Laser lighting system

• US 6,280,057 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Greatland Laser, LLC
• Original Assignee: Oʼmeara, James C.
• Inventors: OʼMeara, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K.
• Application Number:
  US09/545,876
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 362/259, 362/269, 362/271, 362/279, 362/321, 362/324, 362/153, 362/153.1
• US Class Current: 362/259
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/18 Visual or acoustic landing aids
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/20 Arrangement of optical beacons
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/00 Protecting lighting devices from damage protection from thermal damage F21V29/00; gas-tight or water-tight arrangements F21V31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/00 Traffic control systems for aircraft , e.g. air-traffic control [ATC]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

A laser lighting system which employs employ visible and reflective laser beam lighting sources to provide illumination of airport runways and taxiways, preferred approach and departure routes, seaplane base landing areas, marine waterways, as well as to assist in search and rescue operations. The laser lighting system may be a laser lighting post or a laser lighting unit for providing radiation along a surface that includes at least one laser for producing a beam of coherent visible or reflective radiation, and a glass plano-convex cylindrical lens which has an aspherical convex cylindrical surface for generating a laser line which is uniformally illuminated from end to end. The laser lighting post includes a mounting column which has an access door for providing access to a tilt switch assembly and an AC/DC power adapter unit. The mounting column is attached to a base plate by a frangible coupling. The laser lighting unit includes a case containing a flashlight light bulb, at least one battery, and laser switch means for selectively energizing the laser via the at least one battery. The laser lighting unit also includes a light bulb switch means for selectively energizing the light bulb via the at least one battery. The laser lighting unit may also include an enlarged end to form a head having a front opening which is spanned by a parent lens. The laser lighting unit may also include a parabolic reflector.

Claims

1. A laser lighting system for providing radiation along a surface comprising:

at least one radiation station; and

,

supporting means for maintaining said at least one radiation station in spaced relationship with one end of the surface;

wherein said at least one radiation station includes

laser means attached to said supporting means for producing a beam of coherent visible or reflective radiation; and

,

adjustable shields for said laser means, said adjustable shields being attached to said supporting means.

2. The laser lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one radiation station further includes vernier adjustment means attached to said supporting means for adjusting said shields.

3. The laser lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said laser means includes a glass plano-convex cylindrical lens which has an aspherical convex cylindrical surface for generating a laser line which is uniformally illuminated from end to end.

4. The laser lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising beam rotating means attached to said laser means for rotating the beam to produce a visible line or a reflective indication along said surface.

5. The laser lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising beam oscillating means attached to said laser means for oscillating the beam to produce a visible line or a reflective indication along said surface.

6. The laser lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising prism lens means attached to said laser means for said laser means which results in transmission of a visible line or a reflective indication along said surface.

7. A laser lighting system for providing radiation along a surface comprising:

one laser for producing a beam of coherent visible or reflective radiation;

a glass plano-convex cylindrical lens which has an aspherical convex cylindrical surface for generating a laser line which is uniformally illuminated from end to end;

a mounting column including an access door for providing access to a tilt switch assembly and an AC/DC power adapter unit;

a frangible coupling; and

a base plate.

8. The laser lighting system according to claim 7, further comprising a radar device to enable said laser to be pulsed based on a detected speed of an approaching object.

9. The laser lighting system according to claim 8, further comprising a motor, a microprocessor, and a perforated disk.

10. The laser lighting system according to claim 7, further comprising an adjustable shield for said laser means.