Patent ID: 8393737
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. A light engine apparatus for aligning light of a first color range, a second color range, and a third color range, comprising: first and second pentagonal prism elements each having a substantially rectangular base portion and a substantially triangular prism portion, wherein each prism portion has first and second diagonal surfaces, wherein each first diagonal surface has a first dichroic treatment for reflecting light within the first color range and passing light within the second and third color ranges, wherein each second diagonal surface has a second dichroic treatment for reflecting light within the second color range and passing light within the first and third color ranges; a third pentagonal prism element having a substantially rectangular base portion and a substantially triangular prism portion with first and second diagonal surfaces, wherein each diagonal surface passes light within the third color range, and wherein the prism elements are arranged with their prism portions abutting so that the first diagonal surface of the first prism element is juxtaposed with one diagonal surface of the third prism element and the second diagonal surface of the second prism element is juxtaposed with the other diagonal surface of the third prism element; a first light source with a first light beam of the first color range arranged to direct the first light beam through the base portion of the first prism element into the prism portion thereof; a second light source with a second light beam of the second color range arranged to direct the second light beam through the base portion of the second prism element into the prism portion thereof; and a third light source with a third light beam of the third color range arranged to direct the third light beam through the base portion of the third prism element into the prism portion thereof; wherein the first light beam is reflected substantially at a right angle by the first diagonal surfaces of the first prism element and the second prism element, wherein the second light beam is reflected substantially at a right angle by the second diagonal surfaces of the first prism element and the second prism element, and wherein the third light beam passes substantially unreflected through the first, second, and third prism elements to produce a common output light path.