Advanced Optical Technologies, Inc.

Richard S Bagwell

David P Ramer

Jack C Rains, Jr

George David Crowley, Iii

Many applications of radiant energy transducer systems call for specific performance characteristics over predetermined fields or surfaces. Constructive occlusion utilizes diffuse reflectivity and a mask sized/positioned to occlude an active optical area, such as an aperture of a reflective cavity, to provide tailored performance characteristics. Constructive occlusion alone or in combination with other techniques enable tailoring of the performance of a radiant energy transducer system to meet requirements of specific applications. One mechanism used to further tailor performance involves a non-diffuse reflective shoulder along a peripheral section of the mask and cavity system. Another technique involves using a retro-reflective surface, for example along a portion of the periphery of the system. Another technique involves use of a reflective wall along one side of the system, to limit the field of view to angles on the opposite side of the axis of the mask and cavity configuration.

Enhancements in radiant energy transducer systems

A system utilizing direct-view illumination of selected regions together with principles of constructive occlusion (diffuse reflectivity in a mask and cavity structure) provides a tailored radiation intensity distribution adapted to meet the requirements of certain special applications. The direct illumination provides high intensity illumination for certain desired regions. However, some radiant energy from the system source(s) reflects and diffuses within the volume between the mask and the cavity. The mask constructively occludes the aperture of the cavity. The reflected energy emerging from between the mask and cavity provides a desired illumination, for example at a much lower intensity, for regions not covered by the direct illumination. For example, in an embodiment wherein the direct illumination provides light over angles near the system horizon, the constructive occlusion in the mask and cavity arrangement provides lower intensity illumination in regions at higher elevation angles up to the system axis.

Direct view lighting system with constructive occlusion

The optical system of the present invention efficiently projects electromagnetic radiation such as visible light over a predetermined field of illumination with a tailored intensity distribution. The system includes a base having an optical area that faces the area to be illuminated. The apparatus further includes a mask spaced over the optical area of the base. The system also includes a cavity with an aperture, formed in either the optical area of the base or in a surface of the mask facing toward the base. The base and mask are arranged so that the mask constructively occludes the optical area of the base and/or the aperture of the cavity, with respect to the field of illumination. The system further includes a baffle. The baffle may be between the mask and the base. The baffle may extend into or be within the cavity. The base, the mask, and the baffle have outer surfaces that are reflective, and preferably exhibit a significant diffuse, reflective characteristic. A source emits electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) into the cavity, and the base, mask and baffle redirect this radiation, for illumination of the intended footprint with the tailored intensity distribution. One example of a tailored distribution is a uniform distribution over a hemisphere, or,&pgr; steradians. In another example, the system uniformly illuminates a designated planar surface.

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Chesterfield, VA, United States of America

Richard S Bagwell