Abstract: A compact warning light employs LED lamps as a light source and has a lighthead configured for insertion into the reflector shells of a motor vehicle such as a sedan or SUV. The lighthead has a base and cover which define a sealed interior space surrounding the LED lamps. The base is constructed of heat conducting material and the LED lamps are secured to the base so that heat generated by the lamps is conducted away and dissipated by the base. The base may include a post for supporting a plurality of individually energized arrays of LED lamps. The cover may be optically clear, tinted or provided with facets or a surface texture.

Abstract: An embodiment of an LED warning light includes a plurality of LED banks, each including a series of light emitting diodes. LED failure in one or more banks can result in a warning light that appears to be functional, but may not meet relevant standards for light production. The LED warning light monitors current flow through each LED bank to detect failure of an LED and produce a failure signal. The LED warning light includes a microcontroller programmed to evaluate the failure signals and take one or more pre-determined failure mode actions. Failure detection and failure mode actions are defined by program steps taken by firmware running in the microcontroller.

Abstract: A light bar snap bracket assembly includes an elongated rail member, multiple light modules, and multiple snap brackets. The light modules are disposed within the rail member channel in a line of light modules extending longitudinally from a first light module disposed at the first end of the rail member to a last light module disposed at the second end of the rail member, the line of light modules defining pairs of adjacent light modules. One of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate each light module in each pair of light modules, one of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate the first light module and the first end of the rail member, and one of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate the last light module and the second end of the rail member. Arm segments of each snap bracket extend longitudinally over tabs extending from the light module sides, of the adjacent light module half portion, with the tabs being received within the notches of the arm segments.

Abstract: An integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp according to aspects of the present invention has a base configured to directly replace an existing vehicle lamp by reception into the lamp's reflector shell. The integrated warning and vehicle lamp includes a first radial array of LEDs dedicated to producing the vehicle warning and/or illumination formerly produced by the vehicle lamp and a second radial array of LEDs dedicated to producing an emergency warning light signal. The second radial array may be electrically connected to an axial LED. The LEDs are supported by a lamp support at a location near the focus of the reflector shell. An interface electrical circuit modifies the electrical energy formerly fed to the vehicle lamp to a form appropriate for the LEDs in the first array. A warning signal electrical circuit energizes the second array of LEDs to produce the emergency warning light signal.

Abstract: An aircraft position light employs selected colored LEDs to produce a white appearing warning light with a reduced light component in the amplification spectrum of night vision imaging equipment. A combination of amber and cyan LEDs are selected to produce approximately three amber flux units for every cyan flux unit resulting in a white composite light. Both of the selected LEDs have dominant wavelengths of less than 600 nm.

Abstract: Several driver circuits for energizing series arrays of LEDs are disclosed. The LED driver circuits incorporate programmable microcontrollers and switching regulators in circuits that permit precise control of current applied to the series array of LEDs. One driver circuit senses the condition of a SYNC line such that the light emission pattern of multiple LED light sources, each with a driver circuit connected to the SYNC line may be coordinated without need for a central controller. Another driver circuit applies an overdrive current to the LEDs for a first pre-determined time period, then ramps down the applied current to a sustainable level. A four channel driver circuit provides each channel with electronic switches arranged to simultaneously turn on and electrically connect a constant current source to an LED array, resulting in abrupt turn on and turn off of the LEDs.

Abstract: A side-emitting collimator employs a combination of refraction and internal reflection to organize light from a light source into oppositely directed collimated beams. A light source chamber over the light source is defined by substantially cylindrical and aspheric refracting surfaces positioned to gather light into the collimating lens. The aspheric refracting surfaces redirect a portion of the light from the light source into a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source. The substantially cylindrical surfaces refract light from the light source onto an aspheric upper reflecting surface. Light incident upon the aspheric upper reflecting surface is collimated into a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source. The side-emitting collimator includes mirror image collimator halves, each producing a collimated beam. The collimator halves are rotationally symmetric about a common axis of symmetry above a plane including the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: An exemplary aircraft anticollision beacon is constructed around a faceted aluminum support cylinder and base. The support cylinder has an outside surface with ten vertically oriented substantially planar faces. An array of LEDs is mounted in thermally conductive relationship on each face of the support cylinder. Each LED is partially surrounded by a trough-shaped reflecting surface that re-directs off axis light into a horizontal plane. Axially aligned, radially adjacent reflecting troughs combine to form the circumferential reflecting troughs. The support cylinder and base are connected in thermally conductive relationship to define a thermal pathway from the LEDs to a heat radiation surface on the base. The base is also configured to act as a heat sink for heat generating components of the LED driver circuits. The exemplary beacon employs a distributed energizing circuit in which each driver is configured to energize two of the ten arrays of LEDs.

Abstract: A composite reflecting surface for a linear LED array incorporates a truncated circular parabolic reflector surrounding each LED and a trough axially above the circular parabolic reflectors defined between parallel longitudinal reflecting surfaces. The short circular parabolic reflectors collimate wide angle light from the LED into a direction parallel to the LED optical axis. The longitudinal reflecting surfaces are linear parabolic surfaces altered to improve the vertical spread of the light radiation pattern. Longitudinal convex ribs project inwardly from the basic linear parabolic shape. The convex shape of the ribs “sprays” the light incident upon it in a vertically spread pattern. The composite reflecting surface makes use of light from a linear array of LEDs that would otherwise be wasted.

Abstract: Brackets received in an elongated base support both lens portions and internal light bar components. Lens portion longitudinal edges penetrate the outer portion of a gasket channel to engage a gasket member. Lens retainer straps sandwich gasket layers to seal the longitudinal butt ends of lens portions. The lens retainers also penetrate the gasket channel to engage the gasket member. The brackets provide multiple locations for mounting warning light units and related light bar components within the space defined between the base and the lens portions.

Abstract: A light assembly is configured to produce a large area of light emission from an LED light source. The LED light source is mounted within a concave reflector and oriented to face the rear of the reflector. A compound reflecting surface diverts axial light from the LED away from the axis of the reflector to avoid blockage by the LED support structure. A peripheral reflecting surface redirects the diverted light. The LED light source may be a linear array of LEDs aligned with a linear focal axis of the reflector.

Abstract: The generally rectangular support platform of a mounting foot primary component includes laterally extending tabs configured for reception in respective of longitudinally extending slots defined by an elongated strength member of the light bar. Diagonally opposite corners of the support platform are rounded off so that the primary component is installable by insertion toward the elongated member at an angular orientation and rotation to engage the tabs in the slots. The support platform defines a recessed channel for carrying a metal retaining bar. Fasteners passing through threaded openings in the retaining bar force the retaining bar and primary component away from the elongated member, placing the support platform tabs and lateral ends of the retaining bar in frictional engagement with the lips of the elongated member. A blocking bar is fixed against an end face of the primary component to block counter rotation of the mounting foot relative to the elongated member.

Abstract: Base stations in an outdoor warning siren system monitor the system communication radio frequency to detect the command signals used to activate remotely located warning units. A valid command signal includes a portion identifying the base station generating the signal. When a base station detects a signal bearing its identification, the base station compares the detected signal to its own station ID. If the detected signal matches the detecting station's ID then a system breach is declared. The outdoor warning siren system may respond to a breach by automatically de-activating any alarms activated by the unauthorized signal and/or producing a breach indication to emergency personnel who may respond according to the situation.

Abstract: Base stations in an outdoor warning siren system monitor the system communication radio frequency to detect the command signals used to activate remotely located warning units. A valid command signal includes a portion identifying the base station generating the signal. When a base station detects a signal bearing its identification, the base station compares the detected signal to its own station ID. If the detected signal matches the detecting station's ID then a system breach is declared. The outdoor warning siren system may respond to a breach by automatically de-activating any alarms activated by the unauthorized signal and/or producing a breach indication to emergency personnel who may respond according to the situation.

Abstract: The duration of variations in the potential applied to a single electrical contact, when compared to a reference potential, are measured and employed to command either incrementing or decrementing of an address. The addresses are associated with a table of instructions and an addressed instruction, when read, will produce a discrete warning signal. A desired one of several light flash or audible patterns may be selected by step-wise scrolling through the table in response to manually varying the contact potential.