Fiber optics electro-mechanical light switch

Claim 1

An electro-mechanically operated light switch for transferring light energy relative to a fiber optic light transmission path comprising: a body member having a cylindrical bore of substantially optical smoothness and configured to receive a fiber optic terminal at each end; a window fabricated of material substantially transparent to the wavelengths of light energy transmitted by said fiber optic light transmission path and supported at each end of said body member contiguous to each said fiber optic terminal; a liquid material substantially filling said cylindrical bore between said windows and having an index of refraction higher than said body member for sustaining substantially total internal reflection along the optical axis of said cylindrical bore; a port in said body member disposed transversely relative to said optical axis; a transparent member movably mounted in said port and resiliently supported relative to said body member for extending into said liquid material; said transparent member having an angularly disposed reflective end for redirecting light energy when extended into said liquid material; a ferromagnetic element affixed to said transparent member; an electrically conductive coil supported on said body member for electromagnetic flux linkage with said ferromagnetic member; and a source of electrical energy adapted to be selectively connected to said electrically conductive coil.