According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a first optical fiber in communication with a light source; a second optical fiber in communication with an imaging probe; and a fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) where a distal end of the first optical fiber and a proximal end of the second optical fiber are positioned coaxially with a gap between the fibers' end faces. The FORJ is adapted to transmit light between the fibers' end faces, and to rotate at least one of first and second optical fibers relative to the other. An actuator is configured to axially translate at least one of the first and second optical fibers relative to the other in a reciprocal motion. A light intensity sensor is adapted to measure light intensity changes due to optical interference between light reflected from the fibers' end faces. And, a control system is configured to receive light intensity measurements from the sensor and to use the light intensity measurements to control the reciprocal motion of the linear actuator to maintain the length of the gap between fibers' end faces substantially constant.

An optical transmission/reception unit includes a carrier rotatable about a rotational axis, an optical receiver arranged at the carrier on the rotational axis to receive an optical reception signal from a first direction, an optical transmitter arranged adjacent to the optical receiver at the carrier to emit an optical transmission signal in a second direction, and a transmission/reception optic arranged at the carrier on the rotational axis above the optical receiver and extending across the optical receiver and the optical transmitter, wherein the transmission/reception optic includes a reception optic and a transmission optic arranged in the reception optic. The reception optic is configured to guide the optical reception signal incident on the transmission/reception optic towards the optical receiver on the rotational axis, and the transmission optic is arranged above the optical transmitter and is configured to shape the optical transmission signal emitted by the optical transmitter into an output beam.

In a device for transmitting optical signals between a first sub-assembly having a first lens, a first bearing ring, and a first clamping sleeve, which has a conical surface, and a second structural unit having a second lens, a second bearing ring, a second body, a second clamping sleeve, which has a conical surface, and a clamping device, the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring are associated with a bearing by which the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly are connected to each other rotatably about an axis. Arranged in a centered manner in relation to the axis are: the first lens on the first bearing ring with the aid of the first clamping sleeve through a first conical connection, the second lens on the second body with the aid of the second clamping sleeve through a second conical connection, and the second body on the second bearing ring with the aid of a clamping device by a third conical connection.

One or more fiber optic rotary joints (FORJ), free space beam combiners, OCT, SEE and/or fluorescence devices and systems for use therewith, methods of manufacturing same and storage mediums are provided. One or more embodiments of FORJs may be used with numerous applications in the optical field, including, but not limited to, OCT and fluorescence applications. Examples of such applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments.

A fiber optic rotary connection having first and second elements rotatable relative to each other, the second element having a first subassembly rotatable about a first axis, a second subassembly rotatable about a second axis not parallel to the first axis, and first and second collimators, the first element having third and fourth collimators, one of the second and fourth collimators orientated coincident with the first rotational axis, the other of the second and fourth collimators orientated parallel to the first rotational axis, one of the first and third collimators orientated coincident with the second rotational axis, the other of the first and third collimators orientated parallel to or coincident with the second rotational axis, whereby an optical signal may be transmitted across a rotary interface between the first and second elements in a first optical path and an optical signal may be transmitted across the rotary interface in a second optical path.

A rotatable connector for rotatable mounting an optical fiber, comprising a hollow shaft for introducing and fixing an optical fiber mechanically to the hollow shaft, furthermore comprising one or more bearings, whereby, in the case of a two bearing construction, the interior of a first bearing is fixed onto the hollow shaft, as well as the interior of a second bearing being fixed onto the hollow shaft, whereby the second bearing is spaced apart from the first bearing, the exterior of at least one bearing is in contact with the interior of a hollow stationary part, the latter having a thread, which can be screwed together with the counter thread of a cap or cap nut, which may apply an axial clamping force onto the bearings, when tightened.

Fiber positioning unit of SCARA type comprising an alpha (1,2,3) and a beta mechanism (4,5); the alpha mechanism successively comprising a motor (1), a driving shaft (2) and a rotatable shaft (3), the rotation of the rotatable shaft (3) being carried out by the alpha motor (1) via the driving shaft (2); the beta mechanism comprising a motor (4) and a fiber holding element (5) that may be rotated by the beta motor (4); both mechanisms being mechanically connected in a way to allow a rotation of the beta mechanism (4,5) by the rotatable shaft (3); the alpha mechanism (1,2,3) being furthermore adapted to be partially located within a focal plate (6), characterized by the fact that the alpha motor (1) is adapted to be located on one side of the focal plate (6) while the rotatable shaft (3) and the beta mechanism (4,5) are adapted to be located on the other side of the focal plate (6).

A suspension arm assembly including at least two members relatively rotatable about each other at a joint, with at least one of the joints comprising an infinite rotation joint. The infinite rotation joint allows the members at the infinite rotation joint to have unlimited rotation relative to one another. The infinite rotation joint is configured to pass at least an optical signal therethrough. The infinite rotation joint includes a stator and a rotor. At least two portions of the infinite rotation joint are separable and can automatically form a unit when adjacent arms are connected together such that the infinite rotation joint can be separated into the at least two portions. The at least two portions are configured to be automatically connected to allow the optical signal to pass therethrough once the at least two portions are engaged.

A first optical axis of a first optical component is caused to be at a first angle with respect to a first precision surface of the first optical component. A second optical axis of a second optical component is aligned to be at a second angle to a second flat surface of the second optical component. The second angle is equal to or derived from the first angle. The first and second flat surfaces are caused to directly face each other to allow only sliding motion between the first and second flat surfaces. The sliding motion is performed between the first and second flat surfaces until the first and second optical axes are sufficiently collinear.

The present invention provides a fiber-optic communication system that allows high-bandwidth communications between components of an irrigation machine. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for providing a two-way communications link between a pivot controller panel and distributed irrigation machine components. According to further preferred embodiments, the two-way communications link of the present invention may also convert optical signals to electrical signals and route those signals to the appropriate connected devices.