Reflector based optical design

• US 7,572,030 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Booth, Ian, Johnston, Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney; Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US11/471,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 362/153, 362/153.1, 362/235, 362/236, 362/245, 362/297, 362/302, 362/317, 362/346, 362/347, 362/517, 362/518, 362/545, 362/470, 362/477, 362/478, 362/479, 362/493, 362/514, 362/800, 340/471, 340/473, 340/908, 340/908.1, 340/981, 340/984
• US Class Current: 362/245
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/04 for waterways
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/06 for aircraft runways or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A novel optical design based on a faceted conical or curved reflector centered within an upward facing circular array of light emitting diodes (LED) and protected by a transparent cover.

Claims

1. A solar-powered navigational light beacon, comprising:

a housing;

at least one solar panel mounted on said housing;

said housing including a mounting surface supporting a substantially planar circuit board thereon;

a reflector defining a smooth curve resolved about an axis, said revolved reflector having the aspect of an inverted cone truncated at its vertex and having a base axially opposed to said vertex;

said vertex of said revolved reflector being truncated by a substantially planar surface of said circuit board;

only one circular array of light emitting diodes having a Lambertian output pattern and being mounted on said circuit board, said circular array encircling said truncated vertex and having a diameter;

said base of said revolved reflective surface having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said circular array;

said surface of said reflector comprising a first point located within 20% of 0.995 units of measure in a vertical direction and 20% of 1.697 units of measure in a horizontal direction from a location on said circular array;

said surface of said reflector further comprising a second point located within 20% of 0.31 units of measure in said vertical direction and 20% of 0.072 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

said surface of said array comprising a third point located within 20% of 0.175 units of measure in said vertical direction and 20% of −

0.061 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location;

said first, second and third points lying in a common plane;

said beacon being configured to simultaneously emit a substantially horizontal fan of light about 360 degrees; and

a circumferentially transparent cylindrical cover encasing said reflector.

2. The light beacon of claim 1 wherein said surface of said reflector passes through:

a fourth point located within 10% of 0.380 units of measure in said vertical direction and 10% of 0.217 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

a fifth point located within 10% of 0.08 units of measure in said vertical direction and 10% of −

0.101 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

,

wherein said fourth and fifth points lie in said common plane.

3. The light beacon of claim 2 wherein said surface of said reflector passes through:

a sixth point located within 5% of 0.05 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.111 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location;

a seventh point located within 5% of 0.12 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.084 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

an eighth point located within 5% of 0.22 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.008 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

,

wherein said sixth, seventh and eighth points lie in said common plane.

4. The light beacon of claim 1 wherein said surface of said reflector passes through:

a fourth point located within 10% of 0.590 units of measure in said vertical direction and 10% of 0.432 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

a fifth point located within 10% of 0.11 units of measure in said vertical direction and 10% of −

0.106 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

,

wherein said fourth and fifth points lie in said common plane.

5. The light beacon of claim 2 wherein said surface of said reflector passes through:

a sixth point located within 5% of 0.25 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.018 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location;

a seventh point located within 5% of 0.15 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.084 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

an eighth point located within 5% of 0.06 units of measure in said vertical direction and 5% of −

0.112 units of measure in said horizontal direction from said location; and

,

wherein said sixth, seventh and eighth points lie is said common plane.