US4181398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical apparatus
Assignee: Erwin Sick GmbH Optik Elektronik
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Filing: 1977-11-22
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Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1997-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A light smoothing device for rendering a non uniform distribution of light more uniform especially suited for use in line scanning in combination with a light conducting rod which transmits light incident on its surface to its end faces for subsequent detection. The smoothing device has an optical passage with a reflecting interior surface an inlet to the passage and a detector at the other end of the passage. The passage ensures at least part of the light entering the inlet is reflected prior to incidence on the detector. A number of forms of optical passage are disclosed having various reflecting segments of convex, plain or concave curvature.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin Sick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/89; G01N21/8901; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
Optical apparatus comprising an optical passage having an inlet for light at one end for receiving light from a light conducting rod, a reflecting surface for reflecting light internally of the passage and a light receiving device at the other end, there being a screen of individual diverging lenses at said inlet to said optical passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
Optical apparatus comprising an optical passage having an inlet for light at one end for receiving light from a light conducting rod, a reflecting surface for reflecting light internally of the passage and a light receiving device at the other end, there being a screen of individual diverging lenses at said inlet to said optical passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
Optical apparatus comprising an optical passage having an inlet for light at one end for receiving light from a light conducting rod of substantially circular form, a reflecting surface for reflecting light internally of the passage, and a light receiving device at the other end, said reflecting surface being divided into individual reflecting sections which have a curvature differing from that of the circular form of the light conducting rod, whereby at least a part of the light entering the said inlet is reflected by the reflecting internal surface prior to impinging on the light receiving device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
Optical apparatus comprising an optical passage having an inlet for light at one end for receiving light from a light conducting rod of substantially circular form, a reflecting surface for reflecting light internally of the passage, and a light receiving device at the other end, said reflecting surface being divided into individual reflecting sections which have a curvature differing from that of the circular form of the light conducting rod, whereby at least a part of the light entering the said inlet is reflected by the reflecting internal surface prior to impinging on the light receiving device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said light receiving device comprises a photoelectric detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the inlet to the optical passage is adapted to receive light from at least the whole end face of the light conducting rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the inlet to the optical passage surrounds the end face of the light conducting rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the optical passage is defined by a hollow body having a reflecting interior surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the optical passage is a solid transparent body whose exterior surface is made inwardly reflective.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the said individual sections are flat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the said individual sections have a curvature opposite to that of the light conducting rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the number of said individual sections lies in the range 6 to 18.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the number of said individual sections is 12.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the curvature of the individual sections is a radius lying in the range 1/2 to 1/4 of the radius of curvature of the light conducting rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2945958A
Cited
DE1240674B
Cited
FR1363539A
Cited
US3317738A
Cited
US3728548A
Cited
US4085322A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |