Multi-functional photometer with movable linkage for routing optical fibers
First Claim
1. An optical coupling for transferring radiant energy between a first light-transmitting conduit coupled to a first rigid member and a second light-transmitting conduit coupled to a second rigid member, said first and said second light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said first rigid member being pivotally attached to said second rigid member at a pivot axis, said optical coupling comprising:
- a first coupling element statically connected to said first rigid member, said first coupling element having a first though aperture, said first through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said first light-transmitting conduit; and
a second coupling element statically connected to said second rigid member, said second coupling element having a second through aperture, said second through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said second light-transmitting conduit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.
105 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An optical coupling for transferring radiant energy between a first light-transmitting conduit coupled to a first rigid member and a second light-transmitting conduit coupled to a second rigid member, said first and said second light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said first rigid member being pivotally attached to said second rigid member at a pivot axis, said optical coupling comprising:
-
a first coupling element statically connected to said first rigid member, said first coupling element having a first though aperture, said first through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said first light-transmitting conduit; and a second coupling element statically connected to said second rigid member, said second coupling element having a second through aperture, said second through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said second light-transmitting conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 9)
-
-
4. An optical coupling for transferring radiant energy between a first light-transmitting conduit coupled to a first rigid member and a plurality of second light-transmitting conduits coupled to a second rigid member, said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits having distal and proximal ends, said first light-transmitting conduit and said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said first rigid member being pivotally coupled to said second rigid member at a pivot axis, said optical coupling comprising:
-
a first coupling element statically connected to said first rigid member, said first coupling element having a first through aperture, said first through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said first light-transmitting conduit; and a second coupling element statically connected to said second rigid member, said second coupling element having a second through aperture, said second through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating proximal ends of said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
-
- 8. An apparatus for optically coupling a plurality of optical fibers with a single optical fiber, said apparatus comprising an opaque member having a through aperture for housing ends of said plurality of optical fibers, said through aperture also housing an optical-fiber segment contiguous with said ends of said plurality of optical fibers, said optical-fiber segment being collinear and contiguous with said single optical fiber such that said optical-fiber segment defines an optical path between said plurality of optical fibers and said single optical fiber.
Specification