Side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration and light-extraction devices extending radially beyond the outer cladding
First Claim
1. A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration, comprising:
- a) an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding;
the light pipe having a longitudinal axis; and
b) a plurality of light-extraction devices in an arrangement including being spaced along a longitudinal dimension of an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range from about 2 to 270 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the active region;
c) the light-extraction devices extending, with respect to the longitudinal axis, radially beyond an outer surface of the fluoropolymer cladding; and
d) the light-extraction devices having inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding. A plurality of light-extraction devices is spaced along an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range from about 2 to 270 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the active section. The light-extraction devices have inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion. Another form of light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion. An active section of the light pipe for side light emission comprises an axisymmetrical change of area of cross section of the light pipe that generally diminishes from an inlet end of the active section, through the active section.
43 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration, comprising:
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a) an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding;
the light pipe having a longitudinal axis; andb) a plurality of light-extraction devices in an arrangement including being spaced along a longitudinal dimension of an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range from about 2 to 270 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the active region; c) the light-extraction devices extending, with respect to the longitudinal axis, radially beyond an outer surface of the fluoropolymer cladding; and d) the light-extraction devices having inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration, comprising:
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a) an optical light pipe with an acrylic polymer light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding;
the light pipe having a longitudinal axis; andb) a plurality of light-extraction devices in an arrangement including being spaced along a longitudinal dimension of an active section of the fight pipe for emission of side light over only a range less than about 180 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the side light region; c) the light-extraction devices comprising a plurality of optical elements spaced along the length of the light pipe and having inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion; and d) the light-extraction devices extending, with respect to the longitudinal axis. radially beyond an outer surface of the fluoropolymer cladding; and e) the light-extraction devices being spaced along the length of the light pipe with a density that increases sequentially along the length of the light pipe the further the distance along the light pipe from a light source. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration, comprising:
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a) an optical light pipe with an acrylic polymer light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding;
the light pipe having a longitudinal axis; andb) a plurality of light-extraction devices in an arrangement including being spaced along a longitudinal dimension of an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range less than about 180 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the side light region; c) the light-extraction devices extending, with respect to the longitudinal axis, radially beyond an outer surface of the fluoropolymer cladding; and d) the light-extraction devices comprising respective pieces of material with a refractive index at least as high as that of the plastic light-carrying portion;
the pieces passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion; ande) the light-extraction devices being spaced along the length of the light pipe with a density that increases sequentially along the length of the light pipe the further the distance along the light pipe from a light source. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification