Tailored side-emitter perimeter beacon

A total internal reflection optical element for emitting light in side directions, comprising:

• an internal recess adapted to fit over a light source, the internal recess including a collimating surface and interior refractive surfaces;
• an exterior refractive surface corresponding to the interior refractive surfaces;
• and
• a reflecting surface corresponding with the collimating surface;
• wherein light at a substantially horizontal angle relative to a horizon is emitted through the interior refractive surface through the exterior reflective surface to a side direction and light at a substantially vertical angle relative to the horizon is collimated by the collimating surface and reflected by the reflecting surface in the side direction, and
• wherein the optical element is configured to produce a light intensity profile that includes a 3 candela minimum between 20° and 90° relative to the horizon.

A method of fabricating a total internal reflection optical element for emitting light in side directions, comprising:

• forming an internal recess adapted to fit over a light source, the internal recess including a collimating surface and interior refractive surfaces;
• forming an exterior refractive surface corresponding to the interior refractive surfaces;
• and
• forming a reflecting surface corresponding with the collimating surface,
• wherein the optical element is configured such that light at a substantially horizontal angle relative to a horizon is emitted through the interior refractive surface through the exterior reflective surface to a side direction and light at a substantially vertical angle relative to the horizon is collimated by the collimating surface and reflected by the reflecting surface in the side direction, and
• wherein the optical element is further configured to produce a light intensity profile that includes a 3 candela minimum between 20° and 90° relative to the horizon.

A high intensity side emitting light comprising:

• a base member;
• a light source mounted on the base member;
• and
• a total internal reflection optical element mounted over the light source, the optical element having an internal recess with internal entry faces including a collimating surface and an interior refractive surface, a reflecting surface corresponding with the collimating surface, and a plurality of exterior refraction surfaces,
• wherein the high intensity side emitting light is configured to produce a light intensity profile that includes a 3 candela minimum between 20° and 90° relative to a horizon.

A high intensity side emitting light comprising:

• a base member;
• a light source mounted on the base member;
• and
• a total internal reflection optical element mounted over the light source, the optical element having an internal recess with internal entry faces including a collimating surface and an interior refractive surface, a reflecting surface corresponding with the collimating surface, and a plurality of exterior refraction surfaces,
• a locating ring that serves to precisely locates the optical element with respect to the light source despite geometric variations of circuit board mounting holes and optical element mounting holes,
• wherein the high intensity side emitting light is configured to produce a light intensity profile that includes a 3 candela minimum between 20° and 90° relative to a horizon.