US4815815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and a method of directing light energy to a predetermined area in the sea
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-26
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Granted: 1989-03-28
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Expires: 2004-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for directing light energy to a predetermined area in the sea, is disclosed. The device comprises an optical means for capturing light energy and a plurality of optical fibers, a length of said optical fibers which are bound together in an optical fiber cable, each of said fibers having a beam inlet portion and a beam outlet portion, said beam outlet portion being arranged in the atmosphere so that light beams above the surface of the sea are captured, said fiber beam outlets being distributively arranged in the sea for providing said light energy to a predetermined area.
Inventors
- 👤 Kei Mori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; A; A01; A01K; A01K75/00; A01K75/02; A01K79/00; A01K79/02; F; F21; F21S; F21S11/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006; G02B6/001; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2852; G02B6/36; G02B6/3608; G02B6/3612; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for directing light energy to a predetermined area in the sea comprising: an optical means affixed to a floating buoy for capturing light energy and a plurality of optical fibers, a length of said optical fibers bound together in an optical fiber cable, each of said fibers having a beam inlet portion and a beam outlet portion, said beam inlet portions being arranged in the atmosphere so that light beams above the surface of the sea are capatured, said beam outlet portions being distributively arranged in the sea for providing said light energy uniformly over a predetermined area in sufficient intensity to grow plants, each said beam outlet portion including a light diffusion point, each said light diffusion point spaced from the light diffusion points of the respective optical fibers the beam outlet portion of at least one of said optical fibers having a plurality of spaced diffusion parts, said optical fibers being affixed to a net having a plurality of horizontal fibers meshed with a plurality of lateral fibers, so that said diffusion points form a substantially planar lattice pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for directing light energy to a predetermined area in the sea comprising: an optical means affixed to a floating buoy for capturing light energy and a plurality of optical fibers, a length of said optical fibers bound together in an optical fiber cable, each of said fibers having a beam inlet portion and a beam outlet portion, said beam inlet portions being arranged in the atmosphere so that light beams above the surface of the sea are capatured, said beam outlet portions being distributively arranged in the sea for providing said light energy uniformly over a predetermined area in sufficient intensity to grow plants, each said beam outlet portion including a light diffusion point, each said light diffusion point spaced from the light diffusion points of the respective optical fibers the beam outlet portion of at least one of said optical fibers having a plurality of spaced diffusion parts, said optical fibers being affixed to a net having a plurality of horizontal fibers meshed with a plurality of lateral fibers, so that said diffusion points form a substantially planar lattice pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical means comprises at least one lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light diffusion points are formed by removing part of the clad layer at at least one intermediate point on the optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the optical fibers comprises the beam outlet portion having at one end thereof a single light-diffusion point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light energy is solar energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light energy is artificial light energy.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of illuminating a predetermined area in the sea, by using an optical means affixed to a floating buoy and a plurality of optical fibers, a length of said optical fibers bound together in an optical fiber cable, each of said fibers having a beam inlet portion and a beam outlet portion said beam inlet portion being arranged in the atmosphere, said beam outlet portion being distributively arranged in said predetermined area in the sea, each said beam outlet portion including a light diffusion point, each said light diffusion point spaced from the light diffusion points of the respective optical fibers, the beam outlet portion of at least one of said optical fibers having a plurality of spaced diffusion points, said optical fibers being affixed to a net having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel horizontal fibers meshed with a plurality of spaced substantially parallel lateral fibers, so that said diffusion points form a substantially planar lattice pattern, comprising the steps of: capturing light energy through the optical means; introducing light energy into the beam inlet portions of said fibers, transferring light energy to the beam outlet portions of said fibers, and; diffusing said light energy through said substantially planar lattice patterned diffusion points to illuminate said area with a sustantially uniform field of illumination.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of illuminating a predetermined area in the sea, by using an optical means affixed to a floating buoy and a plurality of optical fibers, a length of said optical fibers bound together in an optical fiber cable, each of said fibers having a beam inlet portion and a beam outlet portion said beam inlet portion being arranged in the atmosphere, said beam outlet portion being distributively arranged in said predetermined area in the sea, each said beam outlet portion including a light diffusion point, each said light diffusion point spaced from the light diffusion points of the respective optical fibers, the beam outlet portion of at least one of said optical fibers having a plurality of spaced diffusion points, said optical fibers being affixed to a net having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel horizontal fibers meshed with a plurality of spaced substantially parallel lateral fibers, so that said diffusion points form a substantially planar lattice pattern, comprising the steps of: capturing light energy through the optical means; introducing light energy into the beam inlet portions of said fibers, transferring light energy to the beam outlet portions of said fibers, and; diffusing said light energy through said substantially planar lattice patterned diffusion points to illuminate said area with a sustantially uniform field of illumination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: using at least one lens to capture said light energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: capturing solar energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: using a He-Ne or Ar laser generator and a xenon lamp to produce said light energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: using artificial lights to produce said light energy.
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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) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |