Dual elliptical reflector with a co-located foci for curing optical fibers

摘要

A device for UV curing a coating or printed ink on a workpiece such as an optical fiber comprises dual elliptical reflectors arranged to have a co-located focus. The workpiece is centered at the co-located focus such that the dual elliptical reflectors are disposed on opposing sides of the workpiece. Two separate light sources are positioned at a second focus of each elliptical reflector, wherein light irradiated from the light sources is substantially concentrated onto the surface of the workpiece at the co-located focus.

主权项

1. A UV curing device, comprising:
two cylindrical reflectors that overlap and are connected to form a union of two at least partially elliptical surfaces, the surfaces united to form top and bottom edges near a midpoint of the otherwise curved union of the surfaces, each cylindrical reflector having a first focus and a second focus, the first foci of the cylindrical reflectors being co-located; at least two UV light sources including a UV light source located at each of the second foci, wherein light reflected from interior surfaces of the at least two cylindrical reflectors is focused at the co-located first foci; and a sample tube axially centered around the co-located first foci and configured to receive a workpiece.