Common Focus Energy Emitter with Non-Coaxial Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional common focus energy emitters with three-dimensional concave reflectors are inefficient in focusing a high proportion of emitted energy towards an exit beam axis due to the majority of rays not lying on the imaginary plane defined by the reflector axis, resulting in limited energy concentration.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple energy source units with three-dimensional concave primary reflectors and secondary optical elements, where the primary reflectors have a non-coaxial axis of revolution with the energy emitter axis, allowing for a higher proportion of energy to be focused at a common energy source, and the secondary reflectors can be tilted to modify the exit beam components' intensity and angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional three-dimensional concave reflectors with coaxial alignment are used, then the device structure is simple, but only a very small proportion of total energy is focused in the direction of the exit beam axis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional reflector cross-section to a three-dimensional ellipsoidal geometry. The reflector surface is defined as a portion of an ellipsoid with the light source at one focus and the exit beam axis along the major axis, creating a volumetric focusing structure that captures rays from all directions in three-dimensional space, not just those lying on a single plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs an ellipsoidal curved surface instead of flat or simple spherical reflectors. The specific ellipsoidal geometry with focal points positioned at the light source and exit beam axis creates optimal curved reflection paths that concentrate energy efficiently. The curvature is mathematically defined by the ellipsoid equation, ensuring precise focusing of reflected rays.
2Loss of energy
If multiple energy source units with non-coaxial primary reflectors are used to increase energy focusing, then energy concentration improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple separate energy source units, each with its own primary and secondary reflectors, into a single integrated emitter system. The reflectors are positioned and oriented to direct their respective energy beams toward a common focus point, merging the output of multiple sources into a unified high-intensity beam. This consolidation achieves superior energy concentration that would be impossible with a single source while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs asymmetric positioning and orientation of the multiple energy source units and their associated reflectors. Rather than symmetric coaxial arrangement, each unit is positioned at specific asymmetric locations with reflectors tilted at specific angles, allowing optimal focusing of energy from each source onto the common focus point while managing the complexity of the multi-unit configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If secondary optical elements are added to shape exit beam components, then beam control capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates adjustable or movable secondary optical elements that can dynamically modify the characteristics of the exit beam. These elements may be positioned to change beam divergence, focus, or shape in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to different application requirements. The dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility in beam control while the elements are integrated into the existing reflector geometry to minimize overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly increases the energy focused at the common energy source, enabling more efficient energy emission and allowing for adjustable beam characteristics to suit various applications, such as illumination and medical uses.
Implementation Method 1
a three dimensional concave primary reflector for reflecting the energy emitted by its associated energy source into an energy beam focused at the common focus energy source
Implementation Method 2
a secondary optical element for shaping the energy beam from its associated primary reflector traversing the common focus energy source into an exit beam component of the exit beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed towards common focus energy emitters having a common focus energy source and including two or more energy source units each having a 3D concave primary reflector for reflecting energy into an energy beam focused at the common focus energy source, and a secondary optical element for shaping the energy beam into an exit beam component of the exit beam. The 3D concave primary reflectors bound a minor 3D concave section of an imaginary primary reflector ellipsoid of revolution having a primary reflector axis of revolution non-coaxial with the energy emitter axis. Each primary reflector axis of revolution includes a first focal point disposed at the common focus energy source and a second focal point where its associated energy source is disposed thereat.