Lighting system and method for fiber optic and area illumination

Abstract

A method and apparatus for lighting optical fibers as well as surrounding regions includes a generally vertically oriented housing including a light source positioned near the upper end of the housing for directing radiant flux toward the ends of a plurality of optical fibers and for reflecting remaining portions of the radiant flux from the light source in a lateral direction into the surrounding regions. A light reflector is positioned in the housing for laterally reflecting a portion of the radiant flux, and includes a central aperture in the reflector to pass the central portion of the radiant flux therethrough to the ends of the optical fibers. The same reflector serves as a baffle on the lower side thereof to deflect moving air within the housing around the ends of the optical fibers and through the aperture in the reflector toward the light source. A fan disposed below the baffle in the housing moves ambient air through an opening in the lower portion of the housing and around the ends of the optical fibers and through the aperture in the reflector toward the light source for venting thereafter through the upper portion of the housing. The reflector and baffle also supports the optical fibers in alignment with the central portion of the radiant flux from the light source through the aperture in the reflector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.