Abstract:
A fiber-optic illumination system provides lighting via a small number of low energy lighting elements, from which light is transmitted via fiber optic cables to the specific locations where illumination is needed. Low energy light elements, such as LEDs may be housed centrally at an illuminator with light distributed to where illumination is needed via fiber optic cables, resulting in reduced energy costs and simplified system maintenance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/843031, filed Jul. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention relates generally to lighting systems and in particular to a fiber-optic illumination system. With the steady increase in energy costs, and more increases to come, both homeowners and business managers are seeking innovative ways to maintain and reduce the costs of illuminating interior rooms. A fiber-optic system for providing lighting in a room, such as in a workplace or home, would satisfy this demand by implementing a system that avoids the problem of high energy consumption by multiple lighting instruments. Because the energy used is limited by providing a small number of lighting instruments, from which light is transmitted via fiber optic conduits to the specific locations where illumination is needed. The reduction in the number of lighting instruments, regardless of the energy source or light generation method used, results in an energy savings because fixed energy costs for each lighting element are reduced. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the invention is directed to a fiber-optic illumination system. The system provides lighting via a small number of low energy lighting elements, from which light is transmitted via fiber optic cables to the specific locations where illumination is needed. Low energy light elements, such as LEDs may be housed centrally at an illuminator with light distributed to where illumination is needed via fiber optic cables, resulting in reduced energy costs and simplified system maintenance. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a conduit component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conduit  10 , the optical fibers  11 , and the insulation  12 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of a light fixture component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the light fixture  13 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment installed in a commercial building, displaying the light fixtures  13 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment installed in an industrial building, displaying the light fixtures  13 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment installed in a residential building, displaying the light fixture  13 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a side transparency view of the illuminator component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the illuminator  60 , access door  61 , key lock  62 , hinges  63 , light sources  64 , reflectors  65 , focusing lenses  66 , filters  67 , connectors  68 , and fiber optic assemblies  69 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a fiber-optic illumination system. The system provides illumination where needed and avoids the problem of high energy consumption by multiple lighting instruments. Illumination is provided by a small number of low energy lighting instruments, from which light is transmitted via fiber optic conduits  10  to the specific locations where illumination is needed. The reduction in the number of lighting instruments, regardless of the energy source or light generation method used, results in an energy savings because fixed energy costs for each lighting fixture  13  are reduced. 
         [0016]    The system consists of three types of components: the central light source component (preferably the illuminator  60 , shown in  FIG. 6 ), a plurality of conduit components  10 , and a plurality of light fixture components  13 . The illuminator  60  component is the source of light for the entire system, and is the only component that consumes electric power. The illuminator component  60  would preferably feature a plurality of light creation levels, and the light creation levels would preferably be controlled by a selector switch and a dimmer switch. Each conduit component consists of a conduit  10 , featuring a plurality of optical fibers  11 , encased in insulation  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the optical fibers  11  are five in number, such that one conduit  10  may be linked with one illuminator  60  having five light sources  64 . The interior surface of the insulation  12  and the central light source component would preferably be reflective, so that no light is absorbed and lost during transmission from the central light source component. 
         [0017]    The light fixture components consist of a variety of functional and decorative light fixtures  13 , providing illumination with fiber optics carrying light from the illuminator component  60 , rather than providing light sources of their own with fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs. Each light fixture component would feature its own on/off switch and other controls as desired. 
         [0018]    The illuminator  60  is preferably constructed as an oblong housing with preferable dimensions thirty-six inches tall by eighteen inches wide by twenty-four inches deep. The illuminator  60  may be constructed of a durable weather resistant material for installation on the exterior of a building. The illuminator  60  may be made selectively accessible by allowing one side to open as a door  61  on hinges  63  and secured by a key lock  62 . Within the illuminator is a plurality of optical assemblies  69 . The optical assemblies  69  preferably provide a series of optical components in inline configuration. The optical assemblies  59  are five in number in the preferred embodiment. Each optical assembly comprises a high luminosity and low energy light source  64 , such as a light emitting diode (LED) or an array of LEDs. The low energy light source  64  sits at or near the focal point of a reflector  65 . The reflector  65  is preferably a parabolic reflector such that emitted light is substantially collimated. A lens  66  focuses the emitted light about at the input into one of the fibers  11  of the conduit  10  at a connector  68 . Preferably between the lens  66  and connector  68 , the emitted light may be passed through a filter  67 , which is preferably configured to block light in the harmful ultraviolet light band and in the warming infrared bands, or any other non-visible band considered undesirable. The filter  67  may be limited in applicability or omitted entirely where the light source  64  does not emit light in particular bands. The connectors  68  are configured so as to accept individual optical fibers  11  from the conduits  10 , which may be broken out of their bundle at the illuminator  60 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to the optical fibers  11 , the Inventors have observed that fibers  11  having a large core diameter are strongly preferable. Preferred core diameters are on the order of 100 μm, with a preferable minimum of 350 μm. Glass fibers are preferred to other fiber materials, for example acrylic. The inventors have observed that large diameter fibers are of limited or non-existent commercial availability, and have observed that compound optical fibers  11  made up of many small diameter readily commercially available fibers on the order of 1 μm-10 μm core diameter range. 
         [0020]    To use the system, the user selects the overall level of light to be created with the selector switch and the dimmer switch on the central light source component. The user then directs light to the light fixtures  13  via the conduits  10 , by using the on/off switches and other controls physically associated with the light fixtures  13 . 
         [0021]    The optical fibers  11  would preferably be manufactured from a durable, flexible, light-transmitting material, preferably glass. The insulation  12  would preferably be manufactured from a durable, flexible material such as plastic, lined on its interior surface with a flexible, reflective film such as biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate. The central light source component and light fixture components would preferably be manufactured from durable, rigid, functional or decorative materials, such as wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, brass, and malacrylate. 
         [0022]    Components and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.