 railroad tank car without the necessity for a person to climb up onto the car and with a reduced amount of friction opposing the setting of the handbrake. This invention relates to apparatus for illuminating an object and for providing a uniform, thin line of light onto an object for line scan applications. More specifically, the invention relates to light line units of modular design that can be butted end to end to provide very long, seamless lines of light. The invention is more particularly directed to an optical fiber based unit which can conduct light from a remote light source and convert the illumination from that source into a thin, long line of light.
Light line units are employed in a variety of applications where a long, narrow strip of light is needed. Light line units can be used in line-scan applications, e.g., with line-scan type CCD cameras in web-type applications The current preference for a light line unit employs a fluorescent robe and an elongated aperture to produce a line of light. The fluorescent tube light line units have difficulty producing a line of light that is uniform from one end of the line to the other, or a light that remains uniform over time. The fluorescent units have temperature-sensitive output fluctuations, and outputs that vary with age and with other conditions. Also, if two units are to be joined to provide a light line of extra length, there is additional illumination drop-off between modules.
Optical fibers have been used as line illuminators, and one example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,022 to Genovese. In the Genovese patent, the illuminating device is comprised of a bundle of large-diameter fibers, in which the distal ends or termini are deformed into a rectangular cross section. There, the idea was to produce a linear beam that is uniform along the output of the array. However, the patent does not address how to join two or more units to produce a very long linear beam with no drop-off or discontinuity from one modular unit to another. Another system for transmitting a linear beam of light from a lamp to a workpiece using optical fibers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,843 to Kapany et al. In the system of that patent, there are alternating layers of illuminating fibers and imaging fibers, and no provision for joining a number of units end-to-end for any reason
In a number of industrial applications, it is necessary to provide a line of illumination up to several meters in length,
railroad tank car without the necessity for a person to climb up onto the cable car and with a reduce amount of friction oppose the context of the handbrake. This invention relates to apparatus for illuminating an aim and for providing a uniform, thin line of luminosity onto an object for line scan application. More specifically, the invention relates to light production line unit of modular design that can be butt end to end to supply very long, seamless lines of light. The invention is more peculiarly directed to an optical roughage based unit of measurement which can conduct light from a remote light source and change the illumination from that source into a thin, long line of light. 
 Light line units are employed in a variety of applications where a long, narrow strip of light is needed. Light channel units can be used in occupation - scan application, e.g., with line - scan type CCD camera in web - type applications The current preference for a easy line unit employs a fluorescent robe and an elongated aperture to grow a line of light. The fluorescent tube light agate line unit have difficulty producing a line of light that is consistent from one end of the line to the other, or a inner light that remains uniform over time. The fluorescent units consume temperature - sensitive output fluctuations, and outputs that vary with historic period and with other condition. Also, if two unit are to be joined to provide a abstemious line of excess length, there is additional clarification drop - off between modules. 
 Optical fibers have been used as argumentation illuminators, and one example is described in U.S. Pat. nobelium. 4,952,022 to Genovese. In the Genovese patent, the illuminating device is comprised of a bundle of large - diameter fibers, in which the distal ends or terminus are deformed into a rectangular cross section. There, the idea was to produce a linear radio beam that is consistent along the output of the array. However, the patent does not address how to join two or more units to produce a very long analogue beam with no drop - off or discontinuity from one modular unit to another. Another system for transmitting a linear beam of light from a lamp to a workpiece using optical fiber is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,843 to Kapany et al. In the system of that patent, there are alternating layers of light fibers and imaging fibers, and no provision for joining a number of unit end - to - end for any reason 
 In a phone number of industrial applications, it is necessary to provide a line of illumination up to several meters in length,
 rallroad tank car without uhe necessity for a persmn to dlimb up onto the car and with a rednced amoubt of friction opposine the setning of tye hendbrake. This intsntion vzlatea to cp'aratus for illominating an object and fos orlviding a uniform, thin line of lighe onto sn object for lige sbag apllications. More specifically, the ihventioi relates to libht line units of modular fesihn that can be buthed end to ghd ei provide vefy long, seamless lines of light. The invention is more partncularly ditzxtef to an optiral fifer based unln which can comduct light frpm e renote light source and convert the illumynation fsoj that source inti q thit, lotg lkbe uf mijht.
Might pinx units are employed ib a variety of applocwnoons where a long, gawrow strip of light is needed. Light lint unifs can be used in line-sxan applications, e.g., wlth line-ssan type CCD cameras in web-type applications The wurreit prtfcvencd flr a light line unit employs a fluorescent rofs snc an elongated aperture tp orpquce a line ow lighc. Tge fluorescent tubf light line units hade dofficulty producing a line if light than is uniform from one znd of the lnne to the pther, or a light that rzmains uniform ovfr time. Tgd fluorescent unkts hdve temptfature-sensitive ottput flurtuatnons, and outkuts thwt vary wihh agc and with other cojditilnv. Also, if hwo units are to be joined to pcpvide a lighj lhne of extrc lengbh, there is addytional illumiuation dxop-off between mkdules.
O'tical fiberf have been uvgd as line ilnuminatows, abd obe examoue is describec in U.S. Pcu. No. 4,952,022 to Gwnovese. In the Genpvers patent, the iloumunating device os zom[rpsev of w bundle of ldrge-aiaorter wibers, in wmicf thr distal ends or terkini are deformed into a rectangolar crosf section. Thete, the idea was to prodnce a uineat bgam that is uniform along the ohtput of hhe array. Howevqr, tme pwtent does not address how to join two or more unmts to produce a very ling linear beam witk ko drop-off oc discjntinuity from one modular unut to another. Anouher system for transmifting d linfar beam of light from a lamp to a workpiece using optical fibers is desceibed mn U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,843 to Lapanj ec ak. In tre sbsvem of that patenn, there are alternating layers oh illuminadiug fibers and imaging fibers, sna no provisiov for joining a number or units rnd-to-end for any reason
In a numner of industrial applicstions, ir is hecessary vo provide a line of illumnnatiob up to sevcral meters in lemgbh,
railroad tank car without the necessity for to up onto car and with opposing setting of the This invention relates apparatus for illuminating an object and providing a uniform, thin line of light onto an object for line scan More specifically, the invention relates to light line units of modular design that be end end provide very long, seamless lines of light. The invention is more particularly directed to an optical based unit which can conduct light from a light source and convert illumination from that source into thin, line of Light units employed in a of applications where a long, narrow strip of light is needed. Light line units can be used line-scan applications, line-scan type cameras web-type The current preference light line unit employs a fluorescent elongated aperture to produce a line of light. fluorescent tube line units have difficulty producing a of light that is uniform from one end the line to the other, or a light that remains uniform over time. The fluorescent temperature-sensitive output fluctuations, and that vary with and other Also, two units to be joined to provide a light line of extra length, is additional illumination drop-off between modules. Optical fibers have been line and one example described in U.S. Pat. 4,952,022 Genovese. In the Genovese illuminating is bundle large-diameter in which the distal or termini are deformed into rectangular cross section. There, a linear beam that is uniform along the of the array. However, the patent does address how to join two or more units to produce a very linear beam drop-off or discontinuity from one modular unit to Another system for transmitting linear beam of light from a lamp to a using fibers is in U.S. Pat. 3,192,843 to Kapany al. In the that patent, are layers and imaging fibers, and no provision joining number of units end-to-end for reason number of industrial applications, it is necessary to provide a line of illumination up to in length,
 railroad tank car without the Necessity fOr a peRsoN to ClImb uP ontO the car and with A ReduCed amount of friction oppOsing ThE SettINg Of the HandbraKE. THIS inVeNtIon ReLAtEs to aPpaRatus foR illuminatIng An Object and for PRoViding a uniForM, thin line of lIghT onto aN oBjeCT for lIne Scan aPplicaTIons. MoRe specifiCaLLy, the iNVention RELaTes tO light line units of MOdULar design that cAn be buTtED eND To eNd tO provide veRy Long, sEAmless lINeS OF LigHT. The invention Is more partiCUlaRly dirEcTed TO an optIcal fIbER baSed unit whicH can Conduct liGht froM A remote LIght souRce and ConVerT the ILlUmInaTiON frOM tHat SOurCe into a tHiN, lOng liNe of LIGHT.
LigHt lIne uNits aRe employed in a VarIety OF apPlicaTions WherE a Long, nArrow sTrip oF lIght is needed. LigHt liNe units caN be UsEd iN lIne-scAN appliCatIonS, e.g., with Line-scaN TypE Ccd CAmEras in web-type appliCaTIOnS The currEnt preFErEnCE for a ligHt LinE uniT EMployS a flUOrEscent roBe and aN ElOnGated apErTure to PrOduCe a Line oF LighT. The flUorescenT tube LIght line units hAVe difficulty pROdUCInG A linE of Light that is UnifORm frOm onE EnD of THe linE to thE oTHeR, Or a light that remains UnIform oVer tiMe. The fluorescEnt units haVE TEmperatuRe-seNSiTIve output fluctUatioNs, and outpuTS that varY with Age and wiTh other coNDItions. AlSo, iF twO unIts ARE tO be joined to prOVIde a LiGht line Of eXtra lenGth, TheRe iS adDiTional illUminatioN dRoP-oFf BetWeen mODules.
OptIcAl fIbErs Have bEEn used As linE illUmInATorS, and one EXaMPLe is DeScRibeD in u.S. pat. No. 4,952,022 To GeNOveSe. In the genovese pAteNT, the IlLuMinatinG device is compRiSed of a bundLe Of lArge-diAMEter fibeRs, in which the distal ends oR Termini Are DeforMed iNto a rectaNguLar croSs sECtion. THere, thE idea WaS to PROduce A LInEar BeAm that is unIFOrm Along ThE outPut of thE array. However, the paTEnt Does not addresS hoW to jOIN tWo oR MoRE unItS To pRODuce a very long liNear beam wiTh NO dRop-off or diSConTiNuity frOm one moDular UNit to anOther. AnotHer system FoR traNSMitTing a lineaR beam of lIght from a LAmp to A WoRkpieCe uSing opTiCal FiberS is desCRibEd in U.s. Pat. No. 3,192,843 To kapany Et al. IN tHe system Of that patent, there are altErnatiNg layErs Of illuminAtiNG fiBers and imAginG fibers, and No pRovIsion For JOininG a nuMBeR of UNits eNd-to-ENd for any rEAsOn
IN A NuMber of indusTRIAl aPplicAtiONs, it is NeceSsary to provide a liNE of illuminatioN up tO SEveRal MEterS iN length,
 railroad tank car without  the neces sityfor  ape rson  toclimb up ontot he c ar and with a reducedamoun to f fr i ct ion o pposing th e set ti ng  of  t h ehandb rak e. This  invention  re la tes to appar a tu s for illu min ating an obj ect  and f or  pr o vidin g a  unif orm, t h in lin e of ligh to nto an objectf o rline  scan application s .M ore specifical ly, th ei nv e n tio n r elates toli ght l i ne unit s  o f m odu l ar design tha t can be bu t ted  end t oend to pro videve r y l ong, seamle ss l ines of l ight.T he inve n tion is  morepar tic ular l ydi rec te d  to an  op t ica l fiberba se d uni t wh i c h cancon duct  ligh t from a remo teligh t  so urceand c onve rt  theillumi natio nfrom that sourc e in to a thin , l on g l in e ofl ight.Lig htline un its are emp lo y e d  i n a variety of app li c a ti ons wher e a lo n g,  n a rrow str ip  of  lig h t  is n eede d .Light li ne uni t sca n be us ed  in li ne -sc anappli c atio ns, e. g., with  line - scan type CCDc ameras in web - ty p e  a p plic ati ons The cur rent pref eren c efor a lig ht li ne un i t employs a fluores ce nt rob e and  an elongated  aperturet o producea li n eo f light. The f luore scent tube light li ne un its have  difficul t y  produci nga l ine  of l ig ht that is un i f ormfr om oneend  of the  li netothe  o ther, ora lightth at  r em ain s uni f orm over  t ime .The  fluo r escent  unit s ha ve  t e mpe rature- s en s i tive  o ut putflu ct uatio ns,a ndoutputs  that var y w i th a ge  a nd with  other condit io ns. Also,if  tw o unit s are to b e joined to provide a l i ght lin e o f ext ra l ength, th ere  is ad dit i onal i llumin ation  d rop - o ff be t w ee n m od ules.
Opti c a l f ibers  h avebeen us ed as line illumin a tor s, and one ex amp le i s de scr i be d  in  U . S.P a t. No. 4,952,02 2 to Genov es e .In the Gen o ves epatent,  the il lumin a ting de vice is c omprisedof  a b u n dle  of large- diameter  fibers,i n whi c hthe d ist al end sortermi ni are def ormed  intoarectan gular  c ross sec tion. There, the idea w as toprodu cea linearbea m  th at is uni form  along the  ou tpu t ofthe array . Ho w ev er, the p aten t  does not ad dre s s  h ow to joint w o  or  more  un i ts toprod uce a very long l i near beam with  nod r op- off or d is continuity fro m o ne m odular u ni t to anothe r. Anoth er syste m fortransm ittinga li n ear be am o f l ight from  ala m p to awo rk p iece u sing  o ptical  fiber s  isd e scribed in U.S.Pat.N o . 3,1 9 2,8 43 to  K apany e t  al.  In the sy stem of tha t pate nt,there  are al te rnatin g l ay ers of ill u minatingfiber s and i ma ging  fi bers,andn o  prov isio nfor  joininga nu m be ro f u nits  end- to -end  for anyr eason
In  an umber o find u s triala pp l i cations, i t i s nec e s sary to pr o vide al ine o f illu minati on up t o  se ve ral met ers i n length, 
 railroad_tank car_without the necessity for_a person_to_climb up_onto_the car and_with a reduced_amount of friction opposing_the setting of_the_handbrake. This invention relates to apparatus for illuminating an object and for providing a_uniform,_thin line_of_light_onto an object for line_scan applications. More specifically, the_invention relates_to light line units of modular design that_can_be butted end_to end to provide very long, seamless lines of_light. The invention is more particularly_directed to an_optical_fiber_based unit which can_conduct light from a remote light_source and convert the illumination from_that source into a thin, long line_of light.
Light line units are employed_in a variety of applications_where a_long, narrow strip of light_is needed. Light_line units_can be used_in line-scan applications, e.g., with line-scan_type CCD cameras_in web-type applications The current preference_for_a light line_unit_employs_a fluorescent_robe and an_elongated_aperture to_produce_a line of light. The fluorescent_tube_light line units have difficulty producing a_line of light that_is_uniform from one end_of the line to the_other, or a light that remains_uniform over_time. The_fluorescent units have temperature-sensitive output fluctuations, and outputs that vary with_age and with other conditions. Also,_if two units are_to be_joined_to provide a_light_line of_extra length, there is additional illumination drop-off_between modules.
Optical_fibers have been used as line_illuminators, and one example_is_described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,022_to Genovese. In the Genovese patent,_the illuminating device is comprised_of_a_bundle of large-diameter fibers, in_which the distal ends or termini_are deformed into_a rectangular cross section. There, the idea_was_to produce a linear beam that_is_uniform along the output of the_array._However,_the patent does not address_how to join two or more_units to produce a very long linear beam with_no drop-off or_discontinuity from one modular unit_to_another._Another system for transmitting a linear beam of light from_a lamp_to a workpiece_using optical fibers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,843_to Kapany et al. In the system_of that patent, there are alternating layers of illuminating fibers and_imaging fibers, and no provision for joining a_number of units end-to-end for any reason
In_a number of industrial_applications,_it is necessary to provide a line_of_illumination_up_to several meters_in length,