Light insertion and dispersion system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a light guide system that operates on the principle of total internal reflectance (TIR) between a core and a cladding along an optical pathway, the improvement comprising:
- the cladding being translucent;
the core being liquid; and
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a substantially even disruption of TIR along the optical pathway such that disrupted light passes through the cladding.
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Abstract
A light source injects light into a translucent light guide, particularly using high-power LEDs. A core to the light guide contains a homogenous mixture of fluid and a light dispersing agent to effect scattering. Scattered light passes though the light guide and may be used for illumination. A high power LED is provided with a reflector and heat sink to disperse waste heat, increasing the efficiency and life of the LED.
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Citations
78 Claims
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1. In a light guide system that operates on the principle of total internal reflectance (TIR) between a core and a cladding along an optical pathway, the improvement comprising:
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the cladding being translucent;
the core being liquid; and
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a substantially even disruption of TIR along the optical pathway such that disrupted light passes through the cladding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a light guide system that operates on the principle of total internal reflectance (TIR) between a core and a cladding along an optical pathway, the improvement comprising:
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the cladding being translucent;
the core being gel; and
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a disruption of TIR along the optical pathway such that disrupted light passes through the cladding. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. In a light guide system that operates on a combination of the principle of total internal reflectance (TIR) between a core and a cladding, and normal optical reflection along an optical pathway, the improvement comprising:
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the cladding being translucent;
the core being one of a gel and a liquid; and
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a disruption of TIR along the optical pathway, or disruption in reflected light, such that disrupted light passes through the cladding. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A core with a first index of refraction for use in a light guide system that operates on the principle of total internal reflectance (TIR) between a core and a cladding along an optical pathway, the improvement comprising:
the core including a colloidal suspension of suboptical particles of high refractive index in a substantially clear liquid or gel, the particles having an increased second index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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57. An LED assembly for illumination of a light guide comprising:
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an LED die supported by a substrate;
electrical contacts configured to provide power for activation of the LED die to emit light;
a reflector bonded to the substrate and operable to direct light from the LED die along an optical pathway when the LED die is activated for emission of the light. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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61. An LED assembly for heat sinking of excess heat from an LED assembly for illumination of a light guide comprising:
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an LED die supported by a substrate; and
electrical contacts configured to provide power for activation of the LED die to emit light;
wherein the LED assembly is immersed in the light guide core. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 78)
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66. A method of compensating for expansion and contraction of a core in a liquid or gel core light guide system comprising:
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illuminating the core on an optical pathway that extends forward from one or more sources embedded within the core; and
compensating for core expansion from behind the illumination source, thereby preventing disruption of the optical path. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69)
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70. A light-guide system comprising:
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a core made of at least one of a liquid and a gel;
an illumination source embedded into the core; and
means for compensating expansion and contraction of the core from a position behind the illumination source, such that there is no disruption of the optical path by the compensating means.
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71. A light guide system comprising:
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a core made of at least one of a liquid and a gel;
an illumination source embedded into the core; and
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a disruption of TIR along the optical pathway such that disrupted light passes through the cladding.
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72. A light guide system comprising:
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a liquid or gel core;
an illumination source embedded into the core;
wherein the illumination source is cooled directly by contact with the core. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74)
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75. A light guide system comprising:
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a core made of at least one of a liquid and a gel;
an illumination source embedded into the core and positioned to project light forward onto an optical pathway; and
a compensator for expansion and contraction of the core of the light guide.
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76. A light guide system comprising:
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a core made of at least one of a liquid and a gel;
an illumination source embedded into the core positioned to project light forward onto an optical pathway;
wherein the illumination source is cooled directly by contact with the core; and
a compensator for expansion and contraction of the core from a position behind the illumination source.
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77. A light guide system comprising:
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a core made of at least one of a liquid and a gel;
an illumination source embedded into the core and positioned to project light forward onto an optical pathway;
a light dispersing agent distributed in the core to provide a disruption of TIR along the optical pathway such that disrupted light passes through the cladding; and
a compensator for expansion and contraction of the core of the light guide system from a position behind the illumination source.
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Specification