Abstract: An efficient downlight system for directing light includes a light source and a generally tubular, hollow coupling device with an interior light-reflective surface for receiving light from the source at an inlet and transmitting it as a generally diverging light beam through an outlet. The coupling device is shaped in accordance with non-imaging optics and increases in cross sectional area from inlet to outlet in such manner as to reduce the angle of light reflected from the surface as it passes through the device. A thermal-isolating region has an inlet positioned in proximity to an outlet of the coupling device and has an outlet for passing light to an optical member. An arrangement for splitting the light from the outlet of the thermal-isolating region comprises a plurality of light guides. Each light guide includes an inlet end for receiving light from the thermal-isolating region and an outlet end for directing light to a remote location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlight unit for liquid crystal displays, etc.; and its object is to provide a backlight unit not involving the problem that the emitted light leaks out of the optical waveguide, even when the space around the cold-cathode tubes in the light source unit for it is filled with a liquid of which the refractive index is nearly the same as that of the glass material that forms the outer wall of the cold-cathode tubes. The backlight unit comprises a housing 6 which houses cold-cathode tubes 2, 4 therein and of which the inner surface is coated with a light reflector 10; a transparent liquid filled in the housing 6; and an optical waveguide 1 made of a transparent substance and having a light-emitting surface S.

Abstract: An optical interface for data communication that can be manufactured and aligned in a cost effective manner includes an array of optical emitters and an optical receiver are positioned within a predetermined tolerance with reference to each other so as to establish an optical data communication path. To search for and determine which of the emitters of the array achieves the best alignment, the optical emitters are individually energized in a sequence, while monitoring the output signal of the optical receiver. For subsequent data communications, the optical emitter determined to achieve the best alignment is employed.

Abstract: A light delivery system includes a light source. A first generally tubular, hollow coupling device with an interior light-reflective surface receives light from the source at an inlet and transmits it to an outlet. The coupling device increases in cross sectional area from inlet to outlet in such manner as to reduce the angle of light reflected from the surface as it passes through the device. A thermal-isolating region has an inlet positioned in proximity to an outlet of the coupling device and has an outlet for passing light to an optical member, the thermal-isolating region comprising one or more members. A waterproof container for the light source and coupling device has an aperture allowing light to pass out of the container. The aperture is sealed in part by a portion of a member of the thermal-isolating region. Advantageously, the system can be buried beneath the surface of the ground. This avoids the problem of people or equipment colliding with the system.

Abstract: A fiber bundle combiner and LED illumination system and method. In one embodiment, an illumination fixture includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, and a fiber-optic assembly having a common first bundle end and plurality of second ends. Each of the second ends is optically coupled to receive light from an LED. Ths fibers transmit light from the second ends to the common first end such that light from the LEDs is output at the first end. Optionally, pipe cells couple the light, wherein each LED is associated with a respective pipe cell that serves to focus light from the LED into one or more of the fibers. In one embodiment, each of the pipe cells includes a concave substantially spherical focussing reflective surface.

Abstract: There is provided a spread illuminating apparatus with an enhanced efficiency of radiating heat generated by a spot-like light source. An enclosure (31) is formed at an end of a metal frame (27) so as to enclose a cover portion (14) which receives a spot-like light source (6). Dummy patterns (26) are provided on inner surfaces of the first, second and third face portions (18, 20, 22) of the cover portion (14). Since the enclosure (31) is made of metal, and therefore has a high heat conductivity, the enclosure (31) works as a sort of heat sink and easily conducts heat generated by the spot-like light source (6) outwardly for radiation. The enclosure (31) is integrally formed with the metal frame (27), so the number of components can be reduced in comparison with the case where the enclosure (31) and the metal flame (27) are separately formed. Thus, the structure is simplified, thereby improving the productivity.

Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a lighting device from direct contact with contaminants or components which may interfere with proper operation thereof. The contaminant (e.g., blood, body tissue, dirt, oil, grease, paint, etc.) or other component (e.g., adhesive pad) can interfere with the desired internal reflection of the light propagating through a light transmitting member, by changeing the angle of reflection of the propagating light. The result is that optical energy is absorbed by the contaminant or component and converted to heat, thus causing the contaminant or component to quickly rise to an undesirable temperature. The present invention protects a lighting device from such interference, while maintaining its versatility.

Abstract: A light-source device can efficiently cool a light source without frequently exchanging an impurity removing filter. The light-source device includes a housing having an outer wall and an inner wall. A portion within the inner wall of the housing is substantially hermetically sealed with respect to a space formed by the outer wall and the inner wall. The device also includes a light source disposed within the inner wall, and an optical member. The light source guides light supplied from the light source to a portion outside of the housing. The device further includes a cooling unit for causing a fluid to flow between the outer wall and the inner wall of the housing to cool the light source.

Abstract: A cold coupling apparatus for receiving light from a source of illumination and transmission to the ends of one or more light-guiding fibers comprises a coupler body having one or more lenses are typically disposed within the coupler body; a compression fitting is engaged with the retention means; a collet is typically disposed within the compression fitting, as are one or more ferrules, and one or more rods, or a slug. The coupler body may be actively cooled, or may have heat sink fins attached to its exterior. A method of cooling a plurality of light-guiding fibers comprises the steps of inserting a plurality of fibers and a corresponding plurality of ferrules, along with a plurality of rods, into a thermally conductive coupler body. Each ferrule is placed over the end of a corresponding fiber, so as to expose the fiber end, and partially cover the fiber jacket. The ferrules are also placed in physical contact with the rods, which are in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axes of the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic light source cooled by a tube-axial fan having a blocking device covering a portion of its outlet. The blocking device generates a relatively higher velocity stream of cooling air just downstream of the blocking device in the direction of the rotation of the fan blades, while maintaining the velocity of cooling air is produced across the remainder of the fan outlet relatively unchanged. The higher velocity cooling air is used to cool the fiber optic cable ends while the relatively lower velocity cooling air is used to cool the bulb and other components of the light source. The dual characteristics of the cooling air produced by the fan provides an efficient, low noise cooling source that facilitates higher levels of light input without the problem of melting of the fiber optic cable ends.

Abstract: A vehicle with a plurality of individually addressable light sources, preferably semiconductor laser light sources or light emitting diodes, each of which produce a beam of light, are optically coupled to a fiber optic waveguide. The laser light sources are grouped together preferably at a single location within the vehicle for easy access and conveniently located within the vehicle. Fiber waveguides distally transmits the beams to the optical loads of the vehicle, including the brake lights, taillights, instrumentation lights and turn signals. Each fiber optic waveguide may be a single optical fiber, such as a multimode fiber, having a numerical aperture large enough to receive illumination from a plurality of light sources. In cases where some optical loads require a larger flux or brightness of light, such as vehicular headlights, which may greater than a single optic fiber can transmit, the waveguide may comprise of a bundle of optical fibers.

Abstract: A skylight system for use in the ceiling of a room in a structure having a roof. The skylight system includes a frame having a skylight opening and a ventilator opening, the frame being adapted for mounting to said ceiling; a light conduit having a proximal end attached to the skylight opening of the frame, and a distal end for mounting to said roof for guiding natural light from the roof to the skylight opening for naturally lighting the room; and a venting duct having a proximal end attached to the ventilator opening of the frame and a distal end for mounting to said roof for ventilating the room. The skylight system can also include a lighting fixture attached to a lighting opening in the frame for artificially lighting the room.

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. In an alternate embodiment, the spatial filter is composed of a fused bundle of optical fibers. 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 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: The present invention discloses an air duct for directing air onto an optical fiber bundle coupling. The air duct is used to siphon a portion of an air stream, which is used to cool an arc lamp, to the coupling end of the light guide bundle. After the air from the air duct cools the coupling of the light guide bundle, the air is routed back to provide additional cooling to the arc lamp.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted laser spotlight system employs a coherent/incoherent spotlight as a light source to produce an eyesafe light dispersion pattern to illuminate an ambient environment. The laser spotlight system includes an integrated laser unit having an integrated laser, power supply and control unit for selectively transmitting coherent light. A fiber optic cable optically couples the laser unit to a spotlight which receives the coherent light from the laser and transmits a beam of coherent light into the ambient environment. An incoherent light transmitter selectively transmits a beam of incoherent light coincident with the beam of coherent light. A converter module may be disposed intermediate the laser and the spotlight to convert the frequency and wavelength of the coherent light.

Abstract: A fiber optics illumination system for plastic fiber bundle light guides which have pliable cores with one or more cladding sleeves. The proximal light receiving end of the light guides are stripped of all cladding to expose their pliable bundled cores pressed against a mirror mask plate which has a central transparent portion to transmit light from the light source therethrough to the fiber ends for transmission. A vice mechanism is provided to adjust the pressure of the pliable fiber core ends against the mirror mask. Surfaces of the mirror mask which do not transmit light directly to the proximal fiber ends are provided with a light reflecting or mirrored surface to reflect all unused light and heat away from the interface of the mirror mask and the fiber ends.

Abstract: This invention applies to the field of light projectors for graphics media, such as movie film, projection slides, liquid crystal cells and fiber optic arrays. High light levels have not been possible with prior art projectors due to plastic media aging and melting in the heat of concentrated light; due to optical inefficiencies in converting circular lamp beams to a rectangular medium format; and due to mismatches between the numerical aperture of the lamp to the graphics media. The present invention solves the heating problem by providing a projector having an elongated, heat absorbing glass coupler between the light source and the graphics medium; it solves the optical inefficiency problem by providing the coupler with a circular light entrance end and a rectangular exit end; and it solves the numerical aperture problem by providing the coupler with a generally parabolic shape that collimates extreme off-axis light rays.

Abstract: A light source comprises a high intensity lamp that is clamped between four half-shell finned heatsinks. The upper heatsink half-shells for the anode and cathode ends of the lamp are mounted to an upper printed circuit board and the lower heatsink half-shells are mounted to a lower main printed circuit board. A direct current powered fan is positioned on one side to blow horizontally through the matrix of heatsinks and out the opposite side. Only the lamp igniter and fan power supply circuits are included in the upper printed circuit board which receives lamp power from the lower printed circuit boards through the anode and cathode heatsinks and one additional connection comprising a flexible wire. The main power supply is included on the lower printed circuit board and it converts and preregulates 110 VAC or 220 VAC to 160 VDC to a transistor chopping switch that in turn provides the required low voltage lamp power.

Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope which sufficiently shields the high-frequency noise produced from a lamp even if there is an opening through which the lamp is exchanged. A lamp hatch for shielding the noise is provided at the opening of the lamp house, and EMI springs for maintaining the electrical conduction state are provided at the portion at which the lamp hatch and the edge portion of the opening overlap each other. When a cooling fan is provided in the lamp house, a plurality of air ports are provided in the lamp hatch which make the air flow of the cooling fan smooth and which have an effect of shielding the noise produced from the lamp. It is favorable to arrange the air ports at an interval of less than 2/.lambda. on the assumption that the wavelength of the noise frequency is .lambda..

Abstract: A lighting system for passenger cabins, particularly aircraft passenger cabins, is equipped with at least one central light source cooperating with hollow light guides for distributing light in the passenger cabin. The light sources may be positioned in fixed locations within the aircraft or in fixed locations in the ceiling or in mobile locations within the hollow light guides. Light extractors are positioned where needed. The light guides are hollow preferably tubular light guides which may cooperate with optical light conductor fibers, and with lenses and mirrors where needed.

Abstract: An imitated fireworks bulb set for Christmas tree decoration includes a plurality of imitated fireworks bulbs, a plug head having a transformer therein for electrical power supply, and an elongated electrical wire for electrically connecting the imitated fireworks bulbs to the plug head so as to connect the imitated fireworks bulbs together and provide electrical power to each of the imitated fireworks bulbs. Each of the imitated fireworks bulbs includes a bowl-like transparent shell, a casing connected to the transparent shell to form a container body, a hanger affixed to a top end of the casing, and an imitated fireworks generating device installed within the casing for rendering a plurality of optic fiber sticks disposed inside the transparent shell to provide fireworks like flashing effect at their light emitting tips.