LED strobe for hazard protection systems

• US 20070035255A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Strelecki, Paul, Shuster, Janis, Shuster, James
• Application Number:
  US11/407,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20070035255A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/200.R
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A light-emitting diode (“LED”) based strobe may be used in automated system to provide a visual alert to occupants and/or building personnel if an emergency condition exists. A LED based strobe provides an even distribution of light having a sharp, bright pulse of light desired for emergency evacuation using lower power consumption.

Claims

1. A visual alert device, comprising:

a) a solid state light source configured to radiate light in response to a control signal, the light radiating at intensity at least 15 candela; and

b) a controller configured to control the solid state light source to periodically operate in accordance with a signal for activating occupant lighting.

2. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the solid state light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

3. The visual alert device of claim 2 where the solid state light source comprises a plurality of LED'"'"'s arranged about a circumference of a disc to radiate light to a substantially common area.

4. The visual alert device of claim 3 comprising a plurality of discs each having a plurality of LED arranged about the circumference of the corresponding disc, each of the LED'"'"'s configured to radiate light to a substantially common area.

5. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the solid state light source comprises at least one organic light emitting diode (OLED).

6. The visual alert device of claim 5 where the visual alert device comprises a building hardware device.

7. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the controller comprises a programmable current source configured to control a constant current provided to the light source.

8. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the controller comprises a programmable current source configured to control a constant current provided to the light source according to an environmental condition of the visual alert device.

9. The visual alert device of claim 8 where the environmental condition comprises an ambient temperature proximate to the visual alert device.

10. The visual alert device of claim 8 where the controller comprises a processor to control the programmable current source.

11. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the light source is controlled to have a flash rate in the range of about 20 to about 120 flashes per minute.

12. The visual alert device of claim 1 where the controller is configured to operate the light source in any of a plurality of modes.

13. The visual alert device of claim 12 where the plurality of modes comprises a diagnostic mode.

14. An automated building system, comprising:

a) a plurality of building automation devices;

b) a central controller configured to receive information from the plurality of automation devices, the information related to environmental conditions for a building; and

c) at least one solid state light strobe configured to radiate a visual alert signal in response to an alert signal received from the central controller, the solid state light strobe including at least one hi-flux semiconductor device that emits light to a portion of a structure in a periodic flashing pattern, having an intensity and dispersion pattern in accordance with a recognized safety standard.

15. The building automation system of claim 14 where the plurality of building automation devices are configured to monitor fire hazards.

16. The building automation system of claim 14, where the solid state light strobe comprises a plurality of hi-flux light emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s).

17. The building automation system of claim 14, where the solid state light strobe comprises a plurality of hi-flux organic light emitting diodes (OLED'"'"'s).

18. A method for providing a visual alert to occupants of a building, comprising:

monitoring a building environment for a hazard; and

providing a visual alert using a solid state visual alert device in response to detecting a hazard condition, the visual alert including light being radiated from a semiconductor device at with an intensity in accordance with a recognized safety standard associated with the detected hazard.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

monitoring the building environment for by-products of combustion; and

providing the visual alert using the solid state visual alert device in response to detecting a by-product of combustion.

20. The method of claim 18 where the semiconductor device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.