Electronic flame

• US 20010033488A1
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alex Chliwnyj, Tanya D. Chliwnyj
• Original Assignee: Alex Chliwnyj, Tanya D. Chliwnyj
• Inventors: Chliwnyj, Tanya D., Chliwnyj, Alex
• Application Number:
  US09/783,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033488A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The invention provides improved flame-simulations via electronic flame simulation. In one embodiment, a microprocessor-based electronic artificial flame uses multiple LEDs that are controlled to give the appearance of flame motion (or “dance”). In one embodiment, the use of a white LED or LEDs to whiten the top of the flame and a blue LED or multiple blue LEDs to give a hint of blue at the bottom of the flame greatly improves the realism of the resulting simulated flame.

Claims

1. A flame simulation device, comprising:

a LED platform having at least one light emitting diodes (LED) thereon, the LED capable of producing a light beam; and

a flame portion capable of selectively directing and capturing the light beam.

2. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the LED platform has at least a white LED for producing a top-most LED light beam.

3. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the platform has at least a blue LED for producing a bottom-most LED light beam.

4. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the platform has at least a yellow LED that produces a yellow light beam, the yellow light beam located between a white top-most light beam and a blue bottom-most light beam.

5. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the platform has at least an orange LED that produces an orange light beam, the orange light beam located between a white top-most light beam and a blue bottom-most light beam.

6. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the platform has at least a yellow LED for producing a yellow light beam, and an orange LED for producing an orange light beam, the yellow light beam and the orange light beam located between a top-most light beam and a bottom-most light beam.

7. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the flame portion comprises at least a yellow LED and an orange LED located between a white top-most LED and a blue bottom-most LED.

8. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

further comprising a diffuser/light pipe for channeling a light beam.

9. The flame simulation device of

claim 8

further comprising a blue LED, the blue LED being a bottom-most LED.

10. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

further comprising a power supply coupled to the LED platform.

11. The flame simulation device of

claim 10

wherein the power supply is a low-voltage DC power supply.

12. The flame simulation device of

claim 11

wherein the LED platform comprises an arrangement of a plurality of LEDs on a substantially planar surface, wherein at least a first LED has a first light beam angle that is different from a second light beam angle produced by a second LED.

13. The flame simulation device of

claim 12

wherein a white LED has a narrower light beam angle than any other LED for providing the flame a substantially whiter top portion.

14. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the flame portion is configured to behave as a memorial light, the flame simulation device being associated with a cremation urn.

15. The flame simulation device of

claim 1

wherein the flame portion is configured to behave as a memorial light, the flame simulation device being associated with a ground-based memorial marker.

16. The flame simulation device of

claim 10

wherein the power supply is coupled to a solar-power generator.

17. The flame-simulator of

claim 16

wherein the solar-power generator is coupled to at least one capacitor for storing electrical energy.

18. The flame-simulator of

claim 1

further comprising a mask coupled to the LED platform, the mask configured in the general shape of a flame for enhancing an illusion of motion of a simulated flame due to the difference in distance between a lit LED and an edge of the mask.

19. The flame-simulator of

claim 18

wherein the mask comprises a dark portion for creating the effect of a wick in the middle of a simulated flame.

20. A method of simulating a flame, comprising:

selectively articulating a plurality of LEDs, the plurality of LEDs comprising at least a white top-most LED and a blue bottom-most LED