Light transmission techniques
OwnerJennifer Joyce Sahlininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is directed to techniques for bundling multiple light guides and various apparatuses and systems for implementing the techniques. For example, the cross sectional shape of multiple light guides can be modified at first ends of the guides. The first ends can be placed in intimate contact to define a bundle. In this manner, the amount of light that enters the guides can be increased, resulting in a more efficient use of light. In addition, by removing the cladding from the light guides in the location where the respective guides are bundled, light is allowed to distribute between the multiple light guides as light transmits down the initial portion of the bundle. In this manner, light can be more readily homogenized.
Claims48
A method comprising:
- removing cladding material from first ends of a number of light guides, and
- changing the cross sectional shape of the light guides at the first ends.
An apparatus comprising:
- a number of light guides forming a bundle, each of the light guides having a first end substantially free of cladding material, wherein each light guide has a cross sectional shape at the first end that has been changed.
A lighting system comprising:
- a light source assembly, and
- a bundle of light guides coupled to the light source assembly, each of the light guides having a first end substantially free of cladding material, wherein each light guide has a cross sectional shape at the first end that has been changed.
An apparatus comprising:
- a number of light guiding means for guiding light, each of the light guiding means having a first end substantially free of cladding material, wherein the first ends have cross sectional shapes that have been changed.
A method comprising:
- providing a number of light guides having first ends that include no cladding material, and
- changing the cross sectional shape of the light guides at the first ends.
A method comprising:
- removing cladding material from first ends of a number of tubular shaped light guides,
- surrounding the first ends with a heat shrinkable wrapping material,
- applying heat and pressure to the first ends to change the cross sectional shape of the light guides at the first ends, and
- attaching a collet around the first ends.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first light guide having a first end substantially free of cladding material;
- a second light guide disposed adjacent the first light guide and having a first end substantially free of cladding material;
- a wrapping surrounding the first and second light guides at the first ends.
An apparatus comprising:
- a number of light guides having first ends substantially free of cladding material and second ends including cladding material, wherein at least a portion of a lateral surface of the first end of each of the light guides is in direct contact with at least a portion of a lateral surface of the first end of at least one other light guides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.