Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-15
2001-12-04
Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
C385S901000, C362S581000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325550
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lighting systems and, more particularly, to a thermally protective coupling for connecting a light conduit, such as a light pipe, to a light source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The illumination of a large area by a central lighting system has long been desired because of its many advantages. For example, a centralized light source is easier to maintain than many distributed light sources. Heat generated by a centralized light source can be easily vented from the lighted areas, whereas heat from distributed light sources is not easily vented. A light distribution system connected to a centralized light source radiates minimal or no heat.
Light pipes or light conduits made of a transparent material having substantially planar inner surfaces and outer surfaces which are “in octature” have been utilized to transport light, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,220 to Whitehead. These devices are typically constructed of an optical lighting film made of flexible polymeric sheets of a transparent material having a structured surface on one side and a smooth surface opposite the structured surface. The structured surface of the devices preferably includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angle isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. Further, the perpendicular sides of the prisms make an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the smoother surface. This structure of the polymeric sheets, as well as the shape of the light conduit, enables light to be constrained to travel through the light conduit without escaping through its walls if the angle by which the light rays deviate from the longitudinal axis of the light conduit does not exceed a critical angle. Thus, light entering a light conduit at an angle less than the critical angle is totally internally reflected.
The critical angle is defined as the arc sine of the ratio of the index of refraction of the surrounding medium (typically air) to that of the wall material. For example, for a transparent material of polymethylmethacrylate having a refractive index of 1.493, all incident light rays less than the critical angle of about 27.3 degree, as measured along the longitudinal axis of the light conduit, will be totally internally reflected. On the other hand, incident light that enters the light conduit outside the critical angle will not be totally internally reflected.
Alternatively, a light conduit can be constructed using a multi-layer optical film, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,839 (Whitehead). Light conduits have been constructed with various cross-sections, such as square cross-sections as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,220, and circular cross-sections, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,984.
In many applications, it is desirable to allow the light to escape from the light conduit in a controlled manner. Many means for facilitating emission of light from the light conduit have been used in the past, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,470 (Wortman). In another example, an extractor such as a diffuse scatterer made of a highly reflective white polymeric tape such as SCOTCHCAL ELECTROCUT brand film, manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, can be placed inside a light conduit to increase the rate of leakage, or emission, of the light from inside the light conduit. The diffuse scatterer increases the rate of leakage by “scattering” light that hits it into non-total internal reflecting angular regions of the light conduit, thereby increasing the amount of light in those angles which allow light to be emitted from the light conduit. Typically a strip of the highly reflective while polymeric tape is placed over the length of the light conduit to cause the scattering.
Current light distribution systems utilize segmented light conduits attached to a light source. The segments of light conduit can be joined to each other or to the light source by a variety of techniques. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,785 to Johanson, for example, discloses overlapping adjacent ends of the light source and the light conduit to form the connection. The heat generated by a light source during operation, however, can damage the materials typically used to construct light conduits. It would therefore be desirable to provide a connection between the light conduit and light source which protects the light conduit from the intense heat of the light source without interfering with the operation of the light distribution system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a light directing thermally protective coupling for connecting a light conduit, such as a light pipe, to a light source. The coupling includes a body member having a first end connected with the light source and a second end connected with the light pipe. The body member contains a longitudinal channel which extends from the first end to the second end and includes an inner surface defining the channel which directs light from the light source, through the coupling, to the light pipe. To reduce light loss, the inner surface is provided with a highly reflective finish. In one embodiment, the body member is formed of a thermally conductive metal which conducts heat away from the light source and dissipates the heat. The body member has a length sufficient to produce a temperature drop between the light source and the remote end of the coupling so that the light pipe can be connected with the coupling without having the high temperature of the light source damage the light pipe. The coupling also provides an increased surface area which increases convective heat transfer, and further provides protection against radiative heat transfer.
In one embodiment, the coupling contains a plurality of radial holes which enhance convective heat transfer, and a reflective insert is arranged within the coupling to direct light through the coupling and to provide protection against radiative heat transfer. The first end of the coupling includes a lip portion which is connected with a gasket provided on the light source reflector cone, and the second end of the coupling can include a collar which interlocks with a mating collar provided on the adjacent end of an associated light pipe.
In addition to providing thermal protection and efficiently directing light, the coupling of the present invention is easy to install and can transmit axial forces, such as those created by thermal expansion and contraction, between the light source and the light pipe assembly.
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Webster's II, New Riverside University Dictionary, p. 248, May 1997.
Hoffman Joseph A.
Pojar Stephen J.
Radke DuWayne C.
3M Innovative Properties Company
Lee John D.
Patchett David B.
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