Patent · US Expired

Light fiber comprising continuous outer cladding and method of making

US6535667B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
13References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 2001
Grant dateMar 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/2929
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Light fibers comprising: (a) an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end; (b) a light-emitting region directing light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the light-emitting region comprising at least one optical element; and (c) a continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extending over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements. Methods of making the light fibers using an embossing process are also reported.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.