US4363080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water-cooled light source
Assignee: Dentek Systems Inc
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Filing: 1980-09-02
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2000-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for supplying a source of light, in a dental control unit, to an optical fiber for transmission of light from the source, along the fiber, into a patient's mouth. A heat sink is provided with a cavity for receiving a high intensity light. A duct leads from the light to the exterior of the heat sink to permit access of the fiber to the light. The block contains a fluid-conducting bore therethrough for conducting heat from the block to the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Sylvester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/0661; A61B1/0669; F; F21; F21V; F21V29/00; F21V29/50; F21V29/56; A61B1/24; A61C; A61C19/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006; F21W; F21W2131/00; F21W2131/20; F21W2131/202; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Cooling apparatus for a light source which supplies light to an optical fiber, said apparatus comprising a heat-conductive heat sink body having means defining a cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body for receiving such a light source, means defining a duct extending into said body from another side of said body for permitting access of such a fiber to the source, and means defining a fluid coolant passage extending through said heat sink body; and a source of fluid coolant operatively connected to said passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from the heat sink body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Cooling apparatus for a light source which supplies light to an optical fiber, said apparatus comprising a heat-conductive heat sink body having means defining a cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body for receiving such a light source, means defining a duct extending into said body from another side of said body for permitting access of such a fiber to the source, and means defining a fluid coolant passage extending through said heat sink body; and a source of fluid coolant operatively connected to said passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from the heat sink body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat sink body is block-shaped, said cavity being at one end thereof and said passage-defining means is a bore which traverses the block about said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
In dental apparatus, means for supplying light into a patient's mouth comprising: a heat-conductive heat sink body having a light source receiving cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body, a duct extending into said body from another side of said body joining with an inner portion of said cavity, and a coolant passage extending through said body out of communication with said cavity and duct, a high intensity light source mounted within said light source receiving cavity, an elongate optical fiber for transmitting light having one end mounted within said duct and exposed by said mounting to said light source, and a source of fluid coolant connected to said coolant passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from said heat sink body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
In dental apparatus, means for supplying light into a patient's mouth comprising: a heat-conductive heat sink body having a light source receiving cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body, a duct extending into said body from another side of said body joining with an inner portion of said cavity, and a coolant passage extending through said body out of communication with said cavity and duct, a high intensity light source mounted within said light source receiving cavity, an elongate optical fiber for transmitting light having one end mounted within said duct and exposed by said mounting to said light source, and a source of fluid coolant connected to said coolant passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from said heat sink body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 3 which further includes means for simultaneously activating said light source and said source of fluid coolant.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of cooling a high intensity light source which supplies light for transmission along an optical fiber comprising the steps of surrounding such a light source with a heat conductor having a duct for permitting access of such a fiber to the source and means defining a fluid transmission conduit through said conductor, and activating said light source, and transmitting fluid through said defining means to conduct heat away from said conductor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of cooling a high intensity light source which supplies light for transmission along an optical fiber comprising the steps of surrounding such a light source with a heat conductor having a duct for permitting access of such a fiber to the source and means defining a fluid transmission conduit through said conductor, and activating said light source, and transmitting fluid through said defining means to conduct heat away from said conductor.
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) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |