US3354828A - Emergency light unit - Google Patents

Emergency light unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US3354828A
US3354828A US490781A US49078165A US3354828A US 3354828 A US3354828 A US 3354828A US 490781 A US490781 A US 490781A US 49078165 A US49078165 A US 49078165A US 3354828 A US3354828 A US 3354828A
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Prior art keywords
wick
tube
light
emergency light
unit
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US490781A
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Shefler Sydney
Steven M Little
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21K2/00—Non-electric light sources using luminescence; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence
    • F21K2/06—Non-electric light sources using luminescence; Light sources using electrochemiluminescence using chemiluminescence
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K11/00—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials
    • C09K11/06—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials containing organic luminescent materials
    • C09K11/07—Luminescent, e.g. electroluminescent, chemiluminescent materials containing organic luminescent materials having chemically interreactive components, e.g. reactive chemiluminescent compositions

Definitions

  • An emergency light unit utilizing oxyluminescent compounds to provide illumination in aircraft cabins, cockpits, emergency hatches, etc.
  • the unit comprises a hermetically sealed light transmitting tube provided with frangible tips on each end and containing a wick saturated with an oxyluminescent compound. To operate, it is only necessary to break one or both tips permitting air to pass through the filters to activate the wick.
  • the present invention relates to an emergency light source, more particularly to an emergency light unit using oxyluminescent compounds.
  • battery-powered light sources In cases of light failure, battery-powered light sources have generally been used to provide light for emergency illumination. This type light in many situations has certain limitations such as low reliability because of battery deterioration, corrosion of electrical contacts, and the adverse effect on night vision.
  • the present emergency light device uses light-producing chemical compounds and its reliability approaches 100% over an infinite period of time.
  • Yet another object is to provide an emergency light unit which has infinite shelf life and requires no maintenance to keep in a readiness condition.
  • the unit comprises a hermetically sealed light transmitting tube consisting of glass.
  • Tube 10 is provided with frangible break tips 11 on each end.
  • An oxyluminescent tubular-shaped wick 12 consisting of an absorbent material saturated with a chemiluminescent compound substantially fills tube 10. Wicks were made from both absorbent paper and cotton cloth soaked with the peraminoethylene composition, tetrakis(dimethylamino) ethylene. Upon exposure to the oxygen in the air this composition gives off a blue-green light.
  • a filter 13 which permits only air to pass through was firmly seated in each end of tube 10 adjacent wick 12. This ele ment permits the unit to be operated under water should the occasion require it.
  • the unit is assembled by first inserting wick 12 into tube 10-, securing filters 13 in the tube adjacent wick 12 then heat sealing frangible tips 11 onto the ends of the tube while a vacuum is drawn to eliminate any air which may be present.
  • the filters consisting of ceramic or other air permeable materials obtainable commercially, are necessary if the unit is to be operated under Water because water quenches the light.
  • a conventional fritted glass filter which permits only air to pass through was used in this unit. The units will operate for five minutes or more under water giving time for identification of emergency hatches.
  • the emergency unit may be designed to fit a wide variety of containers and operating conditions. It may be automatically or remotely activated by either an electric solenoid or a non-explosive activator. After activation of the wick the light produced will provide illumination for up to 60 minutes.
  • the wick was made by saturating an absorbent material with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene in a nitrogen or inert atmosphere. It was found that a plurality of layers of absorbent cotton material soaked with the tetrakis(di methylamino)ethylene (TMAE) gave longer time light producing characteristics than the single layered wick.
  • TMAE tetrakis(di methylamino)ethylene
  • Other peraminoethylenes which may be used include tetrakis N-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene, l,1',3,3-tetramethyl-4 bi(irnidazolidine) and tetrakis(dimethylamino-methyleneamino) ethylene.
  • the light transmitting tube can be designed to carry a self-contained oxygen supply which upon rupture would release the oxygen to activate the wick While the tube remained sealed.
  • An emergency light unit comprising an hermetically sealed light transmitting tube provided with frangible break tips on each end;
  • the tube consists of glass and the wick consists essentially of at least one layer of absorbent material saturated with tetrakis (dimethylamino) ethylene.
  • wick consists essentially of a plurality of layers of cotton cloth saturated with tetrakis (dimethylamino)ethylene.
  • the tube consists of glass and the wick consists essentially of a plurality of layers of absorbent material saturated with a peraminoethylene selected from the group consisting of tetrakis (dimethylamino)ethylene, tetrakis(N-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene, 1,1',3,3 tetramethyl 4 bi(imidazolidine), and tetrakis (dimethylamino-methyleneamino) ethylene.
  • a peraminoethylene selected from the group consisting of tetrakis (dimethylamino)ethylene, tetrakis(N-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene, 1,1',3,3 tetramethyl 4 bi(imidazolidine), and tetrakis (dimethylamino-methyleneamino) ethylene.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Description

28, 1967 s. SHEFLER ETAL 3, 2
EMERGENCY LIGHT UNIT Filed Sept. 23, 1965 I INVENTORS.
SYDNEY ,SHEFLER STEVEN M. LITTLE fA o amev- ATTORNEY.
United States Patent Ofiicc Patented Nov. 28, 1967 3,354,828 EMERGENCY LIGHT UNIT Sydney Shefler and Steven M. Little, China Lake, Califi,
assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Sept. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 490,781 4 Claims. (Cl. 10237.8)
ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE An emergency light unit utilizing oxyluminescent compounds to provide illumination in aircraft cabins, cockpits, emergency hatches, etc. The unit comprises a hermetically sealed light transmitting tube provided with frangible tips on each end and containing a wick saturated with an oxyluminescent compound. To operate, it is only necessary to break one or both tips permitting air to pass through the filters to activate the wick.
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
The present invention relates to an emergency light source, more particularly to an emergency light unit using oxyluminescent compounds.
In cases of light failure, battery-powered light sources have generally been used to provide light for emergency illumination. This type light in many situations has certain limitations such as low reliability because of battery deterioration, corrosion of electrical contacts, and the adverse effect on night vision. The present emergency light device uses light-producing chemical compounds and its reliability approaches 100% over an infinite period of time.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency light source for use in aircraft cabins, cockpits and emergency hatches.
Yet another object is to provide an emergency light unit which has infinite shelf life and requires no maintenance to keep in a readiness condition.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein the single figure is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the emergency light unit, the subject of this invention.
Referring now to the drawing, the unit comprises a hermetically sealed light transmitting tube consisting of glass. Tube 10 is provided with frangible break tips 11 on each end. An oxyluminescent tubular-shaped wick 12 consisting of an absorbent material saturated with a chemiluminescent compound substantially fills tube 10. Wicks were made from both absorbent paper and cotton cloth soaked with the peraminoethylene composition, tetrakis(dimethylamino) ethylene. Upon exposure to the oxygen in the air this composition gives off a blue-green light. A filter 13 which permits only air to pass through was firmly seated in each end of tube 10 adjacent wick 12. This ele ment permits the unit to be operated under water should the occasion require it. The unit is assembled by first inserting wick 12 into tube 10-, securing filters 13 in the tube adjacent wick 12 then heat sealing frangible tips 11 onto the ends of the tube while a vacuum is drawn to eliminate any air which may be present.
To operate the light unit, it is only necessary to break one or both of the frangible tips permitting air to pass through the filters to activate the wick. If tips 11 are resealed, the light will gradually fade away, but will glow again when air is admitted to the wick.
The filters consisting of ceramic or other air permeable materials obtainable commercially, are necessary if the unit is to be operated under Water because water quenches the light. A conventional fritted glass filter which permits only air to pass through was used in this unit. The units will operate for five minutes or more under water giving time for identification of emergency hatches.
The emergency unit may be designed to fit a wide variety of containers and operating conditions. It may be automatically or remotely activated by either an electric solenoid or a non-explosive activator. After activation of the wick the light produced will provide illumination for up to 60 minutes.
The wick was made by saturating an absorbent material with tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene in a nitrogen or inert atmosphere. It was found that a plurality of layers of absorbent cotton material soaked with the tetrakis(di methylamino)ethylene (TMAE) gave longer time light producing characteristics than the single layered wick. Other peraminoethylenes which may be used include tetrakis N-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene, l,1',3,3-tetramethyl-4 bi(irnidazolidine) and tetrakis(dimethylamino-methyleneamino) ethylene.
The light transmitting tube can be designed to carry a self-contained oxygen supply which upon rupture would release the oxygen to activate the wick While the tube remained sealed.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
What is claimed is:
1. An emergency light unit comprising an hermetically sealed light transmitting tube provided with frangible break tips on each end;
a cylindrical wick saturated with an oxyluminescent composition substantially filling the tube; and
a filter which passes only air firmly seated in each end of said tube adjacent the ends of said wick;
whereby rupture of said tips permits air to enter through the filters to activate the wick.
2. The unit of claim 1 wherein the tube consists of glass and the wick consists essentially of at least one layer of absorbent material saturated with tetrakis (dimethylamino) ethylene.
3. The unit of claim 1 wherein the wick consists essentially of a plurality of layers of cotton cloth saturated with tetrakis (dimethylamino)ethylene.
4. The unit of claim 1 wherein the tube consists of glass and the wick consists essentially of a plurality of layers of absorbent material saturated with a peraminoethylene selected from the group consisting of tetrakis (dimethylamino)ethylene, tetrakis(N-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene, 1,1',3,3 tetramethyl 4 bi(imidazolidine), and tetrakis (dimethylamino-methyleneamino) ethylene.
No References Cited.
BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.
ROBERT E. STAT-IL, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN EMERGENCY LIGHT UNIT COMPRISING AN HERMETICALLY SEALED LIGHT TRANSMITTING TUBE PROVIDED WITH FRANGIBLE BREAK TIPS ON EACH END; A CYLINDRICAL WICK SATURATED WITH AN OXYLUMINESCENT COMPOSITION SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING THE TUBE; AND A FILTER WHICH PASSES ONLY AIR FIRMLY SEATED IN EACH OF SAID TUBE ADJACENT THE ENDS OF SAID WICK; WHEREBY RUPTURE OF SAID TIPS PERMITS AIR TO ENTER THROUGH THE FILTERS TO ACTIVATE THE WICK.
US490781A 1965-09-23 1965-09-23 Emergency light unit Expired - Lifetime US3354828A (en)

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Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3399621A (en) * 1968-01-05 1968-09-03 George H. Schillreff Underwater flare
US3477403A (en) * 1967-04-07 1969-11-11 Remington Arms Co Inc Oxyluminescent control apparatus
US3500033A (en) * 1967-12-28 1970-03-10 Remington Arms Co Inc Chemiluminescent emergency lighting device
US3515070A (en) * 1968-05-15 1970-06-02 Us Army Chemiluminescent peraminoethylene positioned within a brittle capsule
US3576987A (en) * 1968-11-07 1971-05-04 American Cyanamid Co Chemical lighting device to store, initiate and display chemical light
US3584211A (en) * 1968-10-07 1971-06-08 American Cyanamid Co Chemiluminescent liquid dispensing or display container
US3612857A (en) * 1970-03-16 1971-10-12 Dave P Beatty Location marker for producing luminous display
US3611936A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-10-12 Jean Marie Bouisse Pyrotechnic tracer
US3680484A (en) * 1968-08-03 1972-08-01 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Pyrotechnic emitter
US4104708A (en) * 1974-07-08 1978-08-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Shrouded chemical light source
US4814949A (en) * 1987-11-13 1989-03-21 American Cyanamid Company Chemiluminescent device
US4972623A (en) * 1989-07-03 1990-11-27 Delricco James R Cold illuminated fishing jig
US5171081A (en) * 1992-05-29 1992-12-15 Pita Joe W Chemiluminescent reactive vessel
WO1998038454A1 (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Stratus System, Inc. Chemiluminescent emergency escape route lighting and area lighting system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3477403A (en) * 1967-04-07 1969-11-11 Remington Arms Co Inc Oxyluminescent control apparatus
US3500033A (en) * 1967-12-28 1970-03-10 Remington Arms Co Inc Chemiluminescent emergency lighting device
US3399621A (en) * 1968-01-05 1968-09-03 George H. Schillreff Underwater flare
US3515070A (en) * 1968-05-15 1970-06-02 Us Army Chemiluminescent peraminoethylene positioned within a brittle capsule
US3680484A (en) * 1968-08-03 1972-08-01 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Pyrotechnic emitter
US3584211A (en) * 1968-10-07 1971-06-08 American Cyanamid Co Chemiluminescent liquid dispensing or display container
US3576987A (en) * 1968-11-07 1971-05-04 American Cyanamid Co Chemical lighting device to store, initiate and display chemical light
US3611936A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-10-12 Jean Marie Bouisse Pyrotechnic tracer
US3612857A (en) * 1970-03-16 1971-10-12 Dave P Beatty Location marker for producing luminous display
US4104708A (en) * 1974-07-08 1978-08-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Shrouded chemical light source
US4814949A (en) * 1987-11-13 1989-03-21 American Cyanamid Company Chemiluminescent device
US4972623A (en) * 1989-07-03 1990-11-27 Delricco James R Cold illuminated fishing jig
US5171081A (en) * 1992-05-29 1992-12-15 Pita Joe W Chemiluminescent reactive vessel
WO1998038454A1 (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Stratus System, Inc. Chemiluminescent emergency escape route lighting and area lighting system

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