JP2009302063A - Beam former for remote lighting method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

A beam shaping apparatus having an improved light distribution pattern is provided.
A remote illumination device for distributing an optical signal from a central light source to a remote light distribution device (14). Each remote light distributor (14) or beam shaping device creates a high precision distribution pattern (132) from the optical signal. This distribution pattern (132) can be easily adjusted in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In a first preferred embodiment, each beam shaping device is connected to a central light source via a fiber optic cable and has a non-imaging light converter (120) and a conical reflector element (112). In a further preferred embodiment, the holographic diffuser and / or mask element are cooperating to conform to the shape of the light distribution pattern. The electronic control mask elements are further co-operated to form a flashing, moving or dynamic light distribution pattern.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  (Background of the Invention)

  (1. Conventional examples related to the invention)

  The present invention relates to US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 733,940, “Integrated Beam Forming Apparatus and Method for Producing the Same,” filed on Oct. 21, 1996. The present invention also relates to US Pat. No. 5,986,752 “Lighting System Sequencer and Method”.

  (2. Field of the Invention)

  The present invention relates to a lighting system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a beam shaping apparatus or luminaire for use in a remote lighting system and a remote lighting system for creating a controlled precise and dynamic light distribution pattern.

(3. Examination of related technologies)

  Airports have lighting systems that guide incoming aircraft. Traditional aircraft approach lighting systems (ALS) have a group of incandescent lamps arranged to illuminate according to specific demands on color and intensity, as well as the distribution of angled light over thousands of feet from the runway. is doing. The main problem with using incandescent lamps in ALS is to monitor many light sources, i.e. each incandescent lamp, to know its failure. The convenience of ALS depends on the number and location of fault lamps in this system. Replacing the lamp is costly due to labor costs and lamp costs.

  US General Aviation Administration (FAA) rules require a lot from ALS. For example, to minimize hazards for landing and takeoff aircraft, the ramp support tower between the runway edge and the 1000 foot bar should be fragile or fragile. On the other hand, these towers need to be able to fully support the lamps regardless of significant changes in weather conditions. In addition, the system must be able to operate at 5 brightness levels depending on the time of day and the weather conditions. Current systems using incandescent lamps include complex control systems for determining and monitoring lamp current to achieve a desired brightness level. System performance is estimated by the measured lamp current, but accurate performance cannot be displayed for several reasons, such as lamp type, radial age, resistance difference in the current loop, and so on.

  Another example of lighting system technology is to illuminate ships, aircraft and vehicles for navigation and identification. These navigational lighting systems must meet strict national regulations and requirements for brightness, angular distribution and color. The most common technology that satisfies these requirements is an incandescent lamp distribution system coupled to an electrical distribution system. The electrical distribution system has a lot of maintenance, such as monitoring for replacement of fault lamps, safety issues such as elimination and reduction of ignition sources such as design problems such as electromagnetic interference prevention (EMI) and fuel leaks in case of accidents It is necessary to measure.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,996 shows a number of improvements over conventional lighting techniques, such as a remote lighting (RSL) system using a central light source or light engine. This light source is coupled to one or more beam shaping devices via a light pipe system. Each beam shaping device, or luminaire, has a light converter and a holographic diffuser that can achieve the desired light dispersion with minimal luminance loss. System characteristics are directly monitored optically. An improved long-life center light source greatly reduces maintenance. On the other hand, a beam shaping device that is cooled and does not ignite is suitable for use in many operating environments, and is a safe and inexpensive lighting device.

  In addition to significant improvements in conventional lighting system technology, the light delivered from the beam shaping device is improved and controlled. For example, the light distribution pattern from a high intensity incandescent lamp is limited to a 180 ° distribution pattern mainly in a horizontal plane. In certain lighting applications, such as mast head navigation light for ships, it is desirable that the horizontal distribution pattern be greater than 180 °, thus requiring a large number of lamps and beam shaping devices. It is desirable to have light distribution capability for special applications and to be able to re-adapt light distribution for other applications. It is further desirable to be able to dynamically change the light distribution pattern. For example, a mechanical drive element that physically rotates the light source is desirable to create a dynamic light distribution pattern for use in a rotating beacon. Therefore, there is a need for a beam shaping device that produces an accurate illumination distribution with improved range. Furthermore, there is a need for a beam shaping device for use in remote illumination systems that can be applied to precise dynamic light distribution patterns.

US Pat. No. 5,629,996

(Object of invention)

  The main object of the present invention is to obtain a beam shaping device having an improved light distribution pattern. A main object of the present invention is to obtain a beam shaping apparatus having a high-precision light distribution pattern.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a beam shaping apparatus that produces a high-precision light distribution pattern that can be adapted to a remote lighting system.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beam shaping device having an adaptive light distribution pattern.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beam shaping apparatus having a dynamic light distribution pattern.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a beam forming apparatus that requires no operation maintenance or minimizes the cost and reduces the cost.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination system including a plurality of beam shaping devices for obtaining a precision illumination system, a central light source and a fiber optic light distribution system.

  Another object of the present invention is to obtain a method for forming a light distribution pattern.

  The remote brightness illumination system distributes the light signal from the central illumination source to the remote light distributor. Each remote light distribution device or luminaire can create a high precision distribution pattern from the optical signal. This distribution pattern can be easily adjusted in the horizontal and vertical directions. In a first preferred configuration, each beam shaping device is coupled to a central light source via a fiber optic cable, which has a non-imaging light transducer and a conical reflective element. In a further preferred embodiment, the holographic diffuser and / or mask element is connected to a beam shaping device in order to adapt the shape of the light distribution pattern. Electronically controlled mask elements are further used to create light emitting, moving or dynamic light distribution patterns.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals.
1 is a block diagram of a remote lighting system having a beam shaping device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view for description of the beam shaping apparatus which shows the non-imaging light converter and reflective element in the preferable Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a preferable reflective element used for the beam shaping apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st deformation | transformation of the reflective element shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd deformation | transformation of the reflective element shown in FIG. It is a side view for description of the beam shaping apparatus which shows the non-imaging light converter in the other preferable Example of this invention, a holographic diffuser, and a reflective element. It is a perspective view for description of the beam shaping apparatus which shows the non-imaging light converter in the further another preferable Example of this invention, a holographic diffuser, a diffusion mask, and a reflective element. It is a top view of the light distribution pattern relevant to the diffusion mask shown in FIG. It is a perspective view for explanation of a beam forming device showing a non-imaging light converter and a reflective element in still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a diffusion mask in still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view for description of the beam shaping apparatus which shows the non-imaging light converter and reflective element in further another preferable Example of this invention.

  The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments and detailed description. Of course, various changes and increases / decreases can be made within the spirit of the present invention.

  (1. Overview)

  The remote brightness illumination system distributes the light signal from the central illumination source to the remote light distributor. Each remote light distribution device or luminaire can create a high precision distribution pattern from the optical signal. This distribution pattern can be easily adjusted in the horizontal and vertical directions. In a first preferred configuration, each beam shaping device is coupled to a central light source via a fiber optic cable, which has a non-imaging light transducer and a conical reflective element. In a further preferred embodiment, the holographic diffuser and / or mask element is connected to a beam shaping device in order to adapt the shape of the light distribution pattern. Electronically controlled mask elements are further used to create light emitting, moving or dynamic light distribution patterns.

  (2. Remote lighting system)

  The remote lighting system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes 1) an approach light system (ALS), 2) a ship navigation light system, 3) an aircraft or vehicle illumination light system, 4) a warning light system, or 5) minefield or hazardous area illumination. Suitable for operating the system. Other uses for remote lighting system 10 are shown in US Pat. No. 5,629,669 and others. The remote lighting system 10 includes a lighting device (or light engine) 12 that creates a central light source that is applied to a beam shaping device 14 via a light supply system 16. The beam shaping device 14 can be used in 1) lighting towers (eg, ALS), 2) aircraft, ships and vehicles, or 3) in remote and / or hazardous areas (eg minefields, bomb manufacturing plants, oil refineries, laboratories, etc.). Applicable.

  The illuminator 12 includes a control power source 20 that is preferably coupled directly to an electrical energy source (not shown) and an optical adjuster 26. The power supply 20 and the direct optical adjuster are connected to each other and to a lighting system controller 18 including a preferred control processor such as a microprocessor for control signal transmission. The power source 20 and the direct optical adjuster 26 control voltage application to the first light source 22 and the second light source 24. Optical signal outputs from the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 are applied to the high efficiency coupler 30 via the optical switch 28. The high efficiency coupler 30 sends the light output from the light sources 22 and 24 sent via the optical switch 28 to the light supply system 16. The light supply system 16 preferably includes an optical splitter or fiber optic bundle for sending optical signals from the illumination device 20 to one or more beam shaping devices 14.

  Each of the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 creates an energy source in the visible range that is focused to a focal point by an elliptical or parabolic reflector. The high efficiency coupler 30 sends light focused at the focal point from the light supply system 16 to the optical fiber. As shown, the light source 24 is preferably a sufficient light source. The direct optical adjuster 26 is preferably connected to an optical switch 28 for monitoring the light output of both the first light source 22 and the second light source 24. The optical switch 28 is connected to the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 in order to selectively apply optical signals from the first light source and the second light source to the coupler 30. In a normal state, voltage is supplied only to the first light source 22, so that it is the only optical signal source. If the first light source 22 fails, this failure is directly detected by the optical adjuster 26. 1) The power from the power source 20 to the first light source 22 is cut off, and power is supplied to the second light source 24. 2) Optical A switch 28 receives light energy from the second light source 24 and applies it to the high efficiency coupler 30.

  (3. Beam forming device assembly)

  The above elements of the present invention, except for the beam shaping device 14, are described in more detail in US Pat. No. 5,629,996. FIG. 2 shows details of the beam shaping apparatus 14 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the beam shaping device 14 has a cylindrical opaque housing 100 having a closed bottom 102, an open top 104, and a cylindrical cavity 106. A flanged hole 107 for the fiber optic cable coupler 108 is formed in the bottom 102. The fiber optic coupler 108 is suitable for coupling the beam shaping device 14 to the fiber optic cable 110 of the light supply system 16. The housing 100 is preferably made from a plastic material using a preferred molding process.

  A transparent annular window 111 made of a transparent plastic material is disposed and fixed on the top portion 104, extends in the axial direction through the cavity 106, and is provided with a reflective element 112 that closes the end portion 114 of the annular window 111. The reflective element 112 is preferably of a conical shape having a tip generally coinciding with the center line of the housing 100 and oriented inwardly toward the cavity 106. The reflective element 112 has an inclined reflective surface 118. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the reflecting surface 118 is inclined with respect to the center line of the housing 100. The reflective element 12 is made of either dielectric or metal to make the reflective surface 118.

  A non-imaging light converter 120 is disposed and fixed in the cavity 106. The light converter 120 includes a body portion 126 having a light inlet 122 and a light outlet 124. The light inlet 122 is in line with the adjacent coupler 108, thus allowing the signal from the fiber optic cable 110 to be coupled to the optical converter 120 in proximity to the end 128 of the fiber optic cable 110. The light converter 120 is preferably of the structure described in US Pat. No. 5,629,996 and is used in a unit area to maximize the light energy coupled by the fiber optic cable 110 when used in the beam shaping device 14. Decrease the luminous flux density. The distributed optical signal 130 that exits from the light outlet 124 of the optical converter 120 is directed to the reflecting surface 118 and reflected outward through the annular window 111 to form a light distribution pattern 132. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the light distribution pattern 132 extends radially from the beam shaping device 14 in a 360 ° horizontal pattern having a vertical distribution angle β.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the light distribution pattern 132 in the vertical section can be adjusted in the beam shaping apparatus 14 by adjusting the shape of the reflective element 112. FIG. 3 shows the reflective element 112 shown in FIG. That is, the reflective element 112 has a groove angle φ of 90 °. The light beam 234 that travels in the axial direction of the housing 100 and strikes the reflecting element 112 is reflected at an angle γ equal to the angle φ or an angle of 90 ° with respect to the center line of the housing 100. The light dispersion pattern 132 by the reflecting element 112 travels outward in the radial direction from the beam shaping device 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the reflective element 136 has a groove angle of 90 ° or less. The light beam 334 that travels in the axial direction of the housing 100 and strikes the reflecting element 136 is reflected at an angle γ of 90 ° or more with respect to the center line of the housing 10. In this case, the light distribution pattern 132 by the reflective element 136 travels upward from the beam shaping device 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the reflective element 138 has a groove angle φ of 90 ° or more. The light beam 134 that travels in the axial direction of the housing 100 and strikes the reflecting element 138 is reflected at an angle γ of 90 ° or less with respect to the center line of the housing 100. In this case, the light distribution pattern 132 by the reflective element 136 proceeds downward from the beam shaping device 14. By controlling the shape of the reflecting elements (112, 136 and 138) as described above, the vertical direction of the light distribution pattern 132 of the beam shaping device 14 can be accurately controlled.

  FIG. 6 shows a beam shaping device 140 in another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The beam shaping device 140 includes a holographic diffuser 142 disposed between the light converter 120 and the reflective element 112. The holographic diffuser 142 is preferably a volume holographic diffuser, and the light beam from the light outlet 124 is shaped before it strikes the reflecting element 112. In this case, the light dispersion pattern 132, in particular, the vertical dispersion angle β can be further controlled.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holographic diffuser 142 directs the light beam 144 closer to the center line of the beam shaping device 140 and radially inward with respect to the center line. The light ray 144 strikes the reflecting element 112 at an incident angle of 45 ° or less and is reflected at an angle γ1 of φ or less or 90 ° or less. In this case, the light ray 144 is reflected downward. The light beam 146 farthest from the center line of the beam shaping device 140 is directed radially outward from the center line. In this case, the light ray 146 strikes the reflection element 112 at an incident angle of 45 ° or more and is reflected at an angle γ ₂ of φ or more or 90 ° or more. As a result, the light ray 146 is reflected upward. The entire light distribution pattern 148 by the beam shaping device 140 has a vertical dispersion angle β ₂ equal to or greater than β. Many other light shaping patterns can be created by shaping and controlling the light distribution pattern of the beam shaping device 140 with a holographic diffuser, for example by concentrating the light distribution pattern into a narrow vertical distribution pattern.

7 and 8 creates a horizontal light distribution pattern 158 of 360 ° or less. The beam shaping device 150 includes a mask element 152 disposed between the holographic diffuser 242 and the reflective element 112. Mask element 152 has an essentially transparent portion 154 and an essentially opaque portion 156. The mask element 152 can be made by applying a mask coating in an appropriate form to an optically transparent material having a preferable loss. The effect of the mask element 152 is to prevent the light from the light converter 120 at the light exit 124 from reaching the reflective element 112 in a predetermined area. Accordingly, the light distribution pattern 158 has an area 162 where light rays are reflected from the reflective element 112 and an area 160 that is not reflected. The beam shaping device 150 is suitable for applications that require a horizontal light distribution pattern of 360 ° or less, such as a ship mast head navigation light. Compared to the conventional example, a horizontal light distribution pattern of 180 ° or more can be formed by a single beam shaping device 150. The holographic diffuser 242 produces the desired vertical dispersion angle β ₂ , but is not required for each application of the beam shaping device 150. Further, the holographic diffuser 242 is preferably formed with an opaque area by coating or the like in order to exhibit the function of the mask element 152.

  The light distribution pattern 158 can be created by using the beam shaping apparatus 170 shown in FIG. The beam forming apparatus 170 includes a light converter 120, a holographic diffuser 342, and a reflective element 172. In general, the reflective element 172 is identical to the reflective elements 122, 136, and 138. The reflective element 172 is different in that a part 174 of the reflective surface 118 is a non-reflective surface. This can be achieved by either 1) not covering the portion 174 with a reflective material, 2) applying a non-reflective coating to the surface 118 in the portion 174, or 3) applying a mask to the reflective element 172. The effect is that the light hitting portion 174 is not reflected, and thus the light distribution pattern 158 is obtained.

  10 and 11 show the beam shaping device 180 and the electronic control mask 182 associated therewith. The mask 182 is positioned between the light converter 120 and the reflective element 112. Mask 182 includes a plurality of liquid crystal cells 201-220 each connected to controller 184 by a plurality of electrical wires 186 and a common ground conductor (not shown). Each cell 201-220 partitions the mask 182 angularly. Controller 184 preferably includes a processing unit, memory and buffer circuitry to create electrical energy and selectively energize cells 201-220. An energized cell transitions from an essentially transparent state to an essentially opaque state. As shown in FIG. 9, the cells 201 to 203 are energized and become opaque. The remaining cells 204-220 remain transparent. In this example, the mask 182 can be manipulated to form a light distribution pattern 158 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, among the cells 201 to 220, the cell 212 is energized and is opaque. In operation of the controller 184 and when the cell 212 is deactivated, for example, by a preferred sequence algorithm stored in the memory or hard program of the controller 184 using a particular integrated circuit, the adjacent cell 211 is activated. Then, in a similar manner, cell 210 is energized when cell 211 is deactivated. This process is repeated sequentially for each cell 201-220 of mask 182. In this example, the resulting light distribution pattern has the effect of rotating the beam light around the beam shaping device 180. Thus, a rotating beacon effect is created. All cells 201-220 are preferably selectively and incidentally activated and deactivated. The obtained light distribution pattern is a light-emitting beacon such as a failure warning beacon. Many dynamic light distribution patterns can be achieved by selective activation and deactivation of cells 201-220.

  The beam shaping apparatus 180 has 20 cells 201-220. The decomposition angle in the horizontal plane is approximately 18 °. A coarse and fine resolution mask 182 is achieved by providing fewer or more cells. Further, although it is not necessary to form cells in the angular area of the mask 182, the cells can be formed into various shapes in order to produce various light distribution patterns.

  Some operation is required to produce colored light. For example, some navigation lights are red, starboard is blue, and stern is white. Warning lights are generally red. In this regard, the beam shaping devices 14, 140, 150, 170 and 180 include a preferred colored filter disposed between the light converter 120 and the reflective element 112. In another example, a colored filter or a colored light source is used in the lighting device 20.

  The present invention can be variously changed and increased or decreased within the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the invention will be apparent from the claims.

Claims (33)

A) a housing having a top and a bottom for receiving light from a light source including an optical fiber;
B) a light conversion member disposed within the housing and coupled to the optical fiber for projecting divergent light from the bottom to the top; and C) fixed to the top for essentially all the light. A beam shaping device comprising a reflective element positioned to direct to a distribution pattern.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a diffusing element disposed between the light converting member and the reflecting element.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the diffusion element includes a holographic diffuser.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution pattern forms a 360 ° arc.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution pattern forms a part of a 360 ° arc.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mask element having at least one opaque area disposed between the light conversion member and the reflective element.   A mask element having a plurality of areas disposed between the light converting member and the reflective element, each of the areas having a first substantially opaque state and a second substantially transparent state; The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of areas are responsive to an electrical signal for transitioning from the first state to the second state.   9. The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a controller for selectively applying an electrical signal to a selected one of the plurality of areas.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes a remote illuminator and a light pipe.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting element has a conical shape.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a groove angle of the reflecting element is approximately 90 °.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a groove angle of the reflecting element is 90 ° or less.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a groove angle of the reflecting element is 90 ° or more. A) a cylindrical housing defining a cylindrical cavity having an open top and a bottom including a coupler for receiving a fiber optic cable;
B) Located in the cylindrical cavity, having a light inlet adjacent to the coupler and a light distribution outlet protruding toward the top, receiving input light from the optical fiber, and receiving output divergent light A non-imaging light conversion member facing the top,
C) a transparent annular member fixed to the top;
D) a reflective surface fixed to the annular member and disposed toward the light distribution outlet, receiving the diverging light and essentially distributing all of the light into a predetermined distribution pattern And E) an apparatus for forming a light distribution pattern comprising: the light conversion member and a light shaping member disposed between the reflectors.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the light shaping member has one of a diffuser and a mask.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the diffuser comprises a volume holographic diffuser.   17. The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the mask has a plurality of areas, each having a first essentially opaque state and a second essentially transparent state.   The beam shaping apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of zones are responsive to an electrical signal for transitioning from the first state to the second state.   The beam shaping apparatus of claim 19, comprising a controller for selectively applying an electrical signal to a selected one of the plurality of zones.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the reflector is conical.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a groove angle of the reflector is essentially 90 °.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a groove angle of the reflector is 90 ° or less.   The beam shaping apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a groove angle of the reflector is 90 ° or more. A) Make optical signal from optical fiber,
B) Convert the characteristics of the optical signal,
C) A method of forming a light distribution pattern comprising the steps of: directing and diverging the optical signal to a reflective element; and D) distributing essentially all of the optical signal from the reflective element to a predetermined light distribution pattern.   26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of converting the characteristics of the light includes converting a light flux density of the optical signal.   26. A method according to claim 25 including the step of shaping an optical signal between steps B and C.   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of shaping the optical signal comprises flowing light through a light shaping device.   28. The method of claim 27, wherein the light shaping device comprises a holographic diffuser.   26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of directing the optical signal to the reflective element includes directing a portion of the optical signal to the reflective element.   26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of directing the optical signal to the reflective element includes blocking a portion of the optical signal from the reflective element.   26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of directing the optical signal to the reflective element comprises alternately directing the optical signal from the reflective element and blocking the optical signal from the reflective element. A) a central source of optical signals including output light from the optical fiber cable;
B) an optical distribution system connected at one end to the central source of the optical signal;
C) comprising at least one light distribution device connected to the other end of the light distribution system, wherein the light distribution device 1) a housing having a top and a bottom;
2) a light converting member for projecting a divergent light signal from the bottom to the top, disposed in the housing and connected to the other end of the light distribution system for receiving an optical signal at the bottom; and 3) A light distribution device having a reflective element fixed to the top and positioned to redirect essentially all light signals from the light conversion member to the distribution pattern.

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