Patent Abstract:
There is disclosed an optical system for light beam amassment and concentration derived through intensification by cyclical accretion of light energy by passing a parallel light beam perpendicular to a 100% reflection double-faced conical optical glass prism repetitively cyclically via plural 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical prisms arranged in a path surrounding said compound optical glass prism defining an endless recycled return path to and through said compound optical glass prism, the amassment occurring during the passage of said light beam through said compound conical prism to be reflected from the conical prism as an emergent amassed and concentrated light beam occasioned by each repeated pass to and from said conical portion of said compound prism and to and through a beam-splitting quadrivial prism to said return path to said compound prism and the conical prism portion thereof and emergence therefrom, an single-faced right-angle isosceles prism arranged to intercept said emergent light beam for discharge of the light energy therefrom. Single, double and unitary compound optical prisms are disclosed.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to radiation concentration methods and means, and more particularly provides an optical method for radiation amassment derived through intrinsic concentrated cyclical accretion of light by passing a parallel beam thereof to a compound double-faced conical optical prism cyclically via plural single faced 100% reflective right-triangular optical prisms in an arrangement defining an endless return path to and through said compound double-faced conical optical prism whereby to produce a controlled single intensified output beam of modified either or both of reduced width and/or length. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Concentration of reflected radiation energy, particularly light energy, has encountered many problems in with efficiency, complexity and expense in systems employed in the past. 
     Prior art believed pertinent to the state of the art relating to the field of the invention include: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patentee 
                 Number 
                 Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Downs 
                 4,858,090 
                 August 15, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 Julin 
                 1,535,314 
                 April 18, 1925 
               
               
                   
                 Sauer 
                 2,168,273 
                 August 1, 1939 
               
               
                   
                 Chenausky et al 
                 3,950,712 
                 April 13, 1976 
               
               
                   
                 Dorschner 
                 4,818,087 
                 April 4, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 Pullen 
                 5,016,995 
                 May 21, 1991 
               
               
                   
                 McKeown et al. 
                 5,078,473 
                 January 7, 1992 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Downs discloses an ellipsoidal reflector/concentrator for light energy in which light from a source enters an ellipsoidal housing in which the ellipse is rotated about a line passed perpendicularly through the ellipse major axis at the second focus ( 2 ) with the first focus ( 1 ), now a distributed focus ( 1 ), in the form of a circle while the other focus ( 2 ) remains a point focus with the laws of elliptical reflection remaining in effect. This was said to work well with ultrasonic and explosive energy that may be placed along a distributed focus ( 1 ). Such energy, leaving generally perpendicular to the second focus ( 2 ), will strike the surface of the ellipsoid in the proper attitude to be reflected to the second focus ( 2 ). 
     However, each point along the generator of such energy radiates its energy in all directions so as to introduce a large axial error for much of its energy when trying to use a filament or gas-discharge tube, for a source of light. Even if it were possible to concentrate all of the light energy from such a source of light, the temperature of an image of incoherent light is a laser, the temperature may reach high enough to bring about atomic fusion, according to Downs. 
     An ellipsoidal reflection system may be provided with the ellipsoidal reflector by passing the axis of rotation through one focus but missing the other with a distributed focus at one end and a point focus at the other end. Such an ellipsoidal reflective system will be conical as it approached the second focus. With multiple reflectors within an ellipse, a phenomenon results when a ray of energy passes through a focus, it will reflect from the inner surface of the ellipse and pass through the other focus. The internal reflective process will, theoretically, go on after each reflection, the ray path will be more nearly aligned with the major axis. A problem with multiple ellipsoidal reflection systems is that a source of energy located at one focus will be in the path of energy after the second reflection. If multiple ellipsoidal reflections are to be utilized, there must not be substance at either focus. The solution offered to this problem was to position the energy source to the side from the ellipsoidal axis running through both focus points with energy from the energy source injected to converge at one focus so that with no physical obstructions at this focus nor at the other focus multiple reflections may occur. According to Downs, many methods of energy ray concentration are feasible with the only requirement being that energy must converge on one focus. 
     Downs provided an ellipsoidal system wherein an energy source generates energy radiation focussed through a lens to an ellipsoidal point focus (focus  1 ) it is thereby confocal with the main ellipsoidal point focus (focus  1 ). Per Downs, the main ellipsoid was comprised of two ellipsoid reflective sections adjacent two point focus (focus  2 ) with both curved to match a portion of the common ellipsoid. Both sections are curved to match portions of a common ellipsoid. The internally reflected ellipsoid section is shown to encompass an end of the shape of the ellipsoid and has a small opening to permit passage of a narrow beam of energy outward from the ellipsoidal system, and also, opposite end reflective section that reflects energy beams back through point focus (focus  1 ) to pass through the small end opening. A cut out was provided in the ellipsoid reflective section to permit passage of focussed energy beams passed through the lens to pass to and through the point focus  1 . 
     One way reflector systems that reflect on the inside and pass radiated energy on through from the outside to the inside could be used in place of the aforementioned cutouts, and with it then possible to have energy directing devices directly opposite of each other rather than having to be spaced. Thus it would be possible to use an annular rotated secondary ellipsoidal reflector projecting radiated energy into a primary reflector through an entire 360 degree circle via a band of one way reflector material as a part of the primary reflector. 
     Downs asserts that it is not practical to make too many passes since energy is not passing through a system focus the first time has a tendency to go further afield with each pass. Further, if a ray of energy misses a focus on the first pass, it can never cross either focus no matter how many passes it makes. 
     Downs also suggests placing reflectors at the end exit reflector of the reflective system, so that energy rays reflected toward the point focus ( 2 ) are intercepted in front of the point focus ( 2 ) by a hyperboloid reflector and reflected back generally along the system primary axis with much of this reflected energy radiation passing out through the small exit opening in the form of a relatively narrow radiated energy beam. This beam as an output is neither coherent nor monochromatic. 
     Downs does disclose a reflector/concentrator for light energy where light is repeatedly reflected within an elliptical housing through a narrow opening. However, the reflective arrangement within the ellipsoidal reflector system is complex and depends upon the energy reaching specific focus points. 
     Sauer provides an optical system comprising a pair of prisms disposed removably or at lease variably spaced in front of a lens. The prisms have angular reflecting surfaces adapted to direct rays of light off the angular surfaces as the rays pass through the prism so as to converge directed to a point on the optical axis of a lens and a plane imagined at the point of intersection of these axes and standing at right angle to the optical axis of the lens in a plane of convergence. The purpose is to provide two pictures in proper stereoscopic relation to each other so that when viewed through suitable optical aids, will fuse into a single picture desired by a stereo optical device. Attention should be given to the angle of incidence of the rays of light upon the reflecting surfaces being angles other than 45 degrees so that the rays diverge to reach the lens. 
     Pullin provides a radiation focussing device using an annular ring and a central focussing body, the ring having an inwardly facing reflecting surface, the reflecting surface being a part of a surface of a cone with a half-angle of 45 degrees. The circularly focussing body has a peripheral reflecting surface whereupon radiation traveling in radial directions with respect to its axial symmetry (which is the cone axis of the reflecting surface) is directed to a focus and is surrounded by the ring and coaxial with said focus. The shape and effect of the said peripheral is derived from a parabola. The function of the ring is to convert parallel rays into radial rays which impinge upon the peripheral reflecting surface of the focussing body. The ring and the said peripheral surface function as an objective. It appears that the primary usage of the Pullin device is as an optical astronomical telescope for receiving radiant energy. 
     Julin discloses light dispersing annular prisms which are utilized as plural concentrically arranged groupings for therapeutic application to a human being and allows the light rays to pass through and disperses them into the several kinds of spectral rays suitable for varied therapeutic use. Selected rays are directed to a focus by a selected lens placed in their directed path. 
     Chenausky et al provide a resonator particularly useful in chemical laser applications, said resonator comprising a ring end mirror, a conical folding mirror and a circular end mirror combined to form an unstable resonator including a radial direction propagation having a gain medium region and a region of axial direction propagation. Chenausky et al provides an output beam which is said to be circular in diameter and has a diameter which is essentially equal to twice the extraction length characteristic of the working medium. The energy extracted by the radial propagating portion of the mode has an approximately uniform distribution in the output beam as a result of the reflective surface area of the conical folding mirror and the spatial variation of the gain of the flow direction of the working medium, the light intensity in the gain region decreases with an increase in the perpendicular distance from the plane at which the gain medium originates. 
     The maximum power handling capability of the unstable toroidal resonator provided by Chenausky et al is limited for all practical purposes by the power handling capabilities of the circular end mirror. The toroidal mirror has the largest surface area of any of the reflective surfaces and the power handling capability of which is said not to be a limiting factor since the large area experiences the lowest flux density of any of the reflective surfaces exposed to the laser radiation; however, the circular mirror has the incidence flux of highest density and this parameter controls the maximum power from the unstable resonator. The folding mirror experiences a flux density which is higher than that on the circular end mirror and lower than that on the circular end mirror. Problems can arise due to excessive heating in the vicinity of the apex of the folding mirror so that the apex preferably is rounded to avoid a sharp point. 
     Chenausky et al further discloses that in transferring rays between the radial and axial regions, the conical folding mirror made the radial profile symetrical with respect to both intensity and phase, and optically compensated for spatial gain variation in the flow direction. These functions are accomplished because the higher intensity portions of the radial propagating beam which occur on the upstream side of the beam are distributed along the base of the folding mirror cone, the base of said cone being coplanar with the base of the toroidal end mirror. The lower intensity portions of the radial propagating beam which occur on the downstream ride are distributed along the base of the conical folding mirror where the reflective surface is a minimum. As a result, the intensity profile of the beam is made more uniform in the axial region and in the near field. 
     The cross-sectional curvature of the toroidal end mirror is circular and has a geometrical axis of symmetry which must be made coincident with the downstream side of the resonant mode in the non-axial region of the resonator (the line passing from the upper portion of the concave reflective surface across the apex of the conical folding mirror). The circular contour collimates the beam from the circular end (toroidal) mirror which is divergent. Alternatively, Chenausky et al proposes that the toroidal mirror contour can be convex and combined with a circular end mirror which is concave or both the toroidal and circular end mirrors made with concave or even non-spherical reflective surfaces such as an off-axis paraboloid. 
     Dorschner provides an example of an optical storage ring where mirrors are used to produce a non-planar equilateral (skew rhombus) ring path, the mirrors being mounted on a supporting cube having passages cut in the path of a beam of light energy propagating therebetween. The mirrors are positioned on the surface of the cube and produce a non-planar equilateral ring path having path segments in two planes. Mirrors are positioned on the corners of the cube to define the vertices of a tetrahedron circumscribed by the cube. The sensitive axis of such arrangement is along one of the mutually orthogonal principal axes of the cube. The tetrahedral ring is equiangular as well as equilateral; thus all the incidence angles on the mirrors are the same. An orthohedral ring is provided with two mirrors placed on a first of adjacent comers of the cube and two mirrors are placed between the corners of two adjacent corner pairs to provide a path substantially on two of the faces of the cube. Mirrors provide the reflective surfaces of the embodiments disclosed by Dorschner. 
     McKeown discloses a pyramidal beam splitter for splitting a beam light into several beams at right angles to a reference beam, the beam parallel to the pyramid axis impinging on the apex of the pyramid at right angles to the reference beam, the beam being a laser beam. 
     The art has long sought means for capturing, concentrating and storing a charge from the input of any parallel radiation source, for example, a light energy source, the charge capable of being discharged in either a rapid or metered manner. Such means would have considerable value in high powered laser usage. Further, metered discharge would be beneficial in industrial applications, medical applications and communications. 
     Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide an optical system whereby a parallel radiation energy, e.g., light energy, can be rapidly increased in intensity, which can effect rapid amassment of radiation energy by minimum short duration passes through the system with storage of the amassed energy for such selective discharge. 
     The invention contemplates the use of at least one compound double-faced conical optical prism for receiving a parallel beam consisting of parallel rays of light energy directed from a light energy source to the reflective inner face of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism, where the light is reflected to the reflective surface to the conical face of an inner centrally concentrically arranged coaxially located conical prism of the compound double-faced conical optical prism where it can be retained and selectively discharged as an multiplied amassed and concentrated intensified beam to a quadrivial prism by which it is split into individual beams and directed to a serial group of 100% reflective single-faced optical prisms disposed in their paths whereby to introduce said split beams back to the compound double-faced conical optical prism in a multiple recycling path repeatably through said compound double-faced conical optical prism, each recycled pass causing the beam to wrap around itself increasing the intensity of said input beam geometrically, said intensified beam capable of being retained within said conical double-faced conical prism, said retained intensified light beam being discharged rapidly by a 100% right-angle isosceles optical discharge prism intercepting the exit path of said intensified light beam. 
     Additionally, the compound double-faced conical optical prism can be formed as a single unitary optical prism. Alternatively, the system according to the invention can comprise an arrangement of a dual compound double-faced conical optical prism array including a pair of offset, partially superposed pair of compound double-faced conical optical prisms arranged one partially over the other with their axes offset one relative the other. 
     The invention also contemplates the combination of the conical double-faced prisms into a single body optical prism formed of optical glass and including all the necessary reflective surfaces of the right-angle isosceles prisms as a part thereof. 
     It is important that the incident light beam be parallel, that is, perpendicular to the entry face of the compound double-faced conical optical prisms. The output intensified emergent beam must exit in a path parallel to the incident beam and is further intensified with each pass through said compound double-faced conical prisms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an optical system for radiation amassment derived through intensification by cyclical accretion of energy radiation by passing a ninety degree parallel incident light energy beam perpendicular to a compound double-faced conical optical glass prism repetitively cyclically via plural single-faced 100% reflective right-angle isosceles optical prisms arranged in an endless recycled return path to and through said compound double-faced conical optical prism and plural single-faced 100% reflective right-angle isosceles optical prisms. The energy is amassed and concentrated during the continuous passage of the recycled light beam through the optical system and retained within said compound double-faced conical optical prism upon each pass through said system. A right-angle single-faced reflective isosceles optical glass prism can be inserted into the output (the emergent) intensified energy beam upon its exit from the compound double-faced conical optical energy beam to discharge the amassed energy rapidly to a selected receiving means offset from the optical system. The discharge prism can be inserted between any of the prismatic faces except for the conical prism where the energy beam is not parallel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic flow representation of the optical system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified diagrammatic flow representation of a modified optical system according to the invention shown partially in perspective; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the representation of the modified optical system shown in plan view of the modified optical system shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic flow representation of an additionally modified optical system according to the invention shown in perspective; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an additionally modified embodiment of the optical system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a chart illustrating the change in cross-section of the incident light energy beam as it is recycled through the optical system of FIG. 1; and,. 
     FIG. 6B is a chart illustrating the change in cross-section of the incident light energy beam as it is recycled through the optical system of FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention provides an optical system that captures, concentrates and retains a charge of radiation, here light energy, from the source of a parallel energy beam such as a laser, sunlight, etc. which can be retained and discharged in a rapid manner. 
     The applicant has utilized the behavior of rays of light incident entering normally on one of two perpendicular faces of an optical glass prism whose principal section is an isosceles right-triangle. The rays of light enter the optical glass prism without deviation and strike the hypotenuse face at an angle of 45 degrees, which is greater than the critical angle of glass, they will be totally reflected there and turned through a right angle so that they will emerge in a direction normal to the other of the two perpendicular faces of the prism. None of the light is lost by total reflection in the prism, particularly if the prism is made of good optical glass of high transparency. Then there is little loss of light by absorption in the prism or by reflection upon entering or leaving the prism. While the same optical effect can be produced by a simple plane mirror, a polished metallic surface, such as provided by a plane mirror, has been found to absorb the incident light to a considerable extent. 
     Applicant has discovered that a light beam, can be intensified by passing a parallel incident light beam perpendicularly through a 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism so that the beam is reflected serially at an angle of 45 degrees from one reflective face to the other reflective face also at 45 degrees. The light beam then is reflected at 45 degrees from said other face of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism directing the concentrated and amassed light beam in a direction parallel to the incident light beam to exit the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism as an amassed and concentrated emergent light beam. The emergent amassed and concentrated light beam is recycled toward the 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism along a return path through a series of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms returning to and through the 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism in one or more series of passes. Each pass results in the further amassment and concentration of the incident beam by causing said incident light beam serially to wrap around itself, increasing its intensity exponentially with each full recycled pass-through without loss of any light energy. In one embodiment of the invention, recycling is effected by directing the emergent amassed energy beam to a quadrivial optical glass prism, which is a pyramidial optical glass prism splitting the emergent amassed energy beam into four beams and directing the split beams toward the respective plural 100% reflective right-angle single faced isosceles optical glass prisms. In addition, applicant can effectively retain the accumulated amassed energy within the compound double-faced conical glass prism and discharge the accumulated energy rapidly, even in a singular burst, by intercepting the emergent beam with an 100% reflective right-angle single faced isosceles optical glass prism which can be described as a discharge prism. 
     The discharge prism can be inserted between any of the prismatic faces except for the faces of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism. Use of a single compound double-faced conical double-faced conical glass prism will condense the incident beam forming an emergent beam only vertically while use of two compound double-faced prisms in series, as will be hereinafter described, will produce an emergent beam condensed horizontally as well as vertically. Both concentration and amassment can be produced with the optical system of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 the optical radiation amassment system according to the invention is represented in diagrammatic flow representation, said system being generally indicated by reference character  10  and comprises a total of fifteen 100% reflective single faced isosceles (right-angle) glass optical prisms, at least one compound 100% reflective double-faced conical optical glass prism  12 , one quadrivial optical glass prism  14  and plural single-faced 100% reflective isosceles glass optical prisms ( 16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e ,  16   f ,  16   g ,  16   h ,  16   i ,  16   j ,  16   k    16   l  and  16   m ), prisms  16   g ,  16   h ,  16   i ,  16   j ,  16   l  and  16   m  are not each visible but are represented by box  16   x  as those prisms located along a path linearly rotated  90  degrees from the linear path within which the prisms  16   a - 16   f  are disposed. The quadrivial prism  14  is a single solid rectangular optical glass body  18  including a four-sided optical glass pyramid  20  encapsulated within said rectangular body  18 , said optical glass pyramid  18  having a base  22 , an apex  24  and four right-angle 100% reflective faces  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  and  26   d . ( 26   b  and  26   c  not visible in FIG.  1 ). 
     The compound 100% reflective double-faced conical glass prism  12  consists of an outer continuous circular ring  28  as a circular outer wall  30 . The circular outer wall  30  has a 100% reflective inner face  32 . The compound 100% double-faced optical glass prism has a top surface  34 , a base surface  36  parallel to said top surface  34  and a central conical recess  38  opening to said top surface  34  and having a 100% conical reflective face  38  and a bottom apex  37  touching the base surface  36 . Both the inner reflective face  32  and the conical reflective face  40  have a curvature of different radii sharing the same center formed to an exact tolerance. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the incident light beam  42  is directed to the compound 100% reflective double-faced conical optical glass prism  12  from an overhead light source  44 . The incident light beam  42  enters the top surface  34  oriented perpendicular thereto and impacts the 100% reflective inner face  32  of the circular outer wall  30  at an angle of 45 degrees relative thereto and is reflected therefrom at a 45 degree angle toward the central conical recess  38  and the 100% reflective face  40  thereof The light beam  42  impacts the circular reflective face  40  of the central conical recess  38  also at a 45 degree angle and is reflected therefrom at a 45 degree angle, directing the light energy beam  42  in a direction perpendicular toward the base  36  of said compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  12  and exit from the compound double-faced conical glass prism  12  as an emergent light beam  46  directed parallel to the incident light beam  42 , each pass from one internal 100% reflective prism face to the other internal reflective face thereof effecting a three fold concentration increase. 
     The distance between the 100% reflective face  32  and the 100% reflective face  40  the conical recess  38  is selected to be three (3) inches (7.62 cms ). The incident light energy beam  42  can be in the form of sunlight or any other source of radiant energy, lasers, etc. In another example, if the outer diameter of the compound double-faced conical prism is four (4) inches (10.2 cms) and the diameter of the central conical formation at its base is two (2) inches (5.1 cms), the light energy beam traveling through will be concentrated exactly three (3) times, per each pass . . . that is, three squared (3×3)=9, 9×3=27, 27×3 or 81, etc . . . increased expotentially. 
     Upon its exit from the compound double-faced 100% reflective conical optical glass prism  12 , the concentrated and/or amassed emergent light beam  46  is directed to the quadrivial prism  14  where it is divided into four split beams, two split beams  48 ,  50  being directed respectively along paths  52 , 54  leading to the single-faced 100% reflective right-angle isosceles optical prisms  16   a  and  16   d . The other two split beams (not shown but being directed to the paths (not shown) leading to the 100% reflective right-angle isosceles optical prisms  16   g ,  16   h ,  16   i ,  16   j ,  16   k ,  16   l  (also not shown but represented as being within box  16   x .) The paths leading to said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms being “rotated” 90 degrees from the paths of the optical prisms  16   a - 16   f  The path taken by the split energy beams  48 ,  50  in their return to and through and return in the system  10  is represented, in FIG. 1, by the broken lines with the arrows absent. Generally, the return paths normally retrace the paths taken by the incident light beam  42  through the respective 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  16   a - 16   f.    
     Each of the single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  16   a - 16   l  are provided with their single 100% reflective surfaces  16   a - 16   l ′ along their hypotenuse. The 100% single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  16   a - 16   l  are arranged spaced at 45 degrees about the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  12 , the group thereof in two rows, one row diametrically opposite the other row, said one row being illustrated in FIG. 1 while, as mentioned above, the other row is represented as disposed in square box  16   x  shown in said FIG.  1 . 
     Upon exiting from the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  12 , the amassed and/or concentrated emergent energy beam  46  impacts upon the reflective faces  14   a  and  14   b  thereof and is split into four (4) split light beams, two of which,  48  and  50 , are reflected at 45 degree angles in opposite directions toward the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prisms which are represented as located in the box  16   x.    
     The split light beams  48 ,  50  enter the vertical faces  56 ,  58  of the single-reflective faced isosceles prisms  16   a  and  16   d  respectively, and pass through said prisms  16   a  and  16   d  to engage the 100% reflective hypotenuse faces  60 , 62  of said respective 100% reflective single-faced isosceles prisms  16   a  and  16   d  and are reflected toward the horizontal faces  64 , 66  of 100% single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms  16   b  and  16   e  respectively, entering same through the horizontal faces  68 , 70  thereof, passing through to hit the 100% reflective hypotenuse faces  72 , 74  of said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prisms  16   b  and  16   e  and are reflected at 45 degree angles therefrom, and are directed through the vertical faces  76 , 78  of said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prisms  16   b  and  16   e , entering said 100% reflective right-angle isosceles prisms  16   c  through the respective vertical faces thereof and impact respectively on the 100% reflective hypotenuse faces  80 ,  82  of said prisms  16   c  and  16   f  from which they are reflected at an angle of 45 degrees respectively toward the horizontal faces  84 , 86  of said 100% reflective single-faced right- angle optical glass prisms  16   c  and  16   f  through which they pass and return to the respective top surface  34  of said compound double faced conical optical glass prism  12  again to enter same in a direction perpendicular to the top surface  34  thereof and begin the return pass, following the return paths  50 , 52  to and through the compound 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  12  reflected from the 100% reflective face  32  of inner wall  30  to the 100% reflective face  40  of the central conical recess  38  to be reflected therefrom so as to exit from the circular base  36  thereof as an additionally concentrated and amassed (thereby intensified) emergent light beam  46 . The resulting additionally concentrated and amassed (thereby intensified) emergent light beam exits to enter the quadrivial prism  14  and,again, follows the return path to and through the 100% single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms  16   a - 16   c  and  16   e - 16   f  returning to and through the 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  12 , exiting now as a further additionally concentrated and amassed (thereby intensified) emergent light beam  46 . However, the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prism  16   m , initially offset from the paths  52 , 54  now functioning as a discharge prism, is mechanically inserted in the paths  52 , 54 , intercepting the further additionally concentrated and amassed (intensified) emergent fight beam  46  and directing same in a direction normal to paths  52 , 54 , effecting the discharge of the said further additionally concentrated and amassed (intensified) light energy which had been accumulated within the system  10 . The degree of the discharge is dependent upon the manipulation of the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  16   m  (the discharge prism). One can describe the relationship of the respective emergent forms of the amassed and concentrated light beams in their passage as being “wrapped serially within themselves and sharing a mutual core”, the cylindrical beam becoming in stages, succeeding successive oval beams effecting the formation of a linear beam with each pass, resulting in a line, as shown diagrammatically in FIG.  6 A. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a relatively simplified optical system according to the invention also is illustrated in diagrammatic flow representation and designated generally by reference character  100 . The system  100  comprises a 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  102  formed of a circular, dish-shaped configuration having a planar top surface  104 , a circular outer wall  106 , a central conical recess  108 , the apex  110  of which touches the top surface  104 , and a circular base  112  of lesser diameter than the circular outer wall  106  and parallel to said top surface  104 . The circular outer wall  106  has an inner 100% reflective inner face  114 . The central conical recess  108  has a 100% reflective face  109 . 
     A pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  116 , 118  are positioned spaced apart with their vertical faces  120 ,  122  respectively equal in height and parallel. The horizontal faces  124 , 126  of said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  116  and  118  are coplanar. The hypotenuse faces  128 , 130  of said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  116 , 118  are 100% reflective. The pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prisms  116 , 118  are located above the compound double-faced 100% reflective conical prism  102 . An additional 100% reflective single-faced, right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  132  is arranged above the pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms  116 , 118 . The pair of 100 reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass isosceles prisms  116 , 118  are spaced apart to define a gap  134  between the vertical faces  122 , 124  thereof The additional 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass isosceles prism  132  is mounted mechanically linked (as represented) so that it can be mechanically shifted to a position fully between the vertical faces  120 , 122  of the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass isosceles prisms  116 , 118  sufficiently to permit the additional 100% reflective single-faced right-angle reflective isosceles optical glass prism  132  to be introduced easily between the pair of 100% single-faced isosceles optical glass prisms  116 , 118  so as fully to fill the gap  134  between the said pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass isosceles prisms  116 , 118  when said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prism  132  is mechanically shifted via link  140 . The horizontal faces  128 , 130  of the pair of  100  % reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  116 , 118  being coplanar, together bridge the horizontal distance between the apex  112  of the central coaxial conical formation  110  and the outer wall  108  of the compound double-faced conical prism  102 . 
     The additional 100% single-faced right-angle optical glass prism  132  is identical in configuration with the configuration of the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles  116 ,  118  except that it is inverted, that is, the vertical face  136  of said additional single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  132 , when inserted between the pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms,  116 , 118  is parallel to the vertical faces  120 ,  122  of said prisms  116  and  118 . The 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  132  is mounted for selective mechanical movement via link  139  to a position (shown in broken line representation in FIG. 3) between the pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  116 , 118 , the said prism  132  entering the gap  134  between said 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms  116 ,  118 . 
     In FIG. 2, a vertically directed incident light beam  140  travels along the path represented by the broken line (with arrows) from a light source  142  located above the 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  102 . The incident light beam  140  enters the top surface  104  of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism in a direction perpendicular to the top surface  104  thereof and strikes the inner reflective face  114  of the outer wall  106  of said compound 100% reflective double-faced conical optical glass prism  102  at a 45 degree angle relative to said reflective face  114  and is reflected in a 45 degree direction relative said reflective face  114  direction inward to the 100% reflective surface  109  of the central conical recess while being amassed and concentrated further by a power of three. The light beam  140  hits the reflective face  109  then is reflected upward at a 45 degree angle relative from said reflective face  109  to enter into the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prism  118  through the horizontal surface  126  thereof to strike the reflective inner hypotenuse face  130  of the fight-angle isosceles prism  126 . From the inner hypotenuse face  130  of the prism  118  the light beam  140  then passes through the vertical face  122  of the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prism  118 , passes across the gap  134  and enters the right-angle isosceles prism  116  through the vertical face  120  thereof and travels to the hypotenuse face  128  thereof from whence the light beam  140  is reflected at a 45 degree angle toward the horizontal face  120  of the 100% reflective single-faced right angle optical glass prism  118  to return to and enter the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  102  perpendicular to and through the top surface  104  to impact upon the 100% reflective face  114 , reflecting therefrom again to the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  118 . As the light beam  140 , now as an amassed and concentrated light beam  144  approaches the vertical face  122  of the prism  118 , and is about to enter the gap  134 , the additional 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  132  is mechanically shifted into the gap  134  to intercept the amassed and concentrated light beam  144  and discharge the accumulated energy content of the amassed and concentrated (intensified) light beam  144  rapidly and/or depending upon the manipulation of said additional 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles glass prism  132 . The recycling of the incident (and the intensified) light beam can be continued repeatedly with continuing amassment and concentration (intensification) of the subject light beam with continued recycling passes through the system  100 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates in plan view, the compound double-faced conical prism  102  showing the reflective face  114  of the outer wall  106  thereof, with the central conical recess and the apex  112  thereof. The pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms are shown with the light beam represented by reference character  140  and the cross-paths across the gap  134  between the pair of the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles prisms represented by reference character  134  and the pair of 100% 100% reflective single-faced right-angle prisms being represented by boxes  16   x.    
     Referring to FIG. 6A, the systems  10  and  100  are capable of concentrating an incident “input” light beam only in a vertical direction, that is gradually reducing the diameter of the cylindrical input light beam in reduced stages, narrowing same from a first reduced oval gradually to form still narrower “compressed oval” to a single line since the beam passes through only a single compound double-faced conical optical glass prism. 
     Thus, the simplified optical system  100  according to the invention, involves a parallel light beam from a source thereof, permitted to enter the compound double-faced conical prism perpendicular to the top surface thereof. The said light beam strikes the inner reflective face and is reflected inward toward the center conical formation while being amassed and concentrated (intensified) by a power of three (3). The intensified light beam then is reflected upward into the first single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism. The said first single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism reflects the light beam upward into the second single-faced right-angle isosceles prism which reflects the beam across the gap. The size of the unit  100  varies in accordance with the diameter of the incident light beam. For example, the system  100  involves a one (1) inch (2.2 cm) diameter incident light beam. 
     Directing attention to FIG. 4 in which a modified embodiment of the system according to the invention is illustrated and designated generally by reference character  200 , said system being a dual system consisting of an array formed of a pair of compound double-faced 100% reflective conical optical prisms  202 , 204 , each identical to the compound double-faced conical prism  102  of the system illustrated in FIG.  1 . The dual array system  200  functions in much the same manner as the single array system. The advantage of the dual array system is that the incident energy beam is concentrated in both vertical and horizontal dimensions, while the systems  10  and  100  narrows the light beam only compressing horizontally. 
     Referring to FIG. 6B, the dual configured system  200  is capable of concentrating an incident “input” light beam both vertically and horizontally, the vertical concentration taking the form of an elongate line while the horizontal concentration effects a decrease in the diameter of the light beam with reduced length eventually to take the form of a dot or point. As represented in FIG. 6B, the first amassment of the cylindrical incident light beam to assume a first amassed emergent light beam results in a compression to an oval cross-section; next, the first amassed emergent light beam has been compressed vertically toward an ever smaller core to form a second resulting emergent amassed light beam which has assumed a reduced diameter cylindrical cross-section; the third pass through results in the second emergent amassed light beam being compressed horizontally to a further amassed emergent light beam formed into a reduced cylindrical cross-section configuration; the fourth pass through results in compression of the reduced cylindrical cross-section configuration to a still further narrowed oval cross-section, a practically linear configuration; and, after the next pass, the further amassed emergent light energy beam; and, a further pass provides a still further amassed emergent light beam having a configuration of a dot or point. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the system  200  comprises a pair of compound double-faced conical optical glass prisms  202 , 204  arranged with one compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  202  being vertically offset from and above the other compound double-faced optical glass prism  204 . The compound double-faced optical glass prism  202  has a circular outer wall  206  with an inner 100% reflective face  208 , a circular planar top surface  210 , a circular base  212  having a diameter less than the diameter of the top surface  210  and a central conical recess  214  opening to the top surface  210  of the prism  202 . The conical recess  214  has an apex  217  touching the base  212 . The inner face  208  of outer wall  206  is 100% reflective. The compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  204  has a circular outer wall  216  with an inner reflective face  218 , a circular planar top surface  220 , a circular base  224  having a diameter less than the diameter of the top surface  220  and a central conical recess  226  opening to the top surface  220 . The central conical recess has a 100% reflective surface and an apex  228  which is aligned with the peripheral edge of the base  212  of the compound double-faced optical glass prism  202 . 
     A pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  230 ,  232  are arranged in proximity to the compound double-faced conical optical prism  202  with the vertical faces  234 ,  236  respectively, parallel and spaced one from the other to define a gap  238 . The horizontal faces  240  and  242  of said prisms  230  and  232  respectively are coplanar. The pair of 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  230 , 232  have 100% reflective hypotenuse faces  244  and  246 , respectively. The 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms  230  and  232  are arranged with their 100% reflective hypotenuse faces  244  and  246  oriented in opposite directions, as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     A third 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  248  is positioned spaced below the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  204 . The 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  248  has a horizontal face  250  and a vertical face  252 . The horizontal face  250  of prism  248  is oriented facing and parallel to the circular base  224  of prism  204 . A fourth 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  254  is positioned below the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  230 . The prism  254  has a horizontal face  256  and a vertical face  258  and is aligned with prisms  230  and  248  with the horizontal faces  250  and  256  respectively being parallel and the horizontal faces  250  and  256  also being parallel. The prism  254  is oriented so that the 100% hypotenuse reflective face of prism  254  faces upward toward the 100% reflective hypotenuse face  246  of the prism  230 . 
     An additional 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  260  is positioned below the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  204  and is horizontally offset from and above the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle optical glass prism  248  and is mechanically linked for positioning selectively to be translated in a direction horizontally below the compound double-faced conical prism  204 , from its offset position from to a position above and aligned with the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle conical optical prism  254  and is arranged to be mechanically translated from its offset position shown in FIG. 4 (see arrow  254 ′) by broken line, so as to intercept the emergent amassed light energy beam  262  which is directed in a vertical path to the horizontal face  250  effectively to cause the emergent amassed light beam  262  to be discharged rapidly. 
     In FIG. 5, an additional embodiment of the radiation amassment and concentration optical system according to the invention is designated generally by reference character  300 . The unitary 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  302  is formed as a unitized single unit with all the 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prisms being incorporated in the unitary single unit, eliminating all the separate individual prisms but the separate 100% reflective single-faced isosceles conical optical glass discharge prism. 
     The 100% reflective compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  302  is formed with an outer circular wall  304  and a central conical recess  306 . The outer circular wall  304  has an inner 100% reflective face  305  while the central conical recess  306  carries a 100% reflective surface  307 . The paths traversed by the incident energy beam being within the radial arms  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  unitary with the single unit. A four-sided pyramidal recess  313  is formed at the intersection of said arms  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  at a location with the apex  309  thereof aligned with the bottom apex  311  of the central conical recess  306  formed in the compound double-faced conical optical prism  302 . 
     Each arm  308 ,  310 ,  312  and  314  has vertical legs, each formed of optical glass,  15  respectively,  316 ,  318 ,  320  and  322 . The vertical legs each continue in return-bent arms  324 ,  326 ,  328  and  330 , also formed of optical glass, each terminates in a 100% reflective hypotenuse angular face  332 ,  334 ,  336  and  338 . At the return bend of each leg, a 100% reflective hypotenuse angular face  340 ,  342 ,  344  and  346 , a 100% reflective hypotenuse face is provided. 
     An incident parallel light beam  345  from a light source  352  enters the top surface of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  302  and impacts upon the circular inner reflective face  305  of the outer wall  304  of the compound double-faced conical optical glass prism  302  and is reflected therefrom at a 45 degree angle toward the central conical recess  306  and hits the reflective face  307  of the central conical recess  306 . The light beam  350  then passes through the circular base  342  to impact upon the reflective faces of the pyramidal recess  313  and are split into four beams which pass through the respective arms  308 , 310 , 312 , 314 , vertical legs  316 , 318 , 120 , 322 , return-bent arms  324 ,  326 , 328 , 330  to reach the respective hypotenuse faces  332 ,  334 , 336 ,  338  through the terminal portions of said arms and are directed in return paths toward the reflective surfaces  305  and  307  following the return paths through the said arms and four-sided pyramid and through said arms, said hypotenuse faces  346 ,  348 ,  344 ,  350  in return paths back to the four-sided pyramid and including the arms, legs, return bent legs and terminal arms. A 100% reflective single-faced right-angle isosceles optical glass prism  348  is mounted outside the unitary glass prism  302  and is arranged for selective mechanical movement (see arrow  352  and broken line outline  349  of said prism  348 ) to enter between the conical recess  306  and the four-sided pyramidal recess  313  to intercept the emergent amassed concentrated light beams and discharge the amassed light energy thereof to a selected location. 
     The radiation amassment system according to the invention, in the rapid discharge mode, can be utilized for high-powered laser operations, while the metered discharge system can be employed in areas of industry, medicine and communications where vastly increased power can be of value. 
     Although the best modes contemplated for carrying out the present invention have been described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6