Optically efficient notification device for use in life safety ceiling strobe applications

• US 8,465,170 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Copper Technologies Company
• Inventors: Rong, Wei, Keller, Joseph, Kosich, Joseph, Pierz, Crystal
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/541,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20120275136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147, 362/297, 362/346, 362/404
• US Class Current: 362/147
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes

Abstract

A ceiling notification device has a housing; a reflector unit mounted to the housing; a lens positioned over the reflector unit; and a lamp in the center of the reflector unit along the central axis. The reflector unit has a base, a plurality of reflective fins, and a surface portion. The base has a curved surface that is symmetrical about a central axis. The plurality of reflective fins each has a first fin portion extending from the base and a second fin portion extending from the base and the first fin portion, the second fin portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is exposed to the central axis. The surface portion extends from the base and positioned between the first fin portion and an edge of the base and is angled toward an inner surface of the second fin portion.

Claims

1. A notification device comprising:

a housing configured to be installed on a ceiling;

a reflector unit mounted to the housing, the reflector unit comprising;

a base having a reflective curved surface, wherein a curvature of the curved surface is symmetrical about a central axis extending through the base;

a plurality of reflective fins, wherein each reflective fin comprises;

a first fin portion extending from the curved surface of the base; and

a second fin portion extending from the curved surface of the base and the first fin portion, the second fin portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is exposed to the central axis; and

a lamp positioned in the center of the reflector unit along the central axis and emitting light,

wherein at least a portion of the light is emitted radially away from the lamp and reflects off of at least one of the plurality of reflective fins.

2. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion each have a different curvature.

3. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective fins extend further near the central axis than at the edge of the base.

4. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein an upper edge of the reflective fins extend to a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

5. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the second fin portion is curved.

6. The notification device according to claim 1, further comprising a surface portion extending from the base and positioned between the first fin portion and an edge of the base, wherein the surface portion is angled toward an inner surface of the second fin portion.

7. The notification device according to claim 6, wherein the surface portion substantially tapers from the first fin portion to the edge of the base based upon the curvature of the upper portion of the base.

8. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is a 2.5 J flashtube.

9. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the notification device is configured to provide a 177 candela output with a 2.5 J lamp.

10. The notification device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens coupled to the housing and positioned over the reflector unit, wherein the lens extends to a perimeter of the housing.

11. The notification device according to claim 10, further comprising a horn element, wherein the lens has at least one aperture positioned substantially over the horn element.

12. The notification device according to claim 10, further comprising a horn element, wherein the lens does not extend over the horn element and wherein the horn element is positioned behind a plurality of louvers.

13. A reflector unit for distributing light, the reflector unit comprising:

a base having a reflective curved surface,

wherein a curvature of the reflective curved surface is symmetrical about a central axis extending through the base, and

wherein the base is configured to accommodate a lamp;

a plurality of reflective fins, wherein each reflective fin comprises;

a first fin portion extending from the curved surface of the base; and

a second fin portion extending from the curved surface of the base and the first fin portion, the second fin portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is exposed to the central axis; and

wherein the plurality of reflective fins are oriented on the base such that a portion of light is emitted radially from the lamp and reflects off of at least one of the plurality of reflective fins.

14. The reflector unit according to claim 13, wherein the base comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion each have a different curvature.

15. The reflector unit according to claim 13, wherein the reflective fins extend further near the central axis than at the edge of the base.

16. The reflector unit according to claim 13, wherein an upper edge of the reflective fins extend to a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

17. The reflector unit according to claim 13, wherein the second fin portion is curved.

18. The reflector unit according to claim 13, further comprising a surface portion extending from the base, wherein the surface portion substantially tapers from the first fin portion to the edge of the base based upon the curvature of the upper portion of the base.

19. The reflector unit according to claim 18, wherein the surface portion is reflective.

20. The reflector unit according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of reflective fins extend about 56 degrees about the central axis.