High-intensity directional light
A high-intensity light comprising a side-emitting optoelectronic device adapted to emit light of a desired color. A heat sink is positioned adjacent the optoelectronic device and a reflector at least partially surrounds the optoelectronic device. The reflector is spaced a distance from the optoelectronic device. A window portion is sized to output the light in a desired arc.
1. A high-intensity light comprising:
a side-emitting optoelectronic device adapted to emit light of a desired color;
a heat sink adjacent the optoelectronic device;
a reflector at least partially surrounding the optoelectronic device, the reflector spaced a distance from the optoelectronic device; and
a window portion sized to output the light in a desired arc.
2. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.
3. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the desired color is one of red, green, and white.
4. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink is made from aluminum.
5. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic device defines a characteristic dimension.
6. The high-intensity light of claim 5 , wherein the characteristic dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.
7. The high-intensity light of claim 5 , wherein the reflector further comprises a plurality of facets.
8. The high-intensity light of claim 7 , wherein each facet defines a width, and wherein the width of each facet is approximately equal to the characteristic dimension.
9. The high-intensity light of claim 5 , wherein the distance between the reflector and the optoelectronic device is approximately equal to five times the characteristic dimension.
10. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the desired arc is at least 90 degrees.
11. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.
12. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the light is a navigation light.
13. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the reflector includes a movable portion.
14. The high-intensity light of claim 13 , wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
15. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , wherein the reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.
16. The high-intensity light of claim 15 , wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting optoelectronic device along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
17. The high-intensity light of claim 1 , further comprising a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
18. The high-intensity light of claim 17 , wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above a top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
19. The high-intensity light of claim 17 , wherein the second reflector includes a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
20. A light-emitting apparatus powered by a direct current, the apparatus comprising:
a substantially water-tight housing including a base, a reflector portion having a plurality of facets, and a window portion defining an arc;
a side-emitting optoelectronic device supported within the housing and spaced a distance from the reflector portion, the optoelectronic device emitting light of a desired color when powered by the direct current, at least some of the facets redirecting a portion of the emitted light toward the window portion.
21. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the base is made from a material containing aluminum.
22. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the desired color is one of red, green, and white.
23. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the optoelectronic device has a characteristic dimension, and the dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.
24. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the characteristic dimension is approximately 3 millimeters.
25. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23 , wherein each of the plurality of facets is substantially rectangular and each facet defines a width.
26. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the width of each facet is approximately equal to the characteristic dimension.
27. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the distance between the reflector and the optoelectronic device is approximately equal to five times the characteristic dimension of the optoelectronic device.
28. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the desired arc is at least 90 degrees.
29. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.
30. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.
31. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the light is a navigation light.
32. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the reflector includes a movable portion.
33. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
34. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.
35. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting optoelectronic device along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
36. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
37. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above a top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
38. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the second reflector includes a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
39. A light-emitting apparatus adapted to project high-intensity light in a desired arc, the apparatus comprising:
a side-emitting light source having a top, a bottom, and sides connecting the top and bottom, the light source operable to emit light of a desired color through the sides;
a base supporting the light source;
a window portion partially surrounding the light source, the window portion extending through a window arc equal to the desired arc;
a multi-faceted reflector positioned to reflect light toward the window portion, the reflector and the window together completely encircling the sides of the light source, the facets of the multi-faceted reflector positioned to reflect the light through the window portion to produce a wedge-shaped directional beam of light; and
a second reflector positioned to reflect emitted light along paths that are substantially perpendicular to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the side-emitting light source includes a side-emitting light emitting diode.
41. The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the side emitting light emitting diode further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion, the intersection of the frustoconical portion and the truncated substantially spherical portion defining a characteristic dimension.
42. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the light is a navigation light.
43. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the multi-faceted reflector includes a movable portion.
44. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the movable portion tilts relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source.
45. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the multi-faceted reflector includes a reflective surface having a saw-tooth pattern.
46. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the saw-tooth pattern includes a plurality of teeth, each tooth defining a reflective surface that is angled relative to a central axis defined by the side-emitting light source to reflect light emitted by the side-emitting light source along paths that are substantially perpendicular to the central axis.
47. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the second reflector is a conical reflector positioned above the top surface of the side-emitting light source.
48. The light-emitting apparatus of claim 39 , further comprising a reflective coating applied to the top surface of the side-emitting light source.