Light Emitting Diode Replacement Lamp
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for regulating current drive through at least one light emitting diode to compensate for temperature induced resistance changes in the light emitting diode, comprising:
- supplying a source voltage;
using the source voltage to create a regulated current that is usable by the light emitting diode;
applying the regulated current to the light emitting diode to cause the regulated current to flow through the light emitting diode;
generating a sense voltage that is related to the regulated current and to a temperature at a position in a thermal pathway of heat emanating from the light emitting diode which heat is produced by the light emitting diode responsive to the regulated current; and
using the sense voltage as a feedback to modify the regulated current to be maintained within a non-destructive operating range of the light emitting diode when the regulated current would otherwise be outside of the non-destructive range due to a decreased resistance of the light emitting diode caused by an increased temperature of the light emitting diode.
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Abstract
Thermal management and control techniques for light emitting diode and other incandescent replacement light technologies using a current controller are disclosed.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for regulating current drive through at least one light emitting diode to compensate for temperature induced resistance changes in the light emitting diode, comprising:
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supplying a source voltage; using the source voltage to create a regulated current that is usable by the light emitting diode; applying the regulated current to the light emitting diode to cause the regulated current to flow through the light emitting diode; generating a sense voltage that is related to the regulated current and to a temperature at a position in a thermal pathway of heat emanating from the light emitting diode which heat is produced by the light emitting diode responsive to the regulated current; and using the sense voltage as a feedback to modify the regulated current to be maintained within a non-destructive operating range of the light emitting diode when the regulated current would otherwise be outside of the non-destructive range due to a decreased resistance of the light emitting diode caused by an increased temperature of the light emitting diode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A current regulator for regulating current drive through at least one light emitting diode to compensate for temperature induced resistance changes in the light emitting diode, the current regulator comprising:
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a source voltage; a voltage regulator connected to the source voltage for regulating the source voltage to create the regulated current and for connection to the light emitting diode to cause the regulated current to flow through the light emitting diode; a sense voltage generator for generating a sense voltage that is related to the regulated current and to a temperature at a position in a thermal pathway of heat emanating from the light emitting diode, which heat is produced by the light emitting diode responsive to the regulated current, where the sense voltage is used as a feedback to modify the regulated current to be maintained within a non-destructive operating range of the light emitting diode when the regulated current would otherwise be outside of the non-destructive range due to a decreased resistance of the light emitting diode caused by an increased temperature of the light emitting diode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for removing heat from at least one high power light emitting diode having an integral metal slug for transferring heat away from the light emitting diode, the method comprising:
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configuring a printed circuit board to electrically connect to the light emitting diode to generate light; arranging at least one via in the printed circuit board in a location to contact the metal slug to transfer heat from the light emitting diode through the metal slug to the via; arranging a heat sink in thermal communication with the via to receive heat from the via and to transfer the heat to the ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An arrangement for removing heat from at least one high power light emitting diode having an integral metal slug for transferring heat away from the light emitting diode, comprising:
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a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to cause the light emitting diode to generate light; at least one thermally conductive via in the printed circuit board in a location that is in thermal communication with the metal slug; and a heat sink for receiving heat from the via and for transferring the heat to the ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for removing heat from at least one high power light emitting diode having an integral metal slug for transferring heat away from the light emitting diode, the method comprising:
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configuring a printed circuit board to electrically connect to the light emitting diode to generate light; arranging the printed circuit board to define a hole adjacent to the metal slug; connecting a heat sink to the metal slug through the hole in the circuit board to transfer heat from the light emitting diode to the ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. An arrangement for removing heat from at least one high power light emitting diode having an integral metal slug for transferring heat away from the light emitting diode, comprising:
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a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to the light emitting diode to generate light, the printed circuit board defining a hole adjacent to the metal slug; and a heat sink connected to the metal slug through the hole for transferring heat from the light emitting diode to the ambient environment. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for dimming at least one light emitting diode, comprising:
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supplying a source voltage; regulating the source voltage to create a regulated voltage that is within a voltage range which is usable by the light emitting diode; and controlling the regulated voltage through a feedback that is at least partially based on the source voltage such that a change in the source voltage produces a predetermined change in the regulated voltage. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A dimmer apparatus for use in dimming at least one light emitting diode, comprising:
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a voltage regulator for receiving a source voltage that is not in a range that is usable by the light emitting diode and for receiving a feedback signal, the voltage regulator generating a regulated voltage that is within a voltage range that is usable by the light emitting diode at a level that is at least partially determined by the feedback signal; and a feedback controller for creating the feedback signal based at least in part on the source voltage such that a change in the source voltage produces a predetermined change in the regulated voltage. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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Specification