US4952022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic line illuminator with deformed end fibers and method of making same
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1989-03-02
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Granted: 1990-08-28
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Expires: 2009-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic illuminating device is formed by assembling a plurality of large diameter fibers into a bundled array. An entrance face of the array is arranged in a circular configuration proximate a light source, and the output face is deformed by heating and compressing the circular fiber ends into a rectangular configuration. The light output exits the array in a linear beam having improved uniformity.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C. Genovese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0905; G02B27/0938; G02B27/0994; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A linear illuminator comprising a light source and a plurality of optical fibers formed into a light conducting array; the fibers having a light-receiving end placed adjacent said light source and a light-transmitting end placed adjacent a linear plane to be uniformly illuminated, the light receiving ends of each of said individual fibers being circular and being grouped together to form a generally circular array, said light transmitting ends of each of said individual fibers being generally rectangular and aligned along a single non-staggered row to form a linear array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A linear illuminator comprising a light source and a plurality of optical fibers formed into a light conducting array; the fibers having a light-receiving end placed adjacent said light source and a light-transmitting end placed adjacent a linear plane to be uniformly illuminated, the light receiving ends of each of said individual fibers being circular and being grouped together to form a generally circular array, said light transmitting ends of each of said individual fibers being generally rectangular and aligned along a single non-staggered row to form a linear array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The linear illuminator of claim 1 wherein said linear plane is a linear optical imaging bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The linear illumination of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting ends of said fibers are generally square.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of forming an optical fiber light transmitting array having an output face arranged in a linear configuration including the steps of bonding a plurality of circular optical fibers formed in at least a single layer in close proximity to each other to form an integral array having a first and second face, compressing at least one of said faces in a heated environment to deform the circular ends of each fiber into a generally rectangular configuration along a single, non-staggered linear row and cooling the array to preserve the heated and compressed end in a permanent deformed state.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of forming an optical fiber light transmitting array having an output face arranged in a linear configuration including the steps of bonding a plurality of circular optical fibers formed in at least a single layer in close proximity to each other to form an integral array having a first and second face, compressing at least one of said faces in a heated environment to deform the circular ends of each fiber into a generally rectangular configuration along a single, non-staggered linear row and cooling the array to preserve the heated and compressed end in a permanent deformed state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 wherein each optical fiber has a diameter, before compression, between 0.1 and 2.5 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the fibers are closely wound on a cylindrical drum before the heating and compressing steps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the fibers are wound on said drum with spaces therebetween.
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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) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |