Field of the invention
[0001] The object of the present invention is a sector light to be used in the guidance
of waterborne traffic.
Background of the invention
[0002] Nowadays sector lights based on incandescent light sources, such as on incandescent
lamps and other corresponding light sources, are still used in the guidance of waterborne
traffic. A problem with sector lights based on incandescent light sources, such as
on incandescent lamps and other corresponding light sources, in addition to a large
power requirement and comparatively short service life, is generally the mechanical
arrangements of the sector plates, which arrangements generally cannot be included
in the actual light device if accuracy is required, but instead they must be arranged
outside the light device in which case in practice the whole light is installed inside
a light housing. The installation and adjustment of sector glasses is precision mechanics
work. Also the construction and maintenance of a light housing is expensive.
[0003] In order for a sector light to be effective and reliable, the zone of uncertainty
must also be as small as possible, in which case the boundary between the sectors
at different distances from the sector light is also accurate when viewed from the
longer distances and the determination of position,
et cetera, when using sector lights is therefore safe and reliable.
[0004] In addition, one of the worst deficiencies of sector lights based on incandescent
light sources is a reduction of the light intensity of the colored sectors. In a conventional
solution the colored light zones are formed by filtering from white light, using colored
glass plates as filters. The use of filters reduces the light intensity of a red and
green color typically to a level as low as 25% compared to the light intensity of
a white color.
[0005] When using conventional solutions based on incandescent light sources, the rather
large size and servicing requirement of lights also becomes a problem, because conventional
light sources require space and they must also be serviced, i.e. the bulbs or the
like in them must be replaced comparatively often.
[0006] Methods known in the art for using LED technology in sector lights are based on the
fact that many low-power LED light sources are placed in a circle in such a way that
the optical axis of the LED light sources is in the direction of the horizontal plane.
The LED light sources are generally disposed inside a drum lens, by means of the drum
lens the vertical angle of the light can be reduced. Sectors are created by disposing
LED light sources of different colors on the same rim and by installing intermediate
plates that are impermeable to light between the different-colored LED zones as sector
boundaries, which plates are directed in the direction of a radius leaving from the
center point of the sector light. This method also has a number of limitations and
problems. LEDs of different colors must be installed, for each specific sector, on
the circuit board already in the manufacturing phase, so these types of sector lights
are individual in terms of their light sources. In order to achieve even reasonable
zones of uncertainty between different color sectors, the intermediate plates must
be installed both inside and outside the drum lens of the light device, the outside
intermediate plates with their support structures must be fabricated individually
for each sector light. For achieving sufficient light intensity and sufficient homogeneity
of the light intensity in the zone of the color sector in question, the minimum angle
of an individual color sector is typically more than 20 degrees, depending on the
number of LED light sources. The imprecision of a sector boundary is typically in
the order of 1 degree or more, in addition the light intensity of a color zone typically
decreases approaching the sector boundary.
[0007] Known in the art also is the sector light described in application
FI20041703, which sector light is based on high-power LEDs. In the sector light of
FI20041703 there is one or more LED light sources per each color, the light of which light source
is refracted with a lens or mirror to be omnidirectional in at least mainly the horizontal
direction. The sector light of
FI20041703 is made up in the vertical direction, in which each color is on its own layer. For
each layer (color) the number and width of the sectors can be freely selected in such
a way that by moving sector plates, which are installed around the LED light sources
and which prevent light passing through, the desired width and position of the sector
is obtained. The number of sector plates can be selected freely. The sector plates
can be moved, and the sector plates can also be adjusted in the field.
[0008] With known LED sector technology also a fully completed and measured sector light
can be manufactured in the factory. All the sectors are preadjusted, but in order
for the sectors to be aligned in the correct directions, the sector light must be
rotated into the correct direction at the installation site.
[0009] After installation of a sector light, the owner (e.g. a marine navigation authority)
performs a sector inspection. The sector inspection is performed at night by piloting
a ship in the fairway in those directions in which the colors of a sector change.
Generally the piloting is started from afar and the ship is piloted towards the sector
light obliquely in such a way that the sector boundary is crossed. When, according
to the visual assessment of the sector inspector, the color has changed, the position
is recorded and the course is turned and the ship is piloted back over the sector
boundary. This is generally done, according to the industry standard, four times at
four different distances from the light. Typically it is necessary to inspect all
sector boundaries. In one sector light there can be up to 9 - 10 sector boundaries
to be inspected.
[0010] Inspecting sector boundaries is therefore laborious and incurs high costs. In prior-art
solutions sector inspections have always to be carried out if the sector light has
to be detached from its fixings, e.g. for repairing the light sources or for replacing
the light sources. Also, by means of prior-art solutions based on LED light sources,
it is not possible to use in different sector lights one, or only a few, light source
types, the storage of which would be easy, because each sector light according to
prior art is tailored to be suitable only for its own position.
Brief description of the invention
[0011] The aim of the solution according to the invention is to eliminate or reduce known
problems and to achieve a sector light, for use more particularly in the guidance
of waterborne traffic, the light source of which sector light can be detached, e.g.
for repair, and fixed back without the sector light having to be aligned and the sector
boundaries having to be inspected again.
[0012] The sector light of the solution according to the invention comprises a light source
unit, which comprises light source parts one above another, which form layers one
above another, for each color of at least one light source part. A light source part
comprises a light source, the light of which is refracted with a lens or mirror to
be omnidirectional in at least mainly the horizontal direction and a cover for the
light source unit, which cover is fitted in connection with the light source unit.
The cover for the light source unit protects the light source unit from external stresses.
The sector light also comprises an obscuring wall unit, which comprises an obscuring
wall that does not let light pass through, comprising light apertures in a number
of layers, from which light is visible from each layer of the light source unit in
the desired direction to outside the sector light in such a way that the desired sector
or sectors of horizontal light remain in each layer. The obscuring wall unit can be
fixed to its mounting base and the light source unit can be detachably fixed, with
fixing means, inside the obscuring wall unit in such a way that the layers of the
light source unit and the light apertures of the obscuring wall unit corresponding
to the layers are face-to-face. The light source unit can be replaced and/or removed
from inside the obscuring wall unit without needing to detach the obscuring wall unit
from its mounting base.
[0013] In one embodiment of the invention the light source, e.g. a high-power LED light
source, which can be a few watts in its output, in the sector light is placed on the
horizontal plane directed directly upwards or downwards. An optical lens and/or reflector
is used in connection with the light source, which lens or reflector turns the light
in the direction of the horizontal plane with the desired vertical distribution of
the light. The light radiates in the horizontal plane symmetrically to an area of
360 degrees and is visible through the lens or mirror as a vertical and narrow line-shaped
light. The vertical opening angle of the light can also be affected with the lens
or reflector. The lens or reflector is either separate or integrated as a part of
the light source.
[0014] By means of the invention a sector light is achieved that is extremely precise in
its sector boundaries, is simple and is extremely reliable in operation, and which
is suited particularly for use in the guidance of waterborne traffic, and the light
source unit of which can be replaced without the sector boundaries needing to be inspected
after the refastening of the light source unit.
[0015] By means of the solution according to the invention the same kinds of light source
units can also be used in many different sector lights, unlike in solutions based
on LED light sources known in the art, in which the light source units are individual,
because in the solution of the present invention the sectors of the sector light are
determined by means of an obscuring wall unit fixed to its mounting base. This enables
the storage of many spare light sources of one type that are suited to a different
sector light and the utilization of them when it is desired to replace the light source
units of a sector light. Updating light sources to a newer model or more effective
version is also easy, because a light source unit can be replaced in a sector light
without changing and inspecting the sector zones.
[0016] The characteristic features of the apparatus according to the invention are presented
in detail in the claims below.
Brief description of the figures
[0017] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid some
embodiments with reference to the drawings 1 -4, wherein
Fig. 1 presents a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a sector light according
to the invention;
Fig. 2 presents a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a sector light according
to the invention, the light source unit of which is being detached from the obscuring
wall unit;
Fig. 3 presents a side view of a light source unit of a sector light according to
the invention;
Fig. 4 presents an obscuring wall unit of a sector light according to the invention.
Detailed description of the invention
[0018] According to Fig. 1 the sector light comprises a light source unit 100 and an obscuring
wall unit 110. In the structure formed by the light source unit 100 and the obscuring
wall unit 110 is at least one layer for each color, and in each layer of the light
source unit is one or more vertically radiating light source 101, 102, 103. The light
source 101, 102, 103 is a LED light source and e.g. a high-power LED of at least 1
W output. The light of the light source 101, 102, 103 is refracted with a lens 104,
105, 106 to be omnidirectional in at least mainly the horizontal direction. The functionality
of the sector light according to the invention is therefore based on the shape of
the light visible through the lens or via the reflector. As viewed through the lens,
the light source receives a vertical and narrow shape. The narrower the light source
is, the more precise the boundary of the sector will be. The light source unit 100
comprises a level 107, 108, 109 between the different layers and/or below them that
does not let light through.
[0019] In the obscuring wall unit 110 of the sector light, at each height corresponding
to a layer of the light source unit, is at least one light aperture that lets light
through, through which a part of the horizontal light is allowed to pass in such a
way that the desired sector or sectors remain, i.e. the light apertures from which
light is visible from each layer of the light source unit in the desired direction.
The position and number of the light apertures in the obscuring wall unit of the sector
light determine where the light sources of each layer are visible. The position and
number of light apertures can be selected e.g. in the manufacturing of the obscuring
wall. The obscuring wall unit comprises a fixing part, e.g. a fixing base 120, by
the aid of which the obscuring wall unit, and at the same time the whole sector light,
can be fixed with fixing means to the mounting base 130.
[0020] The light source part of the sector light according to Fig. 1 has three different
layers, at corresponding heights to which in the obscuring wall is a light aperture
111, 112, from which the light of the light source 101, 102, 103 of the layer in question
is visible outside the sector light. The light aperture of the obscuring wall unit
that is at the height of the lowermost layer is not presented in Fig. 1. Different
colors are visible from the light apertures 111, 112 that are at different heights,
e.g. in such a way that white light is visible from the uppermost light aperture 112,
green light from the light aperture 111 below the white, and red from the lowermost
light aperture (which is not presented in Fig. 1). The colors can, however, also be
other than green, red and white. The light apertures 111, 112 are conventionally arranged
in such a way that they are precisely staggered, but they can also be arranged in
such a way that there is a certain distance between the apertures 111, 112. There
can also be more than one aperture 111, 112 per each layer.
[0021] The light source unit 100 can be installed and fixed in the center of the obscuring
wall unit 110 in such a way that the layers of the light source unit and the light
apertures of the obscuring wall unit are face-to-face. The fixing of the light source
unit 100 inside the obscuring wall unit 110 can be carried out with fixing means,
such as e.g. with screws or with other corresponding detachable fixing means. When
the light source unit is fixed to the center of the obscuring wall unit, the distance
of the light sources of the light source unit in the horizontal direction from the
obscuring wall 116 of the obscuring wall unit is typically the same around the sector
light. The distance of the obscuring wall 116 from the light sources can also vary
according to the accuracy requirements of the sector. Additional optics can be used
in the sector light at the point of the light apertures 111, 112 disposed in the obscuring
wall 116, by the aid of which optics the vertical light distribution of a light sector
radiated by each light aperture can be narrowed or broadened according to need.
[0022] The obscuring wall unit 110 of the sector light also comprises support structure
parts 117, 118, onto which the obscuring wall 116 can be fixed. The structure formed
by the support structure parts 117, 118 and the obscuring wall 116 is essentially
rigid. The support structure parts 117, 118 of the obscuring wall unit 110 can also
function as a lateral support and/or a support in the vertical direction for the light
source unit 100 installed inside the obscuring wall unit 110.
[0023] In one embodiment of the invention in the bottom part of the light source unit is
a space 119, in which e.g. the electronics used in the control of the light sources
can be disposed. The connectors for the electricity supply of the light source part
can also be disposed in connection with the space 119.
[0024] Fig. 2 presents how the light source unit 100 is detachable from the obscuring wall
unit 110. Although the light source unit 100 is detached from the obscuring wall unit
110, the obscuring wall unit 110 does not need to be detached from its fixing surface.
When the light source unit 100 is re-installed, it can be installed inside the obscuring
wall unit 110 in any position whatsoever around its own vertical axis, because the
light sources are omnidirectional in the horizontal direction and because the obscuring
wall unit 110 fixed to its mounting base determines the light sector coming to the
different sectors. For this reason, when the obscuring wall unit 110 is fixed to its
base, there is no need after replacement of the light source unit 100 to carry out
a verifying measurement of the alignment of the sectors because the light apertures
of the obscuring wall unit 110, which determine the light sectors, are in the same
position as before the replacement of the light source unit.
[0025] Fig. 3 presents a light source unit 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.
The light source unit is formed from three light source parts 301, 302, 303 one above
another. On the bottom part of the light source parts 301, 302, 303 is a plane 107,
108, 109 that does not let light through. In one embodiment of the invention a light
source possessing a symmetrical radiation beam in relation to the optical axis of
a light source part 301, 302, 303 is installed in the sector light in such a way that
the optical axis of it is in a vertical direction, i.e. directed directly upwards
or directly downwards.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention the plane 107, 108, 109 on the bottom part of
the light source parts 301, 302, 303 comprises a base plate, onto which the light
sources, e.g. LED light sources, of the sector light are installed. The base plate
can be e.g. a circuit board. The circuit board can be installed on a heat sink. For
achieving good thermal conductivity, often aluminium or a ceramic material is used
as the material of the circuit board, but also the use of a conventional glass fiber
circuit board is possible. The light sources can also be fixed directly to the surface
of a heat sink.
[0027] On top of a light source radiating in a vertical main direction is installed separately,
or is integrated into the light source, an optical lens 104, 105, 106 or a conical
mirror which turns the light into the horizontal plane. It is characteristic therefore
for the light to be visible through a lens 104, 105, 106 or mirror as a vertical and
narrow line-shaped light. The width of a light beam directed towards a viewer depends
on the optics and it is typically less than 2 mm. The narrower the beam of light is,
the better it is.
[0028] In the solution according to the invention a number of LEDs of the same color can
be added one on top of another in layers in which case the range of the light can
be increased.
[0029] In connection with the light source unit, e.g. around the light source unit, a cover
320 is arranged, which protects the light source unit from external stresses. The
cover 320 surrounding the light source unit from the sides can be cylindrical and
an essentially transparent material, e.g. polycarbonate, is used as the material of
it. The cover of the light source unit can, together with the top part and bottom
part of the light source unit, form an essentially sealed space.
[0030] The amount of light radiated by each color layer can be optically monitored with
the electronics to be used in the control of the light sources and if it is detected
that the light output of one color layer has decreased with respect to the other color
layers, the monitoring automatics can extinguish the light diodes of all the layers
or alternatively adjust the light output of the other color layers to correspond to
the reduced light output of the malfunctioning color layer. The electronics to be
used in the control of the light sources can also adjust the possible flashing of
the light sources and the light intensity of the light sources. By means of the electronics
of the light sources, the settings of a light source can also be changed by programming
the desired settings, e.g. for the light intensity of light sources and for the flashing
of light sources, into the electronics. Programming of the desired settings into the
electronics can be carried out e.g. always when the light source unit is taken into
use in a new sector light.
[0031] The light intensities of the color sectors do not decrease when approaching the sector
boundaries before reaching the zone of uncertainty. The amount or width of the light
apertures of each specific layer does not affect the energy consumption of the sector
light.
[0032] In the solution presented by the invention alternatively e.g. the white sector can
also be fabricated by combining the red and the green light into the same sector,
in which case with correctly selected color coordinates the combination of the two
colors is white.
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention in the light source unit, e.g. on the top surface
of it, there can be means that facilitate the lifting of the light source unit from
inside the obscuring wall unit. The means for facilitating lifting can be e.g. a handle.
[0034] Fig. 4 presents an obscuring wall unit 110 of a sector light according to the invention,
from inside which obscuring wall unit the light source unit has been removed. The
obscuring wall unit 110 comprises light apertures 112, 113, 114, from which light
is visible in the desired sectors. The location and size of the light apertures 112,
113, 114 affect the sector zones. The support structure parts 117, 118 of the obscuring
wall unit are also presented in Fig. 4. The obscuring wall unit 110 also comprises
a fixing and support means for the light source unit, by the aid of which the light
source unit can be detachably fixed to the obscuring wall unit 110. For example, acid-resistant
steel can be used as a material of the obscuring wall unit. The obscuring wall unit
110 and/or the light source unit can comprise connectors, by means of which current
is supplied to the light source unit. The top part of the structure formed by the
obscuring wall unit 110 and/or the obscuring wall unit 110 and the light source unit
installed into its position is essentially sealed and thus protects the sector light
from water and from snow, preventing the access of them from the top part to inside
the sector light. The bottom part of the obscuring wall unit 110 can be open, so that
water and snow possibly penetrating inside does not stay inside the sector light.
In the light apertures of the obscuring wall unit or around the obscuring wall unit
can be covers, e.g. glass surfaces or plastic surfaces, but cover plates are not necessarily
needed in the light apertures particularly if it is desired to maximize the amount
of light coming out of the apertures. If a protective structure is used in the light
apertures of the obscuring wall unit or around the obscuring wall unit, the bottom
part of the obscuring wall unit can also form, together with the light source unit
fixed to it, an essentially sealed structure from the bottom part of the sector light.
[0035] It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the different embodiments of
the invention are not either limited solely to the examples described above, and that
they may for these reasons be varied within the scope of the claims presented below.
The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with
other characteristic features can if necessary be used separately to each other.
1. Sector light, which comprises:
a light source unit (100), which comprises light source parts (301, 302, 303) one
above another, which form layers one above another, for each color of at least one
light source part, wherein a light source part comprises a light source (101, 102,
103) and means for refracting light, by the aid of which means the light is refracted
to be omnidirectional in mainly the horizontal direction,
a transparent cover (320), and
an obscuring wall unit (110), which comprises a light-impermeable obscuring wall (116),
in which are light apertures (111, 112, 113, 114), from which light is visible in
the desired direction from each layer of the light source unit in such a way that
the desired sector or sectors of horizontal light remain in each layer of the light
source unit,
wherein the obscuring wall unit (110) can be fixed to its mounting base (130),
characterized in that
a transparent cover (320) is fitted around the light source unit (100),
the light source unit (100), having a surrounding cover (320), forms an integral and
sealed structure in such a way that
the light source unit can be detachably fixed, with fixing means, inside the obscuring
wall unit (110) in such a way that the layers of the light source unit (100) and the
corresponding light apertures of the obscuring wall unit are face-to-face, and
the light source unit (100) can be replaced and/or removed from inside the obscuring
wall unit (110) without needing to detach the obscuring wall unit from its mounting
base (130).
2. Sector light according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit (100) and the obscuring
unit (110) are essentially separate parts.
3. Sector light according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit (100) forms an essentially
sealed structure.
4. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light source unit
(100) comprises a light-impermeable level (107, 108, 109) between the different layers.
5. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a light source part
(301, 302, 303) comprises a base plate and a light source fitted onto it.
6. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources (101,
102, 103) of the light source unit (100) are high-power LED light sources of at least
1 W output.
7. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top part of the
structure formed by the light source unit (100) installed inside the obscuring wall
unit and the obscuring wall unit (110) is essentially sealed.
8. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end structure of
the bottom part of the obscuring wall unit (110) is open.
9. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the obscuring wall
unit (110) comprises support means for the light source unit.
10. Sector light according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for refracting
the light of a light source (101, 102, 103) to be omnidirectional in mainly the horizontal
direction is a lens (104, 105, 106) or a mirror.
11. Sector light according to claim 10, wherein light is visible through a lens (104,
105, 106) or mirror as a vertical and narrow line-shaped light.