Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Particular coupling structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-06
2001-08-07
Ngo, Hung N. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Particular coupling structure
C385S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272267
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical coupler and system for distributing light in a 360-degree pattern, and more particularly to such a coupler and system for distributing light in the mentioned pattern at a small angle above and below a plane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Boats and other water-going vessels are often required to display a light on the highest part of the vessel. Because the highest point is usually the top of a mast which may support sails or radio antenna, for instance, it may be difficult to replace a failed lamp in that location. It, therefore, would be desirable to employ a lamp located at the base of the mast, where it is easily reached, and to direct the light to the top of the mast with a fiber-optic, or light, guide. However, the problem arises of how to distribute the light reaching the upper end of the light guide to meet a required beam pattern. The required pattern for at least one class of ships is to provide 94 candela for 360 degrees in a horizontal plane and which extends 7½ degrees above and 7½ degrees below the horizontal plane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an optical coupler for distributing light in a 360-degree pattern at a small angle. The coupler includes a solid rod with a first end region for receiving light and a second end region for distributing light. The rod tapers up in cross-sectional dimension between the first and second regions so as to decrease the angular distribution of light reflecting internally from the sides of tapered portions of the rod. An axis extends from the second end region towards the first end region. The second end region includes a generally conically shaped void pointing towards the first end region and defining a surface for deflecting light in a 360-degree pattern about the axis at a small angle compared to light entering into the first end region.
The foregoing embodiment provides an output device for distributing light in the required pattern which minimizes light loss and is simple to manufacture and compact.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4946239 (1990-08-01), Garmon
patent: 5152598 (1992-10-01), Schaffer
patent: 6058232 (2000-05-01), Lee et al.
(Anonymous), “High Definition Lighting from Farlight,” Commercial brochure published by the Farlight Company of Torrance, California more than one year prior to Jan. 6, 1999, the filing date of the subject application.
(Anonymous), “SVL-312 Series Light-Emitting Diode (LED),” Data Book—Opto Devices, published by Rohm (a Japanese corporation) ('97-'98), p. 95.
(Anonymous), “High Definition Lighting from Farlight,” Commercial brochure published by the Farlight Company of Torrance, California more than one year prior to Jan. 6, 1999, the filing date of the subject application. (In Public Domain More Than One Year Prior of the Filing Date of the Application).
(Anonymous), “GL5 47 Series Light-Emitting Diode (LED),” Published by Sharp Company on their website: http:/
s3.sharp.co.jp/ecg/led/lamp/lamp.html. (In Public Domain More Than One Year Prior of the Filing Date of the Application).
(Anonymous), “Picture of GL5 47 Series Light-Emitting Diode (LED),” Published by Sharp Company on their website: http:/
s3.sharp.co.jp/ecg/led/lamp/lampl.html. (In Public Domain More Than One Year Prior the Filing Date of the Application).
(Anonymous), “SVL-312 Series Light-Emitting Diode (LED),” Data Book—Opto Devices, published by Rohm (a Japanese corporation) ('97-'98), p. 95.
(Anonymous), photographs of a prior art optical device sold by General Electric Company, 3 pages. (In Public Domain More Than One Yeat Prior the Filing Date of the Application).
Hansler Richard L.
Stenger Thomas E.
Bruzga Charles E.
Fiberstars Incorporated
Ngo Hung N.
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