Patent ID: 7029150

Claim:
A catadioptric light distribution system comprising: a light emitting diode (LED) having an optical axis and capable of emitting light in an essentially hemispherical pattern distributed 360 degrees around said optical axis and in multiple directions from zero degrees along the optical axis to approximate 90 degrees measured from the optical axis; a circular condensing lens having a center axis aligned with said optical axis and positioned apart from said LED, said condensing lens configured to receive and collimate a central cone of the light emitted from said LED, said cone of light being essentially centered around said optical axis; a parabolic reflector having a center axis aligned with said optical axis of said LED, said parabolic reflector having a circular opening formed therethrough centered on said center axis, said opening dimensioned to allow said cone of light from said LED to pass through said parabolic reflector and impinge on said condensing lens, said parabolic reflector positioned around said LED to receive tat portion of the light emitted by said LED that does not pass through said opening; said parabolic reflector configured to direct said light received from said LED in an annular beam in a direction parallel to the optical axis but in a direction away from said condensing lens; a circular annular double bounce minor configured and positioned to receive the annular beam of light from said parabolic reflector and reverse the direction of that light 180 degrees and form in an annular collimated beam essentially parallel to said optical axis around said condensing lens; whereby substantially all of the light emitted by said LED is collimated into a beam of light substantially parallel to said optical axis of said LED.