GB2282441A - Radiation emitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible tube (11) with discrete infrared radiation emitting sources (12) has means (15) to control the energisation of the sources. In addition, either or both of a heat radiation emitting source (12'', 21) and a detector sensitive to the radiation of the source or sources is provided. The tube can encircle the user's body or can be laid out along the ground, for example. A modification comprises a combination of a radiation emitting device comprising a plurality of discrete infrared radiation emitting sources in a translucent tube and a detector, sensitive to the radiation emitted and means to control the energisation of the sources. <IMAGE>

Description

RADIATION EMITTING DEVICE This invention relates to a device providing a radiation emitting source which provides emission from an extended area. Radiation emitting sources have been provided for such a purpose, for example, in a fluorescent tube, but this is rigid and fragile.

The present invention is concerned with non-visible radiation of frequencies lower than visible radiation. It is an object of the invention to provide a lighting device which can be controlled to emit radiation which cannot be seen by the naked eye but which can be detected by detectors sensitive to the appropriate frequency of the radiation.

United States Patent Specification 4,646,743 discloses apparatus for treating animal bodies with radiation of a selected frequency. Although this is for an entirely different purpose from the present invention, there is disclosed a tube which may be flexible and containing an array of broadband infrared diodes. The energisation of the diodes is controlled in a manner suitable for treating the animal bodies. It is suggested that wavelengths of 632 and 905 nanometres can be used, since lasers are available at these wavelengths and it is also suggested that operation within a broadband centred at 880 nanometres could be useful.

There is no suggestion of providing detectors for the emitted radiation, since the radiation is used to treat the animals carrying the apparatus. Similarly, there is no suggestion that the radiation emitted, even though it is in the infrared region, provides any heating effect from the diodes or any other separate source.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided the combination of a radiation emitting device and a detector sensitive to the radiation emitted by the device, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of discrete infrared radiation emitting sources, the tube walls being translucent to the radiation emitted by the sources, and means zo control the energisation of the sources.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a radiation emitting device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of discrete infrared radiation emitting sources, the tube walls being translucent to the radiation emitted by the sources, and means to control the energisation of the sources, the device further comprising means in addition to said sources for emitting heat radiation. This feature of the device may also be included in the combination of the preceding paragraph. The heat emitting means may comprise an elongated source extending along the tube between a plurality of said infrared radiation emitting sources.

The device in either aspect may comprise sources for emitting radiation of different wavelengths, the control means being arranged to control the source or sources of radiation of one wavelength independently of the source or sources of radiation of another wavelength. The source or sources of one wavelength may constitute the means for emitting heat radiation. The control means may be operable remote from the device, for example, at a remote location using electromagnetic radiation to transmit control signals to the device.

The tube can be configured according to its application. In the application where an operator requires to carry such a device on strenuous activities, the tube is preferably formed in a closed curve, the two ends of the curve meeting at a single junction. It can then be worn on the person, for example, around the neck, across the chest from shoulder to waist, or around an arm. The flexibility of the tube makes it comfortable to wear. If the tube is detachable from the junction, tubes of different lengths can be inserted into the junction depending on where the assembly is to be worn on the person or a selected number of modular tubes can be used, the ends of the assembled modules fitting into the junction. In this way, a wide variety of illuminating options can be constructed.The junction itself may house control equipment for controlling the radiation emitting sources or a lead may extend from the junction to a separate control box.

The invention has particular use in night-time operations. The radiation emitting device can be carried by an operator who can operate the control means to provide himself with radiation from the radiation emitting sources, using the detector of the combination to view the surroundings illuminated by those sources. This can be done without being detected by people not equipped with suitable detectors. Even in daytime the device may be used as a beacon to identify the wearer in a crowd or in otherwise camouflaged locations.

When a heat radiation source is provided, the carrier of the device or a remote operator can make it detectable by detectors of the heat radiation or the infrared radiation by operating the control means to energize the appropriate source.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 5 are different embodiments of the invention.

In Figure 1 a flexible tube 11 containing a plurality of spaced infrared emitting diodes 12 uniformly arranged along its length is bent into a circle with its ends 13 meeting at a junction 14 formed by a control box 15. The tube walls are translucent to infrared radiation and are also armoured so as to protect the radiation emitting sources 12.

The control box 15 includes a battery 16 for energising the radiation emitting sources and a radio receiver 17 for receiving radio or other electromagnetic control signals from a remote transmitter (not shown), responding to the control signals to energise the diodes 12. The control signals can be arranged to provide a uniform illumination from the diodes, or to emit modulated signals, for example, in the form of an identification code. The control box 15 can also be provided with manual controls 16 so that the wearer can override the control signals from the remote transmitter if the need arises. An observer of the scene uses a detector 20 sensitive to the radiation of the diodes.

n an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, te control box 15 is remote from the junction 14 but is connected thereto by means of electric cables 16. This arrangement enables the collar portion of the lighting assembly to be lighter than in Figure 1 and the control box 15 to be carried separately, for example, in a pocket so that the inertia of the tube assembly is reduced, making it more comfortable to wear during movement. The flexibility of the tube 11 can be controlled so that either a definite circle as illustrated is maintained or the tube 11 can be bent into any closed curve shape as desired to suit the circumstances.

In Figure 3 a flexible tube 31 is illustrated, with its infrared emitting diodes 32 spaced uniformly along the interior of the tube. The tube can be bent into any desired shape and could be provided in modules 33 with male and female end connectors 34 so that a plurality of modules can be fitted together, with junctions 35 if necessary, to provide desired lighting patterns. It could, for example, be laid along a path and energised when the path needs to be observed.

The embodiments so far described have spaced infrared emitting diodes 12 and 32 within the flexible tubes.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate further alternative embodiments.

In Figure 4, alternate diodes emit radiation in the Infrared region in two different ranges, the first (with diodes 12') being the range to which night vision goggles are sensitive and the second (with diodes 12") being the range to which heat sensitive detectors are sensitive. The diodes of the two types alternate along the length of the tube. The control box 15 can be adapted to energise the diodes of the two types together or selectively, as desired.

In Figure 5, all the diodes are of one type but a continuous heat emitting wire 21 is provided along at least part of the length of the tube to provide the radiation to hich heat sensitive detectors are sensitive. It will be sen that the wire extends beyond at least two diodes 12.

The modifications of alternate diodes and diodes and heating wire arrangements as described with respect to Figures 4 and 5 can be applied to the arrangements of Figures 1 to 3.

Claims (11)

1. A radiation emitting device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of discrete infrared radiation emitting sources, the tube walls being translucent to the radiation emitted by the sources, and means to control the energisation of the sources, the device further comprising means in addition to said sources for emitting heat radiation.

2. The combination of a radiation emitting device and a detector sensitive to the radiation emitted by the device, the device comprising a flexible tube containing a plurality of discrete infrared radiation emitting sources, the tube walls being translucent to the radiation emitted by the sources, and means to control the energisation of the sources.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means in addition to said sources for emitting heat radiation.

4. The combination or device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the device comprises sources for emitting radiation of different wavelengths, the control means being arranged to control the source or sources of radiation of one wavelength independently of the source or sources emitting radiation of another wavelength.

5. The combination or device as claimed in claim 4 when dependent on claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the source of one wavelength comprises said heat radiation emitting means.

6. The combination or device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 or any claim dependent on either of them wherein the heat emitting means comprises an elongated source extending along the tube between a plurality of said infrared radiation emitting sources.

7. The combination or device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the control device is remotely operable.

8. The combination or device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the combination device is operable through an electromagnetic radiation communications link.

9. The combination or device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tube forms a closed curve.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 2 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A radiation emitting device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.