Cool light source for optic fibres

• US 4,945,457 A
• Filed: 01/23/1989
• Issued: 07/31/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark IV Industries Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEI Canada Limited
• Inventors: Anidjar, Morris, Yazdani, Armand
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, D. M.
• Application Number:
  US07/298,923
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 362/101, 362/32, 362/294, 362/264, 362/373, 362/96
• US Class Current: 362/101
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/322 and having centering means being part of the lens for the self-positioning of the lightguide at the focal point, e.g. holes, wells, indents, nibs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3624 Fibre head, e.g. fibre probe termination optical details of light guide terminations G02B6/241; reshaping of light guides G02B6/2552; optical details of coupling light into or out of fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/40 having fibre bundle mating means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A light source in a transparent envelope is contained in a sleeve which mounts the light input ends of optic fibres. Liquid coolant is caused to flow between the envelope and the fibres and is then cooled for recirculation.

Claims

1. Transmission source for synthetic optic fibres comprising:

light source contained in a transparent envelope,

sleeve surrounding said envelope,

apertures in said sleeve directed inwardly toward said light source,

synthetic optical fibres projecting through said apertures, to ends spaced from said envelope,

means for causing liquid flow between said fibre ends and said envelope,

such liquid being transparent, and non-reactive with its environs and having a refractive index at least as great as that of water,

heat exchange means for cooling liquid existing from between said fibre ends and said envelope,

means for returning liquid flow causing means.

2. Transmission source as claimed in claim 1 where said lamp envelope is cylindrical and said sleeve is approximately coaxial therewith and provided with means for spacing said sleeve from said envelope.

3. Transmission source as claimed in claim 1 wherein mounting means surround a plurality of said fibres and cooperating means are provided on said sleeve and said mounting means for locating the inner ends of said mounting means relative to said sleeve whereby the fibre end spacing from said envelope may be controlled.

4. Transmission source as claimed in claim 2 wherein mounting means enclose a plurality of said fibres and cooperating means are provided on said sleeve and said mounting means for locating the inner ends of said mounting means relative to said sleeve whereby the fibre end spacing from said envelope may be controlled.

5. Transmission source as claimed in claim 1 wherein a liquid tank surrounds said sleeve,

a liquid inlet port is provided in one wall of said tank, below the intended liquid level therein,

one end of said sleeve being coupled to said one wall, surrounding said port whereby liquid entering said tank through said port passes through said sleeve.

6. Transmission source as claimed in claim 2 wherein a liquid tank surrounds said sleeve,

a liquid inlet port is provided in one wall of said tank, below the intended liquid level therein,

one end of said sleeve being coupled to said one wall, surrounding said port whereby liquid entering said tank through said port passes through said sleeve.

7. Transmission source as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fibre is acrylic.

8. Transmission source as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fibre is acrylic.

9. Transmission source as claimed in claim 1 wherein said liquid is silicone.

10. Transmission source as claimed in claim 2 wherein said liquid is silicone.