Abstract: Fiber optic light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting layers which are sealed along the side edges and/or an end edge to hold the fill threads in position and keep the light emitting portions from fraying at the edges. A thin film, sheet or coating may be applied to one or both sides of the light emitting portions of the panel assemblies. At one or both ends of the light emitting portions is a light cable which may be formed by randomly distributing the optical fibers which comprise the light cable into a plurality of discrete bundles each including fibers extending from different locations across substantially the entire width of the light emitting portions, bringing the discrete bundles together to form a single bundle of all of the fibers in each light cable, and applying a connector assembly to the cut ends of all of the fibers in each light cable.

Abstract: Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel member having one or more deformed output regions which cause light entering the panel along an input edge thereof to be emitted along the length of the panel. Light may be transmitted to one or more panel input edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition devices which convert easily focused light generally to the shape of the panel input surfaces.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes buffer material surrounding the optical fibers at one end of an optical fiber light cable and a ferrule crimped onto the buffer material which squeezes the buffer material and packs the optical fiber ends substantially solid. During the crimping operation, the buffer material protects the optical fibers from the ferrule while permitting the optical fibers to be deformed to a desired cross-sectional shape, for example, to that of a polygon so they are packed more solid. Different types of shielding may be used to prevent light from a light source from striking selected areas of the polished end of the connector assembly including particularly the buffer material and, if desired, a surrounding ferrule to reduce heat build-up in the connector assembly so that more light energy can be transmitted through the light cable without overheating.

Abstract: Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel member having one or more deformed output regions which cause light entering the panel along an input edge thereof to be emitted along the length of the panel. Light may be transmitted to one or more panel input edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition devices which convert easily focused light generally to the shape of the panel input surfaces.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies and method of making same include one or more layers of woven fiber optic material having disruptions or bends at discrete locations along the length of the fibers to allow light to be emitted therefrom. Only selected areas of the disruptions or bends are coated with a suitable coating material that has a refractive index that changes the attenuation of the light emitted from the selected areas. The coating material may be applied to the selected areas using one or more carrier members which become part of the panel. Alternatively, a non-permanent carrier such as a roller may be used to coat selected areas of the optical fiber disruptions or bends with the coating material after the weaving process.

Abstract: Reflector and light systems include collecting and back reflecting surfaces that efficiently collect the energy produced by a light source and redirect the light back through the collecting surface without restriking the collecting surface or the light source. The reflected light does not reach the focus for the back reflecting surface until the light exits the system. A lens-end bulb may be used as the light source to produce a projected cone of light that is focused on a target that is positioned in front of the second focus and a reflected cone of light that is focused on the same target. In one form of the invention, the back reflecting surface is eliminated to permit the projected light to be focused on one target located externally of one end of the system and the reflected light to be focused on another target located externally of the other end of the system.

Abstract: A light emitting panel and method of making same including an emitter surface having one or more layers of woven fiber optic material with disruptions or bends as discrete locations along the length of the fibers to allow light to be emitted therefrom and which are coated to change the attenuation of the fibers to increase the amount of light emitted therefrom. The panel is particularly suitable for use as a back light for a liquid crystal or other device, the light being transmitted to the emitter surface from a remote light source through a cable or light pipe connected to one or both ends of the emitter surface.

Abstract: Reflector system includes a reflector having an ellipsoidal portion and a hemispherical portion joined together at the intersection of a plane passing through one of the foci of the ellipsoidal portion normal to the major axis of the ellipsoidal portion. A light source is generally positioned at the focus. The ellipsoidal portion extends forwardly of the focus and terminates in an opening covered by a mirror extending normal to the major axis of the ellipsoidal portion for redirecting light rays emanating from the light source back through the reflector. The center axis of the hemispherical portion intersects the focus, and such hemispherical portion extends rearwardly of the focus and terminates in another opening through which the light rays are redirected by the mirror to a final focus located exteriorly of the reflector.