Patent Application
20110249434
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to lights and reflector assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to an LED and reflector assembly for use in signal applications, such as those used with railways.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The railroad industry utilizes wayside signals to indicate authorization for trains to proceed or to stop at certain positions on railroad tracks. Such wayside signals have commonly utilized incandescent lamps to provide indications, such as to proceed or stop, to trains.
The use of incandescent lamps in wayside signals results in certain drawbacks. First, the life of incandescent lamps is relatively short, i.e., an incandescent lamp typically burns out in a relatively short period of time of approximately 6 to 12 months. This may be particularly problematic in wayside signals for railways as such signals may often be placed at remote locations along railway tracks. As a result, it is often inconvenient and time consuming for maintenance personnel to replace a burned out wayside signal. Additionally, any time a wayside signal burns out, safety concerns are raised and the use of certain railroad track sections may be prohibited, resulting in a loss of operating efficiency of the railway due to track re-routings. A further drawback with the use of incandescent lamps in wayside signals is that incandescent lamps are relatively energy inefficient.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved means for providing wayside signals for use with railways.
These needs and others are met by embodiments of the invention, which are directed to an improved light assembly. The light assembly comprises a lighting module having a number of LEDs, a reflector assembly disposed on the lighting module, a lens member disposed over the reflector assembly and coupled to the lighting module, and a membrane disposed between the reflector member and the lens. The reflector assembly includes a number of individual reflector portions, each reflector portion being of generally concave shape and structured to selectively direct light emitted from a respective one of the number of LEDs.
The membrane may comprise a nylon screen material. The membrane may comprise a phankill screen. The lighting module may comprise a plurality of LEDs and the reflector assembly may comprise a plurality of reflector portions, each reflector portion being disposed about a corresponding one of the plurality of LEDs. The plurality of reflector portions may comprise a first number of reflector portions, each reflector portion of the first number of reflector portions being structured to generally direct light emitted from a corresponding LED a first distance from the light assembly. The plurality of reflector portions may comprises a second number of reflector portions, each reflector portion of the second number of reflector portions being structured to generally direct light emitted from a corresponding LED a second distance from the light assembly, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. The first number of reflector portions may be disposed in a first pattern and the second number of reflector portions may are disposed in a second pattern generally around the first pattern. The plurality of reflectors may comprise a first number of reflector portions disposed in a first pattern and a second number of reflector portions disposed in a second pattern generally around the first pattern. Each reflector portion of the first number of reflector portions may be structured to direct light emitted from a corresponding LED a first distance from the light assembly and each reflector portion of the second number of reflector portions may be structured to direct light emitted from a corresponding LED a second distance greater than the first distance. The number of individual reflector portions may be structured to selectively direct light in an AREMA specified pattern. The first number of reflector portions may comprise four reflector portions and the second number of reflector portions may comprise ten reflector portions.
A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “connected” or “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. Further, as employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “attached” shall mean that the parts are joined together directly.
As shown in the exploded view of
Continuing to refer to
Reflector assembly 14 is preferably formed from a plastic having a reflective coating or other suitable material that may readily have one or more individual reflectors formed therein. Although shown as a single unitary member, it is to be appreciated that reflector assembly 14 may be formed from a number of separate elements assembled together or in multiple elements without varying from the scope of the present invention. Referring to
For example, in the embodiment depicted in the Figs., two different reflector designs are utilized. A first number of reflectors 34 of a first design are arranged in a generally circular arrangement (pattern) near a central portion of reflector assembly 14. A second number of reflectors 36 of a second design are arranged in another arrangement generally around the first number of reflectors 34. In such embodiment, each reflector 34 of the first number of reflectors is designed to project light a greater from the light assembly 10 than each reflector 36 of the second number of reflectors. Such general arrangement provides for an overall light emission that is visible from far distances but yet full from closer distances. By selectively arranging reflectors of different designs the light signal projected by the light assembly 10 can be tailored to produce specific desired outputs. For example, the example light assembly depicted in the Figs. is arranged to produce a light signal projected according to an AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) specification which may be arranged as a matrix of angles in the x and y directions with specific candlepower in each location.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of light assembly 10 in
Continuing to refer to the cross-sectional view of
While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
