Device for conducting source light through an electromagnetic compliant faceplate

• US 6,969,186 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Mistry, Balwantrai, Sonderegger, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Quach-Lee, Y. My
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsidulko, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/681,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20050078489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 362/551, 362/554, 362/555, 362/556, 362/581, 362/489
• US Class Current: 362/551
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4277 Protection against electromagnetic interference [EMI], e.g. shielding means shielding of electric apparatus H05K9/00, of instruments G12B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A device for conducting light through an electromagnetic compliant faceplate is described. The device includes a first light pipe, a second light pipe, and a connector. The first light pipe has a first end to receive light from a first light source and a second end with an expanded endface. The second light pipe has a first end to receive light from a second light source and a second end with an expanded endface. The connector is attached to the first and second light pipes and has an elongated portion, a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first and second attachment portions extend from the elongated portion and are coupled to the first and second light pipes.

Claims

1. A device for conducting light through an electromagnetic compliant faceplate comprising:

a first light pipe having a first end to receive light from a first light source and a second end with an expanded endface;

a second light pipe having a first end to receive light from a second light source and a second end with an expanded endface; and

a connector having an elongated portion, a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first and second attachment portions extending substantially orthogonal from the elongated portion, the first attachment portion extending substantially orthogonal from the first light pipe and the second attachment portion extending substantially orthogonal from the second light pipe, wherein a path defined between the first and second light pipes through the connector conducts substantially no light due to a plurality of bends therein.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second light pipes and the connector are fabricated as an integral unit.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second attachment portions attach to the first and second light pipes at a first point and a second point, respectively, the elongated portion being substantially parallel to a line defined between the first and second points.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second light pipes are in parallel alignment.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is fabricated from a clear plastic material.

6. A device for conducting light through an electromagnetic compliant faceplate comprising:

a first light pipe having a first end to receive light from a first light source and a second end with an expanded endface;

a second light pipe having a first end to receive light from a second light source and a second end with an expanded endface; and

a connector attached to the first and second light pipes and having at least one tab, an elongated portion, a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first and second attachment portions extending substantially orthogonal from the elongated portion, the first attachment portion extending substantially orthogonal from the first light pipe and the second attachment portion extending substantially orthogonal from the second light pipe, wherein a path defined between the first and second light pipes through the connector conducts substantially no light due to a plurality of bends therein.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the first and second light pipes and the connector are fabricated as an integral unit.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising the faceplate, each of the first and second light pipes extends through a respective opening in the faceplate.

9. The device of claim 6 further comprising the first and second light sources.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the first and second light sources are light emitting diodes.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein the tab of the connector comprises a resilient stem having a first end attached to the connector and a second end to be received by a channel in the electromagnetic compliant faceplate.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein the device is fabricated from a clear plastic material.