Fiber optic telescope

• US 4,955,687 A
• Filed: 03/08/1989
• Issued: 09/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas L. Pafford
• Original Assignee: Thomas L. Pafford
• Inventors: Pafford, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US07/320,528
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.10, 350/96.15, 350/96.18, 350/96.20, 350/96.24, 350/96.25, 350/96.27, 350/537
• US Class Current: 385/116
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images

Abstract

A fiber optic telescope for use as an electromagnetic energy collector, wherein two or more collector cells are connected via the fiber optic waveguide and a converging connecting means. A plurality of the cells may be connected in series or in a cascading relationship. Applications of the system include a telescope, a solar energy collector or any other uses where collection of electromagnetic radiation is required.

Claims

1. A fiber optic telescope for delivering a coherent image, i.e., coherent electromagnetic radiation to a locus of useful application, comprising:

(a) at least two collector cells for collecting the electromagnetic radiation;

(b) first focussing means for focussing the coherent electromagnetic radiation collected by said at least two collector cells;

(c) first fiber waveguide means having a collector cell end and a converging end and being in optical communication at its collector cell end with said at least two collector cells for receiving the coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic radiation from said at least two collector cells and in optical communication at its converging end with a converging means; and

(d) a converging means for receiving the coherent electromagnetic radiation from said first waveguide means and focussing and converging the coherent image, i.e., the electromagnetic radiation and directing it to a locus of useful application.

2. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 further comprising a second fiber waveguide means for receiving said coherent image, i.e., coherent electromagnetic energy from said converging means and delivering it to the locus of useful application.

3. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 2 wherein said second fiber waveguide means further comprising adjustable third focussing means between said converging means and said second waveguide means for focussing the coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic radiation emanating from said converging means and adapting it for receipt by said second fiber waveguide means.

4. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 3, wherein said second fiber waveguide means further comprising an adjustable fourth focussing means for adapting the coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic radiation emanating from said second fiber waveguide means so that it is receivable in a detector means as a coherent recognizable image.

5. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 2 where said first and said second fiber waveguide means each are comprised of fiber optical bundles including a multiplicity of individual optical fibers.

6. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 wherein said converging means further comprises a dual diameter optical fiber bundle having an outwardly tapered end, said end having an end face capable of receiving the coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic energy transmitted through said collector.

7. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 6 wherein said converging means further comprises an adjustable second focussing means for adjustably focussing the coherent image, i.e., the electromagnetic radiation before it is received by said dual diameter optical fiber bundle.

8. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 wherein said converging means further comprises an electromagnetic energy diverting means for diverting the coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic energy emanating from a second focussing means and for aligning the coherent image, i.e., the electromagnetic radiation emanating from more than one said second focussing means so that the combined coherent image, i.e., the coherent electromagnetic energy is transmitted along the same axis.

9. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 8 wherein said diverting means comprises a lens.

10. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 8 wherein said diverting means comprises a prism.

11. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 8 wherein said diverting means comprises a curved mirror.

12. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two collector cells comprises first focussing means having refracting focussing means for diverting the incident coherent electromagnetic energy to a point adjacent an end face of said first fiber waveguide means.

13. The fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two collector cells comprises first focussing means having a reflecting focussing means for diverting the incident and coherent electromagnetic energy to a point adjacent an end face of said first waveguide means.

14. A fiber optic telescope according to claim 1 wherein the locus of useful application is a telescope.