Multi-colored industrial signal device

• US 6,626,557 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Taylor, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US09/474,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/231, 362/363, 362/800, 362/246, 362/252, 362/251, 362/244, 362/230, 362/235, 362/249, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/116 Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/60 on stacked substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An industrial signaling device having a single module with the capability of emitting different colored lights to indicate the operating condition of a machine. The emitted light can be steady or flashing, and controlled by an external PLC or an onboard microprocessor. The PLC or microprocessor interprets incoming information and causes the color of the light or its flashing pattern to change accordingly. The light source maybe an LED, ionizable gas or flourescent.

Claims

1. An industrial signaling device comprising:

a single lens module;

at least a light source contained within said module,

wherein said light source includes a plurality of clusters said clusters which are disposed spaced apart from one another in horizontal differentiated layers, each of said clusters containing lights of different colors which can be independently activated such that a signal is seen to be emitting from a signal housing an individual color upon that color'"'"'s cluster; and

wherein said light source emits a light of at least two lights of different colors and said light source is located at a focal point of said single lens module of said signal housing so as to optimize a beam width signal projection with fewer lights than a densely packed arrangement.

2. An industrial signaling device according to claim 1, wherein said light source can alternately illuminate as either a steady or flashing light.

3. An industrial signaling device according to claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor, whereby said microprocessor interprets incoming information and separately activates each differently colored light source.

4. An industrial signaling device according to claim 1, further comprising a programmable logic controller.

5. An industrial signaling device according to claim 1, comprising at least three differently colored light sources.

6. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said single module comprises a polycarbonate material.

7. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said single module comprises a lens that has been sand blasted to give a foggy appearance.

8. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said single module comprises a lens comprising a plastic and a fiber.

9. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said light source is a plurality of LEDs, an ionizable gas or a flourescent light.

10. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, where said light source is a plurality of LEDs mounted on a post.

11. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said single module comprises a lens with a reflective material on the top inside portion of said lens.

12. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, wherein said single module comprises a reflective material mounted below said light source.

13. The industrial signaling device of claim 1, further comprising a cover and a base, wherein there is a single interface between said cover and said base.

14. An industrial signaling device comprising:

a single module means for protecting a light source, whereby said light source includes a plurality of clusters of lights, said clusters which are disposed spaced apart from one another in horizontal differentiated layers, each of said clusters containing lights of different colors which can be independently activated such that a signal is seen to be emitting from a signal housing an individual color upon that color'"'"'s cluster, and

a plurality of light sources disposed in a spaced apart arrangement and located at a focal point of said single module means of said signal housing so as to optimize a beam width signal projection with fewer light sources than a densely packed arrangement.

15. The industrial signaling device according to claim 14, wherein said light sources can alternately illuminate as either a steady or flashing light source.

16. The industrial signaling device according to claim 14, further comprising a processor means, whereby said processor means interprets incoming information and separately activates each different colored light source.

17. The industrial signaling device according to claim 14, further comprising a programmable logic controller means.

18. The industrial signaling device according to claim 14, wherein said light source emits lights of three different colors.

19. The industrial signaling device of claim 14, further comprising a reflective means mounted beneath said light source.

20. The industrial signaling device of claim 14, further comprising a reflective means mounted above said light source.