Parabolic reflector

About: Parabolic reflector is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3375 publications have been published within this topic receiving 30735 citations. The topic is also known as: paraboloid reflector & paraboloidal reflector.

Laser optical apparatus for operation under a microscope

Abstract: A laser optical apparatus for operation under a microscope comprises: a laser beam introducing 45° reflector arranged between two optical axes so as not to impair the range of vision frontwardly of a binocular telescope for operation, a parabolic mirror with a surface displaced from an axis for condensing introduced beams of laser and serving as an objective lens of the microscope, a plane reflector driven by motors to direct the condensed beams of laser and an optical axis of the microscope, and a maneuvering mechanism including a stick for operating said motor.

Optical focusing system

Abstract: An improved optical focusing system is provided which includes a parabolic reflector and a fresnel lens situated with respect to one another to share a common focus point. The improved system is designed to collimate substantially all of the available light emitted from a light source located at the common focus point and project the light along a projecting axis. Depending on the limitations placed upon the size of the parabolic reflector, a retroreflector situated about the periphery of the fresnel lens can be added to the system to maximize the amount of emitted light which the system can process and collimate.

Lightweight reflective panels for solar-thermal power plants and methods of forming such panels

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight reflective panel for solar-thermal collector modules of the type including a parabolic reflector for reflecting incident solar radiation onto a fluid carrying conduit positioned along the focal axis of the reflector. A rigid, waterproof, honeycomb panel formed from paper and having a uniform thickness of parabolic shape supports a reflective material. Glass fiber cloth adhered to the outer panel surfaces adds to the panel's strength and rigidity. An adjustable support system suspends the reflective panel from the fluid carrying conduit and provides a means of adjusting panel curvature to precisely obtain the required parabolic shape. Methods of forming the panels are described which permit the panels to be formed at or near the site of their installation to obviate shipping problems and expense. The methods include the steps of forming an expanded honeycomb core, conforming the core to the required parabolic shape, adhering sheets of skin material to top and bottom surfaces of the core, and adhering a reflective material to the top panel surface.

Modified optical fiber daylighting system with sunlight transportation in free space

Abstract: We present the design, optical simulation, and experiment of a modified optical fiber daylighting system (M-OFDS) for indoor lighting. The M-OFDS is comprised of three sub-systems: concentration, collimation, and distribution. The concentration part is formed by coupling a Fresnel lens with a large-core plastic optical fiber. The sunlight collected by the concentration sub-system is propagated in a plastic optical fiber and then collimated by the collimator, which is a combination of a parabolic mirror and a convex lens. The collimated beam of sunlight travels in free space and is guided to the interior by directing flat mirrors, where it is diffused uniformly by a distributor. All parameters of the system are calculated theoretically. Based on the designed system, our simulation results demonstrated a maximum optical efficiency of 71%. The simulation results also showed that sunlight could be delivered to the illumination destination at distance of 30 m. A prototype of the M-OFDS was fabricated, and preliminary experiments were performed outdoors. The simulation results and experimental results confirmed that the M-OFDS was designed effectively. A large-scale system constructed by several M-OFDSs is also proposed. The results showed that the presented optical fiber daylighting system is a strong candidate for an inexpensive and highly efficient application of solar energy in buildings.

Tri-Mode Horn Feeds Revisited: Cross-Pol Reduction in Compact Offset Reflector Antennas

Abstract: The design of a tri-mode horn feed with novel structure is revisited in this communication. This design allows a significant reduction in the cross-pol level in the far-field patterns of linearly polarized offset parabolic reflector antennas with low F/D. This is, in particular, advantageous in spaceborne applications where the space and weight is limited. It is demonstrated that TE21 mode in conical horns possesses a similar aperture field distribution as the focal plane field of an offset reflector antenna and can reduce the cross-pol level if the mode coefficients are optimized. The complex mode coefficients are optimized for a particular application of a 4.5 m offset reflector antenna operating at 10 GHz with F/D = 0.4. It is shown that the cross-pol level is reduced dramatically (~28 dB over 3% of bandwidth) when the reflector is fed by the tri-mode horn with optimum coefficients. The results suggest that this design could be very useful for future narrow band spaceborne remote sensing applications.