Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Input/output coupler
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-02
2001-10-16
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Input/output coupler
C385S034000, C385S043000, C385S901000, C362S298000, C362S302000, C362S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304693
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical arrangement for coupling light from a light source to a light guide.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to arrangements for coupling light at high efficiency between a light source and one or more light guides or optical fibers. An article by Cassarly et al., “Comparison of Dual Focus Collector Schemes for Fiber Systems,” SAE Paper No. 970254, presented at the February 1997 SAE Congress, surveys arrangements for efficiently coupling light from a high brightness light source, such as an instant light, metal halide high pressure discharge lamp to light guides or optical fibers. In several of the embodiments discussed, elliptical reflectors focus light into light guides. The light guides or fibers receive light at their input ends within an angular distribution that can efficiently be transmitted through the light guide or fiber. As used herein, angles of light are measured with respect to the main direction of light propagation. The arrangements work by placing the light source at the first focus of an elliptical reflector and placing the collection optics at the second focus. The desirability of such systems are strongly dependent on the availability of high brightness, short arc (e.g., 2.7 mm), light sources. With “point-like” light sources, these systems can be made quite compact.
It would, however, be desirable to provide an efficient and compact light coupling arrangement for arc sources with longer arc gaps (e.g., 7 mm) that are not as “point-like” by employing non-focusing optical elements to achieve the reduction in the angular distribution of light transmitted from the light source to the extent desirable for efficient collection and transmission by a light guide or fiber. It would also be desirable if embodiments of light coupling arrangements using such different optical elements could be manufactured more easily and at lower costs than embodiments using elliptical (or other focusing) collectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an efficient arrangement for coupling light between a light source and at least one light guide. The arrangement comprises a light source having a bulbous region and electrical in-leads extending into the bulbous region. A generally tubular, hollow coupling device with an interior light-reflective surface receives light from the source at an inlet and transmits it to an outlet. The coupling device increases in cross sectional area from inlet to outlet in such manner as to reduce the angle of light reflected from the surface as it passes through the device. A thermal-isolating region has an inlet positioned in proximity to an outlet of the coupling device and has an outlet for passing light to an optical member. The thermal-isolating region comprises one or more members.
The foregoing arrangement can achieve high efficiency and considerable compactness while using a non-“point-like” light source.
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Cassarly et al., “Comparison of Dual Focus Collector Schemes for Fiber Systems,” SAE Paper No. 970254, presented at the Feb. 1997 SAE congress, pp. 1-10.
W.T. Welford and R. Winston, High Collection Nonimaging Optics, New York: Academic Press, Inc. (1989), chapter 4(pp. 53-76).
Buelow, II Roger F.
Davenport John M.
Sulcs Juris
Boutsikaris Leo
Bruzga Charles E.
Fiberstars Incorporated
Spyrou Cassandra
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