Water-actuated survival lamp unit with an LED light source
First Claim
1. A water activated survival lamp unit for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line, the survival lamp unit comprising:
- a light source including a LED array having a plurality of semi conducting light emitting chips encased in a unitary lens structure through which the semi conducting light emitting chips output light;
a battery connected for supplying energy to the light source;
a water responsive actuator for controlling operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact,the survival lamp unit when actuated emitting either fixed light or flashing light in generally all directions of the upper hemisphere with a luminous intensity of least 0.75 cd if the light source emits fixed light, or an effective luminous intensity of at least 0.75 cd if the light source emits flashing light.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of water activated survival lamp units for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the survival lamp unit has a light source including a LED array having a plurality of semi conducting light emitting chips encased in a unitary lens structure through which the semi conducting light emitting chips output light. The exemplary survival lamp unit further includes a water responsive actuator for controlling the operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact. In some implementations, when the survival lamp unit is actuated, it emits either fixed light or flashing light in generally all directions of the upper hemisphere.
56 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A water activated survival lamp unit for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line, the survival lamp unit comprising:
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a light source including a LED array having a plurality of semi conducting light emitting chips encased in a unitary lens structure through which the semi conducting light emitting chips output light; a battery connected for supplying energy to the light source; a water responsive actuator for controlling operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact, the survival lamp unit when actuated emitting either fixed light or flashing light in generally all directions of the upper hemisphere with a luminous intensity of least 0.75 cd if the light source emits fixed light, or an effective luminous intensity of at least 0.75 cd if the light source emits flashing light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for determining a capacity of a battery of a water activated survival lamp, the water activated survival lamp unit intended for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line, the survival lamp unit comprising a light source including a battery operated LED array having a plurality of semi conducting light emitting chips encased in a unitary lens structure through which the semi conducting light emitting chips output light, and water responsive actuator for controlling operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact, the method comprising:
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determining a first energy requirement for the survival lamp unit such that when actuated it emits either fixed light or flashing light in generally all directions of the upper hemisphere with a luminous intensity of least 0.75 cd of at least 8 hours of continuous operation if the light source emits fixed light, or an effective luminous intensity of at least 0.75 cd of at least 8 hours of continuous operation if the light source emits flashing light; determining a second energy requirement to perform a test cycle of the survival lamp unit at least 5 times, wherein a test cycle includes actuating the survival lamp unit over a certain period of time; and selecting a battery that has a capacity sufficient to meet the first energy requirement and the second energy requirement.
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27. A water activated survival lamp unit for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line, the survival lamp unit comprising:
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a housing including at least two sections mated to one another along an area of juncture; a light source including a LED light unit mounted in the housing; a battery connected for supplying energy to the light source, mounted in the housing; and a water responsive actuator for controlling operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact, the water responsive actuator including; at least one electrode projecting outside the housing; and an electrical pathway from the electrode to the interior of the housing, the electrical pathway passing between the mated sections through the area of juncture. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A water activated survival lamp unit for mounting to a flotation device above and in proximity to the water line, the survival lamp unit comprising:
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a housing; a light source including a LED light unit mounted in the housing; a battery connected for supplying energy to the light source, mounted in the housing; a water responsive actuator for controlling operation of the light source, responsive to a momentary contact with a coherent body of water for actuating the light source for an operative cycle of a time period largely exceeding a duration of the momentary contact, the water responsive actuator including at least one electrode projecting outside the housing; and a tamper-proof structure associated with the electrode to prevent contact between the electrode and the skin when the survival lamp unit is hand-manipulated. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification