Optical waveguides – Optical imaging tunnel
Patent
1997-03-25
1998-04-28
Palmer, Phan T. H.
Optical waveguides
Optical imaging tunnel
385147, 385901, 359831, 359833, 362 32, G02B 600
Patent
active
057456321
ABSTRACT:
A hollow, cylindrical light conduit for transporting light generally longitudinally therethrough and distributing light therealong includes a cylindrical wall member of a transparent material. The wall member has an inner cylindrical smooth surface and an outer cylindrical structured surface having an array of isosceles prisms arranged side by side thereon. The faces of adjacent prisms extend longitudinally along the cylindrical wall member and are aligned at the same desired prism angle relative to one another. The light transporting performance of the light conduit, achieved by total internal reflection, and the light distributing performance of the light conduit, specifically relative to radially aligned, high incident angle longitudinal light rays in planes parallel or near parallel to the prisms, is optimized as a function of the desired prism angle between the faces of adjacent prisms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3689346 (1972-09-01), Rowland
patent: 4244683 (1981-01-01), Rowland
patent: 4260220 (1981-04-01), Whitehead
patent: 4576850 (1986-03-01), Martens
patent: 4805984 (1989-02-01), Cobb, Jr.
patent: 4906070 (1990-03-01), Cobb, Jr.
patent: 4989948 (1991-02-01), Dreyer, Jr.
patent: 5056892 (1991-10-01), Cobb, Jr.
patent: 5309544 (1994-05-01), Saxe
patent: 5363470 (1994-11-01), Wortman
3M Brochure entitled "Market Test, 3M Lighted Guidance Tube (LGT), System Pricing," No. 75-0299-9282-5(62.35)R1 IL, dated Apr. 15, 1992.
3M Brochure entitled "Lighted Guidance Tube," No. 75-0300-1245-6 (94.75)ii, 1994. no month.
3M Product Bulletin entitled "Lighted Guidance Tube," No. 75-0300-1218-3, dated Jul. 1994.
Buckingham Stephen W.
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
Palmer Phan T. H.
LandOfFree
Totally internally reflecting light conduit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Totally internally reflecting light conduit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Totally internally reflecting light conduit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1541140