Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a light emitting diode (LED) signaling apparatus for navigational aids. The signaling apparatus comprises a plurality of high intensity LEDs with their output beams individually controlled by high precision optical beam transformers. The transformed LED beams are mixed in a predetermined manner by controlling the relative position, angular orientation, and other parameters of the LEDs to produce a desired illumination pattern.

<CIT> relates to a portable runway ramp to prevent short-circuit and damage of a circuit due to moisture or foreign material by blocking inflow of the moisture and foreign material inside the lens. The lamp includes a case, a battery, a lens, a fixing ring, a light emitting unit, and a receiving antenna. The case has a space unit inside. The battery is mounted inside the case to be recharged. The lens is detachably fixed to a top surface of the case and includes a lamp receiving unit inside, a flange, and a dome-shaped light diffusion unit. The flange is formed on a lower part in contact with the case. The light diffusion unit is formed on an upper part of the flange. The fixing ring integrally fixes the lens to the case and is fixed to the top surface of the case while wrapping the flange. The light emitting unit is positioned inside the lens and includes at least one LED lamp which is attached on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to emit light outside the lens by receiving power of the battery. The receiving antenna is coupled with an operation circuit to control turning on and off of the LED lamp remotely.

<CIT> relates to a lamp, in particular as a hazard fire, obstacle fire or air traffic control lamp, preferably for wind turbines or high buildings. A first light emission level is defined by circumferentially arranged illuminants, likewise a second light emission level by further circumferentially arranged illuminants. The lamps are designed as LEDs. The LEDs have a certain uniform color in the first light emission level, and a different uniform color in the second light emission level. The colors are preferably red and white. Accordingly, for the first time both light colors are generated by LEDs in the luminaire according to the invention. The time until the first bulbs are replaced is significantly extended.

<CIT> describes an obstruction lamp which utilizes a first plurality of LEDs connected in series mounted onto a metal vertical cylinder which provides heat sinking. A lens covers the first plurality of LEDs and the metal vertical cylinder. A metal base is provided on which the first plurality of LEDs, the metal vertical cylinder, and the lens are mounted. Further, a clamp is configured to seal the lens to the metal base. A second plurality of LEDs may be connected electrically independently of the first plurality of LEDs and may be mounted on top of the metal vertical cylinder. The first plurality of LEDs may be high power LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs may be lower power LEDs which are provided more for aesthetic purposes than for providing light output.

The present invention provides a light comprising: a housing having a bottom, a top, and a central axis, the housing including an upper portion; a light support member disposed within the housing, the light support member including a body defining a central aperture that extends along the central axis, a plurality of light support surfaces arranged around a perimeter of the light support member, and a top support member, wherein the central aperture is open at a top and a bottom end of the light support member; one or more first LEDs supported on the plurality of light support surfaces, the one or more first LEDs supported on the plurality of light support surfaces arranged to emit light in a <NUM> degree pattern; one or more second LEDs attached to the top support member; and a battery pack to power the one or more first LEDs and the one or more second LEDs.

In one construction that is described but not claimed, the light includes a plurality of LEDs that operate under either an AC or DC power supply. A chimney extends through the light and operates to enhance the cooling of the LEDs.

In another construction that is described but not claimed, a light includes a housing defining a bottom end and a top end, a heat sink disposed within the housing and including a central body that defines a central aperture, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central body and extending outward from the central body, each of the arms including a light receiving surface. A plurality of LEDs is coupled to each of the light receiving surfaces and a hollow tube extends from the bottom of the housing and is coupled to the heat sink to define a cooling air passage that passes through the hollow tube and the central aperture to direct cooling air from the bottom of the housing to the top of the housing.

In another construction that is described but not claimed, a light includes a housing, a heat sink disposed within the housing, a plurality of LEDs coupled to the heat sink and operable in response to a supply of power, and a first power supply including two power tool battery packs selectively coupled to the housing. A second power supply is arranged to receive AC power from an external source, and a power control circuit is operable to detect the level of charge in each of the power tool battery packs and to deliver power to the LEDs sequentially from the battery packs beginning with the battery pack having the lowest state of charge.

In still another construction that is described but not claimed, a light includes a housing defining a bottom end and a top end, and a heat sink disposed within the housing and including a central body that defines a central aperture and a plurality of external apertures, the central aperture extending along a central axis of the light and each of the external apertures extending along external axes that are parallel to and offset from the central axis. A plurality of arms is coupled to the central body and extends outward from the central body. Each of the arms includes a light receiving surface and a plurality of fins that extend from the light receiving surface toward the central axis. A plurality of LEDs is coupled to each of the light receiving surfaces, and a cooling air flow path extends from the bottom of the housing through the heat sink aperture to direct cooling air from the bottom of the housing to the top of the housing.

<FIG> illustrates a portable light <NUM> that is well-suited for use in areas where conventional lighting may not be available or may be inadequate. The illustrated light <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that defines two battery ports <NUM> arranged to receive battery packs <NUM> to power the light <NUM>. In preferred constructions, the battery packs <NUM> are power tool battery packs <NUM> that are operable at <NUM> volts or higher. In other constructions, other battery packs <NUM> may be used and more than two or a single battery pack <NUM> may be employed. In preferred constructions, the light <NUM> uses open link protocol and controls the battery packs <NUM> so that they transmit information sequentially and so that their messages do not overlap.

The housing <NUM> contains the electrical components of the area light <NUM>. Specifically, the housing <NUM> includes power inputs <NUM> and power outlets <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The power inlets <NUM> connect the area light <NUM> to an external AC power source to power the area light <NUM>. The power outlet <NUM> connects the area light <NUM> to another device to power that device. For example, in some embodiments, the power outlets can connect to another light so that a series of area lights <NUM> can be daisy-chained together. In other embodiments, the power outlet <NUM> can connect to a power tool to power the power tool. The housing <NUM> also supports charging circuits <NUM>. The charging circuit <NUM> electrically couples the power inlet <NUM> to the battery pack <NUM> to charge the battery pack <NUM>. The charging circuits <NUM> are accessible from the exterior of the housing <NUM> for inserting and removing the battery packs <NUM>. In some embodiments, the battery packs <NUM> may be internal or permanently fixed to the area light <NUM> but are preferably removable power tool battery packs <NUM>.

The illustrated housing <NUM> further includes a control panel <NUM> and a display panel <NUM> for controlling the operation of the area light <NUM> and displaying information relevant to the operation of the light <NUM> including various operating parameters or conditions of the light <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> includes, among other things, a power button <NUM>, a light intensity control <NUM>, a light intensity indicator <NUM>, and a power source indicator <NUM>. The light intensity control <NUM> allows a use to increase or decrease the intensity of the light <NUM>. There can be three intensity settings when the area light <NUM> is using DC power and six intensity settings when the area light <NUM> is using AC power. The light intensity indicator <NUM> may include a plurality of indicator bars that depict the level of intensity that the light <NUM> is supplying. Additionally the indicator bars may appear one color when the area light <NUM> is using DC power and a different color when the area light <NUM> is using AC power. The power source indicator <NUM> may include a second set of indicator bars that depict the amount of power (i.e., the state of charge) remaining in the battery packs <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may also include an indicator that indicates what operating mode the light is in or other features and parameters of the light <NUM>.

In some arrangements, the light <NUM> is operable remotely using any suitable communication scheme (e.g., Bluetooth, ONE-KEY etc.). In one construction, ONE-KEY can be used to remotely control the light <NUM>. In these constructions, the panel <NUM>, <NUM> may include an indicator that operates to notify a user when ONE-KEY is being used to control the light <NUM>. In addition, there may be a control that locks the light <NUM> from being able to be controlled by a ONE-KEY device. The lock-out could be permanent or it could be for a fixed and predetermined period of time.

ONE-KEY includes an application for use on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The ONE-KEY application could include a battery charge indicator and a status indicator (e.g., charging, waiting to charge, fully charged, etc.). In one construction, a desired run time can be selected (either at the control panel <NUM> or in the ONE-KEY application), and the light <NUM> computes a light intensity to achieve that run time based on the current state of charge of the battery packs <NUM>, and the light output is set to that level of intensity.

In addition, the ONE-KEY application may allow the user to control what is done in response to a loss of DC (battery) power. For example, the light <NUM> could turn off, flash, run for a limited additional time period, etc. In one embodiment the light <NUM> is configured to adjust its brightness lower based on the proximity of the device that is using the ONE-KEY application to control the light <NUM>.

In operation, if both the battery pack <NUM> and an AC power source are connected to the area light <NUM>, the AC power source will charge the battery pack <NUM> and power the area light <NUM>. If multiple battery packs <NUM> are inserted into the battery ports <NUM> (thereby connecting to charging circuits) during this time, the AC power will be used to charge one battery pack 25at a time until all of the battery packs <NUM> are charged. When the AC power source becomes disconnected from the area light <NUM>, the battery pack <NUM> (if sufficiently charged) will automatically begin powering the area light <NUM>.

Although multiple battery packs <NUM> can be inserted into the battery ports <NUM> at a given time, the illustrated area light <NUM> only utilizes one battery pack <NUM> at a time. The area light <NUM> will utilize one battery pack <NUM> until that battery pack <NUM> has been fully drained of power. Then, the next battery pack <NUM> will begin powering the area light <NUM>. In other words, the area light <NUM> is configured to utilize the battery packs <NUM> sequentially rather than in parallel.

When only a single battery pack <NUM> is inserted into the battery port <NUM> and thereby connected to the charging circuit <NUM>, the area light <NUM> will engage in a power saving mode. During the power saving mode, the area light <NUM> will prolong the battery life by automatically decreasing the light intensity when the charge of the battery pack <NUM> falls below a certain level. When two or more battery packs <NUM> are inserted into the battery port <NUM>, the area light <NUM> will continue to operate at the specified intensity level until each battery pack <NUM> is drained. When only one battery pack <NUM> remains un-drained, the area light <NUM> will go back into the power saving mode, reducing the intensity of the light in order to extend the battery life of the remaining battery pack <NUM>.

Thus, the light <NUM> can be powered by DC current provided by the battery packs <NUM> or AC power provided by a conventional AC power source. When the light <NUM> is powered by DC from the battery packs <NUM>, the light <NUM> first takes power from the battery pack <NUM> that has the lower state of charge to preserve the charge of the more highly charged battery pack <NUM>. The battery packs <NUM> are then discharged in sequence and not in parallel. Of course, other arrangements or operating modes may vary the discharge arrangement of the battery packs <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, an upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> operates to enclose the top portion of the light <NUM> and operate as a lens or diffuser to improve the quality of the light emitted by the light <NUM>. A bottom cover <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG> and a middle cover <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG> cooperate with the upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to substantially enclose a water-tight space within the light <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the light <NUM> includes a plurality of printed circuit boards <NUM> that control the flow of power (including the charging circuit) and control the operation of the light <NUM>. The circuit boards <NUM> are positioned within the water-tight space to protect the electronics from moisture.

With reference to <FIG>, the light <NUM> includes a plurality of LEDs <NUM> that are positioned inside of the housing <NUM> and are operable to emit light (e.g., <NUM> lumens or more) as desired. In order to dissipate heat, the light <NUM> includes a tube or chimney <NUM> and light support member or heat sink <NUM> as are best illustrated in <FIG>. The chimney <NUM> includes a substantially hollow tube that extends from the bottom of the light <NUM> to the top of the light <NUM>. Seals are formed between the chimney <NUM> and the housings <NUM> to maintain the substantially water-tight space.

A finned inlet member <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, is attached to the bottom of the chimney <NUM> or housing <NUM> and operates to guide cooling air into the chimney <NUM>. A seal between the finned member <NUM>, the chimney <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> inhibits access to the chimney <NUM> by a user and/or debris entrance into the chimney <NUM>. The top portion of the chimney <NUM> includes a plurality of apertures <NUM> that facilitate the escape of hot air from the chimney <NUM>. A triangular cover member <NUM> engages the top of the chimney <NUM> to force the air out of the apertures <NUM> and also to inhibit access to the chimney <NUM> by a user or unwanted debris or water.

The light support member <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, is formed from a heat conducting material and includes a plurality of LED support surfaces <NUM>. The LEDs <NUM> are attached to these surfaces <NUM> and heat generated by the LEDs <NUM> is conducted into the light supporting member <NUM>. The member <NUM> includes a plurality of arms <NUM> that extend outward and support a plurality of fins <NUM> that increase the surface area and further enhance cooling. In addition, LEDs <NUM> may be attached to a top support member <NUM> that attaches to the top of the light supporting member <NUM> to emit light from the top of the light10.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a central aperture <NUM> formed in the light supporting member <NUM> receives the chimney <NUM> and provides thermal conduction therebetween. In the illustrated construction, the central aperture <NUM> is polygonal with other shapes being possible. In preferred constructions, the circuit boards <NUM> are also connected, or at least thermally coupled to the chimney <NUM> to aid in thermal conduction and cooling of the circuit boards <NUM>.

In operation, the LEDs <NUM> are powered by either the DC power supply or the AC power supply to generate the desired illumination. The circuit boards <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> generate a significant amount of heat during operation. Some of that heat is conducted into the chimney <NUM> either directly, or through the light supporting member <NUM>. As the chimney <NUM> heats, a natural convection pattern is established. The hot air within the chimney <NUM> rises and exits the light <NUM>, thereby drawing additional cool air into the bottom of the light <NUM>. In this manner, the cooling ability of the light <NUM> is enhanced.

<FIG> illustrate another version of the light <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the light <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that is similar to that of the light <NUM> of <FIG>. However, the light <NUM> does not include an external handle but rather includes a plurality of legs <NUM> that provide support for the housing <NUM> while providing an air space under the housing <NUM>. In addition, a hinged cover <NUM> is provided that can open to receive or remove one or both of the power tool battery packs <NUM>. In the illustrated construction, the cover <NUM> is illustrated as transparent. However, opaque and colored covers could also be employed if desired.

As illustrated in <FIG>, circuit boards <NUM> including the light controls as well as a power control and charging circuits are disposed within the housing <NUM>. In addition, a tube or chimney <NUM> that at least partially defines a cooling air path <NUM> extends through the light <NUM> from the bottom of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the chimney <NUM> opens at the bottom of the housing <NUM> to receive a flow of cooling air. In this arrangement, the legs <NUM> maintain the position of the opening above the ground to assure that air is free to flow between the legs <NUM> and into the opening as may be required.

<FIG> best illustrate the chimney <NUM> and a light support member or heat sink <NUM> of the construction of <FIG>. As can be seen, the shape and arrangement of these features is different than those of the construction of <FIG>.

The light support member or heat sink <NUM> includes a plurality of light support surfaces <NUM> that are arranged around the perimeter of the light support member <NUM> and that each support a plurality of LEDs <NUM> much like the construction of <FIG>. Specifically, a plurality of circuit boards are attached or bonded to the light support surfaces <NUM> and are thermally connected to allow the LEDs <NUM> to emit light outward from the light support member <NUM> and to allow heat produced by the LEDs <NUM> to conduct into the light support member <NUM>. The arrangement of the light <NUM> of <FIG> is such that light is emitted in a <NUM> degree pattern around the light <NUM>. In addition, a flat light support <NUM> is positioned on top of the light support member <NUM> and includes a plurality of LEDs <NUM> arranged to project light upward in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis <NUM> of the light <NUM> (i.e., the chimney axis).

With reference to <FIG>, the light support member or heat sink <NUM> includes a central body <NUM> that defines a central aperture <NUM> and a plurality of external apertures <NUM>. The central aperture <NUM> and the external apertures <NUM> extend along parallel offset axes such that they do not intersect and they extend the full length of the heat sink <NUM>. The central body <NUM> is substantially triangular in cross-section. Each of a plurality of arms <NUM> extends from the central body <NUM> and includes one of the light support surfaces <NUM>. In addition, a plurality of fins <NUM> extends from each of the light support surfaces <NUM> toward the central body <NUM> to provide additional surface area for cooling. The triangular shape of the central body <NUM> provides space for nine arms <NUM> with two arms <NUM> extending from each side of the triangular cross section and one arm <NUM> extending from each vertex. Of course other arrangements of the heat sink <NUM> are possible.

The central aperture <NUM> includes a plurality of interior fins <NUM> that further increase the surface area in the central aperture <NUM>. Additionally, the external apertures <NUM> provide more surface area that can be utilized to enhance the cooling effect as air passes through the external apertures <NUM> and the central aperture <NUM>.

While the chimney <NUM> of the construction of <FIG> includes a single tube <NUM> that extends the full length of the light <NUM>, the construction of <FIG> includes a shorter tube <NUM> that cooperates with the central aperture <NUM> to complete the cooling flow path <NUM>. The chimney <NUM>, best illustrated in <FIG>, extends from the bottom of the light <NUM> to the bottom of the heat sink <NUM> where it connects to the heat sink <NUM>. In the illustrated construction, the chimney <NUM> threadably engages the heat sink <NUM> with other attachment methods also being possible.

A shorter tube <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is connected to the top of the heat sink <NUM> to complete the cooling flow path through the light <NUM>. A cap <NUM> is placed on top of the opened short tube <NUM> to cover the opening to reduce the likelihood of water entering the cooling flow path <NUM>. As with the larger tube or chimney <NUM>, the short tube <NUM> threadably engages the heat sink <NUM>. The cap <NUM> can attach using a simple frictional engagement or can threadably attach to the shorter tube <NUM> as desired.

In operation, the user uses a power button <NUM> to actuate the light <NUM> and select an operating mode. The power control circuit or charging circuit <NUM> determines where power for the LEDs <NUM> should come from. First the power control circuit <NUM> determines if AC power is available from an external source. If AC power is not available, the power control circuit <NUM> will use the battery packs <NUM> if they are positioned in the battery pack ports <NUM>. If only one battery pack <NUM> is present, power will be drawn from that battery pack <NUM>. If two battery packs <NUM> are present, the power control circuit <NUM> first determines the state of charge for each of the battery packs <NUM> and then selects the battery pack <NUM> with the lowest state of charge to deliver power to the LEDs <NUM> much like the embodiment of <FIG>.

As the LEDs <NUM> operate, they emit light and produce heat. The heat conducts into the heat sink <NUM> and increases the temperature of the heat sink <NUM>. The higher temperature of the heat sink <NUM> heats the air within the central aperture <NUM>, the external apertures <NUM>, and the air around the various fins <NUM>. As the air is heated it rises, thereby producing a natural convection current through the heat sink <NUM>. In the natural convection current, cool air enters the cooling flow path through the bottom opening in the tube or chimney <NUM>. The air rises through the tube <NUM>, through the central aperture <NUM>, into the short tube <NUM> and out the top of the light <NUM> to complete the cooling flow path. Similarly, air flows through the external apertures <NUM> and the various fins <NUM> from the bottom of the heat sink <NUM> to the top of the heat sink <NUM> to enhance the cooling ability of the heat sink <NUM>.

It should be noted that any feature described with regard to one construction is equally applicable to any of the other constructions described herein.

Claim 1:
A light (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a bottom, a top, and a central axis (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) including an upper portion (<NUM>);
a light support member (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>), the light support member (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a body (<NUM>) defining a central aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>) that extends along the central axis (<NUM>), a plurality of light support surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged around a perimeter of the light support member (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a top support member (<NUM>), wherein the central aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>) is open at a top and a bottom end of the light support member (<NUM>, <NUM>);
first LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported on the plurality of light support surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported on the plurality of light support surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged to emit light in a <NUM> degree pattern;
second LEDs (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the top support member (<NUM>); and
a battery pack to power the first LEDs and the second LEDs.