High efficiency direct coupling of radiant electromagnetic energy into dielectric wave guide structure

• US 5,677,972 A
• Filed: 02/21/1996
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TIR Technologies Inc (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Popovich, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US08/593,149
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 385/31, 385/123, 250/227, 250/227.11, 250/227.14, 250/227.24, 369/44, 369/45, 369/46
• US Class Current: 385/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2817 using reflective elements to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4202 for coupling an active element with fibres without intermediate optical elements, e.g. fibres with plane ends, fibres with shaped ends, bundles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres

Abstract

Radiant electromagnetic energy transmitting apparatus, comprising an elongated rod consisting of electromagnetic energy transmitting material, and a source of the energy having an end portion received into the rod to transmit the energy in different directions therein for effecting energy travel lengthwise of the rod.

Claims

1. Radiant electromagnetic energy transmitting apparatus, comprising

a) an elongated rod consisting of electromagnetic energy transmitting material,

b) and a source of said energy having an end portion received into said rod to transmit said energy in different directions therein for effecting energy travel lengthwise of the rod,

c) said energy source comprising multiple LEDs embedded into a portion of the rod and spaced at substantially equal angular intervals about the center of the rod, said LEDs offset from said center.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rod material consists of light transmitting synthetic resin.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rod defines multiple recesses, and said LEDS are received into said recesses.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said recesses are spaced apart along the rod.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the rod has opposite side wall extents which are relatively convergent at said recess locations.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the rod is narrowed at and proximate said locations.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said rod has length "l", and said recesses are located at or proximate to 1/4 "l" and 3/4 "l", along the rod length.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the rod has opposite side wall extents which are relatively convergent at said recess locations.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said LEDS have cube shape.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said light source comprise multiple LEDs embedded into the rod.

11. The combination of claim 1 including an electromagnetic energy reflection means facing said rod, sidewise thereof.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said reflector means is a light reflector means characterized as providing substantial uniformity of collimated light reflection.