WO1995023313A1 - Warning light - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a warning light comprising an array of light emitting diodes.

Description

WARNING TGHT

This invention concerns a warning light, particularly, though by no means exclusively, an aviation warning light of the kind mounted atop tall structures such as high-rise buildings, chimneys and radio masts for example.

Conventional aviation warning lights have lamps which consume considerable power, are of limited life and can emit heat as well as radio frequency radiation.

According to the present invention there is provided a warning light comprising an array of light emitting diodes.

The array may be located within a transparent weatherproof housing.

The array may comprise a plurality of superimposed rings of light-emitting diodes, each ring having a plurality of the diodes spaced around its periphery.

Each diode may have an integral lens to deliver a diverging beam of light.

All of the diodes may direct their beams horizontally.

The diverging Beam from each diode may overlap that of each of its neighbours in its own ring and with those in any vertically adjacent ring. The diodes may be of the kind now known as "Ultrabright".

The diodes may be of a kind which emits red light.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, one form of light embodying same.

Of the drawings :-

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the warning light;

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the lamp assembly; and

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the lamp assembly on the line III-III of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the warning light, which in this example comprises an aviation warning light, has a transparent weatherproof cover 10 enclosing an assembly 11 of "Ultrabright" red-light emitting diodes 12 mounted over a base 13 housing power supply circuitry 14.

As seen from Figure 2, the assembly 11 comprises a plurality, in this example sixteen, of superimposed rings 15. In each ring there are a plurality, in this example ninety, of the diodes 12 arranged in equi-angularly spaced relationship around its periphery.

Each diode 12 has an integral lens 16 designed so that the beam of light therefrom diverges with, in this example, an included angle of 10°C.

All of the diodes are arranged so that their beams are directed horizontally.

The diverging beam from each diode 12 overlaps that of each of its neighbours in its own ring and in any vertically adjacent ring.

With these arrangements a solid bar of light is observed by an approaching aircraft within the required zone.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

CLAΪ S

1. A warning light comprising an array of light-emitting diodes.

2. A warning light according to claim 1 wherein the array is located within a transparent weatherproof housing.

3. A warning light according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the array comprises a plurality of superimposed rings of light-emitting diodes, each ring having a plurality of the diodes spaced around its periphery.

4. A warning light, according to any preceding claim wherein each diode has an integral lens to deliver a diverging beam of light.

5. A warning light according to claim 4 wherein the beams diverge with an included angle of 10° C.

6. A warning light according to any preceding claim wherein the diodes direct their beams horizontally.

7. A warning light according to any preceding claim wherein the diverging beam from each diode overlaps that of each of its neighbours in its own ring and with those in any vertically adjacent ring.

8. A warning light according to any preceding claim wherein diodes are of the kind now known as "Ultrabright".

A warning light according to any preceding claim wherein diodes are of a kind which emits red light.