Off-axis optical rotary joint

An optical rotary joint for off-axis bi-directional optical signal transfer comprising:

• first and second sources of light;
• first and second adjacent annular optical waveguide members, each having optical discontinuity means for intercepting a light beam emanating from a respective one of said sources and directing the beam into the respective waveguide member;
• first and second means for reflecting light out of a respective said waveguide member;
• and first and second detector means adjacent a respective said reflecting means for intercepting light reflected out of the adjacent waveguide member;
• said first waveguide member, reflecting means and detector means being rotatable relative to said second waveguide member, reflecting means and detector means.

An optical rotary joint for off-axis optical signal transfer, comprising:

• a source of light;
• an optical waveguide member having an axis of propagation;
• means directing a light beam from said source toward said waveguide and generally transversely of said axis of propagation;
• optical discontinuity means for intercepting said light beam and coupling at least a portion of said light beam into said waveguide member for travel within said waveguide member along said axis of propagation;
• means for reflecting light out of said waveguide member;
• and
• detector means adjacent said reflecting means for intercepting light reflected out of said waveguide member, said light source being rotatable relative to said waveguide member, reflecting means and detector means.