Patent ID: 8469517
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
1. An illumination system, comprising: a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light signals, wherein the plurality of modules comprise a first module configured to emit light signals of a first color and a second module configured to emit light signals of a second color; a plurality of polarizing elements comprising a first polarizing element configured to polarize the light signals of the first color to a first polarization and a second polarizing element configured to polarize the light signals of the second color to a second polarization different from the first polarization; and a polarization converting element comprising at least two polarizing beam splitters and at least two polarization converters, wherein the polarization converting element is disposed subsequent to the plurality of polarizing elements and is configured to direct the light signals of the first color and the first polarization through the polarization converting element unaltered, to convert the light signals of the second color and the second polarization to the first polarization, and to reflect the light signals of the second color at a right angle so that the light signals of the second color exit the polarization converting element coplanar to the light signals of the first color.