Embedded led lighting system

• US 6,354,714 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Rhodes
• Original Assignee: Michael Rhodes
• Inventors: Rhodes, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US09/692,464
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/249, 362/362, 362/145, 362/152, 362/153.1, 313/500, 313/512
• US Class Current: 362/153.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/20 Arrangement of optical beacons
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/205 arranged underground, e.g. underground runway lighting units
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/582 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/24 of ribbon or tape form, e.g. LED tapes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/022 intended to be recessed in a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement or false floor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/02 Combinations of only two kinds of elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/005 by permanent fixing means, e.g. gluing, riveting or embedding in a potting compound
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/06 for aircraft runways or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated

Abstract

An embedded LED lighting system for marking flooring, walkways, roadways, and airport runways employs a strip of light emitting diode mounted on a I-beam shaped framework and encapsulated in a clear or reflective potting material. The upper portion of the housing for the LED lighting system is covered with a reflective coating or tape. The embedded LED lighting system can be controlled by motion sensors, pressure sensors, or crosswalk lights.

Claims

1. An embedable LED lighting system adapted to be embedded in a surface, the system comprising:

a housing including an I-beam configuration dimensioned and configured to accommodate differing, predetermined mounting configurations, and made up of a web and parallel flanges defining an upper channel and a lower channel, the web having a plurality of holes defined therein;

a plurality of light emitting diodes extending through the holes defined in the web so that the diode lenses are disposed in the upper channel;

a printed circuit board having associated electrical circuitry and conductive bus bars attached thereto disposed in the lower channel, said plurality of light emitting diodes being connected to the printed circuit board, said diodes, said circuitry, and said bus bars being electrically connected; and

a potting material disposed in said upper channel encasing said diodes, and in said lower channel encasing said circuitry and said bus bars.

2. The embedable LED lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said potting material is selected from the group consisting of clear, reflective and colored.

3. The embedable LED lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said lighting system is configured to match required federal, state and safety markings size and colors.

4. The embedable LED lighting system according to claim 1, further including a reflective means in said upper channel, said potting material being disposed over the reflective means.

5. The embedable LED lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said I-beam is made of an extruded material.

6. An embedded lighting system, comprising:

a housing including at least one I-beam and having at least one web and a plurality of parallel flanges defining multiple upper channel and lower channels, the at least one web having a plurality of holes defined therein;

a plurality of light emitting diodes extending through the holes defined in the at least one web so that the diode lenses are disposed in the upper channels;

printed circuit boards having associated electrical circuitry and conductive bus bars attached thereto disposed in the lower channels, said plurality of light emitting diodes being connected to the printed circuit boards, said diodes, said circuitry, and said bus bars being electrically connected; and

a potting material disposed in said upper channels encasing said diodes and in said lower channels encasing said circuitry and said bus bars.

7. The embedded lighting system according to claim 6, further comprising means for heating said lighting system, in order to prevent snow and ice buildup thereupon.

8. The embedded lighting system according to claim 6, wherein said potting material is selected from the group consisting of clear, reflective and colored.

9. The embedded lighting system according to claim 6, further including a reflective means in said upper channel, said potting material being disposed over the reflective means.

10. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 6, wherein said at least one I-beam is made of an extruded material.

11. An embedded LED lighting system, comprising:

a cluster of lighting units disposed at different angles within a cavity, each said lighting unit comprising a housing including an I-beam having a web and parallel flanges defining an upper channel and a lower channel, the web having a plurality of holes defined therein;

a plurality of light emitting diodes extending through the holes defined in the web so that the diode lenses are disposed in the upper channel;

a printed circuit board having associated electrical circuitry and conductive bus bars attached thereto disposed in the lower channel, said plurality of light emitting diodes being connected to the printed circuit board, said diodes, said circuitry, and said bus bars being electrical connected; and

a potting material disposed in said upper channel surrounding said diodes, and in said lower channel encasing said circuitry and said bus bars.

12. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 11, wherein said potting material is selected from the group consisting of clear, reflective and colored.

13. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 11, wherein each said I-beam is made of an extruded material.

14. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 11, wherein said cavity is air vacuum sealed.

15. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 11, further comprising a tempered glass cover, for enclosing the cavity.

16. The embedded LED lighting system according to claim 11, further comprising a polymeric material covering, for enclosing the cavity.