AU2019100738A4

AU2019100738A4 - Lighting Apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2019100738A4
Application number: AU2019100738A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Dobson; Andrew John Tuxford
Original assignee: Russell Mineral Equipment Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Russell Mineral Equipment Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-05
Filing date: 2019-07-05
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-05

Abstract

A lighting apparatus including an envelope, a light source configured to illuminate an inside of the envelope, so that illumination is emitted by the envelope, a fan configured to urge air into the envelope to thereby at least partially inflate the envelope, a temperature sensor and a controller configured to monitor operation of the lighting apparatus by monitoring a temperature using signals from the temperature sensor and if the temperature exceeds a threshold, at least one of increasing a fan speed of the fan and if the fan is at a maximum speed, reducing an intensity of illumination generated by the light source. Fig. 1 11122 il Fig. 1A

Description

LIGHTING APPARATUS

Background of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus and in one particular example to a balloon lighting apparatus.

Description of the Prior Art [0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] It is known to provide lighting apparatus in which an envelope is inflated and illuminated internally in order to provide diffused lighting within an environment. In particular, such arrangements are particularly advantageous as light is emitted substantially evenly over an entire surface of the inflated envelope, which helps to provide illumination throughout a volume, but whilst shading the light source, meaning that no one part of the volume is exposed to direct illumination, avoiding workers being dazzled or temporarily blinded.

[0004] US-6,012,826 describes an illuminating balloon with an inflatable envelope and a control unit integrated in the envelope includes an electropneumatic blowing device having an intake orifice to suck air in from the outside, and a discharge orifice to send the air into the internal space of the balloon, an electronic circuit for power supply of the electropneumatic device and of the bulb, and a cover for support of the bulb and of a protective grid preventing the envelope from coming into contact with the bulb, said grid being extended up to near the top of the envelope from coming into contact with the bulb, said grid being extended up to near the top of the envelope to give the balloon rigidity.

[0005] US2005/0207168 describes an illuminating balloon with an inflatable envelope contains an illumination system having at least one electric light bulb, and inflating means equipped with an integrated fan designed to suck air in from the outside and to inject it into the envelope while

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-2keeping the latter in the inflated state. The assembly formed by the bulb and fan is covered by a bowl made of transparent or translucent plastic material, forming an explosion-proof isolating shield and a deflector of the discharge air for inflation of the envelope via passage apertures provided in the bowl.

[0006] US2014/0036512 describes a lighting balloon including a deformable envelope, at least one lighting mechanism mounted inside the envelope, and a supporting and stretching mechanism for the envelope, including a plate carrying the lighting mechanism and with a longitudinally extending distancing element mounted on the plate. The supporting and stretching mechanism co-operates with an apex and a base of the envelope to stretch the envelope in the longitudinal direction. The balloon further includes at least one shape-maintaining mechanism mounted on the envelope and arranged transversely in relation to the distancing element.

[0007] A drawback of such systems in that they tend to require complex control in order to ensure the balloon is inflated, particularly as deflation of the balloon can lead to the balloon envelope overheating which in turn results in a fire hazard. These issues are exacerbated in adverse and, in particular, hot environments, as may occur, for example, in an underground mine, or within equipment such as an ore mill.

Summary of the Present Invention [0008] In one broad form, an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a lighting apparatus including: an envelope; a light source configured to illuminate an inside of the envelope, so that illumination is emitted by the envelope; a fan configured to urge air into the envelope to thereby at least partially inflate the envelope; a temperature sensor; and, a controller configured to monitor operation of the lighting apparatus by: monitoring a temperature using signals from the temperature sensor; and, if the temperature exceeds a threshold, at least one of: increase a fan speed of the fan; and, if the fan is at a maximum speed, reduce an intensity of illumination generated by the light source.

[0009] In one embodiment the temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of at least one of: an envelope surface temperature; an air temperature within the envelope; and, a light source temperature.

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-3[0010] In one embodiment the controller is configured to increase the fan speed in progressive increments.

[0011] In one embodiment the lighting apparatus includes a fan sensor and wherein the controller is configured to: use signals from the fan sensor to confirm the fan is operating; and, at least one of: activate the light source if the fan is operating; and, deactivate the light source if the fan is not operating.

[0012] In one embodiment the fan sensor senses at least one of: current drawn by the fan; and, rotation of the fan.

[0013] In one embodiment the light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

[0014] In one embodiment the controller is configured to reduce an intensity of illumination by at least one of: reducing an emission from the plurality of light emitting diodes; and, deactivating at least some of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

[0015] In one embodiment the fan is configured to direct airflow towards the light source to thereby assist in cooling the light source.

[0016] In one embodiment the envelope includes one or more vents to allow air to exit the envelope.

[0017] In one embodiment the lighting apparatus includes an external support for supporting the envelope spaced from a surface.

[0018] In one embodiment the lighting apparatus includes an internal support for at least partially supporting the envelope.

[0019] In one embodiment the light source is mounted to the internal support.

[0020] In one embodiment the internal support supports the envelope spaced from the light source when at least one of: the envelope is not fully inflated; and, the envelope is only partially inflated.

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-4[0021] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that features of the method can be performed using the system or apparatus and that features of the system or apparatus can be implemented using the method.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0022] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0023] Figure 1A is a schematic side view of an example of a lighting apparatus;

[0024] Figure IB is a schematic diagram of an example of a control system for the lighting apparatus of Figure 1A;

[0025] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a first example of a control process for the lighting apparatus of Figure 1A; and, [0026] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a further more detailed example of a control process for the lighting apparatus of Figure 1A.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0027] An example of a lighting apparatus will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and IB.

[0028] In this example, the lighting apparatus 100 includes an envelope 110, which may be made from a flexible plastic material, such as a polyester, or a textile, and is typically translucent, allowing visible radiation to be emitted through the envelope. In one example, the envelope 110 has a substantially spherical or ovoid shape, although this is not essential and other shapes could be used. Typically the envelope includes an opening in a lower region of the envelope and one or more vents 111 in an upper part of the envelope 110.

[0029] The lighting apparatus 100 includes a light source 130, which is configured to illuminate an inside of the envelope 110, so that illumination is emitted by the envelope. The light source

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-5can be provided internally within the envelope, as shown in Figure 1A, or may be provided external to the envelope, for example under an opening and arranged to direct illumination to within the envelope. In another example, the light source could be mounted to an internal surface of the envelope.

[0030] A fan 140 is provided which is configured to urge air into the envelope 110 to thereby at least partially inflate the envelope. In a preferred example, the fan 140 is positioned on an underside of the envelope adjacent an opening in the envelope allowing air to be urged upwardly into the envelope as shown by the arrows A.

[0031] The lighting apparatus 100 includes a temperature sensor 151 which is adapted to sense a temperature, such as an air temperature within the envelope, a light source temperature, an envelope surface temperature, or the like. The nature of the temperature sensor will vary depending upon the preferred implementation but in one example the temperature sensor is a thermistor, or the like.

[0032] The lighting apparatus 100 may also include a fan sensor 152, which operates to monitor operation of the fan. The fan sensor 152 could be of any appropriate form, and could include a current sensor configured to monitor current drawn by the fan 140, or could be a sensor configured to monitor rotation of the fan 140.

[0033] The lighting apparatus 100 further includes a controller 160, which is connected to the temperature and optional fan sensors 151, 152 and to the light source 130 and fan 140, allowing these to be controlled.

[0034] The controller 160 can be of any appropriate form, but in one example includes at least one microprocessor 161, a memory 162, an optional input/output device 163, such as a keypad or touchscreen, or input buttons, and an external interface 164, interconnected via a bus 165 as shown. In this example the external interface 164 is connected to the sensors 151, 152, light source 130 and fan 140, but could additionally be used to connect the controller to a communications network, remote processing systems or the like. Although a single external interface 164 is shown, this is for the purpose of example only, and in practice multiple interfaces using various methods (eg. Ethernet, serial, USB, wireless or the like) may be provided.

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-6[0035] In use, the microprocessor 161 executes instructions in the form of applications software stored in the memory 162 to allow the required processes to be performed. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the controller 160 may be formed from any suitable processing system arrangement and could include any electronic processing device such as a microprocessor, microchip processor, logic gate configuration, firmware optionally associated with implementing logic such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or any other electronic device, system or arrangement.

[0036] An example of a control process will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

[0037] In this example, it is assumed that the lighting apparatus is currently operational. Accordingly, at step 200, the controller 160 operates to monitor a temperature within the envelope 110 using signals from the temperature sensor 151.

[0038] At step 210, the controller 160 determines if a temperature threshold has been exceeded and if not, monitoring continues by returning to step 200.

[0039] Otherwise, if the temperature threshold has been exceeded, at step 220 the controller 160 determines if the fan is at a maximum speed and if not operates to increase the fan speed at step 230. In this regard, increasing airflow through the envelope 110 can allow hot air to be removed from within the envelope, expelling this via the vents 111, in turn helping to reduce the temperature within the envelope 110. Additionally, heat within the envelope 110 is generated through operation of the light source, and accordingly, in a further embodiment, airflow into the envelope 110 can be arranged to pass through or around the light source 130, thereby operating to cool the light source and hence further manage a light source temperature.

[0040] In the event that the fan is at maximum speed, the controller 160 operates to decrease an intensity of illumination at step 240, which in turn reduces an amount of heat generated by the light source 130, which in turn helps cool the lighting apparatus 100.

[0041] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described arrangement provides a lighting apparatus, and in particular a balloon light apparatus, which utilises a combination of fan speed and illumination intensity in order to control a temperature of the lighting apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus can be configured to maintain the temperature at below a threshold

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-7value, which can be set manually or be predefined, depending on the preferred implementation. Furthermore, this process is performed using a temperature sensor coupled with fan and light source control, thereby providing a simple straightforward control process, which can be implemented using basic hardware and is hence less prone to failure than more complex control systems.

[0042] This therefore allows a cheap robust light source to be provided that can function reliably in adverse, and in particular hot environments, where balloon lighting arrangements are typically prone to overheating and failure, which can in turn lead to hazardous situations.

[0043] A number of further features will now be described.

[0044] In one example, as previously mentioned, the lighting apparatus can include a fan sensor 152. In this example, the fan sensor can be used to ensure the fan is active and hence that the balloon is inflated. This can be used to ensure the light source is only activated in the event that the balloon is inflated, and an example of this process will now be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0045] In this example, when the lighting apparatus is initially activated, the controller 160 activates the fan at step 300 and then uses signals from the fan sensor to ensure the fan is active at step 310. If the fan is non-operational, the light remains inactive or is deactivated at step 320 preventing the lighting apparatus being used if the balloon is not inflated.

[0046] If the fan is active however, it is assumed that the balloon envelope is inflated and the light source is activated at step 330. At this point, the process returns to step 310, with operation of the fan being continually monitored, and the light source 130 being deactivated if the fan fails for any reason.

[0047] Simultaneously, once the light source 130 is activated, temperature monitoring can be performed at steps 340 to 380, which are similar to steps 200 to 240 as described above, and will not therefore be described in any further detail.

[0048] In one example, the controller 160 is configured to increase the fan speed in progressive increments, for example, by increasing the fan speed by lOOrpm on each cycle of the control

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-8process until the temperature falls below the temperature threshold, although it will be appreciated other control approaches could be used.

[0049] Thus, it will be appreciated that this provides an additional level of safety, ensuring the light source 130 is deactivated if the fan is not working, to thereby prevent overheating, as well as controlling the fan speed and illumination intensity in order to perform additional temperature control. Thus, this allows the system to operate utilising only temperature and fan sensors 151, 152, without requiring, for example, pressure sensors to ascertain an air pressure inside the envelope to ensure the envelope is inflated.

[0050] In one example, the light source includes a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Whilst other light sources could be used, such as incandescent lamps or the like, LEDs are advantageous for a number of reasons. In particular, these tend to operate with a high efficiency, allowing the system to operate efficiently. Additionally, LEDs can provide significant illumination intensity whilst only requiring a low voltage, such as 12V or less. This enables the lighting apparatus to operate utilising a low voltage power supply, making this suitable for use in environments where high voltage power could be dangerous. In one particular embodiment, the system could be implemented utilising battery power, enabling this to be used where no mains or other similar power supply is available, although this is not essential, and other low voltage power supplies could be used.

[0051] Additionally, LEDs tend to be highly flexible and can be used to provide different colours of illumination. Furthermore, using a plurality of LEDs allows the intensity of illumination to be carefully controlled, either by reducing an emission intensity from individual LEDs, or by deactivating some of the LEDs.

[0052] In one example, the envelope is optionally supported by an external support, such as a mast 120 provided on telescopic legs 121, allowing this to be positioned within a volume to be illuminated, such as within a mine, ore mill, or other location. It will be appreciated however that this is not essential and any suitable means for positioning the envelope, including suspending the envelope from a ceiling or roof structure, may be used.

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-9[0053] Additionally, the lighting apparatus can include an internal support, such as a strut 122, which extends from the mast 120 to an upper surface of the envelope 110. This can support the envelope 120 spaced from the light source 130 when the envelope is either not fully inflated or is only partially inflated, and also stops an upper part of the envelope being deflected by wind loading. This helps prevents the envelope coming into contact with the light source which can in turn lead to burning or other damage to the envelope. The strut can also be used to support the light source 130 and/or temperature sensor 151, depending on the preferred implementation.

[0054] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term approximately means ±20%.

[0055] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

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Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A lighting apparatus including:

a) an envelope;

b) a light source configured to illuminate an inside of the envelope, so that illumination is emitted by the envelope;

c) a fan configured to urge air into the envelope to thereby at least partially inflate the envelope;

d) a temperature sensor; and,

e) a controller configured to monitor operation of the lighting apparatus by:

i) monitoring a temperature using signals from the temperature sensor; and, ii) if the temperature exceeds a threshold, at least one of:

(1) increase a fan speed of the fan; and, (2) if the fan is at a maximum speed, reduce an intensity of illumination generated by the light source.
2) A lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of at least one of:

a) an envelope surface temperature;

b) an air temperature within the envelope; and,

c) a light source temperature.
3) A lighting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to increase the fan speed in progressive increments.
4) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the lighting apparatus includes a fan sensor and wherein the controller is configured to:

a) use signals from the fan sensor to confirm the fan is operating; and,

b) at least one of:

i) activate the light source if the fan is operating; and, ii) deactivate the light source if the fan is not operating.
5) A lighting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fan sensor senses at least one of:

a) current drawn by the fan; and,

b) rotation of the fan.

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6) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.
7) A lighting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to reduce an intensity of illumination by at least one of:

a) reducing an emission from the plurality of light emitting diodes; and,

b) deactivating at least some of the plurality of light emitting diodes.
8) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the fan is configured to direct airflow towards the light source to thereby assist in cooling the light source.
9) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the envelope includes one or more vents to allow air to exit the envelope.
10) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the lighting apparatus includes an external support for supporting the envelope spaced from a surface.
11) A lighting apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the lighting apparatus includes an internal support for at least partially supporting the envelope.
12) A lighting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light source is mounted to the internal support.
13) A lighting apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the internal support supports the envelope spaced from the light source when at least one of:

a) the envelope is not fully inflated; and,

b) the envelope is only partially inflated.

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