Light engine for and method of simulating a flame

• US 10,240,736 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2018
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Idea Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Idea Tech LLC
• Inventors: Green, Jr., William P., Wei, Ninghua
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Monica C
• Application Number:
  US16/137,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20190024861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 187 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame. A three dimensional carrier includes an array of a plurality of light sources distributed on it. A control circuit coordinates on/off of the light sources in a manner to simulate a jumping flame. In one embodiment, the three dimensional carrier and LEDs are encapsulated in an at least partially light transmissive cover. This light modular engine includes a control circuit and an interface to electrical power. The system can include the light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture. The methodology can include a sequence of on/off and brightness variations for the array of light sources.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising:

a substrate having a longitudinal axis and an operating orientation, first and second parts of the substrate being on opposite sides of a plane containing the longitudinal axis;

a plurality of discrete light emission points (DLEPs) positioned along the substrate;

a first subset of the DLEPs being positioned along the first part of the substrate;

a second subset of the DLEPs being positioned along the second part of the substrate;

each of the plurality of DLEPs respectively being in one and only one of the first subset or the second subset;

a lowermost grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

a middle grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

the middle grouping having more of the plurality of DLEPs than are in the lowermost grouping;

an uppermost grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

each of the plurality of DLEPs respectively being in one and only one of the lowermost grouping, the middle grouping, or the uppermost grouping;

the DLEPs in the middle grouping being above the DLEPs in the lowermost grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

the DLEPs in the uppermost grouping being above the DLEPs in the middle grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

at least one of the DLEPs in the first subset having a light emission axis that is offset angularly away from a light emission axis of at least one of the DLEPs in the second subset; and

a controller to cause the plurality of DLEPs to simulate a flame, wherein the controller;

actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the lowermost grouping to simulate combustion at a bottom of a flame;

sequentially actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the middle grouping to simulate a rise in flame height; and

actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the uppermost grouping to flicker to simulate a flame tip.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a one-piece substrate.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is cylindrical.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein each DLEP comprises a discrete LED.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a shroud at least partially around the substrate and the DLEPs.

6. A lighting device, comprising:

a substrate having a longitudinal axis and an operating orientation, a first part of the substrate extending at least partially on a first side of a plane containing the longitudinal axis, a second part of the substrate extending at least partially on a second side of the plane containing the longitudinal axis;

a plurality of discrete light emission points (DLEPs) positioned along the substrate;

a first subset of the DLEPs being positioned along the first part of the substrate;

a second subset of the DLEPs being positioned along the second part of the substrate;

each of the plurality of DLEPs respectively being in one and only one of the first subset or the second subset;

a lowermost grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

a middle grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

the middle grouping having more of the plurality of DLEPs than are in the lowermost grouping;

an uppermost grouping of the DLEPs containing some of the DLEPs of the first subset and some of the DLEPs of the second subset;

each of the plurality of DLEPs respectively being in one and only one of the lowermost grouping, the middle grouping, or the uppermost grouping;

the DLEPs in the middle grouping being above the DLEPs in the lowermost grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

the DLEPs in the uppermost grouping being above the DLEPs in the middle grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

at least one of the DLEPs in the first subset having a light emission axis that is offset angularly away from a light emission axis of at least one of the DLEPs in the second subset; and

a controller to cause the plurality of DLEPs to simulate a flame, wherein the controller;

actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the lowermost grouping to simulate combustion at a bottom of a flame;

sequentially actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the middle grouping to simulate a rise in flame height; and

actuates at least some of the DLEPs in the uppermost grouping to flicker to simulate a flame tip.

7. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the substrate is a one-piece substrate.

8. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the substrate is cylindrical.

9. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein each DLEP comprises a discrete LED.

10. The lighting device of claim 6, further comprising a shroud at least partially around the substrate and the DLEPs.

11. A lighting device, comprising:

a substrate having a longitudinal axis and an operating orientation, a first part of the substrate extending at least partially on a first side of a plane containing the longitudinal axis, a second part of the substrate extending at least partially on a second side of the plane containing the longitudinal axis;

a plurality of LEDs positioned along the substrate;

a first subset of the LEDs being positioned along the first part of the substrate;

a second subset of the LEDs being positioned along the second part of the substrate;

each of the plurality of LEDs respectively being in one and only one of the first subset or the second subset;

a lowermost grouping of the LEDs containing some of the LEDs of the first subset and some of the LEDs of the second subset;

a middle grouping of the LEDs containing some of the LEDs of the first subset and some of the LEDs of the second subset;

the middle grouping having more of the plurality of LEDs than are in the lowermost grouping;

an uppermost grouping of the LEDs containing some of the LEDs of the first subset and some of the LEDs of the second subset;

each of the plurality of LEDs respectively being in one and only one of the lowermost grouping, the middle grouping, or the uppermost grouping;

the LEDs in the middle grouping being above the LEDs in the lowermost grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

the LEDs in the uppermost grouping being above the LEDs in the middle grouping when the substrate is at the operating orientation;

at least one of the LEDs in the first subset having a light emission axis that is offset angularly away from a light emission axis of at least one of the LEDs in the second subset, some of the LEDs forming a row in a plane extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

a controller to cause the plurality of LEDs to simulate a flame, wherein the controller;

actuates at least some of the LEDs in the lowermost grouping to simulate combustion at a bottom of a flame;

sequentially actuates at least some of the LEDs in the middle grouping to simulate a rise in flame height; and

actuates at least some of the LEDs in the uppermost grouping to flicker to simulate a flame tip.

12. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein the substrate is a one-piece substrate.

13. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein the substrate is cylindrical.

14. The lighting device of claim 11, further comprising a shroud at least partially around the substrate and the LEDs.

15. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein the LEDs forming the row are in the lowermost grouping.

16. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein the LEDs forming the row are in the middle grouping.

17. The lighting device of claim 11, wherein the LEDs forming the row are in the uppermost grouping.