Light emitting diode-based signal light
First Claim
1. A traffic signal ball comprising:
- a lamp including;
a plurality of LEDs, an optical element arranged to disperse forwardly directed light produced by the LEDs, and a threaded electrical connector; and
an optical system that receives light dispersed by the optical element and forms at least a portion of the received light into an outwardly directed light beam.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light-emitting diode-based light source (40) for retro-fitting into a traffic signal lamp (10) employing an incandescent light bulb (12) includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) (46), a dispersing reflector (62) cooperating with the at least one LED (46) to adapt light (60) produced by the at least one LED (46) for receipt by optics of the traffic signal lamp (10), and a screw-type electrical connector (42) adapted to mate with a threaded socket connector (18) of the traffic signal lamp (10). The screw-type electrical connector (42) is adapted to transmit electrical power to the at least one LED (46). A method (100) is provided for the retro-fitting, including the step (104) of removing the threaded light bulb (12) from the threaded socket (18), and the step (106) of connecting the threaded LED light source (40) into the threaded socket (18).
169 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A traffic signal ball comprising:
a lamp including;
a plurality of LEDs, an optical element arranged to disperse forwardly directed light produced by the LEDs, and a threaded electrical connector; and
an optical system that receives light dispersed by the optical element and forms at least a portion of the received light into an outwardly directed light beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for retro-fitting a traffic signal lamp with a threaded LED light source, wherein the traffic signal lamp has a threaded light bulb, a threaded socket for receiving and powering the light bulb, and optics configured to direct light produced by the light bulb in a generally forward direction, the method comprising the steps of:
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removing the threaded light bulb from the threaded socket; and
connecting the threaded LED light source into the threaded socket, wherein the threaded LED light source includes;
a threaded electrical connector adapted for mechanical and electrical connection to the threaded socket, at least one light emitting diode (LED), a heat-sinking element for removing heat from the at least one LED, electrical conditioning circuitry that receives electrical power from the threaded electrical connector and conditions the electrical power to operate the at least one LED, and an optical element optically communicating with the at least one LED for distributing light produced by the at least one LED in conformance with the traffic signal lamp optics. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A light-emitting diode-based light source for retro-fitting into a traffic signal lamp employing an incandescent light bulb, the light-emitting diode-based light source comprising:
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at least one light emitting diode (LED);
a reflector cooperating with the at least one LED to adapt light produced by the at least one LED for receipt by optics of the traffic signal lamp; and
a screw-type electrical connector adapted to mate with a threaded socket connector of the traffic signal lamp, the screw-type electrical connector adapted to transmit electrical power to the at least one LED. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An LED-based light source comprising:
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a threaded electrical connector arranged to receive electrical power;
power converting electronics that receive the electrical power and convert the electrical power to converted power;
a plurality of LEDs arranged to receive the converted power, the LEDs producing a generally forwardly directed first light beam responsive to receipt of the converted power;
a light dispersing element arranged at a focal region, the light dispersing element intercepting and transforming the first light beam into dispersed light emanating from the focal region; and
an optical system arranged to focus dispersed light emanating from the focal region into an output light beam having selected beam characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A lamp for use in a light producing apparatus having a socket through which power is supplied to the lamp, said socket holding the lamp, and an optical system including a reflector and a lens which cooperate to direct light outwardly from the light producing apparatus, said lamp comprising:
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a connector by which the lamp is installed in the socket;
a number of LEDs electronically connected to the connector; and
a redirection element arranged to redirect light emitted from the number of LEDs such that the redirected light is coupled into the optical system of the light producing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification