US5790723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiport illuminator optic design for macro-fibers
Assignee: CENTRAL LIGHTING Co
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Filing: 1996-05-13
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-05-13
Abstract
Abstract The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. Light from the arc lamp is fed into a circular light pipe, and then directly into a multi-sectored lens, without any requirement of a collimated lens. The multi-sectored lens then focusses the light into the multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew P. Riser
- 👤 John F. Forkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:31
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2848; F; F21; F21V; F21V7/00; F21V7/04; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006; G02B6/2817; G02B6/32; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An optical fiber illumination system comprising a fiber illumination unit have a center module and at least one side module, wherein the center module contains a light source and a dual reflector and the at least one side module containing a light pipe, a multi-sectored lens, and at least one output fiber, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving light directly from the light pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical fiber illumination system comprising a fiber illumination unit have a center module and at least one side module, wherein the center module contains a light source and a dual reflector and the at least one side module containing a light pipe, a multi-sectored lens, and at least one output fiber, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving light directly from the light pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 1, the multi-sectored lens focussing the light received from the light pipe into the at least one output fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 1, the side module being rotatable with respect to the center module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 1, wherein there are two side modules containing substantially identical optical system components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 1, wherein there are two side modules containing substantially different optical system components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 1, wherein said dual reflector generates a light beam having a ring-shaped cross section, the ring-shaped cross section persisting as the light beam traverses each optical component in the system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical fiber illumination system, comprising: a light source for emitting light; a light pipe; a dual reflector disposed in proximity to the light source, the dual reflector being adapted for reflecting the emitted light from the light source into the light pipe; a multi-sectored lens; and at least one output fiber, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving the reflected light from the light pipe and for focussing the light into the at least one output fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical fiber illumination system, comprising: a light source for emitting light; a light pipe; a dual reflector disposed in proximity to the light source, the dual reflector being adapted for reflecting the emitted light from the light source into the light pipe; a multi-sectored lens; and at least one output fiber, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving the reflected light from the light pipe and for focussing the light into the at least one output fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 7, the dual reflector comprising two curved surfaces which are disposed in a back-to-back fashion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 8, each of the two curved surfaces comprising an aperture disposed at a center of the curved surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 9, the light source being disposed at the centers of the two curved surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 7, the light source being placed at a focus of the dual reflector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a color wheel disposed between the light pipe and the multi-sectored lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 11, light source comprising an arc lamp.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 7, the dual reflector comprising at least one curved surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical fiber illumination system, comprising: a light source adapted for emitting light; a light pipe; a dual reflector disposed in proximity to the light source, the dual reflector being adapted for reflecting the emitted light from the light source into the light pipe; and a multi-sectored lens, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving the reflected light from the light pipe and for focussing the light into a plurality of output fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical fiber illumination system, comprising: a light source adapted for emitting light; a light pipe; a dual reflector disposed in proximity to the light source, the dual reflector being adapted for reflecting the emitted light from the light source into the light pipe; and a multi-sectored lens, the multi-sectored lens being adapted for receiving the reflected light from the light pipe and for focussing the light into a plurality of output fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 15, each of the two curved surfaces comprising an aperture disposed at a center of the curved surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 16, the light source being disposed at the centers of the two curved surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 15, the light source comprising an arc lamp.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 15, the dual reflector comprising two curved surfaces which are disposed in a back-to-back fashion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical fiber illumination system as recited in claim 15, the light source being placed at a focus of the dual reflector.
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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) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |