Methods and apparatus for an LED light

• US 20050073244A1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enertron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Enertron, Inc.
• Inventors: Chou, Der Jeou, Nelson, Daniel, Kulaga, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 6,982,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/498
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An LED lighting device for use in place of a commercial-standard light bulb. For example, a commercial-standard light bulb typically has an outer surface profile, generally defining its shape and the LED lighting device has its own surface profile which substantially mimics the surface profile of the commercial-standard light bulb. Additionally, LED lighting device may further comprise a heat sink for dissipating energy generated by the LED lighting device. In accordance with various embodiments, the heat sink creates the LED lighting device'"'"'s outer surface profile and is configured to substantially mimic the outer surface profile of the commercial-standard light bulb.

Claims

1. An LED lighting device for use in place of a commercial-standard light bulb, the commercial-standard light bulb having a first outer surface profile, the LED lighting device comprising:

an LED light engine and a self-contained power converter; and

a heat sink in communication with at least one of said LED light engine and said self-contained power converter for dissipating energy generated by the LED lighting device, said heat sink having a second outer surface profile configured to substantially mimic said first outer surface profile.

2. An LED lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said heat sink comprises a finned body.

3. An LED lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting surface.

4. An LED lighting device according to claim 3, wherein said reflecting surface is substantially smooth.

5. An LED lighting device according to claim 3, wherein said reflecting surface further comprises facets.

6. An LED lighting device according to claim 5, wherein said facets are configured randomly on said reflecting surface.

7. An LED lighting device according to claim 5, wherein said facets are configured uniformly on said reflecting surface.

8. An LED lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens.

9. A high-efficiency lighting device for use in place of a commercial-standard light bulb, the commercial-standard light bulb having a first outer surface profile, the high-efficiency lighting device comprising a light engine and a heat sink in thermal communication with said light engine such that said heat sink dissipates heat generated by said light engine, said heat sink further comprising a second outer surface profile substantially symmetrical with said first outer surface profile.

10. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, further comprising an on-board power converter.

11. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, wherein said heat sink comprises a plurality of cooling fins.

12. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, wherein said second outer surface profile is contained substantially within the first outer surface profile.

13. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, wherein said light engine is an LED light engine.

14. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 13, further comprising a white light enhancing mechanism.

15. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 13, further comprising a colored light enhancing mechanism.

16. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, further comprising a faceted reflector.

17. A high-efficiency lighting device according to claim 9, further comprising a substantially smooth reflector.

18. An LED lighting device according to claim 9, further comprising a protective lens.

19. An LED lighting device for use in place of a commercial-standard light bulb, the commercial-standard light bulb having a first surface profile, the LED lighting device comprising:

an LED light engine;

a plurality of cooling fins in thermal communication with said LED light engine for dissipating heat generated by said LED light engine, said cooling fins defining a second surface profile configured to be substantially conincident with said first surface profile; and

a faceted reflector.

20. A light enhancing apparatus for use in connection with an LED light of the type comprising an LED light engine coupled to a housing, the light enhancing apparatus comprising a faceted reflector.

21. A light enhancing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the LED light engine comprises more than one LED chip and wherein said faceted reflector improves mixing of light generated by each of said LED chips.

22. A light enhancing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the LED light further comprises a heat sink.