Abstract: A method of making an optical transmission tube comprises having a tubular clad and a core covered with the tube and having a refractive index higher than the clad. The core has light-scattering particles uniformly dispersed in or throughout the core, so that light passing through the core is reflected and scattered at individual scattering particles to permit the light to be emitted from outer surfaces of the clad.

Abstract: Illumination devices and light distribution systems utilizing overlapping joints, connector rings, end caps, assemblies for mounting light tubes to a ceiling or wall, and protective tubes.

Abstract: An optical illumination device includes a light emitting section of discharge type and a condenser mirror placed behind the light emitting section to introduce illumination light into a light transmitting fiber. The light emitting section is placed so that its vertical component is larger than its axial component. In this way, rays from the light emitting section can be efficiently introduced into the light transmitting fiber of small diameter without loss.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an illuminated waterfall comprising a waterfall vessel, the vessel including a front wall, a pack wall, side ends with apertures, a top wall and a bottom wall; the vessel further including a plurality of baffles and/or combinations of baffles with apertures therein for converting turbulent flow to a waterfall stream at an exit to the vessel; and means for illuminating the waterfall. The means for illuminating the waterfall includes a clear rod or a side-light emitting fiber optic cable installed longitudinally within the vessel with a fiber optic light source juxtaposed to one end of the clear rod or cable. The clear rod or the cable may be installed within a clear tube as an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source includes a light fiber and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions. The light fiber has a light receiving end for coupling to the light source and the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source. A variety of diffuse reflective sheet materials can be used including, for example, microvoided sheet materials, such as those made by the TIPS ("thermally induced phase separation") method, and microporous sheet materials.

Abstract: A light guide illumination system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, comprises an illumination source, a configuration of transfer lenses disposed around the illumination source, which are each adapted to focus emitted light from the illumination source in a generally outward direction from the illumination source, a plurality of condenser lenses, and at least one light guide. Each of the plurality of transfer lenses are adapted to focus light into a corresponding condenser lens, and the at least one light guide is adapted to receive light from the condenser lenses. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic light system is provided including a light assembly having a pair of lights adapted to illuminate upon the receipt of power. Also included is a flasher unit connected to the lights for intermittently supplying power to the lights. A plurality of fiber optic strands are provided each including an inboard end mounted on the light assembly. A plurality of modules are each mounted along the strands for emitting light passing through the corresponding strand.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for liquid crystal displays uses a clear sheet of plastic or UV friendly resin as a light-pipe and has one or more fluorescent lamps located in a cavity along an edge of the sheet. The cavity is coated with photo-luminescent phosphor. A quartz ultra-violet lamp inside the cavity is filled with Argon gas and a small amount of mercury to excite the phosphor coated cavity to fluoresce. The light energy generated is throughout the light-pipe, thereby providing much brighter displays than possible with prior art light-pipe backlight assemblies.

Abstract: A sign illuminator is described wherein a bundle of light conducting fibers are plied to a light diffusing plate having a plurality of recesses which receive the ends of the fibers in the bundle after the bundle is passed through an opening in the plate from an exterior side to an interior side. The plate is sized and shaped to conform to a channel in the sign so that when the light fibers are inserted into the light diffusing plate their light provides a back illumination for the sign. A light reflecting surface can be placed alongside the interior surface of the light diffusing plate to provide additional light use for the illumination of the sign. The sign can be letters or numbers or have such other shape as appears desirable.

Abstract: In order to enhance the light output from a side illuminating optical structure comprising a plurality of elongate optical fibers, means is provided for ensuring a permanent compressive stress in the optical structure, for example a permanent compressive stress in the radial direction and/or in the axial direction. A variety of means are disclosed, for example a transparent tape member wound with tension helically around the optical structure, an elongate heat-shrinkable sleeve surrounding the structure, a plurality of rings provided along the structure to keep it under permanent compressive stress. Embodiments using braids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopes includes a light source for emitting white light containing the components of light belonging to a visible region and wavelength bands other than the visible region; at least, a rotary color separating filter on a field sequential system; and an infrared cutoff filter for blocking light in an infrared region, of a wavelength band of the white light. When the rotary color separating filter is disposed in an optical path from the light source to a light guide, an interference filter in which an interference film is applied to a transparent base plate is placed in the optical path. This arrangement obviates the defect of burning the entrance end of the light guide or of breaking the infrared cutoff filter.

Abstract: In an optical transmission tube comprising a tubular cladding and a core within the cladding having a higher index of refraction than the cladding, a strip-shaped reflecting layer is longitudinally extended between the cladding and the core. Light passing through the core is reflected and scattered by the reflecting layer to emerge from the tube through an area of the outer surface of the cladding opposed to the reflecting layer. The optical transmission tube is prepared by dispersing scattering particles in a monomer solution; filling a tubular cladding with the monomer solution; resting the cladding horizontally for allowing the scattering particles to settle on a lower inner surface of the cladding; and thereafter, causing the monomer solution to polymerize and solidify within the cladding.

Abstract: An optical element comprises zones of different refraction power or curvature in order to achieve a desired pattern of brightness distribution. In Particular, a darker spot in a central illumination region of an illuminating arrangement including a cold light reflector lamp the light of which is supplied over a fiber optic light guide should be avoided. The optical element has a rotational symmetric annular zone of low or no curvature the outer ring diameter of which being larger and the inner ring diameter being smaller than the diameter of the light exit surface of the fiber optic light guide. A second rotational symmetric zone has a stronger curvature than the first zone. This second zone is situated within the inner ring diameter of the first zone. Both zones face the light exit surface of the light guide. A third zone has a curvature different to the curvatures of the first and second zones, and is situated at the light exit side of the optical element.

Abstract: An optical illumination device includes a light emitting section of discharge type and a condenser mirror placed behind the light emitting section to introduce illumination light into a light transmitting fiber. The light emitting section is placed so that its vertical component is larger than its axial component. In this way, rays from the light emitting section can be efficiently introduced into the light transmitting fiber of small diameter without loss.

Abstract: An aimable fiber-optic spotlight has a fiber-optic light guide with a first end receiving light from a remote light source and a second end emitting light at the focus of a beam-forming lens held in a fixed tubular housing having a lens on a central optical axis. The light-emitting end of the light guide is held in a tubular light guide retainer within the housing, and which is transversely adjustable off the central axis of the housing and lens. Light emitted from the light guide is off the central axis of the housing and lens, and is thus projected through the lens as an off-axis beam adjustable in elevation angle. Rotation of housing in azimuth can then aim the light beam anywhere within a cone inscribed by rotation of the off-axis beam angle, thus providing adjustment in both elevation and azimuth. In a preferred embodiment the light-emitting end of the light guide is axially adjustable with respect to the lens, whereby the angular diameter of the projected light beam is also adjustable.

Abstract: A headlamp module for providing a uniform field of illumination at a predetermined distance includes a headlamp housing having a first end and a second end. A light source such as a terminated fiber optic cable is disposed within the first end of the housing. A condenser system is disposed within said headlamp housing in optical communication with a light source which is positioned close to the condenser. The condenser system, which comprises a pair of planar convex lenses oriented with the convex sides facing each other, is in optical communication with a reflecting element such as a planar mirror or a reflecting prism. The light reflected by the reflecting element is directed to an exit lens, such as a projection lens or an objective. The light exiting the exit lens provides the uniform field of illumination despite the presence of a real image of the light source termination at a distance close to the exit lens.