Patent · US Expired

Railroad searchlight signal with solid state illuminant and aspect indication

US5697584A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 13, 1996
Grant dateDec 16, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A railroad searchlight signal for producing light signals of selected colors. The searchlight uses a reflector that has an inner surface of reflective material and a focal point. One or more light emitting diodes are provided at the reflector focal point. When a current is supplied to the light emitting diode from a variable current power source, a light having a color that varies dependent upon the current is produced. The colored light produced at the light emitting diode is then directed outward of the reflector as a beam. At least one color filter that allows light of a respective color to pass therethrough is preferably provided proximate the reflector. Light that passes through the color filter is detected by a light detector such as a photovoltaic cell, a phototransistor or a photodiode.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.