INFRARED FILTER SYSTEM FOR FLUORESCENT LIGHTING
A method and apparatus that effectively filters infrared light from fluorescent lighting and that is easily adapted to typical fluorescent lighting and assemblies. A fluorescent lighting fixture includes a cover for filtering the infrared light from a fluorescent light source of the fixture. The cover includes an infrared filter for substantially preventing emission of infrared light from the fluorescent lighting fixture and a protective layer for preventing damage to the infrared filter.
1 . A fluorescent lighting fixture comprising:
at least one fluorescent light source;
a housing for retaining the at least one fluorescent light source; and
a cover for substantially blocking infrared light from the at least one fluorescent light source.
2 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:
a connector for attaching the cover to the housing.
3 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:
a reflector for reflecting light from the at least one fluorescent light source through the cover.
4 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:
an infrared filter for substantially preventing emissions of infrared light from the fluorescent lighting fixture; and
a protective layer for preventing damage to the infrared filter.
5 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 4 , further comprising:
a color filter for filtering a color of light from the fluorescent lighting fixture.
6 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 5 , wherein the color filter is a green filter.
7 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 4 , wherein the infrared filter is Night Vision Imaging Systems Green A-compatible.
8 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 4 , wherein the infrared filter is Night Vision Imaging Systems Green B-compatible.
9 . A fluorescent lighting fixture comprising:
at least one fluorescent light source for emitting fluorescent light;
a housing for retaining the at least one fluorescent light source;
a cover for substantially blocking infrared light from the at least one fluorescent light source, the cover including an infrared filter and a protective layer;
a frame for retaining the cover; and
a connector for securing the frame to the housing.
10 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 9 , further comprising a gasket for housing at least an edge of the infrared filter, the protective layer, and the color filter.
11 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 9 , wherein the connector is a pivotal connector.
12 . The fluorescent lighting fixture of claim 9 , wherein the filter is a green filter.
13 . A cover for filtering a fluorescent lighting fixture including at least one fluorescent light emitter, the cover comprising:
a flat-panel cover, the flat-panel cover sized and shaped to fit within the fluorescent lighting fixture, the flat-panel cover comprising:
an infrared filter layer comprising opposing sides and adapted to filter infrared light from the fluorescent light emitter;
a plurality of protective layers for preventing damage to the infrared filter layer;
a peripheral gasket surrounding the flat-panel cover which blocks infrared light leakage along a peripheral edge when the flat-panel cover is installed in the lighting fixture; and
wherein the infrared filter layer is located between the plurality of protective layers.
14 . The cover of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of protective layers are formed of polycarbonate.
15 . The cover of claim 13 , further comprising:
a color filter layer positioned between the infrared filter layer and at least one of the plurality of protective layers for filtering a color of light from the fluorescent lighting fixture.
16 . The cover of claim 15 , wherein the color filter layer comprising a first color filter layer on one side of the infrared filter layer and a second color filter layer on another side of the infrared filter layer.
17 . The cover of claim 13 , wherein the protective layer is tinted.