High-intensity directional light

• US 20040057234A1
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Original Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Inventors: Mohacsi, Ferenc
• Granted Patent: US 7,021,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/04 the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/06 for indicating aircraft presence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/16 using sheets without apertures, e.g. fixed
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/20 for water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A high-intensity light comprising a side-emitting optoelectronic device adapted to emit light of a desired color. A heat sink is positioned adjacent the optoelectronic device and a reflector at least partially surrounds the optoelectronic device. The reflector is spaced a distance from the optoelectronic device. A window portion is sized to output the light in a desired arc.

Claims

1. A high-intensity light comprising:

a side-emitting optoelectronic device adapted to emit light of a desired color;

a heat sink adjacent the optoelectronic device;

a reflector at least partially surrounding the optoelectronic device, the reflector spaced a distance from the optoelectronic device; and

a window portion sized to output the light in a desired arc.

2. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.

3. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the desired color is one of red, green, and white.

4. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is made from aluminum.

5. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device defines a characteristic dimension.

6. The high-intensity light of claim 5, wherein the characteristic dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.

7. The high-intensity light of claim 5, wherein the reflector further comprises a plurality of facets.

8. The high-intensity light of claim 7, wherein each facet defines a width, and wherein the width of each facet is approximately equal to the characteristic dimension.

9. The high-intensity light of claim 5, wherein the distance between the reflector and the optoelectronic device is approximately equal to five times the characteristic dimension.

10. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the desired arc is at least 90 degrees.

11. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.

12. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the light is a navigation light.

13. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the reflector includes a movable portion.

14. The high-intensity light of claim 13, wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

15. The high-intensity light of claim 1, wherein the reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.

16. The high-intensity light of claim 15, wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting optoelectronic device along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

17. The high-intensity light of claim 1, further comprising a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

18. The high-intensity light of claim 17, wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above a top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

19. The high-intensity light of claim 17, wherein the second reflector includes a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

20. A light-emitting apparatus powered by a direct current, the apparatus comprising:

a substantially water-tight housing including a base, a reflector portion having a plurality of facets, and a window portion defining an arc;

a side-emitting optoelectronic device supported within the housing and spaced a distance from the reflector portion, the optoelectronic device emitting light of a desired color when powered by the direct current, at least some of the facets redirecting a portion of the emitted light toward the window portion.

21. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the base is made from a material containing aluminum.

22. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the desired color is one of red, green, and white.

23. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the optoelectronic device has a characteristic dimension, and the dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.

24. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23, wherein the characteristic dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.

25. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of facets is substantially rectangular and each facet defines a width.

26. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 25, wherein the width of each facet is approximately equal to the characteristic dimension.

27. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23, wherein the distance between the reflector and the optoelectronic device is approximately equal to five times the characteristic dimension of the optoelectronic device.

28. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the desired arc is at least 90 degrees.

29. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.

30. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.

31. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the light is a navigation light.

32. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reflector includes a movable portion.

33. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 32, wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

34. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.

35. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 34, wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting optoelectronic device along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

36. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

37. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above a top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

38. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second reflector includes a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.

39. A light-emitting apparatus adapted to project high-intensity light in a desired arc, the apparatus comprising:

a side-emitting light source having a top, a bottom, and sides connecting the top and bottom, the light source operable to emit light of a desired color through the sides;

a base supporting the light source;

a window portion partially surrounding the light source, the window portion extending through a window arc equal to the desired arc; and

a multi-faceted reflector positioned to reflect light toward the window portion, the reflector and the window together completely encircling the sides of the light source, the facets of the multi-faceted reflector positioned to reflect the light through the window portion to produce a wedge-shaped directional beam of light.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the side-emitting light source includes a side-emitting light emitting diode.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the side emitting light emitting diode further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion, the intersection of the frustoconical portion and the truncated substantially spherical portion defining a characteristic dimension.

42. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39, wherein the light is a navigation light.

43. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39, wherein the multi-faceted reflector includes a movable portion.

44. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 43, wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source.

45. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39, wherein the multi-faceted reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.

46. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 45, wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting light source along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

47. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source.

48. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 47, wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above the top surface of the side-emitting light source.

49. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting light source.