Optical waveguide structures
AssigneeFederal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
InventorsGeorge R. Hulse, James Burr Anderson, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical waveguide structure for distributing light from a light source includes a cylindrical sleeve configured to accommodate and receive light from the light source. The sleeve includes a central axis. A waveguide collar is formed from a solid, planar block of material. The block of material has a central portion configured to accommodate and surround the sleeve. The first and second output arms extend in a plane away from the central portion. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
Claims17
An optical waveguide comprising first and second pieces of solid material, the first piece having;
- a transmission portion,
- an end of the transmission portion having a first exterior surface that is convex;
- and the second piece having:
- a transmission portion, and
- an end of the transmission portion having a second exterior surface that is concave;
- wherein the convex surface of the first piece and the concave surface of the second piece are complementary in shape and confronting each other such that light traveling by internal reflection through the first piece exits the convex surface and enters the concave surface of the second piece and continues traveling through the second piece by internal reflection.
An optical waveguide for accepting light from a light source and transmitting The light, the waveguide comprising a piece of solid material having:
- an input face located adjacent the light source such that light exiting the light source enters the waveguide through the input face,
- a transmission portion, and
- an end portion between the input face and the transmission portion,
- wherein a cross-sectional area of the end portion gradually decreases from the transmission portion to the input face and wherein a substantial portion of the light conducted through the transmission portion is supplied from the light source via the input face and end portion.
An optical waveguide having integrated installation elements, the waveguide comprising first and second sections, the first section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending from die input face to the output end, and
- a key formed on the output end wherein the key is made of light transmissive material and is a unitary portion of the first section;
- the second section comprising:
- an input end,
- an output face,
- a transmission portion extending from the input end to the output face, and
- a socket fanned on the input end wherein the socket is formed of a light transmissive material and is a unitary portion of the second section;
- wherein light traveling from the first Section to die second section is conducted by the light transmissive material of the key and enters into and is conducted by the light transmissive material of the socket and continues traveling by internal reflection through the second section.
An optical waveguide having integrated installation elements, the waveguide comprising first and second sections, the first section comprising:
- an input face,
- an output end,
- a transmission portion extending front the input face to the output end, and
- a claw formed on the output end wherein the claw is made of light transmissive material and is a unitary portion of the first section;
- the second section comprising:
- an input end,
- an output face,
- a transmission portion extending from the input end to the output face, and
- a detent formed on the input end wherein the detent is formed of a light transmissive material and is a unitary portion of the second section;
- wherein light traveling from the first section to the second section is conducted by the light transmissive material of the key and enters into and is conducted by the light transmissive material of the socket and continues traveling by internal reflection through the second section.
An optical waveguide comprising:
- an input face,
- a transmission portion extending from the input face, and
- an end portion extending from the transmission portion to an output face having a unitary convex surface for providing dispersed light, wherein the end portion widens in a direction from the transmission portion toward the output face, with the end portion and transmission portions each comprising unitary portions of the waveguide formed together from a single piece of light transmissive material;
- and
- wherein the end portion comprises a convex lens having an air gap located between the transmission portion and output face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.