OPTICAL INTEGRATING CAVITY LIGHTING SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE LED LIGHT SOURCES WITH A CONTROL CIRCUIT

• US 20100231143A1
• Filed: 05/24/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Optical Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: MAY, Donald F., Rains, Jack C. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,759,733 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0254 Spectrometers, other than colorimeters, making use of an integrating sphere
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/501 Colorimeters using spectrally-selective light sources, e.g. LEDs

Abstract

A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination) uses an integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity. In the examples, the points of entry of the energy into the cavity typically are located so that they are not directly visible through the aperture. The cavity effectively integrates the energy of different wavelengths, so that the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the various wavelengths. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the radiant energy output through the aperture.

Claims

1. An apparatus for emitting radiant energy, comprising:

an integrating cavity, having a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy;

a plurality of sources of radiant energy coupled to supply radiant energy into the interior of the integrating cavity;

wherein each of the sources emits radiant energy of a different wavelength, and the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture includes the radiant energy of the different wavelengths; and

control circuitry coupled to the sources for establishing output intensity of radiant energy of each of the sources to set a spectral characteristic of the combined radiant energy emitted through the aperture.

2-35. -35. (canceled)