Optical coupler and system for distributing light in a...

Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Particular coupling structure

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

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).

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Optical coupler and system for distributing light in a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Optical coupler and system for distributing light in a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical coupler and system for distributing light in a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438809

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.