摘要:
The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, and to improved optical reflector assemblies for use in such optical rotary joints.
摘要:
The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, and to improved methods of mounting such optical rotary joints on supporting structures such that the rotor and stator remain properly aligned.
摘要:
The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, and to improved methods of mounting such optical rotary joints on supporting structures such that the rotor and stator remain properly aligned.
摘要:
The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, and to improved optical reflector assemblies for use in such optical rotary joints.
摘要:
The present invention relates generally to optical rotary joints (35) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, improved methods of mounting such optical rotary joints on supporting structures such that the rotor and stator remain properly aligned, and to improved optical reflector assemblies for use in such optical rotary joints. The improved optical rotary joint enables optical communication between a rotor and a stator, said rotor having a longitudinal axis, and comprises: at least one optical source (36) mounted on one of said rotor and stator for transmitting an optical signal in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; at least one first reflector (38) mounted on the other of said rotor and stator for reflecting the optical signal transmitted from the source, said first reflector comprising a concave first reflective surface (44), a line (L) in a plane taken through said first reflective surface being configured as a portion of an ellipse having first and second focal points (F1, F2), the first focal point being positioned substantially coincident with said rotor axis; a second reflector (39) having a second reflective surface (45) configured as a portion of a cone and positioned at the second focal point of the elliptical surface for receiving light reflected from said first reflective surface and for reflecting light in a different direction as a function of the apex angle of the second reflective surface; and a receiver (40) arranged to receive light reflected by the second reflective surface.
摘要:
The present invention provides improved collimating lens assemblies (32) which include: a singlemode fiber (38) terminating in a distal end; a step-index multimode fiber (44) having a proximal end abutting to the singlemode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; a graded-index multimode fiber (45) having a proximal end abutting the step-index multimode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; and a collimating lens (34) longitudinally spaced from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end by an intermediate air gap (43), and operatively arranged to collimate light rays emanating from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end. The improved collimating lens assembly is characterized by the fact that there is no epoxy, silicone gel or index-matching material between the graded-index multimode fiber distal end and the collimating lens.
摘要:
The present invention provides improved collimating lens assemblies (32), improved methods of reducing the optical power density in collimating lens assemblies, and to improved fiber optic rotary joints (31) incorporating such improved collimating lens assemblies. The improved collimating lens assembly broadly includes: a singlemode fiber (38) terminating in a distal end; a step-index multimode fiber (44) having a proximal end abutting to the singlemode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; a graded-index multimode fiber (45) having a proximal end abutting the step-index multimode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; and a collimating lens (34) longitudinally spaced from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end by an intermediate air gap (43), and operatively arranged to collimate light rays emanating from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end. The improved collimating lens assembly is characterized by the fact that there is no epoxy, silicone gel or index-matching material between the graded-index multimode fiber distal end and the collimating lens. Rather, these various elements are fusion-spliced together. The improved collimating lens assembly is capable of handling energy levels that are typically used in various wavelength division multiplexing techniques.
摘要:
A fiber optic rotary joint and an associated reflector assembly are provided for supporting optical communications between a rotor and a stator. The fiber optic rotary joint includes at least one optical source carried by the rotor or the stator for transmitting optical signals. The fiber optic rotary joint also includes a reflector mounted upon the other one of the rotor and stator for reflecting the optical signals. Further, the fiber optic rotary joint includes a receiver for receiving the optical signals following their reflection. The reflector is generally shaped and positioned such that the path length along which the optical signals propagate from the optical source(s) to the receiver is equal, regardless of the rotational position of the rotor to the stator. The reflector may have a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of an ellipse and/or a reflective surface shaped to define a portion of a hyperbola.
摘要:
The present invention broadly provides improvements in a slip-ring adapted to provide electrical contact between a stator and a rotor. The improved slip-ring includes a brush assembly having a brush tube mounted on the stator and having a fiber bundle composed of a number of individual fibers. The upper marginal end portions of the fibers are received in the brush tube. The lower marginal end portions of the fibers extend beyond the brush tube toward the rotor. The improvements broadly comprise: a central portion of the fibers having been removed below the brush tube such that the fibers extending below the brush tube toward the rotor are in the form of an annulus; and wherein the tangential compliance of the fiber bundle at its point of contact with the rotor is more than twice the tangential compliance of the fiber bundle if the central portion had not been removed.
摘要:
A method of manufacturing an annular base portion of an electrical slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings formed in the outer circumferential surface thereof is described. The slip ring base is molded, and grooves are machined into the outer circumferential surface thereof. Conductive strips are cut into a series of lengths forming conductive rings to be placed about the outer circumference of the annular base member. The individual lengths of conductive material are anchored to the outer circumferential surface of the slip ring base and a rolling pressure is exerted on them about the circumference of the base to cause the rings to be press fit into the grooves previously formed on the base. When the complete circumference of the ring has been press fit into its respective groove, the other end of the conductive ring is then secured to the base. An appropriate fixture is provided for exerting the lateral and a rolling pressure on each conductive ring to properly press fit it into a groove on the annular base member.