METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING LIGHT EMITTING DIODES FOR REMOVING MOISTURE

• US 20080047943A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Original Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Inventors: Burton, Thomas R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,410,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/201
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/90 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing moisture from a lighting apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for removing moisture from a lighting apparatus includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) for outputting visible light and at least one LED for outputting infrared light to remove moisture from the housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing moisture from a housing of a lighting apparatus, comprising:

at least one light emitting diode (LED) for outputting visible light; and

at least one LED for outputting infrared light to remove moisture from said housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a moisture sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said moisture sensor triggers said at least one LED for outputting infrared light to turn on when said moisture sensor detects moisture on said housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED for outputting visible light produces light wavelengths between 400 nanometers (nm)-700 nm.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED for outputting infrared light produces light wavelengths greater than or equal to 750 nanometers.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one LED for outputting infrared light produces radiant heat.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a minimum number of said at least one LED for outputting infrared light required in said lighting apparatus is a function of an amount of heat needed to remove moisture from said lighting apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said LED for outputting infrared light is constructed from aluminum gallium arsenide.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lighting apparatus comprises a traffic signal light.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lighting apparatus comprises a beacon signal.

11. An apparatus for removing moisture from a housing of a lighting apparatus, comprising:

at least one means for outputting visible light; and

at least one means for outputting infrared light to remove moisture from said housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a means for sensing moisture.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for sensing moisture triggers said means for outputting infrared light to turn on when said means for sensing moisture detects moisture on said housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for outputting visible light produces light wavelengths between 400 nanometers (nm)-700 nm.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for outputting infrared light produces light wavelengths greater than or equal to 750 nanometers.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said at least one LED for outputting infrared light produces radiant heat.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a minimum number of said at least one means for outputting infrared light required in said lighting apparatus is a function of an amount of heat needed to remove moisture from said lighting apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for outputting infrared light is constructed from aluminum gallium arsenide.

19. A method for removing moisture from a housing of a lighting apparatus, comprising:

providing at least one light emitting diode (LED) for outputting visible light; and

providing at least one LED for outputting infrared light to remove moisture from said housing.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

sensing moisture on said housing; and

turning on said at least one LED for outputting infrared light to remove moisture from said housing in response to sensing said moisture on said housing.