High intensity lights can be used to mark a structure over 500 feet in height that may be a hazard to aircraft navigation. Current high intensity lights use Xenon bulbs and do not offer the reliability and extended life cycle of newer designs.
In addition, the design of the Xenon based high intensity lights does not provide consistent light intensity horizontally throughout a 360 degree coverage. For example, the Xenon based high intensity lights are typically enclosed in a single module. The single module is typically a square or rectangular box enclosure with a window on one side where most of the light is emitted directly forward. The single module may not emit sufficient light at wide angles in the horizontal axis and, therefore, may not provide sufficient light output at all angles. Multiple Xenon based high intensity lights are used together on a level of the tower; however, there may be gaps where insufficient light is emitted and, therefore, the lights may not be seen clearly by pilots.
Xenon bulbs also tend to have a relatively short life expectancy compared to newer light technologies. Due to the remote locations of many towers and the height of the towers, replacing the Xenon bulbs frequently can lead to high maintenance costs and replacement costs.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a high intensity light module for warning aircraft of obstructions. In one embodiment, the high intensity light module for warning aircraft of obstructions includes a first plate, at least one reflector coupled to the first plate along a length of the first plate, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to the first plate, wherein the at least one reflector redirects light emitted by the plurality of LEDs substantially along a single side of the high intensity light module, a lens coupled around a perimeter of the first plate and a second plate coupled to the lens around a perimeter of the second plate and coupled to the first plate via one or more standoffs.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides another embodiment of a high intensity light for warning aircraft of obstructions. In one embodiment, the high intensity light for warning aircraft of obstructions includes a first high intensity light module comprising a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a second high intensity light module comprising a second plurality of LEDs, wherein the second high intensity light module is stacked on top of the first high intensity light module, wherein a first optical axis of the first high intensity light module and a second optical axis of the second high intensity light module are angled to provide light emission at angles greater −90 degrees to +90 degrees in a horizontal axis, wherein the first high intensity light module and the second high intensity light module are parallel.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a high intensity light system for warning aircraft of obstructions. In one embodiment, the high intensity light system for warning aircraft of obstructions includes a first high intensity light and at least a second high intensity light positioned relative to the first high intensity light to provide 360 degrees of total light output, wherein each one of the first high intensity light and the second high intensity light comprises a first high intensity light module and a second high intensity light module stacked on top of one another, wherein a first optical axis of the first high intensity light module and a second optical axis of the second high intensity light module are angled to provide light emission at angles greater −90 degrees to +90 degrees in a horizontal axis, wherein the first high intensity light module and the second high intensity light module are parallel.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
High structures, for example structures over 500 feet, are marked with high intensity aircraft obstruction warning lighting such that they are seen and avoided by aircraft navigation. The lighting generally attempts to provide radially outward 360 degree light coverage. In addition, the lighting must meet requirements set by various standards bodies depending on the geographic location, e.g., federal aviation administration (FAA), international civil aviation organization (ICAO), and the like.
However, as discussed above, current designs use Xenon based bulbs that have a relatively short life cycle. Due to the height of where the lighting is deployed, replacing the Xenon bulb can be expensive. In addition, the design of existing Xenon based high intensity aircraft obstruction warning lighting systems often do not provide sufficient light coverage that is even and consistent in a 360 degree radially outward distribution, even though multiple lights may be used together. This is, in part, a result of the use of a single module with a single Xenon bulb and a single reflector used within each light. The light emitting diode (LED) design discussed here uses two or more modules arranged at specified angles relative to each other. Multiple lights may be used together to achieve a more even and consistent light coverage in a 360 degree radially outward distribution in the horizontal axis.
Embodiments of the present disclosure resolve these issues by providing a high intensity light using a modular design that provides a more even and consistent light output in all directions of a 360 degree radially outward direction. One embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in
In one embodiment, the bottom plate 102 may include a groove 130 that runs along a perimeter of the bottom plate 102. A gasket 114 may be placed in the groove 130. In one embodiment, the gasket 114 may be a continuous single piece fabricated from any material, such as for example, a polymer, a plastic, a rubber, and the like. In one embodiment, a continuous single piece may be fabricated by joining ends of a single long piece of gasket material. In one embodiment, the top plate 104 may also include the groove 130 that runs along a perimeter of the top plate 104. A gasket 114 may be placed in the groove 130 of the top plate 104. The lens 106 may be placed on top of the gasket 130 around the perimeter of the bottom plate 102. The gasket 114 of the top plate 104 may be placed on top of the lens 106 and the lens 106 may be pressed against the gasket 114 to form a liquid tight seal. The liquid tight seal may help prevent any moisture or debris from entering the high intensity light module 100. The lens 106 may have a draft angle and, therefore, the grooves 130 in the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 may have different dimensions. For example, a length of the groove 130 of the top plate 104 may be different than a length of the groove 130 of the bottom plate 102. In one embodiment, the length of the groove 130 of the top plate 104 is greater than a length of the groove 130 of the bottom plate 102. In one embodiment, the length of the groove 130 of the bottom plate 102 is greater than a length of the groove 130 of the top plate 104.
In one embodiment, the lens 106 may be a single piece and provide a continuous seal around the horizontal portion of the enclosure. In other words, the lens 106 may provide a continuous wall that curves or wraps around the high intensity light module 100 and provides a continuous seal around the high intensity light module 100. In one embodiment, the lens 106 may be clear and provide visibility into all sides of the high intensity light module 100. For example, the lens 106 may be a transparent light cover. In other words, the lens 106 may have no optical features or optics built in.
Having a continuous and optically clear lens around the module 100 allows light to exit the module 100 at wider angles in the horizontal axis than an enclosure with a square or rectangular box enclosure with a window on one side. For example, each high intensity light module 100 may emit light from −90 to +90 degrees in the horizontal axis. Arranging two or more high intensity light modules 100 at 20 degrees apart or more in the horizontal axis results in light emission at angles greater than −90 to +90 degrees in the horizontal axis. In one embodiment, —90 to +90 degrees may be with respect to an optical axis of the high intensity light module 100 being at 0 degrees. Said another way, greater than −90 to +90 degrees may also be defined as greater than 180 degrees.
Furthermore, the continuous seal provided by the gasket 114 between the lens 106, the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 results in an improved water ingress protection compared to a square or rectangular box enclosure with a window on one side. For example, the window may need to be glued and the square or rectangular box enclosure would require an additional opening. The opening could create a path for water ingress. Consequently, the square or rectangular box would also require a sealing mechanism for assembly and servicing, which could create further water ingress paths.
In one embodiment, the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 may have a similar shape or even a same shape. In one embodiment, the shape may have a long length relative to a width. In one embodiment, the length is at least three times the width. In addition, the high intensity light module 100 may have a low profile, e.g., less than 5 inches. In one embodiment, the ratio of the length to the width may be at least approximately three to one. One example of possible dimensions of the high intensity light module 100 is illustrated in
In one embodiment, the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 are substantially flat. In other words, the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 have substantially no curves along the length of the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 and have no features protruding outward from the bottom plate 102 or from the top plate 104. Maintaining flatness and a parallel relationship between the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 is one advantageous feature of the high intensity light module 100. In one embodiment, the term parallel when referring to stacked high intensity light modules 100 may be defined as the high intensity light modules being parallel in the horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 are parallel to within +/− 1 degree.
As will be discussed below, the high intensity light module 100 may be stacked on top of other high intensity light modules. As a result, if the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 are not substantially flat and substantially parallel with respect to each other, as the high intensity light modules are stacked on top of one another, the overall light distribution of each high intensity light module 100 will not be parallel with respect to each other. In other words, a bottom plate 102 of a first high intensity light module would be parallel to the top plate 104 of a second high intensity light module. This would cause unwanted spreading of the light intensity in the vertical axis.
Coupling the high intensity light modules 100 directly on top of one another, as compared to coupling them indirectly through additional mechanical brackets, can help maintain the parallel relationship between each of the high intensity light modules 100 in the vertical axis. For example, coupling each high intensity light module 100 to a common bracket may introduce an angular error that is inherent in the bracket that would lead to undesirable spreading of light in a vertical axis.
In one embodiment, the top plate 104 may be coupled to the bottom plate 102 holding the lens 106 in place via one or more standoffs 108. One or more openings 122 in the top plate 104 and the bottom plate 102 may be used to couple the top plate 104 and the bottom plate 102 together via the one or more standoffs 108. In other words, the one or more openings 122 of the top plate 104 may correspond to the one or more openings 122 of the bottom plate 102 such that the standoff 108 may be placed between the openings 122 and coupled via a fastener, e.g., a threaded screw, a nut and bolt, a clip, and the like.
In one embodiment, the one or more standoffs 108 are placed around the perimeter of the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 outside of the lens 106. This is illustrated in further detail in
Having the one or more standoffs 108 outside of the lens 106 and around a perimeter of the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 improves the parallelism of the bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104. In addition, the one or more standoffs 108 are not in the way of other electrical components within the high intensity light module 100. This frees limited space inside the high intensity light module 100 and allows for more symmetric and even placement of other electrical components within the high intensity light module 100. In another embodiment, the one or more standoffs 108 may be placed within the high intensity light module 100, e.g., near the center and/or at the ends as illustrated by the positioning of the opening 122 for the standoff 108 in
The bottom plate 102 and the top plate 104 may also include one or more openings 126 and 124, respectively. As noted above, multiple high intensity light modules 100 may be stacked on top of one another to achieve the proper total light output and directional coverage. As a result, the one or more openings 124 and 126 provide different locations and angles to which the multiple high intensity light modules 100 may be coupled together. How the high intensity light modules 100 are coupled together and at what angles are discussed in further detail below.
In one embodiment, the LED optic 120 may include a reflector 110 and one or more LEDs 112. In another embodiment, the LED optic 120 may use an optical element instead of the reflector 110. For example, the optical element may be an optic that collimates light emitted by the one or more LEDs 112 in a vertical axis.
In one embodiment, the high intensity light module 100 may include a plurality of LED optics 120 arranged in a linear, or approximately linear, fashion along a length of the high intensity light module 100. In other words, the high intensity light module 100 may have a line of a plurality of reflectors 110 and a plurality of LEDs 112.
In one embodiment, the LED optic 120 may be arranged such that light emitted from the one or more LEDs 112 is redirected by the reflector 110 or an optical element and directed in substantially a single direction or out a single side along the length of the high intensity light module 100. Along a single side may be also defined as redirecting light within a range of −90 degrees to +90 degrees in a horizontal axis as opposed to 360 degrees all around. The length may be defined as a side with the longest dimension.
In one embodiment, the LEDs 112 may be high intensity LEDs capable of outputting at least 250 lumens. The combined light output of the high intensity light module 100 may be at least 100,000 candelas.
In one embodiment, white and colored LEDs may be coupled to a common circuit board. In one embodiment, light emitted by the red LEDs and light emitted by the white LEDs exits the high intensity light module 100 in approximately the same direction and has approximately the same beam spread.
The reflector 110 may have a linear extrusion axis and a conic or a parabolic curved cross section. The reflector 110 may have a curved cross section that is concave with respect to the one or more LEDs 112. Each one of the plurality of LEDs 112 may be placed at, or very near to, a focal distance relative to the reflector 110. As a result, light emitted from each one of the plurality of LEDs 112 that is redirected by the reflector 110 is highly collimated in a vertical direction, but not necessarily in the horizontal direction.
In one embodiment, the reflector 110 collimates the light from each one of the plurality of LEDs 112 such that the vertical beam spread of light emitted from each one of the plurality of LEDs 112 in the vertical axis is less than one tenth ( 1/10th) the horizontal beam spread in the horizontal axis. For example, if the horizontal beam spread in the horizontal axis was a total of 180 degrees, the vertical beam spread in the vertical axis would be less than 18 degrees.
In one embodiment, the distance between the first and last LED 112 within the high intensity light module 100 may be long with respect to the size of the LED 112. In one embodiment, the plurality of LEDs 112 may be arranged along a line, or generally along a line, and the distance between the two furthest LEDs 112 in the line within the high intensity light module 100 may be at least 500 times the width of the light emitting semiconductor die within a single LED 112.
For example, considering light comprising vector components in the x, y and z directions depicted in
By comparison, if the reflector is revolved, i.e., having the cross-section projected along the curved trajectory, then the parabolic system may be reduced, or lost, in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Thus, the embodiment of the reflector 110 having the projection of the cross-section 40 (as shown in
Referring back to
In one embodiment, the strain relief opening 116 may be sealed, e.g., with a gasket, to prevent moisture from entering the high intensity light module 100 through the strain relief opening 116. Although only a single strain relief opening 116 is illustrated, it should be noted that any number of openings may be used. However, it should be noted that fewer openings may be preferable to reduce the number of possible leak paths into the high intensity light module 100. In addition, although the strain relief opening 116 is illustrated as being on a side, the strain relief opening 116 may be located on the bottom plate 102 and/or the top plate 104.
In one embodiment, the high intensity light module 100 may also include other electrical components 118 required for proper operation, such as for example, capacitor boards, LED drivers, printed circuit boards, micro/communication boards, and the like. The electrical components 118 may be used to turn the one or more LEDs 112 on and off in order to flash the one or more LEDs 112 in a strobe mode. The electrical components 118 may also be used to regulate the current level to the one or more LEDs 112.
As noted above, the high intensity light module 100 may be stacked on top of other modules to form a high intensity light.
In one embodiment, the high intensity light modules 100 are stacked on top of one another by aligning an opening 126 of a bottom plate of one high intensity light module 100 (e.g., high intensity light module 100A) to an opening 124 of a top plate of another high intensity light module 100 (e.g., high intensity light module 100B). This is illustrated in
In an alternate embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the high intensity light modules 100 may be coupled to one another via a fastener placed through mated openings 124 and 126. The fastener may be any type of fastener, for example, a threaded screw, a nut and bolt combination, a clip and the like.
In one embodiment, the high intensity light modules 100 are stacked such that there is an air gap between each of the high intensity light modules 100. In one embodiment, a mechanical spacer may be used between the high intensity light modules 100 to create an air gap. The air gap may provide additional cooling by allowing air to pass between the high intensity light modules 100. In another embodiment, the high intensity light modules 100 may be flush mounted or mounted on top of one another such that they are in direct contact.
Although
Having the angle 806 at approximately 60 degrees provides for light coverage of approximately 120 degrees. As a result, combining two or more additional high intensity lights 700 allows for light coverage in all directions of approximately 360 degrees radially outward. This is illustrated and discussed in further detail below with reference to
In one embodiment,
As discussed above, the high intensity light module 100 is designed to have a low profile to reduce the overall weight and wind loading. In addition, the high intensity light module 100 is designed to have a very long length relative to the width. For example, the ratio of the length to the width may be at least approximately three to one. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The advantage of the modular design can be further appreciated when considering towers with three legs or four legs. To illustrate, the same number of high intensity light modules 100 can be used on a tower with four legs as a tower with three legs. The tower with four legs would require the same number of high intensity light modules 100. The high intensity light modules 100 would be mounted at different angles on the tower with four legs compared to the tower with three legs. For example, the tower with three legs would need four modules per leg for a total of twelve modules. The tower with four legs would need three modules per leg for a total of twelve modules as well.
In contrast, a non-modular design requires three lights for a tower with three legs but would normally require a fourth light when used on a tower with four legs. As a result, by using a non-modular design, the tower with four legs would have a much higher cost and excessive light output due to the additional fourth light. The module design of the present disclosure maintains an equal light output for towers with three legs and towers with four legs.
In one embodiment, the high intensity lights 1202, 1204 and 1206 each comprises a plurality of high intensity light modules 100A and 1008, 100C and 100D and 100E and 100F, respectively. Each one of the high intensity lights 1202, 1204 and 1206 is similar to the high intensity light 700 discussed above and illustrated by in example in
In one embodiment, the high intensity lights 1202, 1204 and 1206 are arranged such that they achieve a full coverage in a 360 degree radially outward direction with a consistent light output in all directions of the 360 degrees. In other words, unlike prior designs or designs using a Xenon bulb where there is no light emitted at higher horizontal angles, e.g., −90 to −120 degrees and +90 to +120 degrees, the embodiments of the high intensity light system 1200 of the present disclosure provide full consistent light output at all directions of the 360 degree radially outward direction.
In one embodiment, the remote power supply 1302 may include various electrical components such as a communication board or other necessary circuit boards. The remote power supply 1302 may operate using alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC).
In one embodiment, each one of the high intensity light modules 100A-100F may be separately wired to a respective remote power supply 1302 via the strain relief opening 116. In one embodiment, each high intensity light module of a high intensity light (e.g., the high intensity light modules 100A and 100B of the high intensity light 1202) may be wired to a common remote power supply 1302 of the high intensity light (e.g., as illustrated by example in
Having certain power supply components inside the high intensity light modules 100A-100F may offer benefits such as enhanced lightning protection, improved radio frequency (RF) immunity, reducing the amount of space required in a remote power supply 1302, and not being easily accessible. In addition, reducing the distance between the LEDs 112 and certain power supply components may reduce the voltage potential during a lightning strike. Making certain components, such as those that will be less likely to require maintenance, less accessible may reduce the likelihood of damage from when other components are serviced. Also, the components would not be exposed to rain or moisture when the other components are serviced.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 61/473,509, filed on Apr. 8, 2011 and 61/474,001, filed on Apr. 11, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61473509 | Apr 2011 | US | |
61474001 | Apr 2011 | US |