Abstract: A thermal ballast temporarily stores heat generated during a heat generating device's operation thereby extending the device's operating time during an interval of adverse thermal operating condition. The thermal ballast (10) includes: a. a highly thermally conductive layer (42) that is adapted for being thermally coupled to the heat generating device; and b. a high heat capacity layer (44) that is laminated to the high thermal conductivity layer (42). The high heat capacity layer (44) may be formed from a solid piece of a suitably chosen material. Alternatively, the high heat capacity layer (44) may be formed from a piece of a suitably chosen material having a cavity that is filled with a material (46) which changes phase at a temperature below the heat generating device's maximum operating temperature.

Abstract: A thermal ballast temporarily stores heat generated during a heat generating device's operation thereby extending the device's operating time during an interval of adverse thermal operating condition. The thermal ballast (10) includes: a. a highly thermally conductive layer (42) that is adapted for being thermally coupled to the heat generating device; and b. a high heat capacity layer (44) that is laminated to the high thermal conductivity layer (42). The high heat capacity layer (44) may be formed from a solid piece of a suitably chosen material. Alternatively, the high heat capacity layer (44) may be formed from a piece of a suitably chosen material having a cavity that is filled with a material (46) which changes phase at a temperature below the heat generating device's maximum operating temperature.

Abstract: An improved LCD backlighting unit (“BLU”), preferably having white light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources, enhances a liquid crystal display's (“LCD's”) readability in sunlight. The improved BLU briefly increases a display screen's brightness, typically 2-6× greater than the BLU's maximum continuous operating brightness. The BLU brightness substantially increases brightness for a predefined and relatively short interval, typically 2 to 60 seconds, without damage. The LED driver control prevents boosting the display brightness too frequently or for too long thereby avoiding damaging the LEDs by adequately dissipating increased heat. The BLU may include a thermal sensor on or near the LEDs to provide real time temperature feedback to the LED driver control. The BLU preferably includes a thermal ballast that absorbs excess heat generated by the LEDs during intervals of increased brightness.

Abstract: An improved LCD backlighting unit (“BLU”), preferably having white light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources, enhances a liquid crystal display's (“LCD's”) readability in sunlight. The improved BLU briefly increases a display screen's brightness, typically 2-6X greater than the BLU's maximum continuous operating brightness. The BLU brightness substantially increases brightness for a predefined and relatively short interval, typically 2 to 60 seconds, without damage. The LED driver control prevents boosting the display brightness too frequently or for too long thereby avoiding damaging the LEDs by adequately dissipating increased heat. The BLU may include a thermal sensor on or near the LEDs to provide real time temperature feedback to the LED driver control. The BLU preferably includes a thermal ballast that absorbs excess heat generated by the LEDs during intervals of increased brightness.

Abstract: An improved LCD backlighting unit (“BLU”) particularly a BLU which uses light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources especially white LED light sources, enhances a liquid crystal display's (“LCD's”) readability in sunlight. The improved BLU briefly increases a display screen's brightness, typically 2-6× greater than a BLU's maximum continuous operating brightness. The BLU and its associated LED driver provide substantially increased brightness for a predefined and relatively short interval, typically 2 to 60 seconds, without damage. The LED driver control prevents boosting the display brightness too frequently or for too long thereby avoiding system damage by adequately dissipating the increased power. The BLU may include a thermal sensor on or near the LEDs to provide real time temperature feedback to the LED driver control. Temporarily boosting the BLU's brightness helps any outdoor daylight application such as commercial drones where the sun can easily wash out a display an the drone's controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a LED illuminator that improves heat conduction through a LCD module's rear cover. The disclosed LED illuminator integrates a heat dissipation device for reducing thermal spikes on the LCD glass and in the LED packages by dissipating heat generated within the LCD module. The LED illuminator is built on a metal heat sink, typically made of copper or aluminum, that includes thermal fins along its length which protrude through the LCD module's rear cover for coupling heat into a heat dissipating portion of the improved LCD module.

Abstract: A method for operating a backlighting unit adapted for illuminating a printed graphic with light emitted from an illumination surface of a light guide. The method includes the step of arranging a plurality of LEDs so that light emitted therefrom impinges upon an input surface of the light guide. The method specifically requires that the LEDs emit light that is roughly equivalent to solar illumination of 6500K CCT yet enhanced in the blue and the red portions of the spectrum thereby producing light in the range of 7500K CCT to 9000K CCT.

Abstract: A signaling light source facilitates locating personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment and resists damage from exposure to a harsh user environment A lighting unit includes at least one, and preferably two, of the signaling light sources also includes at least one personnel identifying red-green-blue (“RGB”) light emitting diode (“LED”) Disclosed methods for operating the signaling light source include energizing operation of a LED light source by supplying a sequence of electrical current pulses which repeat at a rate which causes emitted light to pulse visually, supplying electrical current to a pair of LEDs alternatively connected either in series or in parallel depending upon battery operating condition, and monitoring smoke density in environment around the signaling light source and modulating the intensity of emitted light responsive to smoke density.

Abstract: A signaling light source facilitates locating personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment and resists damage from exposure to a harsh user environment A lighting unit includes at least one, and preferably two, of the signaling light sources also includes at least one personnel identifying red-green-blue (“RGB”) light emitting diode (“LED”) Disclosed methods for operating the signaling light source include energizing operation of a LED light source by supplying a sequence of electrical current pulses which repeat at a rate which causes emitted light to pulse visually, supplying electrical current to a pair of LEDs alternatively connected either in series or in parallel depending upon battery operating condition, and monitoring smoke density in environment around the signaling light source and modulating the intensity of emitted light responsive to smoke density