Filter wheel

Abstract

An improved filter wheel is disclosed, through embodiments, that comprises a plurality of reflector support structures formed as a unitized structure with a circular base member. In some embodiments, the filter wheel further comprises a plurality of light sources mounted on the filter wheel.

1 . A filter wheel apparatus comprising:
 a planar circular base member with a mechanical shaft coupler located at an axis of rotation defined perpendicular to and centered on said circular base member, said circular base member penetrated by a plurality of base apertures whose centers are angularly spaced about the circumference of a circle, said centers of each of said base apertures defining an aperture axis perpendicular to plane of said aperture, said planar circular base member further comprising a corresponding plurality of reflector support structures, each of said reflector support structures being located in proximity to each of said plurality of base apertures;   a plurality of dichroic reflectors that transmit light at a first band of wavelengths and reflect light at a second band of wavelengths, each of said plurality of dichroic reflectors affixed to one of said reflector support structures and thereby intercepting said aperture axis and oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the plane of said base aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a right circular cylinder member surrounding and attached to said planar circular base member thereby forming a cylindrical perpendicular wall;   a plurality of wall apertures formed in said cylindrical perpendicular wall at angular locations corresponding to said plurality of base apertures, each of said wall apertures defining a wall aperture axis centered on and perpendicular to said wall aperture and intercepting a corresponding dichroic reflector.   
     
     
         3 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said right circular cylinder member is formed integrally with said planar circular base member. 
     
     
         4 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each base aperture comprises an optical filter. 
     
     
         5 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each wall aperture comprises an optical filter. 
     
     
         6 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each said reflector support structure further comprises an individual excitation light source oriented to radiate toward said dichroic reflector. 
     
     
         7 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said individual excitation light source is at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         8 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said individual excitation light source is at least one laser. 
     
     
         9 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said planar circular base member further comprises at least one electrical power conditioner, said at least one power conditioner electrically connected to said individual excitation light source. 
     
     
         10 . The filter wheel apparatus, in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said planar circular base member further comprises a portion of a rotary transformer, said portion of rotary transformer electrically connected to said electrical power conditioner.