Optical rotating data transmission system with a cleaning device

• US 7,426,324 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 09/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schleifring Und Apparatebau Gmbh (Wegmann Unternehmens-Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Schleifring Und Apparatebau Gmbh (Wegmann Unternehmens-Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Schilling, Harry, Lohr, Georg, Rank, Matthias, Tartler, Thomas, Thiele, Hans, Hutterer, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ERIC K
• Application Number:
  US11/229,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20060067615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 385/25, 385/27
• US Class Current: 385/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3604 Rotary joints allowing relative rotational movement between opposing fibre or fibre bundle ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/801 using optical interconnects, e.g. light coupled isolators, circuit board interconnections

Abstract

An optical transmission system in a computer tomograph for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit, comprises: a light guide disposed along a circular or annular track on the first unit; at least one first light coupler connected with the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide; at least one second light coupler disposed on the second unit to be movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide. In order to remove from the light guide surface any contaminating matter that would lead to a high signal attenuation or an interference with transmission, a cleaning unit is provided for removing dirt and dust particles. Furthermore, a sealing of the system is provided by applying, amongst other means, pressurized air or electrostatic filtering.

Claims

1. Optical transmission system for use in a computer tomograph for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit, comprising:

a light guide whose longitudinal axis is disposed along a circular track on the first unit;

at least one first light coupler connected with the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide; and

at least one second light coupler disposed on the second unit to be movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide, and wherein at least one cleaning unit is disposed on the second unit for removing contaminating matter from a surface of the light guide.

2. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleaning unit is connected to the second unit to move along the light guide together with the second unit.

3. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleaning unit is provided to be movable along the light guide independently from the second light coupler.

4. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is provided for detecting contamination of the surface to be cleaned, and is adapted to signal a presence of the contamination to an optional control unit that sets at least one of a duration and an intensity of operation of the cleaning unit in dependence upon an extent of the contamination.

5. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleaning unit comprises an appliance for blowing away dust and dirt particles with a nozzle producing a stream of air directed at least onto the light guide.

6. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleaning unit comprises a suction appliance having a suction opening through which dust particles and dirt particles are sucked away from the surface of the light guide.

7. Optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein at least one cleaning unit comprises a brush unit with a brush holder and at least one brush.