Apparatus and methods for the thermal regulation of light emitting diodes in signage
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A channel sign comprising:
- a channel sign housing having a sign cavity therein;
a power distribution circuit disposed within the channel sign; and
a plurality of LED modules disposed within the channel sign cavity, wherein each of the LED modules is electrically coupled to the power distribution circuit and comprises;
at least one LED intended for operation within a normal temperature range;
a driver circuit coupled to the LED for supplying current thereto;
a control circuit coupled to the driver for regulating the current from the driver to the LED; and
a temperature sensor coupled to the control circuit and mounted on the LED module for furnishing a temperature signal to the control circuit indicative of ambient temperature about the LED;
wherein the control circuit is responsive to the temperature signal for reducing or cutting off current from the driver circuit to the LED when the ambient temperature exceeds the normal temperature range.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for the thermal management of one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed. The apparatus, in various aspects, detects the ambient temperature generally proximate the LED module and regulates the current flowed onto the LED'"'"'s within the LED module based upon the ambient temperature. Methods for thermal management of the one or more LED modules disposed within a channel sign are disclosed herein.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A channel sign comprising:
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a channel sign housing having a sign cavity therein; a power distribution circuit disposed within the channel sign; and a plurality of LED modules disposed within the channel sign cavity, wherein each of the LED modules is electrically coupled to the power distribution circuit and comprises; at least one LED intended for operation within a normal temperature range; a driver circuit coupled to the LED for supplying current thereto; a control circuit coupled to the driver for regulating the current from the driver to the LED; and a temperature sensor coupled to the control circuit and mounted on the LED module for furnishing a temperature signal to the control circuit indicative of ambient temperature about the LED; wherein the control circuit is responsive to the temperature signal for reducing or cutting off current from the driver circuit to the LED when the ambient temperature exceeds the normal temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An LED module useful in a channel sign, comprising:
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at least one LED intended for operation within a normal temperature range; a driver circuit coupled to the LED for supplying current thereto; a control circuit coupled to the driver for regulating the current from the driver to the LED; and a temperature sensor coupled to the control circuit and mounted on the LED module for furnishing a temperature signal to the control circuit indicative of ambient temperature about the LED; wherein the control circuit is responsive to the temperature signal for reducing or cutting off current from the driver circuit to the LED when the ambient temperature exceeds the normal temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for thermally managing a channel sign having a plurality of LED modules disposed within a cavity therein, each having at least one LED, comprising:
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detecting a first ambient temperature proximate a first LED in a first one of the LED modules; supplying maximum forward current to the first LED when the first ambient temperature is within a first normal temperature range for the first LED; cutting off current to the first LED when the first ambient temperature exceeds a first cutoff temperature in excess of the first normal temperature range for the first LED; detecting a second ambient temperature proximate a second LED in a second one of the LED modules; supplying maximum forward current to the second LED when the second ambient temperature is within a second normal temperature range for the second LED; and cutting off current to the second LED when the second ambient temperature exceeds a second cutoff temperature in excess of the second normal temperature range for the second LED; wherein the detecting, supplying and cutting of steps for the first LED are independent of the detecting, supplying and cutting of steps for the second LED. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for thermally managing an LED module having at least one LED and useful in a channel sign, comprising:
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detecting ambient temperature proximate the LED; supplying maximum forward current to the LED when the ambient temperature thereof is within a normal temperature range for the LED; and cutting off current to the LED when the ambient temperature thereof exceeds a cutoff temperature in excess of the normal temperature range for the LED. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification