Light extracting elements for monofilar optic fibre

Profil Titel	Light extracting elements for monofilar optic fibre
Referenz	07 ES MADG 0IWN
Herkunftsland	Spain
Kooperationsart	Angebot
Eintrag/Änderung	2007-10-10 / 2007-11-20
Status	Dieses Profil ist abgelaufen! Falls Sie denoch Interesse haben, kontaktieren Sie uns. (2008-10-08)

Kurzfassung

A research group from a Spanish University School of Optics has patented a system for extracting light from monofilar optic fibre. With this system it is possible to use the optic fibre to illuminate long distances and wide surfaces where the lighting is distributed in the necessary amount, the exact place and the wished direction, gaining in quality and efficiency of illumination. An enterprise interested in the patent license agreement is sought.

Details

The new system is based on the introduction of characteristic elements that allow deviating the light that is being propagated through the optic fibre. With this system it is possible to use the optic fibre to illuminate long distances and wide surfaces where the lighting is distributed in the necessary amount, the exact place and the wished direction. For example, for the illumination of corridors, showcases, buildings, large advertising panels, light guides, decorative applications, etc., the patented system is the perfect solution to gain in quality and efficiency of illumination.

The extraction of the light is obtained by means of the inclusion of extraction elements, placed inside the fibre working on reflection or refraction, and exit elements or windows, that break the cladding of the optic fibre allowing the light passing outside. The optical geometry of the extraction and the exit element allows changing the angle of incidence of the light that propagates by the fibre, so that this angle is superior to the angle limit defined by the fibre for the guidance of the light. In this way, the optical geometry of the extraction elements allows to regulate the form, direction and intensity of the beam of the leaving light. The distribution of the extraction and exit elements throughout the fibre allows obtaining the required illumination in the wished points of illumination. The system patented also includes non-reflecting treatments to increase the percentage of light passing through the extraction elements.

Enterprises interested in manufacturing and commercialising this new device through a license agreement is sought.

Figure 1. - Prototype of the patented system consisting of a monofilar optic fibre (1) in which an inner extraction element (2) presenting a plane geometry in a perpendicular plane in relation to the axis of the fibre is introduced, and with an exit window (3) for direct leave of the light that is coincident with the extraction element.

Figure 2. - Prototype of the patented system consisting of a indirect type of light extraction system for a monofilar optic fibre (1), with an inner extraction element (2) defined by the insertion of an inclined plane that introduces a medium, for example air, the refraction index whereof is lower than that of the optic fibre. This provokes the light (5) reflecting to the same side of the extracting element and leaving the fibre (4) through the exit window (3).

Innovative Aspects:
One of the advantages of this invention is that the system makes it possible to control the direct glare occurring with conventional optic fibres. The observer, in this case, does not see the luminous source but only perceives the surfaces illuminated by the light of the fibre. With this system, therefore, it is possible to obtain the right level of adaptation of the observers to the illuminated objects, avoiding the high levels of lighting that display other known fibres like those of lateral emission.

Competitive advantages:
With this invention, the light can be distributed in the necessary amount, the precise place and the required direction. This allows varying the amount of light that bathes a certain surface to adapt it to the requirements of the particular project, or designing the system so that the exit of flow is uniform and, therefore, the level of lighting in the work plane fulfils the required conditions of uniformity. Optical geometries contribute with the precision lacked by other systems of light extraction from optical fibre.
Besides, because the light leaving exclusively in the direction of interest, it does not produce annoying nor disturbing glare to the subject that perceives the scene, facilitating his accommodation to the visual surroundings and, consequently, facilitating the chance to design the luminous space with low levels of lighting and with the respective high power and thermal load saving.