Optical Waveguides

Abstract

A waveguide body comprises a body of optically transmissive material further comprising an input surface for light to enter the body of optically transmissive material along a light path. The body of optically transmissive material is curved and has an inflection region that extends transverse to the light path.

1 . A waveguide body, comprising:
 a body of optically transmissive material comprising an input surface for light to enter the body of optically transmissive material along a light path wherein the body of optically transmissive material is curved and comprises a plurality of inflection regions, and wherein at least one of the plurality of inflection regions extends transverse to the light path.   
     
     
         2 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of inflection regions comprises an inflection region that extends along the light path. 
     
     
         3 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of extraction features disposed on the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         6 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the body of optically transmissive material curves and is tapered between the input surface and an end surface opposite the input surface. 
     
     
         7 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflection regions extend transverse to the light path. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein a first number of the plurality of inflection regions extend transverse to the light path and a second number of the plurality of inflection regions extend along the light path. 
     
     
         12 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The waveguide body of  claim 1 , further comprising extraction features disposed in the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         15 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The optical waveguide body of  claim 1 , wherein the body of optically transmissive material is curved in a plane and tapered in a direction transverse to the plane of the curve. 
     
     
         28 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The optical waveguide body of  claim 1 , in combination with a coupling optic and a plurality of LEDs disposed proximal to the coupling optic. 
     
     
         49 .- 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A waveguide, comprising:
 a body of optically transmissive material;   a plurality of LEDs spaced about the body of optically transmissive material such that light developed by the plurality of LEDs is directed through an input edge surface of the body of optically transmissive surface; and   extraction features carried by the body of optically transmissive material for directing light developed by the plurality of LEDs out of the body of optically transmissive material.   
     
     
         57 . The waveguide of  claim 56 , wherein the body of optically transmissive material is rectangular. 
     
     
         58 . The waveguide of  claim 57 , wherein the LEDs develop light that is directed by each LED transversely through the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         59 . The waveguide of  claim 58 , wherein a density of the extraction features are relatively low at outer edges of the body of optically transmissive material and is relatively great at an intermediate area of the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         60 . The waveguide of  claim 59 , wherein the body of optically transmissive material is substantially planar. 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . The waveguide of  claim 56 , wherein the extraction features are disposed in a first surface and light is directed out a second surface of the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         63 . The waveguide of  claim 62 , wherein the LEDs develop light that is directed radially by each LED transversely through the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         64 . The waveguide of  claim 62 , wherein the LEDs develop light that is directed axially by each LED and reflected by a tapered surface through the body of optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         65 . A coupling optic comprising:
 a coupling optic body comprising a plurality of input cavities each defined by a wall wherein a projection is disposed in each cavity and wherein a recess is disposed in each projection,   wherein the recess of each projection is adapted to receive an associated LED.   
     
     
         66 . The coupling optic of  claim 65 , in combination with a plurality of LEDs disposed proximal to the coupling optic. 
     
     
         67 . The combination of  claim 66 , wherein each recess is defined by a base surface and an air gap is disposed between an LED and the base surface. 
     
     
         68 .- 70 . (canceled)