LED Lighting Fixtures

LED modules illuminates Pumping station in Cologne

sarafan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:31:01 +0000

Cologne has been graced with a new landmark: the high-water pumping station in the Bayenthal suburb of the city. The pumping station is already a sight to see during the day thanks to its architectural aesthetic, which includes an organically landscaped area that inconspicuously tucks the structure into the banks of the Rhine.

Generally, a normal water mark is indicated by white light, rising water levels by amber and on reaching the high-water mark, the light turns red. The station then begins pumping off the discharge in the reinforced conduits. As a result, the citizens of Cologne are not only aware of when the pumping station is at work, but can also enjoy the eye-catching light spectacle as a thing of simple beauty.

It’s reported that the breathtaking illuminations concept developed by the Semperlux lighting technology specialists in Berlin ensures the pumping station lights up in one of three colours depending on the water level of the Rhine.

From its company seat in the German town of Kamp-Lintfort, Vossloh-Schwabe Optoelectronic provided the LED technology that made the artistic aspirations of this unique illumination system possible.

Project decision makers opted for the LED solution for several reasons. Next to low energy consumption, high light output and flexible light control thanks to RGB technology, LEDs guarantee an extremely long service life, practically no maintenance and with that very low life-cycle costs. To suit this specific project, a system was developed that involved encapsulating standard VS Optoelectronic Flex modules fitted with SMD LEDs inside the aluminum sections of the metal-grid façade. The white, red, green and blue Flex line modules, each backed with self-adhesive tape, were first precisely trimmed to fit and then fixed within the inside face of the respective segment.

The LED modules were also specifically adapted to ensure even light-point spacing and uniform light density over the entire building. With the fitting order of the modules having been precisely calculated by the light engineers at Semperlux, actual installation was problem-free thanks to the highly flexible nature of the LED modules. Finally, the standard Flex modules were permanently encapsulated within the metal sections using a transparent potting material to ensure protection against environmental factors. The indirect LED lighting system works by light hitting the walls of the building and then being reflected to appear as an evenly illuminated surface. In response to the actual water level of the Rhine, a DALI unit triggers the respective light scene and a EUTRAC® DALI LightComposer®-REG module enables overall system control. As a result, both the citizens of Cologne and visitors to the city can enjoy these special illuminations night after night.

The extremely flexible standard Flex modules provided by VS Optoelectronic are fitted with humidity-protected SMD LEDs that are suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Further Flex advantages include practically no heat generation during operation as well as small dimensions and self-adhesive backing, which make the line modules quick and easy to mount.

The products feature lead-free solder and thus comply with all environmental standards and requirements. Blessed with this impressive set of product benefits, VS Optoelectronic’s standard Flex modules are set to add the final sparkle to many more architectural highlights in the future.

LED project at Dreamland Park is expected to conclude by mid-September

sarafan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:36:06 +0000

It’s reported that Springfield Park District officials hope they will soon be able to turn on the lights for the first time at Dreamland Park, 2300 Taylor Ave. However, Elliott McKinley, director of parks for the park district, said work is under way to run electricity to Dreamland Park and also install energy-efficient outdoor lights.

The new LED lights will use about 48 watts of power each compared to the 175 to 200 watts of standard lights. That averages out to be about 75 percent more efficient when it comes to power use, but there are also additional savings. also, LED fixtures last for about 50,000 to 75,000 hours, while standard lights last about 10,000 hours. That means workers will be buying and replacing fewer bulbs.

Areas where the 13 new lights are going to be installed include the parking lot — now illuminated only by a few nearby city streetlights — and the walking trails. Without a doubt, the new lights will enhance the safety and security. In addition, having electricity at the stage means more community events can be scheduled at Dreamland. Besides, people will be able to plug in appliances or equipment at the shelters and stage and also have the benefit of outdoor lighting during the evening.

The cost of the project is about $93,000. About $17,300 of that amount will cover the extra cost of 15 LED lights, and $6,600 will go toward lights in the parking lot. With the LED energy savings, the park district should be able to recoup its extra investment in less than 10 years. According to McKinley, the work is expected to conclude by mid-September.

Reactions to story from Engadget

Emma — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:22:12 +0000

NOVA 3D LED light display runs at 25fps by Nilay Patel, posted May 2nd 2008 at 5:33PM. You know we love the crazy light fixtures, and it doesn't get much crazier than the NOVA, a 3D LED display developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology for its 150th birthday.

Each of the 25,000 suspended lights contains 12 LEDs, and it's capable of pumping out 16M colors at 25fps. It's on display in Zurich until September 2009 (and we hear it might make an appearance at Wired's NEXTFEST), but if you're thinking about nabbing it for yourself, you'd better bring a crew -- it weighs in at over three tons.

Cree to acquire LED Lighting Fixtures

Emma — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:07:31 +0000

Cree has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held LED Lighting Fixtures (LLF) in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $77 million, plus up to an additional $26.4 million over a three-year period.

LLF is pioneering the development of LED lighting retrofit products and is recognized in the lighting industry as the first company to develop a viable, energy-efficient LED down light for general illumination. The product is being used in commercial and residential applications and is based on the combination of Cree's lighting-class XLamp LEDs and LLF's color-mixing technology, which produces both very high efficiency and superior color quality.

The acquisition will expand Cree's market opportunity by providing direct access to the lighting market. It will enable Cree to drive retrofit solutions to convert existing lighting infrastructure to energy-efficient lighting and to accelerate the adoption of LED lighting. With this acquisition, Cree's business will encompass LED chips, components, and lighting products.

"The combination of Cree's lighting-class LEDs and LLF's lighting systems technologies should set the stage for Cree to obsolete the light bulb, a 19th century invention that wastes energy and pollutes our environment," said Chuck Swoboda, CEO of Cree. "We believe the market is at a tipping point, with billions of sockets in existing fixtures now addressable with energy-efficient LED lighting. Accelerating this market transformation benefits Cree, our LED customers, and lighting consumers."

LFF will be renamed Cree LED Lighting Solutions. Neal Hunter, chairman and CEO of LLF and Cree co-founder, will rejoin Cree as president of Cree LED Lighting Solutions. The remainder of the LLF management team will continue in their roles within the organization.