Patent ID: 7284889

Claim:
A multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems, comprising: first and second lamps ( 15 , 10 ) arranged side by side; first and second light guides ( 46 , 36 ) connected respectively to the first and second lamps, the first light guide being generally perpendicular to the second light guide; and a collective light guide ( 58 ) connected to the first and second light guides, wherein, each lamp is positioned to transmit light into the collective light guide via the respective first and second light guides, and light from the first lamp travels in the first light guide in a generally perpendicular direction to light from the second lamp travelling in the second light guide, and further comprising a first mirror ( 39 ) located intermediate the collective light guide ( 58 ) and the second light guide ( 36 ), the first mirror optically connecting the second light guide to the collective light guide.