Wireless obstruction beacon

The present disclosure is directed to examples of a warning beacon light. In one embodiment, the warning beacon light includes at least one light redirection component, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned relative to the light redirection component such that light emitted from the plurality of LEDs is collimated to within a predefined range relative to a light emitting axis, and a wireless power transfer system coupled to the plurality of LEDs to provide power to the plurality of LEDs.

BACKGROUND

Lighting can be used for a variety of applications. Some lights can be used to illuminate a room, provide indication lights, as warning signals, and the like. Generally, lights are connected to a power source to power the lighting within a luminaire. The connection is typically a wired connection to the power source to power the light.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a warning beacon light. In one embodiment, the warning beacon light comprises at least one light redirection component, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned relative to the light redirection component such that light emitted from the plurality of LEDs is collimated to within a predefined range relative to a light emitting axis, and a wireless power transfer system coupled to the plurality of LEDs to provide power to the plurality of LEDs.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lighting system. In one embodiment, the lighting system comprises a tower, a base coupled to the tower, wherein the base comprises a wireless transmitter coil to transmit power wirelessly, and a warning beacon light coupled to the tower and within a predefined distance to the base, wherein the warning beacon light comprises a wireless receiver coil to receive the power wirelessly from the wireless transmitter coil.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for installing a warning beacon light. In one embodiment, the method comprises coupling a base with a wireless transmitter coil to a portion of a structure where the warning beacon light is to be installed to warn aircraft, coupling the warning beacon light to the portion of the structure, wherein the warning beacon light is positioned to place a wireless receiver coil in the warning beacon light to be within a predefined distance from a wireless transmitter coil in the base, and generating an electromagnetic flux between the wireless transmitter coil and the wireless receiver coil to generate power to operate a plurality of light emitting diodes in the warning beacon light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a wireless obstruction beacon for tall structures and towers. As noted above, different lights may be used for different applications. However, many lights are currently powered via a wired connection to a power source.

The wired connection may be cumbersome and make it difficult to install warning beacon lights on top of structures, sky scraper buildings, towers, antenna structures, wind turbines, and the like, that may be several hundreds of feet high. The wires that are run through the tall structures to provide power to the warning beacon lights may be very thick and heavy. In addition, the warning beacon lights may be relative large and heavy as well. Thus, it may be difficult for a technician to carry the heavy warning beacon light up the tower and maneuver the wiring and the warning beacon to connect the warning beacon to the wires and power source.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a warning beacon light that includes a wireless power transfer. As a result, a base, or multiple bases, with a wireless power transmitter may be installed on the tower or high structure first. Then, the warning beacon light with the wireless power receiver may be attached to the structure near the base such that the base may wireless provide power to the warning beacon light. As a result, the structure may be configured with a variety of different warning lights, attached to a standard base, and the warning beacon lights of the present disclosure may be easier to install, repair, replace, and the like.

In addition, the warning beacon light of the present disclosure may include wireless communication or data connections. Thus, the amount of wired connections between the base and the warning beacon light may be eliminated. The wireless data connections may provide remote monitoring and control of the warning beacon lights.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a system100that includes a wireless beacon light or warning beacon light102and a base104attached to a structure106. In one embodiment, the wireless beacon light102and the base104may include a wireless power transfer system, as discussed in further details below and illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3.

In one example, the wireless beacon light102may be a light that is intended to warn aircraft108of the structure106. For example, the structure106may be a very tall tower, antenna, building, wind turbine, or any other type of structure. For example, the structure106may be over 100 feet tall.

In other words, the wireless beacon light102of the present disclosure is not a standard luminaire used to illuminate a room, a factory, or the inside of any other structure. The wireless beacon light102is also not an indicator light of low wattage.

Rather, the wireless beacon light102is a light that is designed to meet a particular standard for lights that are attached to tall structures. In other words, the wireless beacon light102may be a warning beacon light to mark tall structures for the aircraft108.

For example, the wireless beacon light102may be designed to meet the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (e.g., the FAA AC regulations), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (e.g., Annex 14), the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) (e.g., the marine recommendations), and the like. The wireless beacon light102may also be designed to meet standards for a particular country such as the Service Technique de I'Aviation Civile (STAC) of France, the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS-LS11) and Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) of Germany, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom, and the like.

The particular standards may have certain design requirements such that the wireless beacon light102emit light within a certain collimated angle to prevent light pollution, have a certain amount of light output, at a certain amount of power, and the like. For example, the wireless beacon light102may emit light along a light emitting axis110. The collimation of the light may be measured above and below the light emitting axis110as shown by the angles112. Some standards may require the light emitted from the wireless beacon light to be +/−20 degrees along the light emitting axis110. Some standards may require the wireless beacon light102to emit anywhere from 10 candelas of light to 270,000 candelas of light. Some standards may require that the wireless beacon light102be powered by anywhere from 2 Watts to hundreds of Watts of power. Notably, luminaires used for general illumination of rooms, or lights used as indicator lights, are not designed to meet any particular standard that is listed above.

In one embodiment, the base104may be coupled to a first portion of the structure106and the wireless beacon light102may be coupled to another portion of the structure106. However, the wireless beacon light102may be coupled adjacent to or next to the base104. In one example, the base104, or multiple bases104on different portions of the structure106, may be coupled to the structure106first. Then, the structure may be erected at a desired location. Then, the desired number of wireless beacon lights102may be coupled to the structure106.

Since the wireless beacon light102is powered via a wireless power transfer system, no wires need to be connected between the base104and the wireless beacon light102. Thus, the deployment of the wireless beacon light102may be more efficient and easier. In addition, if the wireless beacon light102fails, a technician may easily replace the wireless beacon light102without having to disconnect any wires between the wireless beacon light102and the base104. Therefore, the wireless beacon light102can be made without any serviceable openings and therefore serviced without breaking any seals.

As noted above, the structures106may be very tall structures. Thus, avoiding the need to disconnect wires between the wireless beacon light102and the base104may be advantageous and safer for the technician that climbs up the structure106.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of an example of the wireless beacon light102and the base104. In one embodiment, the wireless beacon light102may include at least one light redirection component204and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)2021to202n(hereinafter also referred to individually as an LED202or collectively as LEDs202).

In one embodiment, the light redirection component204may be a reflector that has a parabolic cross-section that is designed to collimate and reflect light emitted from the LEDs202at approximately 90 degrees. For example, lines220illustrate how light is emitted upward from the LEDs202and then redirected by the reflector at approximately 90 degrees in a direction along the horizontal or parallel to the light emitting axis110illustrated inFIG. 1. Although the light redirection component204is illustrated as a reflector, the light redirection component204may also be deployed as an optic or total internal reflection (TIR) lens, and the like.

In one embodiment, the wireless beacon light102may include a bottom housing206. The bottom housing206may include some of the electrical, power, and control components of the wireless beacon light102. In one embodiment, the bottom housing206may include a wireless receiver coil208and a control/monitor data transceiver (Tx/Rx)210.

In one embodiment, the base104may include a wireless transmitter coil212and a control/monitor data transceiver (Tx/Rx)214. In one embodiment, the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may form part of the wireless power transfer system, referenced above.

The wireless beacon light102may be positioned to be within a predefined distance216(as shown by the arrow216inFIG. 2) from the base104. In one embodiment, the predefined distance216may be a function of a maximum distance at which the wireless transmitter coil212may wirelessly transmit power to the wireless receiver coil208. In one embodiment, the predefined distance216may be less than or equal to approximately 30 millimeters (mm).

In one embodiment, the predefined distance216may be a distance that is measured between the wireless receiver coil208to the wireless transmitter coil212. In one embodiment, the predefined distance216may be a distance that is measured between a bottom surface of the bottom housing206and a top surface of the base104.

FIG. 4illustrates an example implementation of the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212. In one embodiment, the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may be fabricated from a conductive metal and be deployed as a wire. The wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may have a core that is air, ferrite, iron powder, or any other suitable inductor material. The wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may also be a standard Qi coil.

The wire may be coiled around and receive current from a power source. An electromagnetic flux402may be generated when power is applied to the wireless transmitter coil212. The electromagnetic flux402may power the wireless receiver coil208.

In one embodiment, the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212of the present disclosure may operate at a high frequency. For example, the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may operate at frequencies of approximately 100 kilohertz (khz) to 500 khz. Using the high frequency, the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212may perform an air core. Thus, unlike a conventional transformer that operates at low frequencies (e.g., 50-60 hertz (hz)) that use an iron core, operating the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmitter coil212at the high frequencies may allow an air core to be used, which may reduce costs.

Referring back toFIG. 2, the Tx/Rx210and214may provide a half or full duplex (e.g., two-way) communication path between the wireless beacon light102and the base104. The Tx/Rx210and214may be wireless communication interfaces using any type of wireless communication protocol. For example, the Tx/Rx210and214may be a nearfield communication module, a Bluetooth radio, a Wi-Fi radio, an optical DATA link, and the like.

In one embodiment, the Tx/Rx210and214may provide a duplex communication path that may be used to monitor and control the wireless beacon light102. For example, monitoring the wireless beacon light102may include transmitting information from the wireless beacon light102such as, operating time, power information (e.g., current or voltages), error messages for a particular LED202, current status, and the like. The control may include transmitting control signals to the wireless beacon light102such as, turning on and off the wireless beacon light102, changing an operating mode (e.g., constant on, flashing, and the like), sending test signals, and the like.

FIG. 3illustrates a functional block diagram of the warning beacon light102and the base104. In one embodiment, the warning beacon light102may include a controller314. A plurality of LED drivers3201to320n(also referred to herein individually as an LED driver320or collectively as LED driers320) may be coupled to the controller314. The LED drivers320may be coupled to a respective LED or LED array2021to202n. The LED drivers320may provide power to each one of the respective LEDs2021to202n.

In one embodiment, the controller314may control operation of the LEDs2021to202nvia the respective LED driver320. The controller may be a processor, an application specific integrated controller (ASIC), and the like.

In one embodiment, the controller314may also interface with a photocell316and a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver318. In one example, the photocell316may be used to detect daylight such that the controller314turns off the LED drivers320. In one example, the GPS receiver318may be used to provide location information to a remotely located central office. The location information may help identify a particular wireless beacon light102to the central office when the central office is remotely monitoring and controlling a plurality wireless beacon lights102deployed at various different geographic locations on various different structures.

In another example, the GPS receiver318may be used to synchronize the Beacon to UTC (Universal Time Code). In this way, multiple Beacons in a wind park cluster can be Flash synchronized. In another example, the GPS receiver318can be used to control the day/twilight/night setting in the Beacon by calculating day/twilight/night on a given geographic location (e.g., the so called astronomical clock).

In one embodiment, the bottom housing206of the wireless beacon light102may include the wireless receiver coil208and a power supply and converter312. The wireless receiver coil208may be similar to the wireless receiver coil208illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4and described above.

In one embodiment, the power supply and converter312may be a high frequency rectifier that may convert the power generated in the wireless receiver coil208into a low voltage direct current (DC) to power the LED drivers320. In one example, the power supply and converter312may operate at high frequencies of approximately 100 khz-500 khz.

In one embodiment, the power supply and converter312may be rectifiers in a two phase and/or or bridge configuration and a power reservoir. The power reservoir may be a capacitor for transforming the high frequency electromagnetic flux generated by the wireless receiver coil308into a DC power supply to power the components of the wireless beacon light102. The DC power may be converted and/or stabilized through a power converter. A forward, flyback, push-pull, half bridge, or full bridge topology switch mode can be used for the power converter. In one embodiment, a simple linear power stabilizing topology may be used for the power converter.

In embodiment, the base104may include a transmission coil driver306and the wireless transmission coil212. The wireless transmission coil212may be positioned to be within a predefined distance322from the wireless receiver coil208. As discussed above, the predefined distance322may be less than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, the transmission coil driver306may receive a DC or an alternating current (AC) power supply and convert the power into a high frequency electromagnetic flux. The wireless transmission coil212may then transmit the high frequency electromagnetic flux a short distance to the wireless receiver coil208.

In one embodiment, a communication module308and310may be deployed between the base104and the bottom housing206of the wireless beacon light102. The communication module308may provide communication from a programmable logic controller (PLC) system controller304to the controller314in the wireless beacon light102. The communication module310may allow information or data to be transmitted from the controller314back to the PLC system controller304.

In one embodiment, the communication modules308and310may be the wireless transceivers210and214to provide full duplex wireless communications. In one embodiment, the communications modules308and310may be an optical link. The optical link may be an LED (e.g., both visible light, ultraviolet light, and or infrared light). The receiving part of the optical link may be an LED, a pin diode, a photo diode, a charge coupled device (CCD). The optical link components may be molded into the bottom housing206and the base104with the wireless receiver coil208and the wireless transmission coil212, respectively.

The communication modules308and310may be used for both surveillance and control of the wireless beacon light102. The communication modules308and310may also be used for remote firmware and/or software upgrades in the controller314.

In one embodiment, the PLC system controller304may be part of a remotely located control box302that may be coupled to a plurality of bases104and a plurality of wireless beacon lights102. The PLC system controller304may be located on a ground level for easy access and maintenance. The PLC system controller304may be located in a separate housing than the base104and the wireless beacon light102.

In one embodiment, the control box302may also have a wired or wireless gate network and/or transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection. The PLC system controller304may communicate with a remote central office via the gateway network TCP/IP connection.

In one embodiment, the control box302may be coupled to a power source. The power source may be an AC or a DC power source that is fed to the transmission coil driver306in the base104, as described above. Thus, the present disclosure provides a wireless beacon light or warning beacon light102that can be wirelessly powered. The wireless power transfer system described above, may allow a technician to easily install the wireless beacon light102on tall structures without having to connect heavy wires.

FIG. 5illustrates an example flowchart of one embodiment of a method500for installing a warning beacon light. The method500begins at step502. At step504, the method500couples a base with a wireless transmitter coil to a portion of a structure where the warning beacon light is to be installed to warn aircraft. For example, the base may be strategically located on various different portions of the structure. Then, the structure may be erected with the parts that include the base. As a result, the base does not need to be separately installed after the structure is erected, which may be cumbersome, difficult, and dangerous.

At block506, the method500couples the warning beacon light to the portion of the structure, wherein the warning beacon light is positioned to place a wireless receiver coil in the warning beacon light to be within a predefined distance from a wireless transmitter coil in the base. In one embodiment, the warning beacon lights may be coupled to the structure as desired. The warning beacon lights may be coupled adjacent to the base. In one embodiment, adjacent to the base may be defined to be within 30 mm of the base. Said another way, the wireless receiver coil in the warning beacon light may be positioned to be within 30 mm of the wireless transmission coil in the base.

Notably, the warning beacon light may be coupled to the structure without having to connect any wires to the base. Thus, the installation and/or maintenance of the warning beacon light on structures that are very high (e.g., over 100 feet tall) may be more efficient and safer.

At block508, the method500generates an electromagnetic flux between the wireless transmitter coil and the wireless receiver coil to generate power to operate a plurality of light emitting diodes in the warning beacon light. For example, a power source may be provided to the base. A transmission coil driver in the base may convert the power into an electromagnetic flux that is transmitted by the wireless transceiver coil. The wireless receiver coil may receive the electromagnetic flux. A power supply and converter in a bottom housing of the warning beacon light may convert the electromagnetic flux into a low voltage DC power source that can power LED drivers. The LED drivers may be powered to turn on respective LED arrays of the warning beacon light.

In one embodiment, the warning beacon lights may be remotely controlled and monitored via a wireless communications connection. For example, the base and the warning beacon light may include an optical link, a Bluetooth radio, a Wi-Fi radio and the like. At block510, the method500ends.

It should be noted that steps, operations, or blocks inFIG. 5that recite a determining operation, or involve a decision, do not necessarily require that both branches of the determining operation be practiced. In other words, one of the branches of the determining operation can be deemed as an optional step. Furthermore, operations, steps, or blocks of the above described methods can be combined, separated, and/or performed in a different order from that described above, without departing from the example embodiments of the present disclosure.