WO1991015803A1 - Appareil d'eclairage pour un lecteur de microfiches - Google Patents

Appareil d'eclairage pour un lecteur de microfiches Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991015803A1
WO1991015803A1 PCT/GB1991/000562 GB9100562W WO9115803A1 WO 1991015803 A1 WO1991015803 A1 WO 1991015803A1 GB 9100562 W GB9100562 W GB 9100562W WO 9115803 A1 WO9115803 A1 WO 9115803A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fibre optic
optic cable
reader
light
light source
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000562
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Charles James Forbes Taylor
Original Assignee
Plasmec Systems Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plasmec Systems Limited filed Critical Plasmec Systems Limited
Publication of WO1991015803A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991015803A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/10—Projectors with built-in or built-on screen
    • G03B21/11—Projectors with built-in or built-on screen for microfilm reading
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/20—Lamp housings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to illumination apparatus for a microfiche reader.
  • microf icne readers it is often desired to use microf icne readers in situations where there is a risk of fire or expiosion due to voxatile substances, eg in the paint shop of a motor manuf acturer or situations within the petrochemical industry.
  • a microf iche reader it has been necessary to provide the lignt source of the reader in an expiosion proof container and this has to be certified as meeting tne appropriate standards, f or instance as set by the British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres (BASEEFA).
  • BASEEFA British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres
  • microfiche reader used herein is to be understood to include devices suitable for reading information held on microfiches, microfilm or any other similar microform medium.
  • illumination apparatus for a microfiche reader comprising a light source for positioning remote from the reader; a fibre optic cable for transmitting light from the remote light source to the reader, a first optical system for focussing light from tne iignt source into the input end of the fibre optic cable and a second optical system for receiving light from the output end of tne fibre optic cabie and directing it towards a microfiche holder within the reader.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detail of the output end of a fibre optic cable used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows a side and end view showing further detail of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;
  • Figures 4A, B and C show a perspective view, a partial side view and a sectional plan view, respectively, of a light source for use with the apparatus snown in Figure 1.
  • the apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a light source 1 which may be positioned remote from the microfiche reader (not shown) and which includes an optical system for focussing light emitted thereby, a fibre optic cable 2 for receiving light from the light source 1 and transmitting the light to the reader and a further optical system 3 for directing light from the fibre optic cable 1 towards a microfiche 4 (see Fig 2) held within the reader.
  • a cross-section of the fibre option cable 2 is shown in an inset in Figure 1.
  • the light source comprises a lamp 1, for example a 13.8 volt, 30 Watt or 75 Watt quartz halogen micrographic pre-focussed bulb as conventionally used in a microfiche reader. This has an aperture of about 50 mm and a focal length of about 350 mm.
  • the lamp 1 is powered from the mains supply via a step ⁇ own transformer 5 of suitable ratio and capacity.
  • An air cooling fan 6 is also provide ⁇ to prevent overheating of the light source.
  • These components are mounted within a casing 7, for instance made from mild steel sheeting, with ventilation louvres 7A in the side thereof.
  • An on-off switch 8 is provided on one end of the casing 7.
  • One end of the fibre optic cable 2 is mounted within the casing 7 and the lamp 1 and cable 2 are positioned so as to ensure that the main beam from the lamp is focussed to just fill the focussing aperture, or inlet end, of the fibre optic cable 2.
  • the fibre optic cable 2 is locked in position with respect to the lamp 1 by a boss 9 and locking screw 10 provided in the side of the casing 7. Typical dimensions of the casing 7 are shown in Figure 4 in millimetres.
  • a lamp which produces a collimated beam of lignt may be used together with a converging lens for focussing the beam into the input end of the fibre optic cable 2.
  • the fibre optic cable 2 comprises a bundle of optical fibres, eg of 100 micron diameter, and has an effective optical diameter of 3mm.
  • the cable 2 has a plastics sheathing 2A and may be supplied in different lengths, e.g. 3m, 5m or 10m. Both ends of the cable 2 are terminated in a conventional plastics or brass ferrule 1 1 and the ends of the glass fibres are polished. Fibre optic cables of other diameters can be used, with appropriate adjustment of the other components as described below.
  • the output end of the fibre optic cable 2 is mounted within a lens holder 12 which may be fitted within a microfiche reader in place of its conventional light source.
  • the lens Holder 12 also provides a mounting for a single, biconvex lens 3 of polished glass with a diameter of about 19mm and a focal length of about 16mm.
  • the lens 3 is arranged to receive light from the fibre optic cable 2 and to focus it into a well collimated beam of light of sufficient diameter (e.g. 10mm) to illuminate fully the film gate of the microfiche reader.
  • the lens 3 thus provides an image of tne end of the fibre optic cable sufficiently large to illuminate fully the film gate of the microfiche reader.
  • the lens 3 is positioned approximately 10mm from the end of the fibre optic cable 2 to achieve this.
  • FIG 3 shows a more detailed view of the lens holder 12 togetner with typical dimensions of its component parts.
  • the lens holder 12 comprises a neck portion 12A in which the end of the fibre optic cable is mounted, a body portion 12B in which the lens 3 is mounted and a flange 12C for mounting the holder within the microfiche reader.
  • Different arrangements may be used to enable the lens holder 12 to be mounted in different types of microfiche reader.
  • Typical dimensions of the lens holder 12 are shown in Figure 3 in millimetres.
  • the light source 1 housed within tne casing 7 can oe positioned remote from the microfiche reader outside the hazaraous area.
  • the light is thus generated in a safe area and transmitted by the fibre optic cable 2 into the hazardous area.
  • This can be simply achieved by passing the fibre optic cable 2 through a small hole in a wall separating the hazardous area from the sate area and sealing the hole around the f ibre optic cable 2 as appropriate.
  • the fibre optic cable 2 is simply plugged into the light source casing 7 at one end and into the lens holder 12 in the microfiche reader at the other end.
  • An additional advantage is that not only is the light source outside the hazardous area but no wires, electrical connections or switches need to be provided in the hazardous area (unlike the conventional explosion proof light sources) since no electrical power is brought into the hazardous area. Also, there is no heat generation within the hazardous area.
  • the apparatus is thus intrinsically safe and does not require certification by the BASEEFA.
  • the fibre optical cable is preferably provided with a protective shield or is armoured to prevent it from being damaged.
  • the microfiche reader used with the apparatus may be entirely conventional but with its light source removed and replaced by the lens holder 12 described above or a mounting suitable for receiving the lens holder 12.
  • a relatively small diameter optical fibre should be used, eg one quarter to one half the diameter of the beam of light required, in conjunction with a simple optical system to produce a beam of light of the required diameter. It is found that the arrangement described above provides a oeam of light of sufficient uniformity and strength to satisfy the British standard (4191/1976) for the illumination of microform readers.
  • the smaller diameter fibre optic cable is also much less expensive and the optical sytem need comprise only a pre-focussed bulb and a single lens as described above.
  • the arrangement of the lamp 1, optical fibre cable 2 and lens 3 should be such as to optimise the light intensity transmitted to the microfiche reader. For this reason, a pre-focussed lamp, or a lamp provided with a suitable reflector and used with a converging lens, is preferred so that substantially all the light output from the lamp is focussed into the input end of the fibre optic cable. Careful positioning of the cable with respect to the lamp or the lens is required to minimise light loss at this stage. At the output end of the fibre optic cable, the diverging light emitted by the cable is focussed into a collimated beam of appropriate diameter to avoid any light loss and to maximise the light intensity across the film gate of the microfiche reader.
  • the components of the system can be varied to some extent so long as they are arranged to make optimum use of the light available.
  • a further advantage of using a relatively small diameter fibre optic cable is that it can be bent around smaller radius bends and so is easier to fit into a microfiche reader and orientated in the appropriate direction within the confines of the reader's casing.
  • the apparatus can oe manufactured and used with microfiche readers in situations where it is desirable to position the light source remote from the reader.

Abstract

L'appareil comprend une source de lumière (1) destinée à être positionnée de manière espacée par rapport au lecteur (non illustré), un câble de fibre optique (2) destiné à transmettre de la lumière de la source de lumière éloignée (1) au lecteur, un premier système optique destiné à focaliser la lumière provonant de la source de lumière dans l'extrémité d'entrée du câble de fibre optique ainsi qu'un second système optique (3) destiné à recevoir la lumière provenant de l'extrémité de sortie du câble de fibre optique (2) et à l'orienter vers un support de microfiche se trouvant dans le lecteur. Les premier et second systèmes optiques permettent d'optimiser l'intensité lumineuse transmise au lecteur de microfiches et le câble de fibre optique (2) est de préférence d'un diamètre inférieur à la surface à illuminer. L'appareil est adapté pour être utilisé dans des situations dans lesquelles le lecteur de microfiches est positionné dans une zone dangereuse de manière que la source de lumière peut être positionnée dans une zone sans danger, le câble de fibre optique (2) étant agencé pour transmettre la lumière de la source de lumière au lecteur.
PCT/GB1991/000562 1990-04-10 1991-04-10 Appareil d'eclairage pour un lecteur de microfiches WO1991015803A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9008167A GB2244816A (en) 1990-04-10 1990-04-10 Illumination apparatus for a microfiche reader
GB9008167.0 1990-04-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991015803A1 true WO1991015803A1 (fr) 1991-10-17

Family

ID=10674248

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000562 WO1991015803A1 (fr) 1990-04-10 1991-04-10 Appareil d'eclairage pour un lecteur de microfiches

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2244816A (fr)
WO (1) WO1991015803A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1273653A (fr) * 1960-11-15 1961-10-13 Rollei Werke Franke Heidecke Accessoire d'éclairage pour appareil photographique
DE1913711A1 (de) * 1968-03-19 1969-10-09 Olympus Optical Co Beleuchtungssystem fuer optische Instrumente
FR2370922A1 (fr) * 1976-11-10 1978-06-09 Fives Cail Babcock Projecteur d'eclairage etanche et ventile
US4154515A (en) * 1974-05-30 1979-05-15 Izon Corporation Multiple function microfiche and film recording and viewing system
US4250644A (en) * 1978-12-11 1981-02-17 Topex, Inc. Hand held microfilm reader
FR2585014A1 (fr) * 1985-07-17 1987-01-23 Kabelmetal Electro Gmbh Procede pour revetir de metal une fibre de verre
EP0339991A2 (fr) * 1988-04-28 1989-11-02 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Système de source lumineuse améliorée avec dispositif pour réaliser une distribution de lumière uniforme

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1017928A (en) * 1964-03-16 1966-01-26 Pentacon Dresden Veb Lighting system for projectors
US3853395A (en) * 1973-03-09 1974-12-10 Personal Communications Inc Micro optic storage and retrieval system
DE2403987A1 (de) * 1974-01-29 1975-08-07 Rudolf F Heuer Schwarz-weiss bzw. farbige mikrofilmrueckvergroesserungsgeraete (reader-printer)
GB1475920A (en) * 1974-12-02 1977-06-10 Lindaco Ltd Projector
DE2460088B2 (de) * 1974-12-19 1977-05-05 Optische Werke G. Rodenstock, 8000 München Mehrfachlichtquelle fuer optische beobachtungsgeraete mit objekt- und umfeldbeleuchtung und fotozusatz
US4074933A (en) * 1976-08-13 1978-02-21 Personal Information Indexing Reader Micro information indexing reader
ZA785381B (en) * 1977-10-05 1979-09-26 Hectronic Ag Flame puncture proof photoconductor passageway
GB2117131B (en) * 1982-03-18 1985-07-31 Barr & Stroud Ltd Fibre optic light sources
JPS61188509A (ja) * 1985-02-16 1986-08-22 Nippon Hoso Kyokai <Nhk> 光結合装置

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1273653A (fr) * 1960-11-15 1961-10-13 Rollei Werke Franke Heidecke Accessoire d'éclairage pour appareil photographique
DE1913711A1 (de) * 1968-03-19 1969-10-09 Olympus Optical Co Beleuchtungssystem fuer optische Instrumente
US4154515A (en) * 1974-05-30 1979-05-15 Izon Corporation Multiple function microfiche and film recording and viewing system
FR2370922A1 (fr) * 1976-11-10 1978-06-09 Fives Cail Babcock Projecteur d'eclairage etanche et ventile
US4250644A (en) * 1978-12-11 1981-02-17 Topex, Inc. Hand held microfilm reader
FR2585014A1 (fr) * 1985-07-17 1987-01-23 Kabelmetal Electro Gmbh Procede pour revetir de metal une fibre de verre
EP0339991A2 (fr) * 1988-04-28 1989-11-02 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Système de source lumineuse améliorée avec dispositif pour réaliser une distribution de lumière uniforme

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2244816A (en) 1991-12-11
GB9008167D0 (en) 1990-06-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4887190A (en) High intensity fiber optic lighting system
US5099399A (en) High efficiency fiber optics illuminator with thermally controlled light guide bushing
US4241382A (en) Fiber optics illuminator
US5967653A (en) Light projector with parabolic transition format coupler
US5436806A (en) Illumination device
CA2079304C (fr) Dispositif d&#39;eclairage pour fibres optiques
US5980075A (en) Fiber optics illumination system for plastic light fiber
US6226440B1 (en) Optical coupler and illumination system employing the same
US4730895A (en) Fiber optic line generator suitable for use with incandescent light source
JPH07104456B2 (ja) 中央光源から熱絶縁された分配光ネットワーク
US20020105814A1 (en) Fiber optic light source with two chamber cooling
JPH10501899A (ja) 出力源を光ファイバに結合する装置
US7004588B2 (en) Planetarium and point light source for use in same
US5341275A (en) Compact light source for fiber optics illumination
US7062129B2 (en) Fiber optic illuminating apparatus and method
US6007226A (en) Fiber optic light
CA1050312A (fr) Systeme optique pour epidiascope
EP0764862A1 (fr) Systèmes de couplage optique compacts
US6572274B1 (en) Safety shutter module for fiber-optics connector
WO1991015803A1 (fr) Appareil d&#39;eclairage pour un lecteur de microfiches
US5790725A (en) Multiport illuminator for macro-fibers
JP3137848B2 (ja) 光キューブモジュール
US6089741A (en) Apparatus and method for coupling high intensity light into low temperature optical fiber
EP0579357A1 (fr) Unité de distribution de la lumière pour un projecteur de lumière comportant des guides lumière
US6027237A (en) Air router for cooling light guide bundle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CA US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LU NL SE

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA