Flow-Through LED Lighting System

• US 20080158878A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Albeo Technologies (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: VAN LAANEN, Peter, BISBERG, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,506,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A flow-through LED lighting system includes a housing and two or more blades disposed with the housing. At least one blade has a plurality of LEDs mounted therewith, and each blade is separated from an adjacent blade by a venting space. A power supply is configured with the housing, connects with an external power source, and powers the LEDs.

Claims

1. A flow-through LED lighting system, comprising:

a housing;

two or more blades disposed with the housing, at least one blade having a plurality of LEDs mounted therewith, each blade being separated from an adjacent blade by a venting space; and

a power supply configured with the housing, for connecting with an external power source, to power the LEDs.

2. The system of claim 1, the housing and the blades comprising metal for dissipating heat from the LEDs.

3. The system of claim 1, the LEDs disposed along an outer edge of the at least one blade.

4. The system of claim 1, the LEDs disposed along an inner edge of the at least one blade, the at least one blade forming an aperture for each of the plurality of LEDs, so that light from each LED transmits through its aperture.

5. The system of claim 1, each venting space facilitating convection of air to dissipate heat produced by the LEDs.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a fan for increasing heat dissipation.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal device configured with one of the blades for transferring heat away from the blade.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising control circuitry for controlling output of the LEDs.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a sensor for sensing a condition of (a) the LED lighting system or (b) an area proximate the system, the sensor communicating with the control circuitry to control output of at least one of the LEDs as a function of the sensed condition.

10. The system of claim 9, one or more of the sensor, the LEDs and the control circuitry comprising a printed circuit board disposed with the blade.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising an actuator in communication with the control circuitry, the control circuitry controlling the actuator to adjust one or both of rotation and shift of at least one blade in response to input from the sensor.

12. The system of claim 9, the condition comprising one of (a) temperature of the LED lighting system, (b) motion within the area, (c) light level within the area, (d) smoke within the area, and (e) sound within the area.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a waveform analyzer, in communication with the control circuitry, for determining a power level of an input waveform from a dimmer, the control circuitry regulating light output of the LEDs based upon the power level.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising an optical element for mounting with the at least one blade or the housing, to modify an optical property of light emitted by the LEDs.

15. The system of claim 1, at least one blade comprising a first and a second compartment, the first compartment housing high voltage circuitry, the second compartment housing low voltage circuitry.

16. The system of claim 15, the at least one blade comprising a third compartment forming an optical cavity.

17. The system of claim 1, the two or more blades being housed substantially parallel to one another.

18. The system of claim 1, the two or more blades being housed in substantially radial alignment.

19. The system of claim 1, the two or more blades being substantially ‘

L’

shaped.

20. The system of claim 1, the two or more blades being substantially flat and further comprising at least one optical element for dispersing light parallel to a plane of the blade.

21. An LED lighting element for use in a fluorescent lighting fixture, comprising:

a first end cap formed as a printed circuit board for connecting with and obtaining physical support from a first socket of the fluorescent lighting fixture;

a second end cap formed as a printed circuit board for connecting with and obtaining physical support from a second socket of the fluorescent lighting fixture;

a blade supporting one or more LEDs between the first and second end caps; and

a power converter located in one or both of the first and second end caps;

wherein the power converter converts power from the fluorescent light socket into power for operating the LEDs.

22. A flow-through LED lighting system, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of blades disposed within the housing, each blade being proximate to at least one venting space;

a plurality of LEDs configured with the blades;

at least one optical element for conditioning the light emitted by the LEDs;

at least one sensor for sensing one of movement, light level, smoke and sound;

a waveform analyzer for determining a power level based upon an input waveform from an external power source;

an actuator for rotating at least one of the blades;

control circuitry for controlling output of the plurality of LEDs based upon input from the at least one sensor and the power level and for controlling the actuator to rotate the at least one blade in response to detected movement;

a power supply for converting power received from the external power source to supply the at least one sensor, the control circuitry, the actuator and the plurality of LEDs;

wherein the at least one venting space allows air to flow past the blades to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs.