatially separate light spots. The spatially separate light spots are input to optical fibers without experiencing packing fraction losses. The plurality of lens members are disposed equidistantly along radii formed relative to the reflector but at a spaced apart relation to the reflector. In this manner, the lens members provide the spatially separate light spots which are essentially equal in terms of color and intensity to one another.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes improved thermal management properties provided by a thermal shield received about the neck region of a reflector. This reduces the temperature in the seal region of the light source. Additionally, the thermal shield can be incorporated into a modular housing to provide a contained lamp assembly. The module includes cooling fins that effectively reduce the temperature of the module without adversely effecting the light output. Alternatively, the housing is operatively connected to an external, secondary heat sink.

Abstract: A projection headlamp system is capable of projecting a wide spread controlled pattern of light for accommodating low and high beam illuminations. The projection headlamp system includes a curved reflector and a gas discharge lamp. The curved reflector has first and second optical focal points associated therewith positioned along an optical axis. The first focal point is within and closer to the curved reflector than the second focal point which is spaced from the reflector. The lamp is disposed within the curved reflector at the first focal point thereof and along the optical axis. The lamp is operable for generating light. The curved reflector is operable for receiving a substantial portion of the light generated by the lamp and for directing the light along the optical axis toward the second focal point thereof.

Abstract: A light valve for regulating light through an optical fiber system includes a scattering panel interposed between first and second light guides. A reflecting surface directs the light from the output end of the first light guide toward the input end of the second light guide, thereby eliminating losses associated with known arrangements. Use of a reflecting surface advantageously provides multiple passes through the scattering panel to increase the contrast ratio between on and off states of the system, if desired.

Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed which serves to reduce the divergence of a light beam exiting a small diameter optical fiber from what it was upon entering the optical fiber and is particularly suited for automotive forward lighting applications. The illumination system comprises a spherical reflector, a light source, an optical fiber, a hemispherical lens, and an air gap between the planar surface of the hemispherical lens and the output face of the optical fiber. The spherical reflector allows a light beam from the light source to be introduced into the input face of the optical fiber over a wide angle in order to minimize the diameter of the optical fiber. An air gap exists between the planar surface of the hemispherical lens and the output face of the optical fiber that together with the lens are effective in reducing the angular divergence of the beam from what it was upon entering the input face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: This headlamp comprises a reflector and a discharge lamp comprising an inner envelope having a longitudinal axis coinciding with the optical axis of the reflector. The inner envelope includes a bulbous portion, a front leg extending along the optical axis from the bulbous portion toward the front of the headlamp, and a back leg extending along the optical axis from the bulbous portion toward the reflector. The discharge lamp further comprises a tubular shroud comprising a first hollow portion surrounding the front leg of the inner envelope, a second hollow portion surrounding the back leg of the inner envelope, and a bulbous portion between the two hollow portions. The bulbous portion of the shroud has a central longitudinal axis, and this central axis is upwardly offset by a small distance (e.g., at least about 0.5 mm) from the longitudinal axis of the inner envelope on which the discharge is located.

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.