Compound optical coupler and support mechanism
A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.
1. A compound optical coupling assembly comprising:
a self-wetting optical coupling gel in an interior portion of a compound optical coupling assembly; and
an elastomeric load ring radially outward of said self-wetting optical coupling gel, wherein said self-wetting optical coupling gel is in an inner portion of said elastomeric load ring.
2. The compound optical coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said self-wetting optical gel comprises Wacker or like material.
3. The compound optical coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric load ring comprises Sylgard or like material.
4. The compound optical coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric load ring is bonded to a light detector device.
5. The optical coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric load ring is bonded to a scintillation element.
6. The optical coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric load ring is bonded to a window of a scintillation housing.
7. An optical coupling assembly comprising:
a self-wetting optical coupling gel in said coupling assembly; and
an elastomeric support device radially outward of said self-wetting optical coupling gel, wherein said self-wetting optical coupling gel is in an inner portion of said elastomeric load ring.
8. The optical coupling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said self-wetting optical gel comprises Wacker or like material.
9. The optical coupling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric support device comprises Sylgard or like material.
10. The optical coupling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a light detector device.
11. The optical coupling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a scintillation element.
12. The optical coupling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a window of a scintillation housing.
13. An optical coupling assembly comprising:
a self-wetting optical coupling gel; and
an elastomeric support device radially outward of said self-wetting optical coupling gel, wherein said self-wetting optical coupling gel has a slightly convex surface.
14. The optical coupling assembly of claim 13 , wherein said self-wetting optical gel comprises Wacker or like material.
15. The optical coupling assembly of claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric support device comprises Sylgard or like material.
16. The optical coupling assembly of claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a light detector device.
17. The optical coupling assembly of claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a scintillation element.
18. The optical coupling assembly of claim 13 , wherein said elastomeric support device is attached to a window of a scintillation housing.