Patent ID: 8705976

Claim:
An optical reflector assembly ( 50 ) for enabling optical communication between a rotor and a stator, said rotor having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a first member ( 51 ) having a concave first reflective surface ( 52 ), 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 (F 1 , F 2 ), said first focal point (F 1 ) being positioned substantially coincident with said rotor axis; a second member ( 53 ) mounted on one side of said first member ( 51 ); a third member ( 56 ) mounted on the opposite side of said first member ( 51 ); a fourth member ( 54 ) mounted on said second member ( 53 ) and having a second reflective surface ( 55 ) having a longitudinal axis; receiving optics ( 58 ) mounted on said third member ( 56 ) such that an optical signal seen as originating from said first focal point (F 1 ), falling incident on said first reflective surface ( 52 ), and being further reflected toward said second reflective surface ( 55 ) will be further reflected toward said receiving optics; and an optical fiber ( 59 ) having an entrance end and an exit end, said entrance end being arranged adjacent to said receiving optics; and wherein said first reflective surface ( 52 ) is configured as a portion of an ellipsoid and said second reflective surface ( 55 ) is configured as a portion of a cone positioned at the second focal point (F 2 ) of said first reflective surface ( 52 ) such that an optical signal reflected by said first reflective surface ( 52 ) toward said second focal point (F 2 ) converges to a spot on said second reflective surface ( 55 ) and is reflected in a different direction as a function of the apex angle of said cone of said second reflective surface ( 55 ), the area of said spot on said second reflective surface being smaller than the area on said first reflective surface ( 52 ) where said optical signal is incident for reflection toward said second focal point (F 2 ).