Fiber optic illumination system

Abstract

A fiber-optical illumination system has a light source and a light waveguide, in the form of a fiber bundle, having one end optically coupled to the light source via a fluid container which is filled with an optically transparent fluid. Light from the light source passes through a transparent wall in the container, through the fluid, to the light entry face of the light waveguide. The fluid container is in thermal communication with a heat sink, so that heat which is generated at the light entry face of the light waveguide due to absorption by the light waveguide material of radiant emission from the light source can be convected by the fluid away from the light entry face, and dissipated via the fluid container. The system permits light waveguides of temperature-sensitive material, such as plastic, to be used in combination with a high-intensity light source, such as a halogen lamp without heat damage to the waveguide material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.