US3770338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optics light source
Assignee: CHADWICK ELECT Inc H
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A light source comprises an envelope; means including electrode structure to produce light at a zone within the envelope, electrode metal becoming vaporized in that zone; and light conducting rod means terminally facing within the envelope toward that zone and with sufficient closeness thereto to prevent vaporized metal deposition thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 J Helmuth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/98; G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; H01J61/02; H01J61/025; H01J61/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a light source, the combination comprising, a. an envelope b. means including an electrical power source and electrode structure connected therewith to produce light at a zone within the envelope, electrode metal becoming vaporized in said zone, said source producing electrical pulses and said electrode structure comprising spaced electrodes between which a pulsed arc is produced at said zone by said electrical pulses, c. light conducting rod means terminally facing within the envelope toward said zone, and d. said source including means to control application of voltage to the electrode structure and the repetition rate of said pulses, in relation to the closeness of the rod terminal to said zone, so that the rod terminal remains at temperatures below melting temperature but high enough to prevent vaporized metal deposition thereon during said pulsed arc production.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a light source, the combination comprising, a. an envelope b. means including an electrical power source and electrode structure connected therewith to produce light at a zone within the envelope, electrode metal becoming vaporized in said zone, said source producing electrical pulses and said electrode structure comprising spaced electrodes between which a pulsed arc is produced at said zone by said electrical pulses, c. light conducting rod means terminally facing within the envelope toward said zone, and d. said source including means to control application of voltage to the electrode structure and the repetition rate of said pulses, in relation to the closeness of the rod terminal to said zone, so that the rod terminal remains at temperatures below melting temperature but high enough to prevent vaporized metal deposition thereon during said pulsed arc production.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said power source also produces steady power supplied to at least one of said electrodes to produce steady light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rod means and envelope are integral and consist of glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 including light pipe structure having a light entrance terminal operatively connected with said rod means to receive light therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 including light pipe structure which includes a light pipe bundle having an entrance terminal outside the envelope and connected with the rod means to receive light therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 5 including an endoscope having an elongated narrow passage for returning light, and along which bundle transmitted light is conducted for illuminating an object from which said returning light is derived.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said bundle has an opposite terminal portion projecting along said endoscope viewing passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said rod means includes at least two separate rods within the envelope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein the rods have terminals facing said zone, and including a light reflector located to reflect light from said zone toward the rod terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said source includes means to apply between 300 and 500 volts to the electrodes and to provide an arc duty cycle with an ON time of from 1 microsecond to 10 milliseconds and an OFF time of at least 1 millisecond.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 including microscope structure having a specimen zone, and a light conductor coupled to receive light from said rod means and extending to directly project said light onto said specimen zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |