Abstract: A rotary joint includes a shaft having a first end, a second end, and a cavity. The rotary joint includes a first waveguide section having a first proximal end and a first distal end. The first proximal end of the first waveguide section is positioned within the cavity and secured to the inner surface of the shaft. The rotary joint includes a second waveguide section that includes a second proximal end and a second distal end. The second proximal end of the second waveguide section is positioned within the cavity of the shaft and unsecured to the inner surface of the shaft to form a radial gap between an outer surface of the second proximal end and a laterally adjacent portion of the inner surface of the shaft. The shaft and the first waveguide section are configured to rotate about the rotational axis and relative to the second waveguide section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to optical instruments and methods with a head mounted camera on a subject to provide a compact and lightweight solution to imaging specimen from the brain of a subject thereby providing closer proximity imaging with minimal or negligible effect to the subject's ability to physically move and rotate freely. The head mounted camera includes a light source for illuminating light through a beamsplitter to an image lens implant, which has been surgically inserted in the brain of the subject. The head mounted camera also includes an image sensor for imaging the top surface of the imaging lens implant and for capturing and transmitting images of neurons from deep inside the brain of the subject to the image sensor.

Abstract: The current disclosure is regarding an electrical slip ring assembly that transmit signals, data, and power across rotary platforms, especially for high frequency applications. The high frequency slip ring assembly with through bore may include a first stage slip ring, a second stage slip ring, a gear assembly, and an internal cable assembly. Rings may have an angled notch on a circumference to break said rings and have the same diameter. The first stage slip ring and second stage slip ring may be connected in series sequence, i.e., the stator in first stage slip ring is mechanically connected with the rotor in second stage slip ring. The internal cable assembly electrically connects the brush assembly in first stage slip ring with the ring assembly in said second stage slip ring in each channel respectively.

Abstract: A system can include a first housing that includes a display and an adjustable camera, where the display includes a normal vector and where the adjustable camera includes an optical axis; a second housing that includes a keyboard, a processor and memory accessible to the processor; and a hinge assembly that rotatably couples the first housing and the second housing, where rotation of the first housing with respect to the second housing actuates adjustment of the adjustable camera to adjust the optical axis with respect to the normal vector.

Abstract: A flexible light path guide device includes at least one light path coupling member for receiving at least one visible light and at least one flexible optical guide member having a first end, a second end extending in a direction away from the first end, a light path positioned between the first and second ends and at least one chamber positioned in the light path in adjacency to the second end. The first end is coupled with the visible light corresponding to the light path coupling member. The visible light is guided by the light path to the chamber. The chamber guides the visible light to outer side of the flexible optical guide member. Accordingly, when the visible light reaches a projected object, the effects that the visible light has high brightness and low optical energy loss and the total volume of the projection imaging device is minimized are achieved.

Abstract: The current disclosure shows a fiber optic slip ring with through bore, or an off-axis fiber optic rotary joint to provide transmission of optic data between mechanically rotational interface with a through bore. Said fiber optic slip ring with through bore may include a ring assembly and a brush block assembly within a rotor and a stator. Said ring assembly may include a ring, a ring holder and a fiber. Said brush block assembly may include a fiber brush, a brush block, an optic index matching fluid, and shaft seals. Said ring may be a donut-shaped waveguide with flat surface on one side. Said fiber brush may have an angled-surface, which is fully contacted with said flat surface on said ring at any time so that during the rotation of said rotor, the optic signal can be transmitted between said fiber and said fiber brush in either direction.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus, systems, methods of making, and methods of using a rotary junction are provided. A rotary junction having multiple channels is provided herein. The rotary junction has a first coupling optic and a second coupling optic where the rotating optical fiber or other waveguide comping from the first coupling optic passes through the second coupling optics.

Abstract: An optical rotary joint having a housing, a hollow shaft, a bevel gear, a prism and two collimators. The housing includes two sections, each holding a collimator and separated by a gap in an axial direction from each other and rotatable against each other and around the center axis. The hollow shaft is aligned with the center axis, and has two ends extending into the housing sections. The housing sections are supported via bearings by the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft further contains a prism holder with a Dove prism. The bevel gear is located in the gap between the housing sections and includes two wheels at the housing sections in mesh with two third wheels, which have an axis oriented radially to the center axis and fixedly attached to the hollow shaft, such that a rotation of the housing sections against each other results in a rotation of the hollow shaft with half of the angular speed.

Abstract: A suspension arm assembly including at least two members relatively rotatable about each other at a joint, with at least one of the joints comprising an infinite rotation joint. The infinite rotation joint allows the members at the infinite rotation joint to have unlimited rotation relative to one another. The infinite rotation joint is configured to pass at least an optical signal therethrough. The infinite rotation joint includes a stator and a rotor. At least two portions of the infinite rotation joint are separable and can automatically form a unit when adjacent arms are connected together such that the infinite rotation joint can be separated into the at least two portions. The at least two portions are configured to be automatically connected to allow the optical signal to pass therethrough once the at least two portions are engaged.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes a first platform having a first side and a second platform having a second side that overlaps the first side. The device also includes an actuator that rotates the first platform relative to the second platform. The device also includes a plurality of light sources mounted to the first platform in a substantially circular arrangement around the axis of rotation of the first platform. The plurality of light sources emit a plurality of light beams such that respective adjacent light beams intersect at least at a predetermined distance to the first side. The first side remains at least at the predetermined distance to the second side in response to the actuator rotating the first platform. The device also includes a light detector mounted to the second platform and positioned to at least partially overlap at least one of the plurality of light beams.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for connecting optical fibers, commonly used in medical instruments, for use in endoscopy, non-evasive treatments of disease, as well as other medical factions incorporating optical fibers, wherein the novel connector allows for rotation of at least one optical fiber within the connector.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes a first platform having a first side and a second platform having a second side that overlaps the first side. The device also includes an actuator that rotates the first platform relative to the second platform. The device also includes a plurality of light sources mounted to the first platform in a substantially circular arrangement around the axis of rotation of the first platform. The plurality of light sources emit a plurality of light beams such that respective adjacent light beams intersect at least at a predetermined distance to the first side. The first side remains at least at the predetermined distance to the second side in response to the actuator rotating the first platform. The device also includes a light detector mounted to the second platform and positioned to at least partially overlap at least one of the plurality of light beams.

Abstract: An optical rotary joint communication apparatus for communicating between a rotor and a stator. Optical sources and detectors are arranged on both the rotor and the stator to provide bi-directional communication. As the rotor rotates, downlink detectors on the rotor sequentially communicate via line-of-sight optical channels with corresponding downlink receivers on the stator. Each downlink receiver is provided a curved mirror reflecting the downlink beam onto the downlink receiver when the rotation angle of the rotor is within a corresponding angle interval. When the rotation angle moves past the angle interval, the downlink beams transition to another mirror and another downlink receiver. The downlink beams are directed predominantly tangential to the rotor circumference.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes a first platform having a first side and a second platform having a second side that overlaps the first side. The device also includes an actuator that rotates the first platform relative to the second platform. The device also includes a plurality of light sources mounted to the first platform in a substantially circular arrangement around the axis of rotation of the first platform. The plurality of light sources emit a plurality of light beams such that respective adjacent light beams intersect at least at a predetermined distance to the first side. The first side remains at least at the predetermined distance to the second side in response to the actuator rotating the first platform. The device also includes a light detector mounted to the second platform and positioned to at least partially overlap at least one of the plurality of light beams.

Abstract: An electrical rotary connection (15) comprising a first element (18) supported by a housing (16), a second element (19) supported by the housing, the first and second elements configured to rotate about a central axis (X) relative to each other at a rotary interface (20), the first element (18) comprising an input electrical lead (21), an electrical-to-optical E/O converter (22) having an optical source (23), and a transmitting lens (28), the second element (19) comprising a receiving lens (30) opposing the first element across the rotary interface, an optical-to-electrical O/E converter (32) having an optical receiver (33), and an output electrical lead (35), whereby electrical input received by the first element may be converted into light, the light may be transmitted on-axis across the rotary interface to the second element, and the light may be converted into an electrical output by the second element for transmission via the output electrical lead of the second element.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to accurately maintain a positional relationship between a lens held in a holding member and an optical fiber without requiring any complicated operation. The invention includes a holder (11), at one end of which a housing section (11c) that houses a ball lens (12) is formed and at the other end of which an insertion hole (11a) for inserting an optical fiber (13) is formed, and a magnet (14) provided outside in a direction crossing a housing direction of the ball lens at the one end of the holder, in which the magnet generates an attracting force for aligning a center of the ball lens with a center of an optical element provided in a coupling target.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotary joint includes a first fiber optic cable operably coupled to one of a stator and a rotor and a second fiber optic cable operably coupled to the other of the stator and the rotor. The stator and the rotor define a free space optical path between the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel and collinear with an optical axis of at least one end of the fiber optic rotary joint. A first beam conditioning mechanism is configured to condition a light beam emitted from the first fiber optic cable and a second beam conditioning mechanism is configured to focus the conditioned light beam into the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An optically powered system for rapid, focused heating and melting of water ice. The optical wavelength is chosen to fall in a range where transmissivity through liquid water is higher than through ice. An alternative embodiment of the invention further comprises a length of fiber optic tether between source and output to allow for motion of the melt head. A further embodiment includes probing the ice using various sensing modalities exploiting the presence of the fiber in the ice, searching for biomarkers and characterizing the radiation/light environment for subsurface habitability, including photosynthetic potential and radiation environment as a source for energy.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotary connector providing communication between a first fiber optical bundle and a second fiber optical bundle rotating relative to said first bundle. The fiber optic rotary connector includes a K-mirror comprised of at least three mirror components and a set of gears adapted to rotate said K-mirror at a rotation rate equal to one half of the second bundle rotation rate. In a preferred embodiment the set of gears is a set of magnetic gears. And in another preferred embodiment the set of gears is a set of mechanical gears. Normally the first fiber optic bundle is stationary, but it may be rotating at a slower rate than the second bundle. In preferred embodiments the K mirror is comprised of three flat mirrors and two of the flat mirrors are positioned at about 30 degrees relative to the third flat mirror.

Abstract: A Multichannel Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) has a Dove prism as a derotating optical element, wherein the Dove prism has a multiwavelength achromatic metasurface coating on the input and output face. Such a Multichannel FORJ has the advantage that its transmission properties include consistently low attenuation over a rotation angle and a high-return loss over a broad wavelength range, e.g. the whole frequency band used for telecommunications. A method for fabricating the same.

Abstract: A device for optically coupling two photonic elements may comprise an interposer where each photonic element is axially aligned with an optical pathway in the interposer. Also included is an optics assembly configured to direct a photonic signal along the optical pathway; and a mechanical guide assembly configured to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of photonic elements. Another such device may comprise two connectors where each connector comprises an optical pathway element in which an optics assembly is situated and a photonic element aligned with the optical pathway element. A mechanical guide assembly secures the optical pathway elements in a position so as to reduce the relative tilt and rotation of the photonic elements. A connection for optically coupling two computing units can comprise a partition situated between the computing units and on which an interposer is mounted.

Abstract: Optical connections for optical communication having in-line optical paths and magnetic coupling portions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connection includes a lens block having an optical interface portion that defines an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block, and a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the lens block. In another embodiment, a method of making an optical connection that includes providing a circuit board having one or more active components and placing a lens block on the circuit board. The lens block includes an optical interface portion defining an in-line optical path. The method further includes placing at least one magnetic coupling portion about the lens block. The at least one magnetic coupling portion is configured as a bulk magnetic material. Electronic devices and fiber optic cable assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a fiber element incorporating one or more optical fibers, the optical fiber including a plurality of cores, and an optical element including an array of optical waveguides arranged in one or more layers so as to match the geometry of the plurality of cores of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector has, in one embodiment, a body and a light management device. The light management device is operable to manage a plurality of light beams for exchange between a plurality of sets of optical fibers.

Abstract: A hybrid rotary joint provides both optical and fluid channels for applications such as optogenetic research. The rotary joint has a stationary component and a rotating component. The optical channel and fluid channel permit simultaneous and rotation-insensitive passage of light and fluid from the stationary to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint. The input to the optical channel is provided via an input optical fiber and the input to the fluid channel is fluid from a fluid source. The outputs are an optical fiber output and a fluid channel output. As light passes from the stationary side to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint, it is deflected off a beam deflector having an angular orientation that is passively aligned and made independent of the angular orientation of the rotating component via the interaction between magnets attached to each of the beam deflector and the stationary component.

Abstract: This invention provides a fiber optic rotary joint (20) for enabling the transmission of digital optical signals across the interface between facing surfaces (26, 29) of a rotor and a stator (21, 22), comprising: a plurality of light sources (42A, 42B, 42C, . . .

Abstract: A rolling slip ring structure is disclosed incorporating coupled optical waveguides that provide an optical signal pathway through at least three coplanar optical waveguide rings. The inner, outer and center rings of the rolling slip ring structure are configured such that any or all of the rings can rotate about a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the rings and at the center of the inner and outer optical waveguide rings. The center optical waveguide ring can also rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane containing the three optical waveguide rings and is at the center of the center ring. The optical coupling length between the optical waveguide rings in the system remains constant regardless of rotation of any or all of the optical waveguide rings.

Abstract: A joint for disposing between a rotatable drum and stationary surface equipment. The joint serves as a channel through which optical data from a well access line may be routed through the rotating drum and to the stationary equipment for processing. The optical data may be routed in a manner that allows for multi-fiber transmissions with one fiber dedicated to uphole transmissions and another dedicated to downhole transmissions. This is achieved through embodiments of the joint in spite of the separate optical channels involved sharing the same central axis to allow for data transfer between moving and stationary joint components.

Abstract: A rotary optical link joint having a small change in transmission loss during rotational use is provided. In order to realize this, the rotary optical link joint according to the present invention is an optical link joint that relatively rotatably holds, centering around an axis line (19, 29), a first optical fiber (11) and a second optical fiber (21), wherein a part or all of the first optical fiber (11) and the second optical fiber (21) are configured by a multi-core optical fiber having a plurality of cores, and wherein the plurality of cores is arranged in a circular or annular area that is sectioned by a concentric circle centered around the axis line (19, 29) of the multi-core optical fiber.

Abstract: A low insertion loss, low back reflection fiber optic rotary joint with increased data throughput capabilities has been invented. This is accomplished by using a dispersion free prism with optical coatings to minimize the amount of back reflection caused by the optical beam passing through the prism-air interface.

Abstract: A low insertion loss, low back reflection fiber optic rotary joint with increased data throughput capabilities has been invented. This is accomplished by using a dispersion free prism with optical coatings to minimize the amount of back reflection caused by the optical beam passing through the prism-air interface.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by optical deflector units comprising at least two optical reflectors, which are in case rigidly connected to one another indirectly or directly via a retaining element, and in that a first of the two retaining elements is indirectly or directly in engagement with the first coupling component via a mechanical gear unit providing a rotatable operative connection.

Abstract: A device for transmitting or receiving a light beam is provided. The device includes an angular adjustment element and a fiber-optic cable which emits light and is connected to the angular adjustment element. The fiber-optic cable ends in the region of the angular adjustment element. The angular adjustment element enables a radiation direction of a light beam of the fiber-optic cable to be fixed, wherein, in at least some of possible radiation directions, the light beam passes through a fixed point which is independent of the radiation direction, wherein the fixed point lies outside the device.

Abstract: Optical signals are transmitted across a rotary junction using an active optical rotary coupler. A rotary optical joint assembly includes a rotatable optical coupler and an optical signal processing system. The rotatable optical coupler aligns two optical fibers for optical communication across a rotary optical junction. The optical signal processing system includes a local optical transceiver that receives the signals and compensates for at least a portion of signal loss or other signal imperfections incurred from transmitting the signal across the rotary optical junction. The local optical transceiver also processes the signals for longer distance transmission.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rolling slip ring structure is disclosed incorporating coupled optical waveguides that provide an optical signal pathway through at least three coplanar optical waveguide rings. The inner, outer and center rings of the rolling slip ring structure are configured such that any or all of the rings can rotate about a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the rings and at the center of the inner and outer optical waveguide rings. The center optical waveguide ring can also rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the plane containing the three optical waveguide rings and is at the center of the center ring. The optical coupling length between the optical waveguide rings in the system remains constant regardless of rotation of any or all of the optical waveguide rings. In some embodiments, absorbing optical materials and/or mechanical scattering mechanisms are utilized to counteract the effects of possible whispering gallery mode resonances.

Abstract: A leaky travelling wave array of optical elements provide a solar wavelength rectenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing a rotary sensor system including rotating system components in RF signal and optical signal communication with stationary system components through a rotary coupler. The rotary coupler may be provided with an optical transmission line that passes inside or through the center of an inner conductor of a coaxial RF transmission line that itself extends across the rotational interface/s of the rotary coupler such that optical and RF signal energy may be provided simultaneously or otherwise across the rotary coupler using separate communication paths. A rotary sensor system may be further configured to convert multiple signals and/or types of signals to a common multiplexed optical signal stream for transmission together across an on-axis rotational optical interface of the rotary coupler.

Abstract: A torque transmission assembly comprising: (i) an optical fiber coupled to an optical sensing component and capable of rotating and translating the optical sensing component and of transmitting light to and from the optical sensing component; and (b) an annular structure surrounding the optical fiber, the annular structure in conjunction with said optical fiber transmits torque from a rotating component to the optical sensing component, wherein the annular structure does not include a steel wire torque spring.

Abstract: An optical transmission fiber including a core having a first index of refraction, a cladding material located around the core and having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, a first coating material located around a first portion of the cladding material and having a third index of refraction greater than the second index of refraction, and a second coating material located around a second portion of the cladding material and having a fourth index of refraction less than the second index of refraction.

Abstract: A dual optical path rotary joint provides a low friction coupling of optical fiber connections for optogenetic research and other applications. Two optical paths are provided through the rotary joint which are rotation-insensitive. The ends of the rotary joint rotate with respect to a common housing, which may be provided with ball-bearings or other suitable low-friction rotational mounts in which a first rotating component and a second rotating component are secured. The first and second rotating components are not mechanically linked in rotation, and their rotation is only synchronized by magnets disposed on the first rotating component and the second rotating component. A pair of optical fibers is coupled to the first rotating component and another pair of optical fiber is coupled to the second rotating component. A pair of isolated optical paths links the pairs of fibers, which are directed between the first and second rotating components by reflection.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection system includes a fiber optic switching device, a first optical fiber holder, and a second optical fiber holder. The fiber optic switching device includes optical waveguides and an optical waveguide carrier that carries the optical waveguides. The first optical fiber holder holds a first set of optical fibers at a first location relative to the optical waveguide carrier. A second optical fiber holder holds a second set of optical fibers at a second location relative to the optical waveguide carrier. The optical waveguide carrier is movable to position the one or more optical waveguides such that the optical waveguides optically couple the optical fibers in the first set of optical fibers to optical fibers in the second set of optical fibers.

Abstract: One embodiment of an axial rotary joint having rotary transmission lines for the bi-directional propagation of radio frequency electromagnetic waves and light waves across a rotary interface. Each section is capable of fully independent rotation about a common longitudinal axis. The radio frequency rotary transmission line comprises waveguide tubing at each end that transitions to a coax transmission line at the rotary interface. The waveguide tubing also functions as the axial support structure. The second transmission line for light wave propagation is fully integrated into the waveguide-to-coax transition and the inner coaxial conductor, and uses optical coupling devices to form an optical coupling path across the rotary interface. This embodiment of the rotary joint can be sealed and pressurized to minimize contamination of the optics and to increase the electromagnetic wave power handling.

Abstract: A non-contacting rotary joint for transmitting an input signal guided within an input optical waveguide has an electrical transmission line and a probe. The transmission line has an even number N?4 of equal length transmission line segments. The optical waveguide is connected to an optical distribution network which has an optical power splitter for splitting the input signal into N or N/2 individual signals of equal optical power. These signals are forwarded to opto-electrical converters to generate electrical signals for driving the electrical transmission line. The lengths of the optical transmission lines are adjusted so that the propagation time of the optical signal from the end of the input optical waveguide to the end of each individual optical transmission line is approximately the same.

Abstract: An optoelectrical connector is composed of a plug to which a wire and an optical fiber are assembled and a receptacle to which the plug is inserted and connected. A receptacle includes insulation sleeves and conductive contacts in openings of receptacle housings, and plugs include a ferrule assembled bodies which are composed of an insulation ferrule which holds an optical fiber and a conductive cylindrical member which holds the ferrule and to which a wire is assembled, in an opening of the plug housing. When the plugs are inserted into the receptacle, the contacts and the cylindrical member contact with each other and the ferrules are inserted into the sleeves. Parts which serve electrical connection are not exposed.

Abstract: Provided are an optical connector and an optical tomographic imaging apparatus, by which no noise occurs and a high quality image without a distortion can be obtained. In the optical connector, optical fibers are inserted into a lumen of a tube from opposite ends thereof; one of the optical fibers is fixed to the tube and the other optical fiber is held so as to be rotatable relative to the tube; an end of one of the optical fibers is separated from an end of the other optical fiber to form a gap therebetween in the lumen; a connecting section which connects the exterior space of the tube and the gap is formed; and a liquid or fluid made of a material which can transmit light is held in the exterior space, the gap, and the connecting section. Consequently, a significant pressure variation in matching liquid does not occur if the distance between the facing optical fibers changes.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation through-bore optical slip ring. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface while leaving a center bore free. The present invention is passive, unlike many off axis or through bore optical slip rings and is low loss by nature.

Abstract: An optical rotary transmitter which ensures the reliable transmission of optical signals in conjunction with a comparatively simple construction comprises two parts spaced apart from one another which are rotatable relative to one another about a common centre axis and the first of which comprises a first circular light coupler (10) and the second of which comprises a second circular light coupler (20). The light entrance and light exit surfaces of the two light couplers face one another. Each of the light couplers (10, 20) consists of collimators (11, 21) combined to form a respective collimator arrangement (16, 26), optical coupling elements (15, 25) being connected to said collimators.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved collimating lens assemblies (32) which include: a singlemode fiber (38) terminating in a distal end; a step-index multimode fiber (44) having a proximal end abutting to the singlemode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; a graded-index multimode fiber (45) having a proximal end abutting the step-index multimode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; and a collimating lens (34) longitudinally spaced from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end by an intermediate air gap (43), and operatively arranged to collimate light rays emanating from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end. The improved collimating lens assembly is characterized by the fact that there is no epoxy, silicone gel or index-matching material between the graded-index multimode fiber distal end and the collimating lens.

Abstract: A collimator system comprises a micro lens array and a fiber array. The fiber array has a substrate with a plurality of holes for holding a plurality of optical fibers. The fibers are glued into the holes. Before gluing, each of the fibers is positioned against the same side of a corresponding hole resulting in all fibers being located substantially equally with respect to the holes. The lens array is mounted with an offset to the fiber array resulting in alignment of the fibers and the lenses.

Abstract: A light distribution assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal length and having one or more light sources mounted to the housing. The light distribution assembly also includes a coupler section having a body extending from the housing along a longitudinal axis between a light entry end and a light exit end. The light entry end has a major axis extending in a first direction and the light exit end has a major axis extending in a second direction, wherein the coupler section is shaped such that the body is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the coupler section so that first direction is approximately perpendicular relative to the second direction. One or more light pipes are attached to the light exit end of the coupler section.