Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
AssigneeRemote Source Lighting International, Inc.
InventorsRonald F. Rykowski, Andrew P. Riser, John F. Forkner, Stephen S. Wilson
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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. The system also provides a very flexible mechanical means for distributing the energy to the fibers and to the remote locations at which the light is used.
Claims36
An optical fiber illumination system comprising a fiber illumination unit having a center module and at least one side module, wherein the center module containing 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, said at least one side module being removably attachable to said center module.
An optical fiber illumination system comprising a fiber illumination unit having a center module and at least one side module, wherein the center module comprises a housing which contains a light source, and the at least one side module comprises a housing which contains optical components for processing light emitted from said light source and directing said light to an input end of at least one optical fiber, said side module being removably attachable to said center module.
An optical fiber illumination system, comprising:
- a light source;
- a dual reflector having an axis of symmetry;
- a first channel having a light pipe and a multi-sectored lens, a first end of the light pipe being arranged to receive light emitted from said light source, and a second end of the light pipe being arranged to transmit light to said multi-sectored lens;
- and
- a plurality of output optical fibers corresponding in number to the number of segments of said multi-sectored lens, each of said output optical fibers having an input end and an output end, wherein each of said lens sectors are arranged to transmit light to the input end of a corresponding one of said output optical fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.