Obstruction Lighting System With LED Reflector And Power Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional L-810 obstruction lighting systems using incandescent lamps have limited service life, require frequent replacements, and suffer from light pollution and complex remote monitoring issues, particularly with light emitting diode (LED) sources which have different power consumption characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The system employs light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a reflector and lens assembly to direct light within specified angles, includes an auxiliary lighting assembly for reduced upward light emission, and utilizes a power monitoring system to detect faults remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If incandescent lamps are used in L-810 obstruction lighting systems, then the lighting system meets the minimum intensity requirements, but the service life is limited and frequent replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from incandescent lamp technology to LED technology, fundamentally changing the light source parameters. LEDs provide the same or superior light intensity output while dramatically extending service life from thousands of hours to tens of thousands of hours, eliminating the frequent replacement issue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal incandescent heating element with solid-state LED electroluminescence technology. This substitution eliminates the filament that is prone to breakage and provides a more reliable, longer-lasting light source suitable for obstruction lighting applications
2Extent of automation
If light sensors such as photocells are used to monitor obstruction lights, then automatic remote monitoring is achieved, but the circuitry complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex sensor-based systems and implements it through simple electrical parameter monitoring of the LED driver circuit. By monitoring the current draw or operational status of the LED driver, the system achieves automatic fault detection without requiring additional light sensors or complex circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver circuit serves dual functions: it drives the LED light source and simultaneously provides monitoring data for fault detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automatic monitoring capability
3Illumination intensity
If conventional obstruction lights are used, then the lighting requirement is met, but light pollution is generated outside the specified band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical lenses or reflectors with specific geometric designs that concentrate and direct light precisely into the required upward cone angle. This localized light distribution ensures illumination intensity meets requirements while preventing light spillage into unwanted directions, thereby reducing light pollution in residential areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses LED technology with inherently controllable spectral output and directional emission characteristics. By adjusting the LED wavelength and beam angle parameters, the system delivers required illumination intensity while minimizing light pollution through precise optical control
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
The LED-based system provides a more reliable and efficient lighting solution with reduced light pollution, easier remote monitoring, and lower maintenance costs by using LEDs with improved power consumption monitoring for fault detection.
Implementation Method 1
An obstruction lighting system utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source is disclosed
Implementation Method 2
A reflector is coupled to the disc, the reflector having an outer surface in the shape of a rotated conic section
Data Source
AI summary
An obstruction lighting system includes a disc having a generally planar surface. A plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted to the planar surface of the disc, a central light emitting axis of the light emitting diodes being oriented generally perpendicularly away from the planar surface. A reflector is coupled to the disc, the reflector having an outer surface in the shape of a rotated conic section, the reflector further including a projecting portion. The outer surface of the reflector has an optical axis generally perpendicular to the central light emitting axis of the light emitting diodes. Furthermore, the projecting portion of the reflector blocks light emissions from the light emitting diodes in an upwardly direction from the obstruction lighting system. The disc and a lens retainer may be configured to block light emitted by the light emitting diodes from traveling in a downwardly direction from the obstruction lighting system.