A light signaling device intended to be attached to a line for the transmission of electrical energy.

Abstract

The invention relates to a light signaling device (1) suitable and intended to be fixed to a line (2) for the transmission of electrical energy, said light signaling device (1) comprising: - a casing (3) having a shape of revolution about a longitudinal axis (X), said casing (3) having an upper half-casing (4) and a lower half-casing (5); - the casing (3) having at least two openings (22), each of which is covered by a transparent cover (23); - at least two light-emitting diodes (16) housed inside the casing (3) and respectively arranged opposite one or the other of the openings (22); and - at least one current transformer (15) housed in the casing (3) configured to transform a current flowing in the line (2) into a current suitable for supplying electrical energy to the light-emitting diodes (16). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Light signaling device intended to be fixed to a line for the transmission of electrical energy Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of light signaling devices, or beacons, intended to signal the presence of an obstacle to air navigation.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to light signaling devices intended to be fixed to a line for the transport of electrical energy in order to signal the line to aircraft and which are supplied with electricity by the line. Technological background

[0003] Known in the state of the art are light beacons which are suspended from an electric line and comprise a neon lamp which is connected, on the one hand, to the line and, on the other hand, to a capacitive element itself connected to the line. Such a light beacon is described in particular in patent FR2786253 in the name of the applicant.

[0004] Light beacons comprising light-emitting diodes are also known, as well as electrical transformers which allow, by induction, the light-emitting diodes to be supplied with electricity via the line. Such a light beacon is disclosed in particular in application EP3579363.

[0005] However, the aforementioned light beacons are not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the light beacons are suspended from the line, below it. They are therefore particularly bulky and offer significant wind resistance. They also do not make it possible to limit the corona effect, also known as the “corona effect”, which is likely to generate harmful sound vibrations around the light beacon. Summary of the invention

[0006] An idea at the basis of the invention is therefore to propose a light signaling device intended to be fixed to a line for the transport of electrical energy which is capable of being supplied with electricity by the line, is particularly compact, offers low wind resistance and makes it possible to limit the corona effect.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a light signaling device suitable and intended to be fixed to a line for the transport of electrical energy, said light signaling device comprising: - a shell which extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises an upper half-shell and a lower half-shell configured to be respectively arranged on either side of the line and to be assembled to each other along a plane assembly so as to surround the line; - fixing members arranged to fix the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell to each other; - the hull comprising at least two openings which are each covered by a transparent cover and arranged respectively on either side of a median longitudinal plane; - at least two light sources which are housed inside the hull and respectively arranged opposite one and the other of the openings; - at least one current transformer which is housed in the shell and which comprises an induction coil which is suitable and intended to be magnetically coupled to the line; said current transformer being configured to transform a current flowing in the line into a current suitable for supplying electrical energy to the light sources.

[0008] Thanks to these characteristics, the light sources are not suspended below the cable or located outside the shell but directly housed in the half-shells which surround the line, the light signaling device thus produced is therefore much more compact and offers much less wind resistance. In addition, given the housing of the light sources in the shell, the corona effect is limited.

[0009] According to embodiments, such a light signaling device may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the light sources are each positioned to emit a light flux comprising a plurality of light rays, at least one of which is parallel to the assembly plane (P).

[0011] According to one embodiment, the shell has a shape of revolution around the longitudinal axis. Thus, given the shape of revolution of the hull, the crown effect is further limited.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the shape of revolution of the hull corresponds to a shape obtained by rotation, around the longitudinal axis X, of an oval curve, said oval curve being elongated along the longitudinal axis and symmetrical with respect to said longitudinal axis. The hull therefore does not include any projecting element, which is particularly advantageous for limiting the crown effect. Such a shape also limits wind resistance and water accumulation.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the lower and upper half-shells have, at each of their ends, a semicircular opening allowing the line to pass through the shell.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each transparent cover has a zone furthest from the longitudinal axis which is positioned at a distance dl from the Ion- axis gitudinal which is less than d2 + 20 mm, advantageously less than d2 + 10 mm and preferably less than d2 + 5 mm with d2: the distance between an external surface of the upper or lower half-shell and the longitudinal axis X in the orthogonal plane of the considered zone of the transparent cover. Each transparent cover therefore does not protrude or protrudes little from the shell.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the upper and lower half-shells have, in a border zone formed around each opening, fillets or rounded edges, making it possible to avoid the presence of protruding edges likely to contribute to the crown effect.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the transparent covers have areas housed in the openings which are free of protruding edges.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the shell comprises at least four openings which are each covered by a transparent cover, two of the four openings being arranged in the upper half-shell respectively on either side of the median longitudinal plane and the other two being arranged in the lower half-shell respectively on either side of the median longitudinal plane, the light signaling device comprising at least four light sources which are housed inside the shell and each arranged opposite one of the openings, the light sources each being positioned to emit a light flux comprising a plurality of light rays of which at least one is parallel to the assembly plane. Thus, such a light signaling device is able to emit in the horizontal plane even when the line turns slightly around its longitudinal axis.

[0018] According to one embodiment, in projection in a transverse plane, the openings are each included in an angular sector which is delimited by the assembly plane and which has an angle less than 60°.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the light signaling device comprises a set of light sources comprising several light sources, arranged opposite each of the openings.

[0020] According to one embodiment, each set of light sources is fixed on an electronic card housed in the shell.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the electronic card extends in a plane forming with the assembly plane, an angle [3 > 90 - a with a: the half-angle at the apex of an emission cone of the light sources of said assembly, expressed in degrees.

[0022] According to one embodiment, [3 > 100 - a.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the light sources of each set are arranged in the form of a row which is aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the shell comprises two openings which are respectively arranged in the upper half-shell and in the lower half-shell and are each covered by a transparent cover, the two openings being arranged along the median longitudinal plane and respectively positioned on either side of the assembly plane (P).

[0025] According to one embodiment, the transparent covers are divided into a plurality of lenses which are regularly distributed around an axis Z which is orthogonal to the assembly plane (P) and intersects the longitudinal axis (X), the light signaling device comprising a light source opposite each of the lenses, each of the lenses being configured to focus the light flux emitted by the corresponding light source and direct it at least partly parallel to the assembly plane (P).

[0026] Such an embodiment is advantageous in that it makes it possible to provide 360° lighting around a vertical axis perpendicular to the X axis.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the light sources are fixed on support plates, each support plate being fixed against an internal surface of one of the lower half-shell and upper half-shell by fixing means, each support plate pressing one of the transparent covers against an edge zone of said lower or upper half-shell which is arranged around one of the openings. Thus, the support plates provide a dual functionality, namely to ensure the fixing of the light sources and the transparent covers to the shell. This also makes it possible to avoid or limit the projection of the transparent covers relative to the shell, thus limiting the corona effect.

[0028] According to one embodiment, a sealing gasket is pinched between each of the transparent covers and the border area. This ensures the sealing of the openings.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a flexible seal is arranged between each support plate and the respective transparent cover.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the openings are oblong in shape and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the transparent covers are made of glass, polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0032] According to one embodiment, the transparent covers integrate a lens, diverging or converging, capable of shaping the luminous flux emitted by the light source.

[0033] According to one embodiment, at least one of the light sources is housed in the upper half-shell and at least one other of the light sources is housed in the lower half-shell, the light signaling device comprising at least two current transformers respectively housed in the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell, each of the current transformers comprising an induction coil which is suitable and intended to be magnetically coupled to the line and being connected to each light source housed in the upper or lower half-shell in which said current transformer is housed. This makes it possible to have two independent lighting systems, which increases the reliability of the light signaling device.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the induction coil of each of the current transformers comprises a ferromagnetic core having a half-tube shape extending along the longitudinal axis and a wire winding which is wound around the ferromagnetic core.

[0035] According to one embodiment, each of the current transformers comprises a full-wave rectification circuit, such as a diode bridge.

[0036] According to one embodiment, each of the current transformers further comprises a coupled inductance.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell are identical, which limits the number of different components required for manufacturing the light signaling device.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the fixing members are screws which each pass through an orifice formed in one of the upper and lower half-shells and which are screwed into a threaded bore formed in the other of the upper and lower half-shells.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment, the screws are countersunk, that is to say that their head is housed inside the orifice through which they pass. This also contributes to limiting the crown effect.

[0040] According to one embodiment, each tapped bore extends along a geometric axis which is symmetrical to a geometric axis of one of the orifices, relative to a longitudinal median plane or to a transverse median plane.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the geometric axis of each tapped bore is symmetrical to a geometric axis of one of the orifices only with respect to the longitudinal median plane. This makes it possible to impose a direction of assembly of the two half-shells relative to each other, which may prove necessary in order to align the air gaps of the induction coils of one and the other of the two half-shells.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each of the upper and lower half-shells is filled with a gasket, for example made of silicone. The gasket ensures the sealing of the electronic components and the induction coils once the two half-shells are assembled together.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the light signaling device comprises a potential connection device.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the potential-setting device comprises two metal cable clamps which are respectively arranged at one and the other of the two ends of the light signaling device and are each in electrical contact with at least one of the upper and lower half-shells.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the light sources are light-emitting diodes. The light-emitting diodes may in particular be laser diodes or conventional light-emitting diodes, i.e. non-laser.

[0046] According to one embodiment, each half-shell has at least two centering pins which are adapted to fit into two complementary centering holes of the other half-shell. Brief description of the figures

[0047] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0048] [Fig.l] is an exploded view of a light signaling device according to one embodiment and of a line to which said device is intended to be fixed.

[0049] [Fig.2] is a side view of the light signaling device when the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell are fixed to each other.

[0050] [Fig.3] is a view showing the interior of one of the half-shells of the light signaling device.

[0051] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along a transverse plane, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X, of one of the half-shells of the light signaling device.

[0052] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the light signaling device in which the two half-shells and the silicone lining are not shown in order to allow the components housed in the shell to be viewed.

[0053] [Fig.6] represents the front face of an electronic card equipped with a set of light-emitting diodes.

[0054] [Fig.7] represents the rear face of the electronic card of [Fig.6].

[0055] [Fig.8] is a basic electrical diagram of the signaling device luminous according to a first variant embodiment.

[0056] [Fig.9] is a basic electrical diagram of the light signaling device according to another embodiment variant.

[0057] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a half-shell according to another embodiment. Description of the embodiments

[0058] By convention, the longitudinal axis X of the light signaling device 1 corresponds to the direction of its length, that is to say its largest dimension. This longitudinal axis X is, moreover, coaxial with the axis of line 2 when said light signaling device 1 is mounted on line 2.

[0059] In relation to Figures 1 to 7, a light signaling device 1 is described below, according to a first embodiment. The light signaling device 1 is intended to be fixed to a line 2 for the transport of electrical energy, such as a high voltage line, that is to say having a voltage greater than 50 kV in alternating current.

[0060] The light signaling device 1 comprises a shell 3. This shell 3 is made up of two half-shells 4, 5, namely an upper half-shell 4 and a lower half-shell 5. The upper half-shell 4 and the lower half-shell 5 are configured to be respectively arranged on either side of the line 2 and to assemble to each other along a horizontal assembly plane P, illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. Thus, when the upper half-shell 4 and the lower half-shell 5 are assembled to each other, they surround the line 2. The two half-shells 4, 5 have, at each of their ends, a semicircular opening 6 allowing the passage of the line 2 through the shell 3.

[0061] The light signaling device 1 also comprises fixing members 7, 8, 9, 10, visible in [Fig. 1], which are arranged to fix the upper half-shell 4 and the lower half-shell 5 to each other. In the embodiment shown, the fixing members 7, 8, 9, 10 are screws which each pass through an orifice 11 formed in one of the two half-shells 4, 5 and which are screwed into a threaded bore 12 formed in the other of the half-shells 4, 5. As illustrated for example in [Fig. 2], the screws are countersunk, that is to say that their head is housed inside the orifice 11 through which they pass. The fixing members 7, 8, 9, 10 therefore do not protrude outside the shell 3.

[0062] According to an advantageous embodiment, the two half-shells 4, 5 are identical. This makes it possible to limit the number of different components required for the manufacture of the light signaling device 1. To do this, the geometric axis of each tapped bore 12 is symmetrical to the geometric axis of one of the orifices 11, with respect to a longitudinal median plane, that is to say a plane which is located in the middle of the half-shell 4, 5 and includes the longitudinal axis X, or to a transverse median plane, that is to say a plane which is located in the middle of the half-shell 4, 5 and is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, the geometric axis of each tapped bore 12 is, on the one hand, symmetrical to the geometric axis of one of the orifices 11 with respect to the longitudinal median plane and, on the other hand, symmetrical to the geometric axis of another of the orifices 11 with respect to a transverse median plane. This double symmetry facilitates the assembly since the two half-shells 4, 5 do not have to respect a direction of assembly in order to be able to be assembled to each other. However, according to another embodiment, there is only one symmetry with respect to the longitudinal median plane. This advantage, on the contrary, makes it possible to impose a direction of assembly of the two half-shells with respect to each other, which may prove necessary in order to align the air gaps of the induction coils 17 which will be described later.

[0064] Furthermore, advantageously, in order to also facilitate assembly, each half-shell 4, 5 has at least two centering pins 13 which are adapted to fit into two complementary centering orifices 14 of the other half-shell 4, 5. For the aforementioned reasons, the geometric axis of each centering pin 13 is symmetrical to one of the centering orifices 14 with respect to the longitudinal median plane. The geometric axis of each centering pin 13 may also be symmetrical to another of the centering orifices 14 with respect to the transverse median plane. According to another embodiment, the geometric axis of each centering pin 13 is not symmetrical to another of the centering orifices 14 with respect to the transverse median plane. Therefore, the centering pins 13 provide a foolproof function, that is to say they ensure that the two half-shells 4, 5 are fixed to each other in a specific direction.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, the centering pins 13 are each coaxial with one of the orifices 11 and are drilled to allow the passage of a fixing member 7, 8, 9, 10 while the centering orifices 14 are coaxial with the tapped bores 12 and open into them.

[0066] Furthermore, the shell 3 has a shape of revolution around the longitudinal axis X. More particularly, the shell 3 has a shape of revolution obtained by rotation around the longitudinal axis X of an oval curve which is, on the one hand, elongated along the longitudinal axis and, on the other hand, symmetrical with respect to said longitudinal axis X. The shell 3 therefore does not have any projecting edges. Furthermore, the light signaling device 1 also does not have any element projecting with respect to the shape of revolution of the shell 3.

[0067] An electrical circuit according to one embodiment is shown in [Fig.7]. The light signaling device 1 comprises at least one current transformer 15 which is based on the principle of transferring electrical energy by induction. The current transformer 15 is housed in the shell 3 and is configured to transform a current flowing in the line 2 into a current suitable for supplying electrical energy to light sources, namely light-emitting diodes 16 in the embodiment shown. Preferably, the light signaling device 1 comprises two current transformers 15 which are respectively housed in one and the other of the two half-shells 4, 5 and which are each connected to the light-emitting diodes 16 of the half-shell 4, 5 to which they belong. Thus, the light signaling device 1 comprises two independent lighting systems which are each housed in one of the half-shells 4, 5. This allows the light signaling device 1 to continue to perform the signaling function when only one of the two systems has a malfunction.

[0068] Each current transformer 15 comprises an induction coil 17. The induction coil 17 forms the secondary of the current transformer 15 while the line 2 forms the primary. Furthermore, each current transformer 15 comprises at least one conversion circuit. In the embodiment shown, the conversion circuit comprises at least one single- or double-wave rectification circuit 18, such as a diode bridge, which rectifies the alternating current into a direct current. Advantageously, the conversion circuit also comprises at least one coupled inductor 19 which makes it possible to smooth and filter the current at the output of the double-wave rectification circuit 18 and thus makes it possible to protect the light-emitting diodes 16 against periodic overvoltages. Any other type of conversion circuit can also be used.

[0069] An electrical circuit according to another alternative embodiment is shown in [Fig. 8]. This electrical circuit corresponds to that of the light signaling device shown in Figures 1 to 7. In this embodiment, each current transformer 15 comprises a plurality of conversion circuits which each comprise a full-wave rectification circuit 18 and a coupled inductor 19. This ensures redundancy of the conversion circuits so as to ensure even greater reliability.

[0070] Returning to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, it can be seen that, in this embodiment, each induction coil 17 comprises a ferromagnetic core 20, visible in particular in Figures 4 and 5, as well as a copper wire winding, not visible, which is wound around the ferromagnetic core 20. The alternating current in the primary, i.e. in line 2, produces an alternating magnetic field in the ferromagnetic core 20 which then induces an alternating current in the secondary, i.e. in the copper wire winding of the induction coil 17. The ferromagnetic core 20 has a half-tube shape extending along the longitudinal axis X. The section of the half-tubes is semicircular or has a U shape. The copper wire winding has an appropriate number of turns to obtain an intensity in the secondary compatible with the power supply of the 16 light-emitting diodes.

[0071] The light-emitting diodes 16 are distributed into several sets, each set of light-emitting diodes being fixed on an electronic card 21, one of which is notably visible in [Fig.7]. The light-emitting diodes 16 of each set are, for example, arranged in the form of a row which is aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X. In the embodiment shown, the light-emitting diodes 16 are distributed in four sets. The light signaling device 1 therefore comprises four support plates, two of which are housed in the upper half-shell 4 and the other two in the lower half-shell 5. Each electronic card 21 is advantageously a rigid printed circuit board on which the light-emitting diodes 16 of one of the sets are soldered.

[0072] It can be seen in [Fig.7] that two conversion circuits, each comprising a full-wave rectification circuit 18 and a coupled inductor 19, are fixed to the rear face of each electronic card 21. Thus, each conversion circuit ensures the operation of only a portion of the light-emitting diodes 16 of each assembly. Each current transformer 15 therefore comprises four conversion circuits, i.e. two for each electronic card 21.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown for example in [Fig.2] and 4, each half-shell 4, 5 comprises two openings 22 which are each arranged opposite one of the sets of light-emitting diodes 16. The two openings 22 are respectively arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane. The openings 22 are here oblong in shape and extend parallel to the longitudinal direction X. Each of the openings 22 is covered by a transparent cover 23. The transparent covers 23 are, for example, made of glass, polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). According to one embodiment, the transparent covers 23 can incorporate a lens.

[0074] Advantageously, the openings 22 are positioned close to the assembly plane P so as to promote light emission around the horizontal plane. Thus, in projection in a transverse plane, that is to say orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, the openings 22 are each included in an angular sector which is delimited by the assembly plane and which has an angle less than 60°. Furthermore, the light-emitting diodes 16 of each set are oriented to each emit a light flux according to an emission cone comprising a plurality of light rays of which at least one is parallel to the assembly plane, as shown schematically in [Fig. 4]. To do this, the angle [3 formed by the plane of the electronic cards 21 with the assembly plane P is greater than or equal to 90 - a with a: the half-angle a at the apex of the emission cone of the light-emitting diodes 16 expressed in degrees.Advantageously, the angle [3 is greater than or equal to 100 - a. This ensures redundancy and greater light intensity near the horizontal plane. For example, the half-angles at the apex of the emission cones are between 40 and 80°, for example of the order of 60°.

[0075] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, each of the electronic cards 21 is fixed to a support plate 24. The support plates 24 are further fixed against the internal surface of the half-shells 4, 5 by fixing means 25, such as screws, which pass through orifices provided on the periphery of the support plates 24 and which are received in threaded bores provided in the half-shells 4, 5.

[0076] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the support plates 24 also make it possible to ensure the fixing of the transparent covers 23. Indeed, each support plate 24 holds the peripheral edge 26 of the transparent covers 23 against an edge zone 27 of the half-shells 4, 5 which is arranged around the openings 22. A seal 28 is pinched between the peripheral edge of each of the transparent covers 23 and the edge zone 27. This seal 28 makes it possible to prevent water from penetrating into the shell 3 through the openings 22. Advantageously, a flexible seal 29 is also arranged between each support plate 24 and the respective transparent cover 23. This makes it possible to better distribute the forces exerted on the transparent covers 23 and thus prevents them from breaking.

[0077] It can be seen in [Fig. 4] that the light-emitting diodes 16 and the electronic cards 21 to which they are fixed are housed inside the half-shells 4, 5 and therefore do not protrude relative to them. Furthermore, the fixing of the transparent covers 23, from the inside of the half-shells 4, 5 makes it possible to avoid or limit the protrusion of said transparent covers 23 outside the shell 3.

[0078] It is thus observed, in the embodiment shown, that the transparent covers 3 are substantially included in the peripheral envelope defined by the shell 3. Thus, advantageously, the zone of the transparent covers 23 furthest from the longitudinal axis X is positioned at a distance dl from the longitudinal axis which is less than d2 + 20 mm, advantageously less than d2 + 10 mm and preferably less than d2 + 5 mm with d2: the distance between the external surface of the half-shell 4, 5 and the longitudinal axis X in the orthogonal plane of the zone considered of the transparent cover 23.

[0079] Furthermore, it is also observed that each edge zone 27 has fillets or rounded edges all around the opening, making it possible to avoid the presence of protruding edges likely to contribute to the corona effect. For the same reasons, the surfaces of the areas of the transparent covers 23 which are housed in the openings 22 are also devoid of protruding edges.

[0080] Each of the half-shells 4, 5 is filled with a lining 35 which in particular ensures that the induction coil 17 is held in position. The lining 35 can be directly molded in situ in each of the half-shells 4, 5 or alternatively be previously overmolded onto the induction coil 17 and then be positioned in the half-shell 4, 5. Advantageously, this lining 35 is made of silicone. Silicone has excellent heat resistance. According to a embodiment not shown, the lining 35 of each of the half-shells 4, 5 have shapes which are configured to fit into complementary shapes provided in the lining 35 of the other half-shell 4, 5. Each of the shapes of the lining 35 has a position which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal median plane to the position of a complementary shape. Thus, the shapes of the lining 35 provide the foolproofing function, that is to say ensure that the two half-shells 4, 5 are fixed to each other in a determined direction.

[0081] The light signaling device 1 also comprises a potential-setting device intended to prevent the creation of an electric arc. The potential-setting device comprises two metal cable clamps 30, one of which is visible in [Fig. 5]. The cable clamps 30 are respectively arranged at one and the other of the two ends of the light signaling device 1 and are each in electrical contact with at least one of the half-shells 4, 5. Each cable clamp 30 comprises two metal jaws 31, 32 intended to be arranged respectively on either side of the line 2. The jaws 31, 32 are fixed to each other and electrically connected to the shell 3. According to one embodiment, the jaws 31, 32 are made of aluminum, which makes it possible to limit the mass of said cable clamps 30 while ensuring satisfactory conduction of electricity.Each of the jaws 31, 32 has two orifices which are each crossed by a screw 33, 34, said screw 33, 34 being screwed into a threaded orifice provided in one of the two half-shells 4, 5.

[0082] [Fig. 10] illustrates a half-shell intended to form a light signaling device 1 according to a second embodiment. This embodiment is distinguished in particular from the first embodiment described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 7 by the general shape of the shell 3, the number and positioning of the openings 22 as well as by the shape and optical characteristics of the transparent cover 23. This second embodiment aims in particular to ensure 360° lighting around a vertical axis perpendicular to the X axis.

[0083] In this embodiment, the shell 3 does not strictly have a shape of revolution around the axis X. Indeed, in section in a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X, the shell 3 has an oblong shape defined by a flat upper face and a flat lower face which are both parallel to the assembly plane P and rounded ends connecting the upper face and the lower face.

[0084] Furthermore, each shell 3 only has two openings 22 which are arranged along the median longitudinal plane, respectively on either side of the assembly plane P. Thus, one of the openings 22 is arranged on the top of the upper half-shell 4, that is to say in the upper face 36 of the shell 3, as shown in [Fig. 10], while the other is arranged on the underside of the half-shell lower 5, that is to say in the lower face of the shell 3.

[0085] The transparent cover 23 is here divided into a plurality of lenses 37, four in the embodiment shown, which are regularly distributed around an axis Z which is orthogonal to the assembly plane P and intersects the axis X. One or more light-emitting diodes, not visible in [Fig. 10], are oriented to emit a light flux on each of the lenses 37. According to one embodiment, the light-emitting diodes are oriented to emit a light flux in the direction of one of the lenses 37 according to an emission cone having a central axis parallel to the axis Z. Each of the lenses 37 is further configured to focus the light flux emitted by the light-emitting diodes and direct it at least partly parallel to the assembly plane.

[0086] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0087] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprise” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0088] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. Light signaling device (1) suitable and intended to be fixed to a line (2) for the transport of electrical energy, said light signaling device (1) comprising: - a shell (3) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X), said shell (3) comprising an upper half-shell (4) and a lower half-shell (5) configured to be respectively arranged on either side of the line (2) and to assemble to each other along an assembly plane (P) so as to surround the line (2); - fixing members (7, 8, 9, 10) arranged to fix the upper half-shell (4) and the lower half-shell (5) to each other; - the shell (3) comprising at least two openings (22) which are each covered by a transparent cover (23) and arranged respectively on either side of a median longitudinal plane;- at least two light sources (16) which are housed inside the shell (3) and respectively arranged opposite one and the other of the openings (22); and - at least one current transformer (15) which is housed in the shell (3) and which comprises an induction coil (17) which is suitable and intended to be magnetically coupled to the line (2); said current transformer (15) being configured to transform a current flowing in the line (2) into a current suitable for supplying electrical energy to the light-emitting diodes (16).;

2. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 1, in which the shell (3) has a shape of revolution around the longitudinal axis (X), the shape of revolution of the shell (3) corresponds to a shape obtained by rotation around the longitudinal axis (X) of an oval curve, said oval curve being elongated along the longitudinal axis (X) and symmetrical with respect to said longitudinal axis (X).

3. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shell (3) comprises at least four openings (22) which are each covered by a transparent cover (23), two of the four openings (22) being arranged in the upper half-shell (4) respectively on either side of the median longitudinal plane and the other two being arranged in the lower half-shell (5) respectively on either side of the median longitudinal plane, the light signaling device (1) comprising at least four light sources (16) which are housed inside the shell (3) and each arranged opposite one of the openings (22), the light sources (16) each being positioned to emit a light flux comprising a plurality of light rays of which at least one is parallel to the assembly plane (P).

4. Light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a set of light sources comprising several light sources (16), arranged opposite each of the openings (22).

5. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 4, in which each set of light sources is fixed on an electronic card (21) housed in the shell (3).

6. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 5, in which the electronic card extends in a plane forming with the assembly plane (P), an angle [3 > 90 - a with a: the half-angle at the apex of an emission cone of the light-emitting diodes (16) of said assembly, expressed in degrees.

7. A light signaling device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the light sources (16) of each set are arranged in the form of a row which is aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

8. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shell (3) comprises two openings (22) which are respectively arranged in the upper half-shell (4) and in the lower half-shell (5) and are each covered by a transparent cover (23), the two openings (22) being arranged along the median longitudinal plane and respectively positioned on either side of the assembly plane (P).

9. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the transparent covers (23) are divided into a plurality of lenses (37) which are regularly distributed around an axis Z which is orthogonal to the assembly plane (P) and intersects the longitudinal axis (X), the light signaling device (1) comprising a light source opposite each of the lenses (37), each of the lenses (37) being configured to focus the light flux emitted by the corresponding light source and direct it at least partly parallel to the assembly plane (P).

10. Light signaling device (1) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 9, wherein the light sources (16) are fixed on support plates (24), each support plate (24) being fixed against an internal surface of one of the lower half-shell (5) and upper half-shell (4) by fixing means (25), each support plate (24) pressing one of the transparent covers (23) against an edge zone (27) of said lower half-shell (5) or upper half-shell (4) which is arranged around one of the openings (22).

11. A light signaling device (1) according to claim 10, wherein a seal (28) is clamped between each of the transparent covers (23) and the border area (27).

12. A light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the light sources (16) is housed in the upper half-shell (4) and at least one other of the light sources (16) is housed in the lower half-shell (5), the light signaling device (1) comprising at least two current transformers (15) respectively housed in the upper half-shell (4) and the lower half-shell (5), each of the current transformers (15) comprising an induction coil (17) which is suitable and intended to be magnetically coupled to the line (2) and being connected to each light source (16) housed in the upper (4) or lower (5) half-shell in which said current transformer (15) is housed.

13. A light signaling device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the induction coil (17) of each of the current transformers (15) comprises a ferromagnetic core (20) having a half-tube shape extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and a wire winding which is wound around the ferromagnetic core (20).

14. Light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the upper half-shell (4) and the lower half-shell (5) are identical.

15. A light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the fixing members (7, 8, 9, 10) are screws which each pass through an orifice (11) formed in one of the upper (4) and lower (5) half-shells and which are screwed into a threaded bore (12) formed in the other of the upper (4) and lower (5) half-shells.

16. Light signaling device (1) according to claim 15, in in which each tapped bore (12) extends along a geometric axis which is symmetrical to a geometric axis of one of the orifices (11), relative to a longitudinal median plane or to a transverse median plane.

17. A light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the upper (4) and lower (5) half-shells is filled with a silicone gasket.

18. Light signaling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a potential-setting device comprising two metal cable clamps (30) which are respectively arranged at one and the other of the two ends of the light signaling device (1) and are each in electrical contact with at least one of the upper (4) and lower (5) half-shells.

19. A light signaling device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the light sources (16) are light-emitting diodes.

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