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Optical interface with safety shutdown

  • US 5,771,114 A
  • Filed: 09/29/1995
  • Issued: 06/23/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for transmitting optical power from a first location to a second location, comprising:

  • a first light source at the first location which generates a first light beam;

    a first optical-to-electrical converter at the second location which receives the first light beam;

    an energy storage device electrically coupled to the first optical-to-electrical converter, which develops a level of stored energy;

    a second light source at the second location;

    first control means comprising a first level detector which has a first response time characteristic, an input coupled to the energy storage device and an output coupled to the second light source for operating the second light source at the second location to generate a return safety light beam after the level of stored energy reaches a first voltage level, and comprising a second level detector which has a second response time characteristic that is faster than the first response time characteristic, an input coupled to the energy storage device and an output coupled to the first level detector for inhibiting the first level detector when the level of stored energy reaches a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level;

    a second optical-to-electrical converter which detects the return safety light beam at the first location; and

    second control means coupled between the second optical-to-electrical converter and the first light source for determining the presence or absence of the return safety light beam and for operating the first light source to generate the first light beam at a first power level prior to determining the presence of the return safety light beam and at a second power level, higher than the first power level, after determining the presence of the return safety light beam.

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