Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for providing prescribed illumination. Some embodiments provide lenses that include a two-dimensional beam-forming lens-profile where the profile acts to deflect light rays from a light source into a relatively narrow output beam. A zone of higher refractive index than that of the area outside the profile is enclosed where the higher refractive-index zone admits the light rays, a transverse axis of revolution is further included and extends transversely across and outside of the lens-profile so that the transverse axis extends generally laterally with respect to a luminous centroid-direction of the output beam. The lens further includes a surface of revolution formed by circularly sweeping the lens-profile about the axis of revolution forming a circumferential beam from the output beam emitted by said surface of revolution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floating altazimuth-tracking array of point-pocus lenses that concentrate direct sunlight on the upper ends of optical-homogenizer rods bonded to high-efficiency multi-junction photnvoltaic cells. The cells are on heat sinks in altitude-tracking linear troughs holding multiple lens-rod-cell assemblies. Swiveling on horizontal axes, the troughs have their heat sinks always submerged in the water of a circular pond. Only knee-high al-together, the troughs and their floating frame rotate in the shallow pond for azimuth tracking. Closely packed floating platforms comprise solar electric farms with maximal land utilization.

Abstract: A non-imaging optical coupler that is a figure of revolution combining a light-transmitting body defining a recessed input cavity, a transparent droplet-shaped encapsulant of a light-emitting diode, or array of diodes in the cavity, the body having a curved side wall shaped to totally internally reflect all the light emitted from the LED and encapsulant, traveling toward the side wall, within a predetermined distance from the diode or center of array, the body having a cylindrical transition section extending from a curved side wall and forwardly, and a planar exit face at the forward end of the body, transverse to the central axis of the figure of revolution.

Abstract: A grid defining illumination cells having areas to pass light from a source for use in generation of a lines, wherein the grid is defined by first lines extending about one axis defined by the source, and second lines emanating from the axis to intersect first lines, each cell having four edges defined by successive of first lines and successive of second lines, the cells having one of the following: i) equal areas ii) areas that increase in direction away from the source.

Abstract: In a device for directing light longitudinally forwardly, the combination comprises a light source; a drum lens having a body extending about the light source, for refracting light from the source; a light reflector extending about the drum lens body for forwardly re-directing refracted light received from the drum lens body, the drum lens and reflector defining a longitudinally forwardly extending optical axis; and including an aspheric lens located longitudinally forwardly of the light source to refract light received from a source to be transmitted in a forward direction.

Abstract: In apparatus to extract light from an LED, the combination includes a cylindrical body consisting of light transmitting material, the body having a cylindrical outer wall; a pyramidal body having at least three sides and consisting of light transmitting material, the pyramidal body located longitudinally endwise of the cylindrical body, to expose the three or more sides, the planar sides defining planes which intersect said cylindrical body outer wall at curved edges, the cylindrical outer wall terminating at said curved edges; and an LED located in a spaced relation to the pyramidal body, and oriented to transmit light in the cylindrical body and toward the pyramidal body.

Abstract: This invention consists of a highly efficient beamforming system of ring-lens elements that may be used in automobile headlights, flashlights, and for other lighting products. The lens captures most of the light from an omnidirectional source, so that light from a solid angular cone of nearly 4 steradians is utilized with little or no reliance on a metallic reflector. The surfaces of the lens elements may be formed integrally with a hot light source, such as an incandescent lamp, so that the filament of the light source is inserted directly into an internal cavity of the lens. The lens may also be formed in optical contact with a cold light source, such as a light emitting diode, to reduce Fresnel losses and increase light utilization efficiency. An integrated system of optical surfaces collects light, including downwardly-directed light, from the source to further increase light utilization to a high efficiency of 75-90%.

Abstract: An illumination system with a prescribed output pattern comprising a light source and an optical lens redirecting the light of the source into an output beam, the lens with multiple surfaces at least one of which has a shape that is not a surface of revolution, the shape generated by the following method: on the Gaussian sphere of directions of the output beam exiting the surface of the lens, in accordance with the prescribed output pattern, establish a first grid of equal-flux zones of solid angle; on a portion of the Gaussian sphere of directions of the light emitted from the source into the interior of the lens, establish a second grid with the same number of equal-flux zones of solid angles as the first grid, with a coordinate-system topology congruent with that of the first grid, such that the zones of the second grid are in one-to-one correspondence with the zones of the first grid, with the flux of each zone in proportion to its corresponding zone of the first grid, according to the local transmittance

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 device for directing light longitudinally forwardly, that comprises a lens body having a front face facing forwardly, rearward body extent, and a curved sidewall extending between the rearward body extent and the front face; a rear cavity in the body, the cavity having a sidewall and a front wall defining a corner; and a light source in the cavity, and characterized in that light rays transmitted by the light source toward the curved sidewall, and toward the corner are collimated forwardly.

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 radiant energy redirecting system, comprising at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light; an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter; a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from the secondary emitter.

Abstract: Lens apparatus includes a TIR lens having multiple facets, the lens having a central axis about which the facets extend in non-circular relation. The lens may have a non-circular perimeter about that axis, and that perimeter may be rectangular or square.

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 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 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 radiant energy redirecting system comprises:(a) a radiant energy transmitting body means,(b) said means 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 said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face,(c) said body means generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of said body relative to the side of said incidence.