DIFFUSER TECHNIQUES FOR SEARCHLIGHTS

• US 20160169473A1
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Jungwirth, Douglas R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,253,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/003 Searchlights, i.e. outdoor lighting device producing powerful beam of parallel rays, e.g. for military or attraction purposes searchlights mounted on a vehicle B60Q1/245
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/10 the elements being reflectors and screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for improving illumination from a searchlight are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves radiating, from the searchlight, light to produce an illuminated beam. The method further involves passing, through at least one diffuser, the light, thereby diffusing the illuminated beam. In one or more embodiments, at least one diffuser is located in front of a reflector of the searchlight. In at least one embodiment, the reflector is a parabolic reflector or a non-parabolic reflector. In one or more embodiments, the non-parabolic reflector is a converging reflector or a diverging reflector.

Claims

1. A method for improving illumination from a searchlight, the method comprising:

radiating, from the searchlight, light to produce an illuminated beam; and

passing, through at least one diffuser, the light, thereby diffusing the illuminated beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one diffuser is located in front of a reflector of the searchlight.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reflector is one of a parabolic reflector and a non-parabolic reflector.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the non-parabolic reflector is one of a converging reflector and a diverging reflector.

5. The method of the claim 1, wherein the searchlight is housed within a housing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one diffuser is located within the housing of the searchlight.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one diffuser is located external to the housing of the searchlight.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one diffuser is at least one of a holographic diffuser, a fly'"'"'s eye diffuser, and a Fresnel lens.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one diffuser is a symmetric diffuser.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the symmetric diffuser has a diffusion angle of approximately zero (0) degrees to approximately six (6) degrees.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one diffuser is an asymmetric diffuser.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric diffuser has a diffusion angle from approximately zero (0) degrees to approximately ten (10) degrees.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric diffuser has a diffusion angle in one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

14. An apparatus for improving illumination from a searchlight, the apparatus comprising:

the searchlight to radiate light to produce an illuminated beam; and

at least one diffuser to pass the light through, thereby diffusing the illuminated beam.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one diffuser is located in front of a reflector of the searchlight.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the reflector is one of a parabolic reflector and a non-parabolic reflector.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the non-parabolic reflector is one of a converging reflector and a diverging reflector.

18. The apparatus of the claim 14, wherein the searchlight is housed within a housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one diffuser is located within the housing of the searchlight.

20. A system for improving illumination from a searchlight, the system comprising:

the searchlight to radiate light to produce an illuminated beam; and

at least one diffuser to pass the light through, thereby diffusing the illuminated beam.