U.S. patent application number 16/818220 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for thermally dissipative unibody lighting structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to M3 Innovation, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is M3 Innovation, LLC. Invention is credited to Joseph R. Casper, Christopher D. Nolan.
Application Number | 20210156555 16/818220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005579926 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210156555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nolan; Christopher D. ; et
al. |
May 27, 2021 |
THERMALLY DISSIPATIVE UNIBODY LIGHTING STRUCTURE
Abstract
A self-supporting luminaire housing that can additionally
support additional housings mounted for mounting to a support pole
without any cross arms. The housing has a mounting plate for an
illumination source, a spine spaced apart from the mounting plate,
triangular fins extending between the mounting plate and the spine,
and a set of braces coupled to and extending from the mounting
plate to the spine. The mounting plate is rectangular, and the
spine extends longitudinally relative to the mounting plate. Some
of the braces extend perpendicularly from the mounting plate, and
some of the braces extend obliquely from the mounting plate to form
a supporting truss with the spin and the mounting plate. The
housing may be formed as an integral unit to improve thermal
dissipation via two thermal pathways from the illumination source
to the fins.
Inventors: |
Nolan; Christopher D.;
(Camillus, NY) ; Casper; Joseph R.;
(Baldwinsville, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M3 Innovation, LLC |
Syracuse |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
M3 Innovation, LLC
Syracuse
NY
|
Family ID: |
1000005579926 |
Appl. No.: |
16/818220 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62940644 |
Nov 26, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 8/085 20130101;
F21V 29/76 20150115 |
International
Class: |
F21V 29/76 20060101
F21V029/76; F21S 8/08 20060101 F21S008/08 |
Claims
1. A luminaire housing, comprising: a mounting plate defining a
plane: a spine spaced apart from the mounting plate; a plurality of
fins extending between the mounting plate and the spine; and a set
of braces coupled to and extending from the mounting plate to the
spine, wherein a first plurality of the set of braces extend
perpendicularly from the mounting plate and are coupled to the
spine.
2. (canceled)
3. The luminaire housing of claim 2, wherein a second plurality of
the set of braces extend obliquely from the mounting plate and are
coupled to the spine.
4. The luminaire housing of claim 3, wherein the plurality of fins
are triangular and have a base that is coupled to the mounting
plate to define a first thermal pathway from the mounting plate to
the plurality of fins.
5. The luminaire housing of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fins
extent from the base to an apex that is coupled to the spine to
define a second thermal pathway from the mounting plate to the
plurality of fins.
6. The luminaire housing of claim 5, wherein the mounting plate is
rectangular and extends along a plane that is parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the luminaire housing.
7. The luminaire housing of claim 6, wherein the spine extends
longitudinally from a first coupler to a second coupler.
8. The luminaire housing of claim 7, wherein the spine is curved
from the first coupler to the second coupler.
9. The luminaire housing of claim 8, wherein set of braces are
aligned along the mounting plate to intersect the longitudinal axis
of the housing.
10. The luminaire housing of claim 9, wherein the mounting plate,
the set of braces, and the spine comprise an integral unit.
11. A method of dissipating heat generated by luminaire, comprising
the steps of: attaching an illumination source to a housing having
a mounting plate defining a plane a spine spaced apart from the
mounting plate, a plurality of fins extending between the mounting
plate and the spine, and a set of braces coupled to and extending
from the mounting plate to the spine; powering the illumination
source to produce light and heat; and allowing the housing to
dissipate heat from the illumination source via the mounting plate,
the spine, the set of braces, and the fins.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a first plurality of the set of
braces extend perpendicularly from the mounting plate and are
coupled to the spine.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein a second plurality of the set
of braces extend obliquely from the mounting plate and are coupled
to the spine.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of fins are
triangular and have a base that is coupled to the mounting plate to
define a first thermal pathway from the mounting plate to the
plurality of fins.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of fins extend
from the base to an apex that is coupled to the spine to define a
second thermal pathway from the mounting plate to the plurality of
fins.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mounting plate is
rectangular and extends along a plane that is parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the housing.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the spine extends
longitudinally from a first coupler to a second coupler.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the spine is curved from the
first coupler to the second coupler.
19. The method of 18, wherein the set of braces are aligned along
the mounting plate to intersect the longitudinal axis of the
housing.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the mounting plate, the set of
braces, and the spine comprise an integral unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/940,644, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to sports lighting systems
and, more specifically, to a modular luminaire having a thermally
dissipative housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Conventional sports lighting systems rely on individual
luminaires that are mounted to support pole. Each luminaire
contains the requisite power conversion and supply electronics and
is individually oriented to direct a generally circular beam of
light across the area to be illuminated, such as a sporting field
or similar venue. Luminaires are typically mounted to a support
pole in cluster using cross-arms that are mounted to an extend
laterally from the support pole to allow for a wider range of
illumination, thereby requiring the use of specialized supporting
structure and equipment. In addition, the lighting elements of the
luminaires generate heat that must be dissipated in order to
protect the components from damage or decay. Accordingly, there is
the need in the art for a luminaire that can be mounted to a
support pole without the need for support arms and that can provide
for thermal dissipation of heat generated by the lighting
elements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a luminaire housing that is
self-supporting and that can additionally support additional
housings mounted thereto and to a support pol without the need for
cross arms. The housing comprises a mounting plate, a spine spaced
apart from the mounting plate, and a plurality of fins extending
between the mounting plate and the spine, and a set of braces
coupled to and extending from the mounting plate to the spine. A
first plurality of the set of braces extend perpendicularly from
the mounting plate and are coupled to the spine and a second
plurality of the set of braces extend obliquely from the mounting
plate and are coupled to the spine to form a supporting truss
arrangement. The plurality of fins are generally triangular and
extend from a base that is coupled to the mounting plate to an apex
that is coupled to the spine. The mounting plate is rectangular and
extends along a plane that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of
the housing. The spine extends longitudinally from the first
coupler to the second coupler and may be curved. The set of braces
are aligned along the mounting plate to intersect the longitudinal
axis of the housing. The mounting plate, the set of braces, and the
spine may be formed as an integral unit to improve thermal
dissipation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0005] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a housing for a
luminaire having a thermally dissipative unibody;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a housing for a
luminaire having a thermally dissipative unibody;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of a housing for a luminaire having a
thermally dissipative unibody;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an end view of a housing for a luminaire having a
thermally dissipative unibody;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a housing for a luminaire
having a thermally dissipative unibody taken along Line A-A of FIG.
4; and
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a housing for a luminaire
having a thermally dissipative unibody taken along Line B-B of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to
like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 a housing 10 for
forming a luminaire accordingly to the present invention that has
improved heat dissipation. More specifically, housing 10 extends
along a longitudinal axis X-X and defines a rectangular mounting
plate 12 on a front side 14 of housing 10 that defines a plane
parallel to axis X-X. Mounting plate 12 is designed to support and
attached to an illumination source (not shown), such as a light
emitting diode array. As is known in the art, powering of the
illumination source generate heat that can damage the illumination
source components as well as the associated circuitry. Housing 10
is configured to act as a heat sink to remove excess heat from
mounting plate 12 and then dissipate the heat into the surrounding
environment. While a molded lens array may be positioned over
illumination source to reduce harshness and provide sealing of the
illumination source within housing 10, the rest of housing 10 is
otherwise exposed to the environment for the dissipation of heat.
As a result, housing 10 is preferably manufacturing from materials
having useful thermal conductivity values for acting as a heat
sink, such as aluminum and aluminum alloys. Housing 10, or various
subparts thereof, may also be formed as an integral unit to
encourage the distribution of heat therethrough, as explained in
detail below.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 2 through 4, housing 10 comprises a
central spine 16 extending longitudinally along an opposing side of
18 housing 10 from mounting plate 12. As seen in FIG. 5, spine 16
is spaced apart from and connected to mounting plate 12 by a first
plurality of braces 20 that extend orthogonally to longitudinal
axis X-X and a second plurality of braces 22 that extend
non-orthogonally to longitudinal axis X-X. Spine 16 is also
interconnected to mounting plate 12 by a plurality of fins 24 that
extend orthogonally to longitudinal axis X-X.
[0014] As seen in a comparison of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, first
plurality of braces 20 and second plurality of braces 22 are
positioned within and confined to a central region of housing 10.
First plurality of braces 20 and second plurality of braces 22 are
further arranged and positioned relative to spine 16 to form a
truss support for housing 10, shown in FIG. 5 as arranged similarly
to a curved chord Pratt truss. Braces 20, braces 22 and spine 16
provide stability for housing 10 in all three dimensions so that
housing 10 may be suspended in position, such as at the top of a
pole, from either end. For example, housing 10 is seen having a
pair of cylindrical couplers 30 and 32 at either end that allow
housing 10 to be mounted to a support pole by one of coupler 30 and
32, with an additional housing 10 coupled to the other of couplers
30 and 32. It should be recognized that other truss or similar
arrangements of spine 16, braces 20 and braces 22 may be used to
provide the structural stability required for housing 10.
[0015] Fins 24 are generally triangular with a base 34 coupled to
mounting plate 12 and an apex 36 coupled to spine. One or more fins
24 may have a truncated apex to define a handle opening 40 at one
or more locations along housing 10 to make it easier for a user to
manipulate housing 10, such as to perform a reorientation of
housing 10 when mounted to a support pole, thereby changing the
direction of the beam of light emitting by the illumination source
coupled to mounting plate.
[0016] Housing 10 dissipates heat along two thermal pathways.
First, fins 24 will directly conduct heat away from mounting plate
12 due to the direct contact between the base 34 of each fin 24
being in contact with mounting plate 12. Second, first plurality of
braces 20 and second plurality of braces 22 are also in direct
contact with mounting plate 12 and thus will also conduct heat away
from mounting plate 12. As fins 24 are also in contact with spine
16, the heat conducted by first plurality of braces 20 and second
plurality of braces 22 will flow through a second pathway to the
apex 36 of fins 24. As a result, fins 24 effectively receive heat
from two directions, thereby improving the thermal distribution
across the surface of fins 24 and improving the thermal dissipation
provided by fins 24. As noted below, the use of two thermal
pathways significantly reduces the thermal gradient across fins 24,
thereby significantly improves the effectiveness of fins 24 in
dissipating heat generated by the illumination source.
[0017] In addition to heat dissipation, the truss arrangement of
braces 20, braces 22 and spine 16 provides the structural stability
for housing 10 and any additional housing 10 connected thereto. For
example, as seen in FIG. 5, housing 10 includes a male interface 42
associated with coupler 30 and a female receptacle 44 at the
opposing end associated with coupler 32. Two or more housings 10
may therefore be structurally jointed by inserting male interface
42 of one housing 10 into the female receptacle 44 of an adjacent
housing 10 and clamped together. In this manner, several housings
10 may be interconnected together and mounted to a support pole at
one end, thereby avoiding the need for support arms on the support
pole as each housing 10 provides the structural stability to be
self-supporting as well as supportive of additional housing 10
interconnected thereto. In addition, due to the cylindrical shape
of couplers 30 and 32, each housing 10 may be rotated about its
longitudinal axis to direct the illumination provided by an
illumination source mounted to mounting plate 12.
Example
[0018] With respect to structural performance, in an exemplary
housing 10, a total length of 26.375 inches from coupler 30 to
coupler 32 may be used. Spine 16 may be configured as a "+" shaped
beam with each arm of the "+" having a width of 0.188 inches and
thus a total width of 0.625 inches, thereby providing a
cross-sectional area of 0.2 square inches. These dimensions provide
adequate stiffness for a series of four interconnected housings 10
to self-support ten times (10X) their weight. Four interconnected
housings 10 will also provide an arrangement having a fundamental
resonant frequency greater than 18 Hz and will be sufficiently
stable to resist to hurricane velocity winds of 110 miles per
hour.
[0019] With respect to thermal performance, in the exemplary
housing 10 discussed above, fins 24 having a thickness of 0.125
inches may be used to provide an overall surface area of
approximately 2860 square inches. The resulting surface are is
sufficient for thermal dissipation of a 500 W heat flux and can
maintain a temperature below 75.degree. C. for an LED illumination
array attached to mounting plate 12, which provides a surface area
of about 156 inches squared. The use of two thermal pathways from
mounting plate 12 to fins 24 results in a temperature gradient
across fins 24 of less than about 5.degree. C., which is a fifty
percent improvement in the temperature gradient from that provided
from conventional fins that are coupled only at one end to the
illumination source that is generating the heat to be
dissipated.
* * * * *