Methods and systems for minimizing light source power supply compatibility issues

• US 8,575,858 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2010
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Policy, Richard, Tyson, William III, Hodge, Stan, Barnhart, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): COOPER, JONATHAN G
• Application Number:
  US12/708,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20110204816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/294, 315/297, 315/312
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/06 for indicating aircraft presence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods for allowing replacement of updated light heads with different design parameters to become independent of the remote power supply. An exemplary light system includes a light head remote from a power supply component. The light head includes one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light emitting devices, a memory that stores configuration information and a communication component. The power supply component includes a power converter, a memory, and a controller. The power converter outputs an electrical signal for driving the one or more LEDs. The memory stores light head configuration information. The controller receives configuration information from the communication component via the data bus, generates and sends instructions, based on at least one of the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory or the configuration information received from the light head, to the power converter.

Claims

1. A light system having a data bus, the system comprising:

a light head comprising;

one or more light source emitters;

a memory configured to store configuration information for the one or more light source emitters; and

a communication component being in signal communication with the memory and the data bus; and

a power supply component comprising;

a power converter configured to receive an input electrical signal, convert the received electrical signal, and send the converted electrical signal to the light head for driving the one or more light source emitters;

a memory configured to store light head configuration information; and

a controller configured to receive configuration information from the communication component via the data bus, generate instructions based on at least one of the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory or the configuration information received from the light head, and send the generated instructions to the power converter,

wherein the controller is further configured to overwrite the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory if the configuration information from the light head is different from the configuration information previously stored in the power supply component memory.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the configuration information from the light head is valid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication component of the light head and the power supply component comprise a serial interface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory in the light head and in the power supply component is nonvolatile memory.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of two or more operational modes, drive current, flash pattern information, or forward voltage.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the configuration information further comprises light source emitter life data and junction temperature information.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply component is remotely located from the light head or integral with the light head.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the power supply component is located in an avionics bay of an aircraft and the light head is at least one of an anti-collision light or landing light.

10. A method comprising:

storing light source emitter configuration information in memory located in a light head;

sending the stored light source emitter configuration information to a power supply component via a data bus;

receiving the sent light source emitter configuration information at the power supply component;

receiving an input electrical signal at a power converter in the power supply component;

storing light source emitter configuration information in a memory associated with the power supply component; and

converting the received electrical signal based on at least one of the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory or the configuration information received from the light head;

applying the converted electrical signal to one or more light source emitters associated with the light head; and

overwriting the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory if the configuration information from the light head is different from the configuration information previously stored in the power supply component memory.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the light source emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining if the configuration information from the light head is valid.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of two or more operational modes, LED drive current, flash pattern information, forward voltage, life data or junction temperature information.

14. A system comprising:

a means for storing light source emitter configuration information in memory located in a light head;

a means for sending the stored light source emitter configuration information to a power supply component via a data bus;

a means for receiving the sent light source emitter configuration information at the power supply component;

a means for receiving an input electrical signal at a power converter in the power supply component;

a means for storing light source emitter configuration information in a memory associated with the power supply component; and

a means for converting the received electrical signal based on at least one of the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory or the configuration information received from the light head;

a means for applying the converted electrical signal to one or more light source emitters associated with the light head; and

a means for overwriting the configuration information stored in the power supply component memory if the configuration information from the light head is different from the configuration information previously stored in the power supply component memory.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the light source emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a means for determining if the configuration information from the light head is valid, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of two or more operational modes, LED drive current, flash pattern information, or forward voltage.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the configuration information further comprises LED life data and junction temperature information.