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US 8,911,130 B2Granted
Light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator
AssigneeSunoptic Technologies LLC
InventorsPatrick Richart, Walter Orozco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator is disclosed. The light engine has a light emitting diode (LED) and collimating optics for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED. The collimating optics is provided by a fused fiberoptic rod having an outer glass cladding which provides a seal for a bundle of optic fibers drawn and tightly packed and fused together. The fused fiberoptic rod has an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a fused tapered tip. The fused tapered tip having a proximal end face disposed adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED.
Claims17
A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator, comprising:
- a light emitting diode (LED);
- collimating optics adjacent said LED for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED through a distal end face of the collimating optics;
- an interface having at least one port into which an endtip of a separate fiber optic cable is receivable for purposes of receiving light projecting through said distal end face of the collimating optics;
- and
- a front block having a channel in which the collimating optics are mounted and a front face to which said interface is attached;
- said collimating optics being an optic rod having an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a tapered tip, said tapered tip having a proximal end face positioned adjacent said LED for receiving light emitted by the LED into the optic rod;
- and
- said interface being a turret that has a plurality of different shaped or sized ports and that is rotatable relative to said front block.
5 more elements
A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator, comprising:
- a light emitting diode (LED);
- collimating optics adjacent said LED for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED through a distal end face of the collimating optics, said collimating optics being an optic rod having an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a tapered tip, said tapered tip having a proximal end face positioned adjacent said LED for receiving light emitted by the LED into the optic rod;
- an interface having at least one port into which an endtip of a separate fiber optic cable is receivable for purposes of receiving light projecting through said distal end face of the collimating optics;
- a front block having a channel in which the collimating optics are mounted and a front face to which said interface is attached;
- and
- at least one sensor or pair of sensors mounted on said front block to detect one of a presence and an absence of an endtip within said interface.
3 more elements
A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator, comprising:
- a light emitting diode (LED) on an electronic chip;
- collimating optics adjacent said LED for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED through a distal end face of the collimating optics, said collimating optics being an optic rod having an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a tapered tip, said tapered tip having a proximal end face positioned adjacent said LED for receiving light emitted by the LED into the optic rod;
- an interface having at least one port into which an endtip of a separate fiber optic cable is receivable for purposes of receiving light projecting through said distal end face of the collimating optics;
- a front block having a channel in which the collimating optics are mounted and a front face to which said interface is attached;
- a heatsink abutting the electronic chip and having a plurality of rearward extending fins;
- a fan and a nozzle on opposed sides of said heatsink for directing a flow of air through openings between said fins to dissipate heat from the electronic chip and heatsink;
- and
- opposed plates which interconnect with said front block, said heatsink, said fan, said nozzle, and a driverboard carrying LED driver circuitry.
5 more elements
A fiberoptic illuminator, comprising a light engine, said light engine comprising:
- at least one light-emitting diode (LED);
- collimating optics for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the at least one LED, said collimating optics being an optic rod having outer cladding, an elongate cylindrical distal end, and a frustoconical proximal end forming a tapered tip, said tapered tip having a proximal end face disposed adjacent said LED for receiving light emitted by the LED and said elongate cylindrical distal end having a distal end face through which the light is projected;
- and
- an interface having at least one port into which an endtip of a separate fiber optic cable is receivable for purposes of receiving light projecting through said distal end face of the collimating optics;
- and
- a front block having a channel in which the collimating optics are mounted and a front face to which said interface is attached;
- said interface being a turret that has a plurality of different shaped or sized ports and that is rotatable relative to said front block.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.