Patent ID: 7163318

Claim:
A compact illuminator assembly comprising: a lens having a light entrance end forming a recess, the lens being a non-imaging lens or a total internal reflection (TIR) lens configured to radiate collimated optical radiation therethrough; a heat sink having an end portion facing the lens recess; a lens holder including a front portion extending about the lens recess, the front portion defining a first cavity for receiving the light entrance end of the lens, and a rear portion defining a second cavity for receiving the end portion of the heat sink therein, the lens holder defining an inner wall therein tapering to a smaller diameter in a direction from the front portion of the lens holder to the rear portion of the lens holder; the lens further including a rearward portion extending about the lens recess and defining an outer surface tapering to a smaller diameter in the direction of the heat sink, the tapered outer surface of the lens further extending into the rear portion of the lens holder and the tapered outer surface of the lens being oriented in adjacent relation to the tapered inner wall of the lens holder; and, a light source positioned on the end portion of the heat sink facing the light entrance end of the lens to transmit light via the lens recess into the lens, the light source being in thermal communication with the beat sink wherein heat generated by the light source is conducted to the heat sink.