Luminaire globes having internal light control elements

• US 6,971,772 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
• Inventors: Packer, Michael, Abdelsamed, Yaser S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/461,190
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 362/304, 362/809, 362/363, 362/186, 362/309, 362/299, 362/301, 362/302, 362/297, 362/308, 362/310, 362/328, 362/327
• US Class Current: 362/309
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/081 of low-built type, e.g. landscape light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0016 on lighting devices that also provide for direct lighting, e.g. by means of independent light sources, by splitting of the light beam, by switching between both lighting modes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting

Abstract

Luminaire optical assemblies intended for pole-mounted and similar applications and capable of effective I.E.S. cutoff performance while exhibiting desirable light distributions even with vertically oriented lamping, the invention contemplates in primary embodiments light-transmissive reflector/refractor combinations typically formed of glass, acrylics and the like, uplight shielding and reflector assemblies of a variety of configurations being disposed within the reflector/refractor combinations to produce desired cutoff characteristics while preserving daytime appearance during nocturnal operation. In certain embodiments of the invention, uplight is controlled by the several variations of the uplight shielding and reflector assemblies to cause light-transmissive portions of the reflector/refractor combinations to subtly glow and thus produce a desired appearance while also producing cutoff characteristics necessary to reduce urban sky glow and glare. The luminaire optical assemblies further permit achievement of I.E.S. cutoff with vertical tamping while maximizing efficiency.

Claims

1. A luminaire globe formed of a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, the globe substantially enclosing a space, comprising:

means carried by the globe and within said space for restricting intensities of light emanating from the light source at critical angles, the restricting means comprising a first reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles; and

,

means carried by the globe and within said space for controlling light emanating from the light source in directions essentially upward through the globe.

2. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein the reflector and the refractor are formed of light-transmissive materials and have prismatic structures formed on surfaces thereof.

3. The luminaire globe of claim 2 wherein the refractor is selected from the group consisting of a Type II refractor, a Type III refractor or a Type V refractor.

4. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first reflector has circular contours in a vertical section.

5. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein the first reflector has an upper opening formed therein.

6. The luminaire globe of claim 5 wherein the controlling means comprises a second reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surmounting the first reflector, the second reflector reducing the light incident thereon to limit the amount of light incident on the reflector which forms a portion of the globe and which functions in concert with the refraction to enclose the space.

7. The luminaire globe of claim 6 wherein the second reflector has an opening formed in an upper portion thereof.

8. The luminaire globe of claim 7 wherein the openings formed respectively in the first and second reflectors are aligned.

9. The luminaire globe of claim 8 and further comprising a plate element disposed between the first and second reflectors, the plate element having an opening formed therein, portions of the plate element about the opening formed in the plate element extending between the first and second reflectors.

10. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the opening formed in the plate element is aligned with the aligned openings formed in the first and second reflectors.

11. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the first reflector is spaced from the plate element.

12. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein upper portions of the first reflector are contiguous with the plate element.

13. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein the reflector is formed of a material that is at least partially non-transmissive of light.

14. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein the internal reflector is parabolic.

15. The luminaire globe of claim 14 and further comprising a reflective cover removably mounted to upper portions of the internal reflector.

16. The luminaire globe of claim 1 and further comprising means for mounting the globe through connection to lower portions of the refractor.

17. The luminaire globe of claim 1 and further comprising means for mounting the globe through connection to upper portions of the reflector.

18. The luminaire globe of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a vertically oriented lamp.

20. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises a vertically oriented lamp.

21. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the reflector and the refractor are formed of light transmissive material and have prismatic structures formed on surfaces thereof.

22. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the refractor is selected from the group consisting of a Type II refractor, a Type III refractor or a Type V refractor.

23. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the first reflector has circular contours in a vertical section.

24. The luminaire globe of claim 9 wherein the first reflector has an upper opening formed therein.

25. The luminaire globe of claim 24 wherein the light reducing means comprises a second reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surmounting the first reflector, the second reflector reducing the light incident thereon to limit the amount of light incident on the reflector.

26. The luminaire globe of claim 25 wherein the second reflector has an opening formed in an upper portion thereof.

27. The luminaire globe of claim 26 wherein the openings formed respectively in the first and second reflectors are aligned.

28. The luminaire globe of claim 27 and further comprising a plate element disposed between the first and second reflectors, the plate element having an opening formed therein, portions of the plate element about said opening formed therein extending between the first and second reflectors.

29. The luminaire globe of claim 28 wherein the opening formed in the plate element is aligned with the aligned openings formed in the first and second reflectors.

30. The luminaire globe of claim 28 wherein the first reflector is spaced from the plate element.

31. The luminaire globe of claim 28 wherein upper portions of the first reflector are contiguous with the plate element.

32. The luminaire globe of claim 27 wherein the reflector is formed of a material that is at least partially non-transmissive of light.

33. The luminaire globe of claim 27 and further comprising means for mounting the globe through connection to lower portions of the refractor.

34. The luminaire globe of claim 27 and further comprising means for mounting the globe through connection to upper portions of the reflector.

19. A luminaire globe formed of a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, the globe substantially enclosing a space comprising:

means disposed internally of the globe and within said space for reflecting light to at least portions of the refractor at angles similar to angles of that light incident on said portions of the refractor and emanating directly from the light source, the reflecting means comprising a first reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles;

means for mounting the reflecting means within the globe; and

,

means carried by the globe for reducing light emanating essentially upwardly through the globe.

35. The luminaire globe of claim 19 and further comprising means for mounting the globe, said globe mounting means having at least portions thereof disposed within the globe, said portions having relatively non-reflective surfaces.

36. The luminaire globe of claim 19 wherein a light center of the light source is disposed in proximity to upper portions of the reflecting means.

37. The luminaire globe of claim 36 wherein the reflecting means comprise an internal reflector disposed within said space and internally of the globe.

38. A luminaire globe formed of a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, the globe substantially enclosing a space, comprising:

means disposed internally of the globe and within said space for reflecting light to at least portions of the refractor at angles similar to angles of that light incident on said portions of the refractor and emanating directly from the light source, the reflecting means comprising an internal reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles; and

,

means for mounting the reflecting means within the globe.

39. The luminaire globe of claim 38 wherein at least a portion of the internal reflector has parabolic contours in a vertical section.

40. The luminaire globe of claim 39 and further comprising a reflective cover removably mounted to upper portions of the internal reflector.

41. A luminaire globe having a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, comprising:

means carried by the globe for restricting intensities of light emanating from the light source at critical angles, said means comprising a first reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles, the first reflector having an upper opening formed therein; and

,

means carried by the globe for controlling light emanating from the light source in directions essentially upward through the globe, said means comprising a second reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surmounting the first reflector, the second reflector reducing the light incident thereon to limit the amount of light incident on the reflector.

42. The luminaire globe of claim 41 wherein the reflector and the refractor are formed of light-transmissive materials and have prismatic structures formed on surfaces thereof.

43. The luminaire globe of claim 41 wherein the second reflector has an opening formed in an upper portion thereof.

44. The luminaire globe of claim 43 wherein the openings formed respectively in the first and second reflectors are aligned.

45. The luminaire globe of claim 44 and further comprising a plate element disposed between the first and second reflectors, the plate element having an opening formed therein, portions of the plate element about the opening formed in the plate element extending between the first and second reflectors.

46. The luminaire globe of claim 45 wherein the opening formed in the plate element is aligned with the aligned openings formed in the first and second reflectors.

47. The luminaire globe of claim 45 wherein the first reflector is spaced from the plate elelment.

48. The luminaire globe of claim 45 wherein upper portions of the first reflector are contiguous with the plate element.

49. The luminaire globe of claim 42 wherein the restricting means comprises a first reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles.

50. The luminaire globe of claim 41 wherein the reflector is formed of a material that is at least partially non-transmissive of light.

51. The luminaire globe of claim 41 wherein the first mentioned means comprises an internal reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles.

52. The luminaire globe of claim 51 wherein the internal reflector is parabolic.

53. A luminaire globe formed of a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, the globe substantially enclosing a space, comprising:

means disposed internally of the globe and within said space for reflecting light to at least portions of the refractor at angles similar to angles of that light incident on said portions of the refractor and emanating directly from the light source, a center of the light source being disposed in proximity to upper portions of the reflecting means; and

,

means for mounting the reflecting means within the globe.

54. The luminaire globe of claim 53 wherein the luminaire globe at lateral angles about the globe exhibits light distributions having intensities for a given value of lamp lumens that is less than 2.5 percent at a horizontal angle of 90°

above nadir and 10 percent at a vertical angle of 80°

above nadir.

55. The luminaire globe of claim 53 wherein the luminaire globe at lateral angles about the globe exhibits light distributions having intensities for a given value of lamp lumens that is less than 5 percent at a horizontal angle of 90°

above nadir and 20 percent at a vertical angle of 80°

above nadir.

56. The luminaire globe of claim 53 wherein the reflecting means comprise an internal reflector disposed within said space and internally of the globe.

57. A luminaire globe having a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, comprising:

means for reflecting light to at least portions of the refractor at angles similar to angles of that light incident on said portions of the refractor and emanating directly from the light source, said means comprising an internal reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles, at least a portion of the internal reflector having parabolic contours in section;

means for mounting the reflecting means within the globe; and

,

a reflective cover removably mounted to upper portions of the internal reflector.

58. A luminaire globe having a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, comprising:

means carried by the globe for restricting intensities of light emanating from the light source at critical angles, said means comprising an internal reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above a predetermined cutoff criteria below said critical angles, the internal reflector being parabolic; and

,

a reflective cover movably mounted to upper portions of the internal reflector.

59. A luminaire globe having a reflector surmounting a refractor and a light source mounted within said globe, comprising:

means for reflecting light to at least portions of the refractor at angles similar to angles of that light incident on said portions of the refractor and emanating directly from the light source, said means comprising a first reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surrounding and encompassing the light source to shield a light center of the light source for redirection of light having intensities above predetermined cutoff criteria below critical angles;

means for mounting the reflecting means within the globe; and

,

means carried by the globe for reducing light emanating upwardly through the globe, the reflector and the refractor being formed of light transmissive material and having prismatic structures formed on surfaces thereof.

60. The luminaire globe of claim 59 wherein the first reflector has an upper opening formed therein.

61. The luminaire globe of claim 59 wherein the light reducing means comprises a second reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surmounting the first reflector, the second reflector reducing the light incident thereon to limit the amount of light incident on the reflector.

62. The luminaire globe of claim 60 wherein the light reducing means comprises a second reflector disposed within the interior of the globe and surmounting the first reflector, the second reflector reducing the light incident thereon to limit the amount of light incident on the reflector.

63. The luminaire globe of claim 61 wherein the second reflector has an opening formed in an upper portion thereof.

64. The luminaire globe of claim 63 wherein the openings formed respectively in the first and second reflectors are aligned.

65. The luminaire globe of claim 64 and further comprising a plate element disposed between the first and second reflectors, the plate element having an opening formed therein, portions of the plate element about said opening formed therein extending between the first and second reflectors.

66. The luminaire globe of claim 65 wherein the opening formed in the plate element is aligned with the aligned openings formed in the first and second reflectors.

67. The luminaire globe of claim 65 wherein the first reflector is spaced from the plate element.

68. The luminaire globe of claim 65 wherein upper portions of the first reflector are contiguous with the plate element.