Okay. This is the sum of knowledge about these orthogonal parabolic reflectors (patent number 5037191) that I gathered from the US Patent Database as well as the information in the threads of this forum.
Relevant links:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/show...ight=orthogonal+parabolic+reflector#post31240
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/show...ight=orthogonal+parabolic+reflector#post44773
US Patent Database for an OPR
The problem: Normal parabolic reflectors only work optimally when you have a point source of light. The closest thing available to a point source of light available is a spark-gap bulb, but those are difficult to use, non-continuous, expensive, and generally short-lived. There is quite a proliferation of lamps that are cylindrical in shape, but you can't do very good focusing of a 4" long halogen lamp, which would be great a great light source considering their ample 500 watts and cheap $6 price tag. But how do you effectively focus it? (especially if people on this forum are talking about using light guides and focused-laser-type-light sources?
A possible solution: Orthagonal Parabolic Reflectors. The mathematical concept is to focus the radially emenating lines from a linear light source into a single focal point. It is possible to pass the light through a lens to obtain parallel beams (Fig 4). Note the non-uniform beam distribution. This focal point can also be put at the focal point of a standard parabolic reflector to get a fairly high-effeciency paralell beam light source (Fig 5). If the rear of the OPR is open, it would be possible to project back through the first reflector (Fig 6).
I think that this reflector provides a viable option for two problems presented on the board at the moment -- that of condensing a light source into a light guide to retrofit a halogen bulb for use in retrofitting a backlight as well as getting a bright enough paralell focused light source for use as a substitute white laser in order to make a scanning light system.
I hope that the information in this post helps people understand OPR's better, as well as their possible use.
Relevant links:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/show...ight=orthogonal+parabolic+reflector#post31240
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/show...ight=orthogonal+parabolic+reflector#post44773
US Patent Database for an OPR
The problem: Normal parabolic reflectors only work optimally when you have a point source of light. The closest thing available to a point source of light available is a spark-gap bulb, but those are difficult to use, non-continuous, expensive, and generally short-lived. There is quite a proliferation of lamps that are cylindrical in shape, but you can't do very good focusing of a 4" long halogen lamp, which would be great a great light source considering their ample 500 watts and cheap $6 price tag. But how do you effectively focus it? (especially if people on this forum are talking about using light guides and focused-laser-type-light sources?
A possible solution: Orthagonal Parabolic Reflectors. The mathematical concept is to focus the radially emenating lines from a linear light source into a single focal point. It is possible to pass the light through a lens to obtain parallel beams (Fig 4). Note the non-uniform beam distribution. This focal point can also be put at the focal point of a standard parabolic reflector to get a fairly high-effeciency paralell beam light source (Fig 5). If the rear of the OPR is open, it would be possible to project back through the first reflector (Fig 6).
I think that this reflector provides a viable option for two problems presented on the board at the moment -- that of condensing a light source into a light guide to retrofit a halogen bulb for use in retrofitting a backlight as well as getting a bright enough paralell focused light source for use as a substitute white laser in order to make a scanning light system.
I hope that the information in this post helps people understand OPR's better, as well as their possible use.
