US 12,189,126 B2
Compact polarized illuminators using reflective polarizers
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, St. Paul, MN (US); Erin A. McDowell, Afton, MN (US); and Zhisheng Yun, Woodbury, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/093,518.
Application 17/248,963 is a division of application No. 15/536,703, granted, now 10,955,666, issued on Mar. 23, 2021, previously published as PCT/US2015/066563, filed on Dec. 18, 2015.
Application 18/093,518 is a continuation of application No. 17/248,963, filed on Feb. 16, 2021, granted, now 11,579,452.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/099,138, filed on Dec. 31, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0152590 A1, May 18, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 27/01 (2006.01); G03B 21/20 (2006.01); H04N 9/31 (2006.01); F21K 9/61 (2016.01); G02B 27/28 (2006.01); G02F 1/13 (2006.01); G02F 1/1335 (2006.01); G03B 33/12 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 27/0172 (2013.01) [G03B 21/2033 (2013.01); G03B 21/2066 (2013.01); G03B 21/2073 (2013.01); H04N 9/3167 (2013.01); F21K 9/61 (2016.08); G02B 27/286 (2013.01); G02F 1/1313 (2013.01); G02F 1/133536 (2013.01); G03B 33/12 (2013.01); H04N 9/3105 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A polarizing beamsplitter comprising:
first and second prisms disposed entirely within a rectangular reference space, the first prism substantially smaller than the second prism;
a reflective polarizer co-extensive with a diagonal of the rectangular reference space and disposed between, and bonded to, the first and second prisms; and
a light source disposed entirely within the rectangular reference space proximate an input surface of the first prism and configured to emit polarized light into the first prism.