US3578973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-luminous light sources employing fiber optics
Assignee: American Atomics Corp
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Filing: 1969-03-06
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A self-luminous light source in which ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission media are utilized to transmit light from a radiation-excited light source to one or more light display locations at predetermined distances from the radiation-excited source. In one embodiment the radioactive material within the source is completely surrounded by radiation shielding material such as lead and the ''''fiber optic'''' media follow a curved path within the shield. Other embodiments include apparatus for selectively presenting light of various colors and intensities to the input ends of the ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission media.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry H Dooley
- 👤 Robert J Doda
- 👤 Arthur F Mahon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/10; B60Q3/14; B60Q3/60; B60Q3/62; B60Q3/66; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0008; G02B6/4249; G02B6/4298; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G21; G21G; G21G4/00; G21G4/04; H; H01; H01J; H01J65/00; H01J65/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A self-luminous light source comprising: a gastight chamber having a layer of phosphor material and a radioactive beta emitting gas therein, the gas being of a concentration and pressure to excite the phosphor to luminescence and to emit radiation at a level that is harmful to humans; a window in the chamber through which light emanates; a housing enclosing the chamber; a light display arrangement located on the surface of the housing at a point where the level of radiation from the gas is harmless to humans; and ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, the light transmission means being positioned within the housing such that the one end is adjacent the window and the other end is adjacent the display arrangement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 2 in which the window has a first luminous diameter, a diffusion lens of a second luminous diameter is positioned at the display location, and the light transmission means comprises a light pipe having an input end of a diameter substantially equal to the first luminous diameter and an output end of a diameter substantially equal to the second luminous diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
A self-luminous light source comprising: a gastight chamber having a layer of phosphor material and a radioactive beta emitting gas thErein, the gas being of a concentration and pressure to excite the phosphor to luminescence and to produce radiation at a level that is harmful to humans; a window in the chamber through which light and radiation emanate within a restricted solid angle; a light display arrangement spaced from the gastight chamber outside of the solid angle within which light and radiation emanates through the window; and ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, the one end of the light transmission means being adjacent the window of the chamber to intercept the light therefrom and the other end of the light transmission means being adjacent the light display arrangement to illuminate it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 4 in which shielding means are provided completely surrounding the chamber except for the space occupied by the light transmission means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 4 in which the light emanates through the window substantially in one direction and the light at the display arrangement is transmitted in a direction which is approximately 90* removed from the direction of light emanating through the window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
A self-luminous light source comprising: a gastight chamber having a layer of phosphor material and a radioactive beta emitting gas therein, the gas being of a concentration and pressure to excite the phosphor to luminescence and to produce radiation at a level that is harmful to humans; a window in the chamber through which light and radiation emanate; ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the window and the other end of the light transmission means being so disposed that a bend is formed in the light transmission means between the ends; and radiation shielding means for completely surrounding the gastight chamber except for the space occupied by the light transmission means such that no straight path for radiation from the window exists to the exterior of the shielding means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 7 in which the shielding means comprises a radiation absorbing housing, the housing having a cavity therein in which the gastight chamber is located and a curved channel therein in which the light transmission means is located.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A self-luminous buoy comprising: a floatable housing floating in a liquid; a radiation-excited self-luminous light source located in the housing, the source producing radiation at a level that is harmful to humans; at least one light display arrangement from which light emanates in a substantially horizontal direction; ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, the one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the source and the other end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the light display arrangement and the length of the light transmission means being bent; and radiation shielding means surrounding the source except for the space occupied by the light transmission means such that no straight path exists for radiation from the source to the exterior of the shielding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A self-luminous sign comprising: a support member having a plurality of light display locations; a plurality of self-luminous light sources each affixed to the support member and arranged to form at least one alphanumeric character; each of the sources comprising a radiation-excited self-luminous light generator that produces radiation at a level harmful to humans; ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the generator and the other end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent one of the light display locations; and radiation shielding means completely surrounding the light generator except for the space occupied by the light transmission means such that no straight path exists from the generator for radiation to the exterior of the radiation shielding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A light system comprising: a radiation-excited self-luminous light generating means, a first radiation level harmful to humans being established immediately adjacent the light generating means; a first light display means located a predetermined distance from the light generating means; radiation shielding means disposed between the light generating means and the light display means to establish a second radiation level immediately adjacent the light display means; the second radiation level being substantially less then the first radiation level and harmless to humans; and ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, the one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the light generating means and the other end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the light display means to connect the light generating means and the light display means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lighting system according to claim 11 in which the first light display means and a plurality of additional light display means are affixed to an instrument panel and in which the ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means transmits light to all of the light display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A variable-color self-luminous light source comprising: a plurality of radiation-excited self-luminous light generating means each of which generates a different color light and radiation at a level that is harmful to humans; a light display arrangement located at a point where the level of the radiation from the light generating means is harmless to humans; ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, the one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent one of the light generating means and the other end being disposed adjacent the light display arrangement; and means for selectively positioning each of the light generating means adjacent the one end of the light transmission means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A variable-color self-luminous light source according to claim 13 in which the input end of the light transmission means is fixedly mounted and in which the positioning means comprise a rotatable holder in which the light generating means are affixed, rotation of the holder sequentially positioning each of the light generating means opposite the end of the transmission means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 14 in which the rotatable holder has a blank location which may be positioned adjacent the input end of the transmission means, the positioning of the blank location opposite the input end of the transmission means being effective to turn off the light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
A variable-intensity self-luminous light source comprising: a radiation-excited self-luminous light generating means that produces a level of radiation harmful to humans; a light display arrangement located at a point where the level of radiation from the light generating means is harmless to humans; ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light by substantially total internal reflection from a light input end to a light output end, the light input end being positioned adjacent the light generating means and the light output end being positioned adjacent the light display arrangement; and means for selectively adjusting the distance between the light transmission means and the light generatiNg means to enable variable selected amounts of the light emanating from the light generating means to enter the input end of the light transmission means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A variable-intensity self-luminous light source according to claim 16 in which the input end of the light transmission means is fixedly mounted and the adjusting means comprises means for moving the light generating means selectively toward and away from the input end of the light transmission means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A self-luminous light source comprising: a radiation-excited self-luminous light generating means that produces a level of radiation harmful to humans; a plurality of light display arrangements located at a point where the level of radiation from the light generating means is harmless to humans; and a plurality of ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, one end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the light generating means and the other end of the light transmission means being disposed adjacent the respective light display locations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
A self-luminous light source comprising: a plurality of radiation-excited self-luminous light generating means each producing a level of radiation that is harmful to humans; a plurality of light display arrangements located where the level of radiation from all the light generating means is harmless to humans; and a plurality of ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection from respective ones of the light generating means to respective ones of the light display locations, one end of each light transmission means being disposed adjacent one light generating means and the other end of each light transmission means being disposed adjacent one display arrangement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-luminous light source according to claim 19 in which each light generating means generates a different color.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
A self-luminous sign comprising: a display member having a plurality of display locations thereon, the display locations arranged to form an informational character; a single radiation-excited self-luminous light source that produces radiation at a level harmful to humans; a plurality of ''''fiber optic'''' light transmission means for transmitting light from one end to the other end by substantially total internal reflection, a bend being formed in the light transmission means between its ends, the one end of each light transmission means being disposed adjacent the source and the other end of each light transmission means being disposed adjacent one of the display locations; and radiation shielding means completely surrounding the light source except for the space occupied by the light transmission means such that no straight path for radiation from the source exists to the exterior of the shielding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |