Device for transmitting and returning light and apparatus and method of manufacture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for transmitting and returning light comprising:
- an elongate light transmissive member having an axis along the longitude thereof, which elongate light transmissive member is a flexible polymer fiber having first and second ends substantially normal to the axis for passing light therebetween, anda returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned for returning light transmitted through the elongate light transmissive member, the face disposed substantially normal to the axis and embedded within the second end.
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Abstract
A device for transmitting and returning light comprising an elongate light transmissive flexible polymer fiber with a longitudinal axis, first and second ends normal to the axis for passing light therebetween and a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned to return light transmitted therethrough. A method and apparatus for manufacturing the device are also disclosed.
25 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device for transmitting and returning light comprising:
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an elongate light transmissive member having an axis along the longitude thereof, which elongate light transmissive member is a flexible polymer fiber having first and second ends substantially normal to the axis for passing light therebetween, and a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned for returning light transmitted through the elongate light transmissive member, the face disposed substantially normal to the axis and embedded within the second end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for manufacturing a device for transmitting and returning light, which device comprises an elongate light transmissive flexible member having an axis along the longitude thereof, which elongate light transmissive member is a flexible polymer fiber having first and second ends substantially normal to the axis for passing light therebetween;
- and a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned for returning the light transmitted through the elongate light transmissive member, which returner has a melting point substantially higher than the melting point of the elongate light transmissive member, the face being disposed substantially normal to the axis and embedded within the second and, which method comprises the following steps;
placing a tube having a cross sectional shape similar to that of the elongate light transmissive member 11 along the axis, the tube being sized to receive the elongate light transmissive member for telescopic conjugation therewithin; aligning the returner along the axis with its face substantially normal thereto for placement upon the second end of the elongate light transmissive member; telescopically urging the tube, the elongate light transmissive member and the returner with the tube coaxially about the elongate light transmissive member and with the returner against the second end; heating the tube, the elongate light transmissive member and the returner, and embedding the returner within the second end without melting or deforming the tube. - View Dependent Claims (8)
- and a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned for returning the light transmitted through the elongate light transmissive member, which returner has a melting point substantially higher than the melting point of the elongate light transmissive member, the face being disposed substantially normal to the axis and embedded within the second and, which method comprises the following steps;
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9. An apparatus for manufacturing a device for transmitting and returning light, which device comprises an elongate light transmissive flexible member with an axis along the longitude thereof, which elongate light transmissive member is aa flexible polymer fiber having first and second ends substantially normal to the axis for passing light therebetween, a returner shaped and sized to fit the second end with a face positioned for returning a substantial portion of the light transmitted through the elongate light transmissive member, the returner having a melting point substantially higher than the melting point of the elongate light transmissive member, the face disposed substantially normal to the axis and embedded within the second end, the elongate light transmissive member and the returner having cross sections of a similar size, and a holder placed substantially parallel to the returner to secure the embedded returner at the second end;
- which apparatus, comprises;
a tube having a cross sectional shape similar to that of the elongate light transmissive member positioned along the axis, the tube being sized to receive the elongate light transmissive member for telescopic conjugation therewithin; means for aligning the face along the axis substantially normal thereto for placement upon the second end of the elongate light transmissive member; means for telescopically urging the tube, the elongate light transmissive member and the returner with the tube coaxially about the elongate light transmissive member and with the returner against the second end; and a heater placed about the tube, the elongate light transmissive member and the returner thereby allowing the returner to be embedded within the second end without melting or deforming the tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- which apparatus, comprises;
Specification