High efficiency source coupler for optical waveguide illumination system
US6128431A · kind A · utility
53Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4202
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fiber optic or optical waveguide illumination system includes a source coupling system. The source coupling system includes an optical channel with an internal cavity. A light source is disposed inside the driving circuit. Coupling losses are minimized by placing the light source within the optical channel. The source cavity and the source optical channel can be shaped to enhance the amount of light captured in the channel by total internal reflection. Multiple light distribution waveguides can be connected to the source coupling channel to produce an illumination system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.