Luminescent planar sheet

• US 9,663,026 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2015
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Original Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Inventors: Shipman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hanley, Britt D
• Application Number:
  US14/737,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20150310782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/225 with electroluminescent lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/227 Electroluminescent displays for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system includes a planar plate mounted to one of the horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters affixed upon the planar plate so as to be seen from the air. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can selectively produce visible light, or light invisible to the human eye. Where the planar luminescent panel produces heat to create non-visible infrared indicia, it is preferred that the planar luminescent sheet include an insulator layer positioned under the infrared producing layer so as to prevent heat from dissipating into the vehicle'"'"'s metal surface.

Claims

1. An illuminated sheet comprising:

a luminescent planar sheet having a bottom side and a top side producing luminescent indicia in the infrared spectrum, said luminescent indicia producing heat; and

an insulator layer affixed to said luminescent planar sheet'"'"'s bottom side, said insulator sheet having a thickness of at least 0.075 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/m-K or less.

2. The illuminated sheet of claim 1 wherein said insulator layer has thickness of at least 0.080 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.20 W/m-K or less.

3. The illuminated sheet of claim 1 wherein said insulator layer has a thermal resistance R value of 0.00050 m²K/W or greater.

4. The illuminated sheet of claim 1 wherein said insulator layer includes a top surface affixed to said luminescent planar sheet'"'"'s bottom side and a bottom surface including an adhesive for affixing the illuminated sheet to an object, and said insulator layer including adhesive has a thickness of 0.100 mm or greater.

5. The illuminated sheet of claim 1 wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes a printed elongate circuit of electrically resistant material that produces heat upon application of an electric voltage to produce said luminescent indicia.

6. The illuminated sheet of claim 3 wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes a printed elongate circuit of electrically resistant material that produces heat upon application of an electric voltage to produce said luminescent indicia.

10. The illuminated sheet of claim 1 wherein said insulator layer has thickness of at least 0.080 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.20 W/m-K or less.

7. An illuminated sheet comprising:

a luminescent planar sheet having a bottom side and a top side producing luminescent indicia in the infrared spectrum, said luminescent indicia produced by a printed elongate circuit of electrically resistant material that produces heat and infrared light upon application of an electric voltage; and

an insulator layer affixed to said luminescent planar sheet'"'"'s bottom side, said insulator sheet having a thickness of at least 0.075 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/m-K or less.

8. The illuminated sheet of claim 7 wherein said insulator layer has a thermal resistance R value of 0.00050 m²K/W or greater.

9. A vehicle and illuminated vehicular sign combination comprising:

a mobile vehicle having a substantially planar surface;

a luminescent planar sheet luminescent planar sheet having a bottom side and a top side producing luminescent indicia in the infrared spectrum, said luminescent indicia producing heat; and

an insulator layer affixed to said luminescent planar sheet'"'"'s bottom side for affixing said luminescent planar sheet to said vehicle'"'"'s substantially planar surface, said insulator sheet having a thickness of at least 0.075 mm and a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/m-K or less; and

a power source for providing power to said luminescent planar sheet.

11. The illuminated sheet of claim 9 wherein said insulator layer includes a top surface affixed to said luminescent planar sheet'"'"'s bottom side and a bottom surface including an adhesive for affixing the illuminated sheet to an object, and said insulator layer including adhesive has a thickness of 0.100 mm or greater.

12. The illuminated sheet of claim 9 wherein said insulator layer has a thermal resistance R value of 0.00050 m²K/W or greater.

13. The illuminated sheet of claim 9 wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes a printed elongate circuit of electrically resistant material that produces heat upon application of an electric voltage to produce said luminescent indicia.

14. The illuminated sheet of claim 12 wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes a printed elongate circuit of electrically resistant material that produces heat upon application of an electric voltage to produce said luminescent indicia.