Aimable LED Fixtures for Intermittent Fly Zone Uplighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports venue lighting systems face challenges in providing efficient and precise illumination to the fly zone without causing glare, spill, and sky glow, while also being energy-intensive and unable to be used intermittently due to the need for conventional HID lights to warm up before use.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with aimable LED fixtures that are triggered by specific events, such as a bat hitting a ball, to provide momentary uplighting precisely aimed at the fly zone, reducing glare and energy consumption by using sensors and control systems to activate lights only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional HID lights are used to illuminate the fly zone, then sufficient light is provided to the fly zone, but the lights must remain on for the duration of the game and require warm-up time, resulting in high energy consumption and inability to provide intermittent lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using LED fixtures that can be rapidly switched on and off to provide intermittent uplighting only when the ball is in the fly zone. The system triggers lighting based on detected events (ball in play) rather than continuous operation, enabling momentary illumination that matches the actual need while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during periods when the ball is not in the air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional HID lights with LED fixtures that offer rapid response capability. LEDs can be activated immediately without warm-up time and can be switched on/off rapidly, substituting the mechanical/thermal limitations of HID systems with the electronic responsiveness of LED technology.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lights are aimed precisely at the ground zone to reduce glare and spill, then on-field glare and uplight are reduced, but light availability in the fly zone is reduced making it dark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting function by separating ground zone illumination (provided by fixed downward-aimed fixtures) from fly zone illumination (provided by aimable LED fixtures that can be directed upward). This segmentation allows each lighting subsystem to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic aimable LED fixtures that can change their beam direction in real-time. These fixtures can be electronically steered to point at the fly zone when needed and return to neutral positions when not needed, providing dynamic adaptability that static fixtures cannot achieve.
3Illumination intensity
If lights are positioned high and aimed at a large angle to provide light in the fly zone, then some light is provided in the lower fly zone, but adequate illumination for high fly balls is not achieved and uplight/spill/glare problems persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aimable LED fixtures as intermediary devices between the ground-based lighting infrastructure and the fly zone. These fixtures act as mediators that can be precisely directed to illuminate the fly zone without the compromises of fixed high-position fixtures, providing controlled illumination while minimizing harmful effects through precise beam direction.
4Manufacturing precision
If more precise aiming and focusing of lighting is implemented on the ground zone, then on-field glare and undesired uplight are reduced, but availability of light in the fly zone is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional lighting system where aimable LED fixtures can serve multiple purposes: illuminating the ground zone when aimed downward and illuminating the fly zone when aimed upward. This universality allows a single fixture type to address both lighting needs without the trade-offs of specialized fixed fixtures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient and precise illumination of the fly zone with reduced glare and energy savings, as the lights are only activated when the ball is in play, significantly lowering operational costs and improving visibility during sports events.
Implementation Method 1
aimable LED fixtures
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a method, apparatus, and system of illuminating a target area and space by providing continuous substantially controlled, concentrated, and aimed light downwardly towards the target area from an elevated position and providing temporary uplight relative to the target area upon a triggering event or condition. The triggering event or condition can be automatically sensed or manually initiated. Examples of automatic sensing include but are not limited to evaluating a sound, an image, or movement of an object. The uplight can be supplied by solid state light sources driven at or above rated operating power for a limited periods of time (e.g. 5-10 seconds for a triggering event in a baseball or football game), to save energy as compared to operating them continuously.