Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Michael C Lea

Roger H Appeldorn

David Jon Lundin

Alan G Hulme-Lowe

Paul A Jaster

An illumination system comprises a light source optically coupled with an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a light emitting region extending along a portion of its length. The light emitting region includes a plurality of optical elements disposed about a first longitudinal axis extending along the surface of the optical fiber and a plurality of optical elements disposed about a second longitudinal axis extending along the surface of the fiber. The second longitudinal axis is displaced from the first longitudinal axis. In use, light from the light source is injected into the optical fiber and propagates along the fiber according to Snell's law. A portion of the light propagating through the fiber becomes is reflected from the optical elements and is extracted from the fiber.

Optical fiber illumination system

An optical fiber having a core is disclosed. A notch having first and second sides is formed in the fiber and extends into the core. At least the portion of the interior of the notch adjacent the first side has an index of refraction less than that of the core. Light travelling at a first angle to the fiber axis and striking the first side will be totally internally reflected if the first angle is greater than a predetermined angle. If the first angle is less than the predetermined angle, a portion of the light will enter the notch and emerge through the second surface making a second angle to the first surface, the second angle being greater than the first.

Notched fiber array illumination device

A daylighting system usable in either a skylight or a dormer includes a film having a plurality of negative Fresnel lenses.

Structured films and use thereof for daylight illumination

An optical fibre has a light emitting region. In the light emitting region are reflecting surfaces, at least one of which has a cross sectional area less than that of the fibre. Light striking the reflecting surfaces will be reflected out of the fibre.

Illumination devices and optical fibres for use therein

Apparatus and imaging method in which an LED exposure apparatus having an array of light emitting diodes stationed in a light exposing relationship to a photosensitive material to be imaged is calibrated to take into account the wavelength difference between light emitting diode emissions and the spectral sensitivity of the photosensitive medium. The exposure apparatus is calibrated by making separate energy measurements of each light emitting diode with a detector through a colored filter. The spectral response of the detector and filter combination matches that of the photosensitive material in the wavelength region of the emission of the light emitting diode. The energy measurement are used to modulate each exposure level of the array of light emitting diodes. The calibration method is used during exposure of the photosensitive material by the array of light emitting diodes, particularly for grey scale imaging. The detector and filter are used to modulate exposure in response to the energy measurements.

Growing community of inventors

Harlow, United Kingdom

Michael C Lea