Patent ID: 6504650
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical device operable with an array of light sources arranged generally in a line, the array of light sources emitting beams having respective high etendu axes and low etendu axes, and arranged so that the high etendu axes are essentially collinear, comprising:a first optical transformer redirecting emitted beams from respective light sources in the array at angles set in relation to a distance of the respective light sources from a point on the line, resulting in a set of angularly deviated beams; a second optical transformer positioned to receive the set of angularly directed beams, and redirecting the set of angularly deviated beams to a set of spatially deviated beams at a plane; a third optical transformer positioned in the plane, to redirect the set of spatially deviated beams to a set of parallel beams having essentially collinear low etendu axes; wherein at least one of the first and second optical transformers comprises a series of flat mirrors positioned in front of light sources in the array of light sources, and oriented at respective angles.