Light-pipe based identification and location signaling light

A lighting unit particularly adapted for facilitating the location of personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment and for resisting damage from exposure to a harsh user environment, the lighting unit comprising:

• a. at least one signaling light source that includes:
• i. a hollow, translucent environmental isolation tube;
• ii. a light distributing rod that is disposed within the environmental isolation tube, the light distributing rod including a diffusive light-pipe;
• and
• iii. reflective end caps that mate with open ends of the environmental isolation tube and with opposite ends of the light-pipe for sealing the light distributing rod within the environmental isolation tube, at least one of the end caps being juxtaposable with a light source which when energized emits light into the light-pipe of the light distributing rod for reemission from the light-pipe;
• and
• b. at least one personnel identifying RGB LED that emits a selectable color of light for uniquely identifying personnel in a smoky environment.

A method for energizing operation of a LED light source included in a signaling light source, the signaling light source being particularly adapted for facilitating the location of personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment, the signaling light source including:

• a hollow, translucent environmental isolation tube;
• a light distributing rod that is disposed within the environmental isolation tube, the light distributing rod including a diffusive light-pipe;
• and
• the light source being juxtaposed with an end of the diffusive light-pipe so that when energized the LED emits light into the light-pipe of the light distributing rod for reemission from the light-pipe,
• the method for energizing operation of the LED light source comprising the step of:
• supplying a sequence of electrical current pulses to the LED, the electrical current pulses repeating at sufficiently long intervals of time so that light emitted by the signaling light source pulses visually thereby:
• a. facilitating searchers ability to visually locate personnel;
• and
• b. reducing electrical power required for operating the signaling light source.

A method for energizing operation of at least a pair of LED light sources, each LED light source being included in a signaling light source, each signaling light source being particularly adapted for facilitating the location of personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment, each signaling light source including:

• a hollow, translucent environmental isolation tube;
• a light distributing rod that is disposed within the environmental isolation tube, the light distributing rod including a diffusive light-pipe;
• and
• the LED of the signaling light source being juxtaposed with an end of the diffusive light-pipe so that when energized the light source of the signaling light source emits light into the light-pipe of the light distributing rod for reemission from the light-pipe,
• the method for energizing operation of the LED light sources comprising the steps of:
• supplying electrical current for energizing operation of the light sources from at least one battery;
• monitoring battery operating condition;
• and
• while battery operating condition remains adequate for energizing operation of series connected light sources, connecting the LEDs in series;
• and
• when battery operating condition becomes inadequate for energizing operation of series connected light sources, connecting the LEDs in parallel,
• thereby extending the battery energized operating interval of the signaling light sources.

A method for energizing operation of a LED light source included in a signaling light source, the signaling light source being particularly adapted for facilitating the location of personnel under adverse conditions such as in a smoky environment, the signaling light source including:

• a hollow, translucent environmental isolation tube;
• a light distributing rod that is disposed within the environmental isolation tube, the light distributing rod including a diffusive light-pipe;
• and
• the light source being juxtaposed with an end of the diffusive light-pipe so that when energized the LED emits light into the light-pipe of the light distributing rod for reemission from the light-pipe,
• the method for energizing operation of the LED light source comprising the steps of:
• monitoring smoke density in environment around the signaling light source;
• when smoke density monitored in environment around the signaling light source indicates dense smoke, increasing energy supplied to the LED light source;
• and
• when smoke density monitored in environment around the signaling light source indicates sparse smoke, decreasing energy supplied to the LED light source,
• thereby reducing average electrical power required for operating the signaling light source.