Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.

Abstract: A device which adjusts the angle of illumination of light exiting a fiber optic light guide. A first light guide has a first numerical aperture for emitting light from a light source, and light exiting the first light guide has a first light intensity angular profile. A second light guide has a second numerical aperture for receiving the light from the first light guide, and light exiting the second light guide has a second light intensity angular profile. Light from the first light guide is dispersed by a device including at least a first surface interposed between the first light guide and the second light guide such that light from the first light guide having the first light intensity profile irradiates the first surface and the angular intensity profile of the light irradiating the second light guide is modified so as to cause the second light intensity angular profile to be modified. The first light guide preferably has a single fiber, and the second light guide preferably has a fiber bundle.

Abstract: The optical coupler couples light output from the single fiber optic into the fiber optic bundle while preserving the numerical aperture of the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler also preserves any uniformity in s the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler includes a collimating device such as a magnifying lens and a diffusing device such as a hemispherical lens array. The collimating device collimates the beam output from the single fiber optic into a parallel beam having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the fiber optic bundle. The diffuser device diverges the collimated beam for input into the fiber optic bundle by an amount sufficient to reproduce the numerical aperture of light output from the single fiber optic. A wide variety of optical diffuser devices are disclosed, including spherical convex lens arrays, cylindrical lens arrays, pyramidal lens arrays and fresnel lenses.

Abstract: A luminaire for use during a medical procedure utilizes a single optic fiber for providing a beam of light having an initial beam width and an initial beam energy. The width of the beam is adjustable without substantially decreasing the beam energy, and the beam of adjusted width can be directed onto a surgical field. A headband for mounting a luminaire is formed of a perspiration-absorbent cloth strip, has hook-and-clasp engagement, and includes a luminaire mount.

Abstract: A vacuum-metallizing machine including a metal platter base (17) having an obverse side and a face side. A substrate-receiving platter (2) is resiliently disposed (3, 3b) in a recess on the face side of the platter base (17). The platter (2) receives a substrate to be metallized. A circumferentially-arranged rigid ring (27) of predetermined dimensions and location is disposed on the face side and mates with a ring (29) around a port (11) on the wall of the vacuum chamber which surrounds an opening in the wall. Engagement of these rings aligns the platter base (17) relative to the port (11, 12, 13 and 14). A compliant ring (42) is disposed between the wall and the platter base (17).

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation collecting and condensing optical system includes a number of cascaded concave reflectors and a number of electromagnetic radiation or light sources which radiate light energy onto the concave reflectors in such manner that the energy from each source is combined by the reflectors into a single output which is used to illuminate a target, such as a single core optical fiber.

Abstract: A gradient index (GRIN) lens couples light from a single fiber optic into a fiber bundle or directly into the input port of an illumination device, such as a medical illumination device. The single fiber optic provides a high intensity beam of light having a high NA. An entry face of the GRIN lens is positioned adjacent to an exit aperture of the fiber within the near field of the fiber and thereby receives a beam having a substantially uniform cross-section, rather than a Gaussian cross-section as would occur with the GRIN lens positioned in the far field of the fiber. An exit face of the GRIN lens is positioned adjacent to the fiber bundle or input port of the illumination device. As such, the GRIN lens effectively images the exit aperture of the fiber of the input aperture of the fiber bundle as input port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).

Abstract: The proximal connector includes a stainless steel cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transference from the ferrule into the receiving block. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring. A ball plunger biasing mechanism is mounted within the aperture of the receiving block and is positioned for engaging with the indented ring only while the proximal connector is fully and securely inserted within the aperture.

Abstract: A removable light source is provided for use with the optical coupling system. The light source is mounted to a removable assembly for slidable insertion into, and removed from, a housing containing the optical coupling system. The removable assembly includes positioning elements for maintaining precise alignment of the light source with optical components mounted within the housing. In one embodiment described herein, precise alignment is achieved by employing six mounting pads on outside surfaces of a base of the removable assembly. Three of the mounting pads are aligned along a first plane. Two are aligned along a second plane perpendicular to the first. The remaining pad is aligned along a third plane perpendicular to both the first and second planes. The light source is mounted to the base in a precise fixed relationship with the mounting pads. The removable assembly is inserted within a slot formed in the housing of the optical coupling system.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing contrasting, long lasting, glassy heat fused images on the surface of ceramic materials such as bricks using a laser to vitrify the substrate material. The process is accomplished in three stages: Stage 1) the laser produces a non-adherent, highly light absorptive layer by heating and removing material from the marking field to create depth into the brick's surface; Stage 2) melting of the main portion of the substrate material along the marking field using the non-adherent light absorptive layer from Stage 1 as an effective light absorber/heat transducer to cause vitrification along the marking field; Stage 3) residue from the melting in stage 2 is removed by laser ablation to produce the vitrified finished mark.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation having a primary reflector disposed on one side of an electromagnetic radiation source and a target disposed on the opposite side of the source. The primary reflector includes a concave reflecting surface portion, which preferably forms the entire surface of the reflector. The concave surface portion of the primary reflector, which is preferably of a substantially toroidal shape, defines an optical axis and a primary center of curvature disposed along the optical axis. The source of electromagnetic radiation is located approximately on the optical axis but axially offset a first distance from the center of curvature in a direction toward the concave surface portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic coupling apparatus for coupling light from a high power light source into a fiber optic while preventing thermal damage to the fiber optic at the fiber-to-light source coupling. The light source comprises a housing having a fiber input structure with inner surfaces defining a through-hole for receiving the fiber optic. The fiber input structure has outer surfaces which define a substantially conical profile of the structure that extends within the housing such that an axis of symmetry of the fiber input structure is substantially coincident with the light input to the fiber optic. The fiber input structure is further made from a high heat conductivity material and has a reflective coating on an input end face for reflecting light that is outside the acceptance angle of the fiber optic, but incident upon the fiber input structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic connector having a shielding apparatus for protecting the exposed end of a fiber optic. The shielding apparatus of the connector generally comprises a cylindrical housing, a collet, and a protective sleeve. The cylindrical housing comprises first and second ends and a through-hole for reception of a fiber optic having a fiber optic end protruding from the first end of the cylindrical housing. The collet comprises a tubular body with first and second ends and a through-hole passing between the ends for movable reception of the cylindrical housing, with the second end of the tubular body being split to form a plurality of prongs arranged coaxially with the through-hole of the collet.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact surgical headlamp capable of dynamic adjustment of the resulting field of illumination, comprising at least a single core fiber optic delivery light guide, an adjustable light projection system, and a mounting mechanism for movably supporting the headlamp proximate to the surgeon's eyes. A receiving block is also provided for supporting the structure of the projection system and for coupling the delivery fiber thereto. The projection system comprises a cylindrical housing mount adapted with a centrally disposed cylindrical cavity for receiving the ferruled, output end of the delivery fiber and for allowing the light output therefrom to initially diverge within the cavity of the housing mount.

Abstract: An off-axis optical system for collecting and condensing electromagnetic radiation utilizes an ellipsoidal reflector or a portion thereof configured so that the effects of magnification and optical aberrations (caused by the off-axis arrangement and an aspherical source envelope) are minimized. This is accomplished by the utilization of a specially designed ellipsoidal reflector having primary and secondary focal points along the major axis of the reflector or an effective reflecting portion thereof defined as that portion which is both illuminated by the source and subtended by the acceptance cone of the target.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing electrical power to an optical communication system, in particular a telephone system, between a local or central station and a remote station incorporates a conventional fiber optical cable having an electrical conductor or electrically conductive sheath connected to the local station and the remote station already used for transmitting optical signal. A power source is electrically connected to earth ground and to the electrical conductor or sheath at the local station. A power supply is provided at the remote station and electrically connected to the electrical conductor or sheath and to the earth ground thereat. The power supply receives electrical power from the power source located at the local station via the conductor or sheath and the earth ground, the earth ground serving as a return path. The power supply means can thus provide electrical power to an interface device or any other devices provided in the remote station.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a communications cable for moisture penetration. A line signal generator is connected to a metal armour layer of the cable to apply a line signal to the armour. Changes in the line signal current are monitored to detect the condition of the cable. Moisture penetration can be monitored throughout the length of the cable. The armour layer is maintained at a negative potential with respective ground. This provides an additional cathodic protection to the cable.

Abstract: A resistive fault in an electrical cable is located by applying a DC voltage to one end of the faulted cable conductor. The steady state DC voltage and current are measured at the end of the conductor where the voltage is applied. Simultaneously, the DC voltage is measured at the other end of the cable. The voltage is then reversed in polarity and the measurements repeated. Several repetitions of this procedure at each end of the conductor yields sufficient information to compute the location of the fault with reasonable accuracy. The procedure is carried out using two computer-based units, one at each end of the cable, with the two units communicating over the conductor under test.