LED FLASH LIGHT AND METHOD FOR INDICATING NEAR-END-OF-LIFE STATUS OF SUCH AN LED FLASH LIGHT

• US 20130300296A1
• Filed: 05/09/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Mueller, Bernhard
• Granted Patent: US 9,258,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/130
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/18 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/58 involving end of life detection of LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection

Abstract

The invention comprises a method for indicating that an LED flash light for an aircraft such as an anti-collision or beacon or strobe LED light has reached a near-end-of-life status, wherein the LED flash light under normal operational condition within a given time interval generates a predetermined number of normal flashes with the number being one or more than one, e.g. two. The method comprises the steps of determining the actual photometric condition of the LED flash light, and comparing the actual photometric condition to a given condition in a normal flashing mode. If the actual condition deviates from the given condition by more than a predetermined amount, the LED flash light is operated in order to generate within the given time interval one additional near-end-of-life-indicating flash.

Claims

1. Method for indicating that an LED flash light for an aircraft such as an anti-collision or beacon or strobe LED light has reached a near-end-of-life status, wherein the LED flash light under a normal operational condition within a given time interval generates a predetermined number of normal flashes, with the number being one or more than one, e.g. two, wherein the method comprises the steps of

determining the actual photometric condition of the LED flash light,

comparing the actual photometric condition to a given condition in a normal flashing mode, and

if the actual condition deviates from the given condition by more than a predetermined amount, operating the LED flash light for generating within the given time interval at least one additional near-end-of-life-indicating flash (3) during the given time interval.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the flash light is operated so as to generate a single flash (1) per predetermined time interval and wherein the flash light, if its actual photometric condition deviates from the given condition by more than the predetermined amount, is operated so as to generate for each time interval at least a second or additional flash (3).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the time interval is about 200 ms and the second or additional flash (3) is generated after a delay (2) of 20 ms to 50 ms or 30 ms to 50 ms or 40 ms to 50 ms after the first or last normal flash (1).

4. LED flash light for an aircraft, such as an anti-collision or beacon or strobe aircraft light, wherein the LED flash light under a normal operational condition within a given time interval generates a predetermined number of normal flashes, with the number being one or more than one, e.g. two, the LED flash light comprising

at least one LED light source (10) and

a control unit (12) for controlling the LED light source (10) in a normal flashing mode,

wherein the control unit (12) performs the followings steps:

comparing the actual photometric condition to a given condition in the normal flashing mode, and

if the actual condition deviates from the given condition by more than a predetermined amount, operating the LED flash light for generating within the given time interval at least one additional near-end-of-life-indicating flash (3).