Braided optical fiber bundles

Abstract

A fiber optic light-emitting panel having one or more braided fiber optic strand assemblies formed into a light-transmitting device. The fiber optic light-emitting panel includes a plurality of three or more fiber optic strands braided together to form a braided fiber optic strand assembly. Each of the fiber optic strands includes a single optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers to form a bundle. Each of the fiber optic strands within the braided fiber optic strand assembly has at least three (3) bends per inch along the length thereof for transmitting light laterally at the bends to form the light-transmitting device. The fiber optic light-emitting panel includes plastic ties for connecting at least two (2) of the braided fiber optic strand assemblies to form the fiber optic light-emitting panel. The fiber optic light-emitting panel further includes a light pump having a light source for applying an optical light signal to the braided strand assemblies for transmitting light from the bends of the fiber optic light-emitting panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.