Darrell T Abney

US Patent:

53197267, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Sep 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/129725

Inventors:

Darrell T. Abney - Virginia Beach VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 26

Abstract:

A multi-line, passive fiber optic slipring is provided. A plurality of trmitting optical fibers are terminated in a plurality of focusing lenses. The fibers and focusing lens are free to rotate about an axis rotation. A plurality of ellipsoidal mirrors are stacked on top of one another beneath the focusing lenses such that the axis of rotation passes through a first focal point of each of the plurality of ellipsoidal mirrors. Each of the focusing lenses focuses optical signals through the first focal point of a corresponding one of the ellipsoidal mirrors. The optical signals reflect from each corresponding mirror to a second focal point of the corresponding mirror. Each mirror is further provided with an optical aperture along the axis of rotation to allow the optical signals not focused on the first focal point of the corresponding mirror to pass therethrough. Each of a plurality of receiving optical fibers is fixed at a corresponding one of the second focal points.