RF wireless permanently mounted searchlight

• US 20050248930A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xylem Ip Holdings LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Naval, Rufino U., Lee, Richard W., McDonough, William B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,552,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus for controlling a search lamp using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The transmitter responds to user inputs by providing a wireless digitally encoded modulation signal containing information indicating at least one operation in a set of operations the search lamp is able to perform. The receiver responds to the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal by providing a control signal for controlling the functionality of the search lamp. The functionality may include, for example, moving the search lamp left/right and/or up/down, a sweep on/off @ ±45 degrees; X/Y/Z movement (Z when motors run simultaneously); Diagonal sweep (motors run simultaneously); Fast/Slow sweep (50%/100%). The transmitter and receiver are programmable to communicate on a unique 16 bit digital code setting that provides about 65K different code settings, which may also include a random code setting.

Claims

1. A wireless searchlight having a search lamp, comprising:

a transmitter, responsive to user inputs, for providing a wireless digitally encoded modulation signal containing information indicating at least one operation in a set of operations the search lamp is able to perform; and

a receiver, responsive to the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal, for providing a control signal for controlling the functionality of the search lamp.

2. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the functionality of the search lamp includes either turning the search lamp on and off, moving the search lamp left or right, moving the search lamp up or down, moving the search lamp diagonally, sweeping the search lamp with continuous movement, moving the search lamp at a fast speed or a slow speed, or some combination thereof.

3. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal broadcast at a frequency of about 434 Mhz.

4. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver are programmable to communicate on a unique digital code setting either at the factory or by the end-user in the field.

5. A wireless searchlight according to claim 4, wherein the unique digital code setting is a random code setting.

6. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the wireless searchlight further comprises an active voltage regulator for converting a battery voltage in a predetermined range to a desired battery voltage for operating the searchlight.

7. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal is a single-frequency shift key (FSK) signal.

8. A wireless searchlight according to claim 6, wherein the voltage regulator converts a boat battery voltage of about 24 volts to the desired battery voltage.

9. A wireless searchlight according to claim 5, wherein the digitally encoded modulation signal controls the operation of the search lamp using a single channel frequency.

10. A wireless searchlight according to claim 5, wherein the wireless digitally encoded modulation signal is a radio frequency signal, such as a frequency modulated signal.

11. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is programmed to automatically shut the search lamp off after a predetermined period of time.

12. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a sweep key for initiating a back and forth movement of the search lamp.

13. A wireless searchlight according to claim 12, wherein the sweep key is a toggle switch for turning the sweeping function on and off.

14. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a fast key for initiating a fast movement of the search lamp and a slow key for initiating a fast movement of the search lamp.

15. A wireless searchlight according to claim 14, wherein the fast movement remains on until the slow key is pressed, and the slow movement remains on until the fast key is pressed.

16. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes directional keys for initiating horizontal, vertical or diagonal movement of the search lamp for positioning the search light.

17. A wireless searchlight according to claim 16, wherein the horizontal, vertical or diagonal movement of the search lamp continues until one or more depressed key are released.

18. A wireless searchlight according to claim 16, wherein the diagonal movement is initiated by simultaneously depressing horizontal and vertical keys.

19. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1 wherein the wireless searchlight is remotely controlled by an electronic controller completely unrelated to a hand-held wireless transmitter, the electronic controller, including a personal computer, a PDA, an embedded-PC, or other suitable controller.

20. A wireless searchlight according to claim 19, wherein the electronic controller provides a control signal via a dedicated interface to a modified handheld wireless transmitter while operating in conjunction with, and independent of, a battery powered transmitter.

21. A wireless searchlight according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a handheld battery powered transmitter.