Long life intelligent illuminated road markers

Abstract

Illuminated road markers are described that have cast bodies and long operating life. The road markers generally include an LED, a solar cell, a rechargeable battery, and control circuitry in a cast body.

1 . An illuminated cast rod marker comprising 
 a one piece cast plastic body, comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and perimeter sides, wherein at least one perimeter side comprises a light transmission surface through which light can be transmitted, and wherein said top surface, said bottom surface, and said sides define a body volume;    at least one light emitting diode (LED) positioned within said body volume such that light produced by said LED is transmitted through said light transmitting surface;    a long life battery within said body volume adjacent said top surface, wherein said solar cell recharges said battery, and    electrical circuitry within said body volume configured to control charging of said battery and illumination of said LED.    
   
   
       2 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said marker further comprises glass facing on said light transmission surface.  
   
   
       3 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said marker further comprises glass facing on said top surface.  
   
   
       4 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said body is cast from a castable urethane material.  
   
   
       5 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said plastic is fiber-reinforced.  
   
   
       6 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said solar cell is at least partially encapsulated in an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       7 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said solar cells and electrical circuitry are encapsulated in an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       8 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said solar cell, electrical circuitry, battery, and LEDs are encapsulated in a pre-cast block.  
   
   
       9 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said marker comprises a signal receiver that triggers a switch from white illumination to a warning color illumination.  
   
   
       10 . The road marker of  claim 8 , wherein said signal receiver is a radio frequency receiver.  
   
   
       11 . The road marker of  claim 8 , wherein said signal receiver is a light signal receiver.  
   
   
       12 . The road marker of  claim 8 , wherein said warning color illumination is flashing illumination at a frequency of 0.5 to 5 times per second.  
   
   
       13 . The road marker of  claim 8 , wherein said body further comprises at least one protective surface rib.  
   
   
       14 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said LEDs are disposed to directly transmit light through said light transmission surface and said marker further comprises reflective material further disposed to reflect light from said LED that is not initially transmitted through said light transmitting surface.  
   
   
       15 . The road marker of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of LEDs oriented in a plurality of directions differing by 2 to 15 degrees.  
   
   
       16 . The road marker of  claim 1 , further comprising a bonding material embedded in the bottom surface of the castable material forming said body.  
   
   
       17 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said body volume comprises a battery gas cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The road marker of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas permeable/water impermeable membrane battery gas vent.  
   
   
       19 . The road marker of  claim 1 , wherein said solar cell is a flexible solar cell.  
   
   
       20 . A method for making an illuminated road marker, comprising 
 casting a road marker body around a pre-assembled illumination and control module, wherein said body comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and perimeter sides, wherein at least one perimeter side comprises a light transmission surface through which light can be transmitted, and wherein said top surface, said bottom surface, and said sides define a body volume; and    wherein said illumination and control module is positioned within said body volume and comprises    a light emitting diode (LED) positioned such that light produced by said LED is transmitted through said light transmitting surface;    a long life battery that energizes said LED, wherein said battery tolerates trickle charging;    a solar cell adjacent said top surface, wherein said solar cell recharges said battery, and    electrical circuitry configured to control charging of said battery and illumination of said LED.    
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 - 31 . (canceled)