Light source receptacle for fiberoptic illumination
First Claim
1. A light source for a fiber optic borescope, a fiberscope or a videoscope comprising:
- a) a housing having a wall;
b) a lightguide;
c) a lightguide coupler comprising;
i) a plug mounted on the end of the lightguide arranged so the end of the lightguide is exposed to receive light;
ii) a receptacle mounted in said wall including a body defining a bore into which the plug is inserted with said end of said lightguide exposed, said body having a wall surrounding said bore; and
iii) a plurality of passages formed in said coupler surrounding said lightguide;
d) a lamp;
e) a lens focusing light from said lamp on the end of said lightguide; and
f) means for moving air through said passages, whereby air can be drawn through said passages in either direction to cool said coupler and said lightguide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fiberoptic bundle or liquid light guide for a borescope, fiberscope or videoscope is coupled to the light source using a light guide coupler having a plurality of air passages to vent excess heat. The illumination unit comprises a fan that draws cool air through the passages into the light source to remove excess heat from the light guide coupler. Heat radiators can be added to the coupler to increase its surface area and to improve heat dissipation. Air baffles can be added to optimize the air flow through the light guide coupler. The light guide coupler thus acts as a heat sink while dissipating excess heat using an air flow caused by the difference in air pressure created by the fan in the illumination unit.
34 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A light source for a fiber optic borescope, a fiberscope or a videoscope comprising:
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a) a housing having a wall; b) a lightguide; c) a lightguide coupler comprising; i) a plug mounted on the end of the lightguide arranged so the end of the lightguide is exposed to receive light; ii) a receptacle mounted in said wall including a body defining a bore into which the plug is inserted with said end of said lightguide exposed, said body having a wall surrounding said bore; and iii) a plurality of passages formed in said coupler surrounding said lightguide; d) a lamp; e) a lens focusing light from said lamp on the end of said lightguide; and f) means for moving air through said passages, whereby air can be drawn through said passages in either direction to cool said coupler and said lightguide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of cooling a lightguide coupler in a light source for a fiber optic borescope, a fiberscope or a videoscope which comprises:
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a) a housing having a wall; b) a lightguide; c) a lightguide coupler comprising; i) a plug mounted on the end of the lightguide arranged so the end of the lightguide is exposed to receive light; and ii) a receptacle mounted in said wall including a body defining a bore into which the plug is inserted with said end of said lightguide exposed, said body having a wall surrounding said bore; d) a lamp; and e) a lens focusing light from said lamp on the end of said lightguide, comprising the steps of; i) forming a plurality of passages in said lightguide coupler; and ii) drawing air through said plurality of air passages. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification