REFLECTOR WITH COATING FOR A FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE

• US 20100246168A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Troy M., Hassert, John, Verfuerth, Neal R., Wetenkamp, Kenneth J.
• Application Number:
  US12/748,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20100246168A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/217.50
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/10 Construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

A fluorescent light fixture includes a frame supporting a reflector having at least one elongated recess, the recess having a light reflecting side configured to at least partially surround at least one elongated fluorescent bulb having a diameter D, and defined by a geometry having a convex portion merging with angled sidewalls. A powder coating is disposed on the light reflecting side of the recess of the reflector. A method of making a fluorescent light fixture includes providing a frame supporting the reflector, the reflector having a recess with a light reflecting side to at least partially surround a fluorescent bulb, the recess defined by a geometry having a convex portion merging with angled sidewalls, and applying a white thermosetting powder coating on the light reflecting side of the recess of the reflector.

Claims

1. A fluorescent light fixture, comprising:

a frame supporting a reflector having at least one elongated recess, the recess having a light reflecting side configured to at least partially surround at least one elongated fluorescent bulb having a diameter D, and defined by a geometry having a convex portion merging with angled sidewalls; and

a powder coating disposed on the light reflecting side of the recess of the reflector.

2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the convex portion of the recess is defined by a radius within the range of approximately 0.869-0.881 D.

3. The fixture of claim 2 wherein the convex portion of the recess is defined by a radius within the range of approximately 0.872-0.878 D.

4. The fixture of claim 3 wherein the convex portion of the recess is defined by a radius of approximately 0.875 D.

5. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the convex portion comprises two convex portions.

6. The fixture of claim 5 wherein the two convex portions are defined by a radius within the range of approximately 0.380-0.392 D.

7. The fixture of claim 6 wherein the two convex portions are defined by a radius within the range of approximately 0.383-0.389 D.

8. The fixture of claim 7 wherein the two convex portions are defined by a radius of approximately 0.386 D.

9. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the powder coating comprises a white thermosetting powder coating.

10. The fixture of claim 9 wherein the white thermosetting powder coat has a thickness within the range of approximately 2.6-3.5 mils.

11. The fixture of claim 10 wherein the white thermosetting powder coat has a reflectivity of at least approximately 93 as measured by a BYK-Gardner reflectometer.

12. A fluorescent light fixture, comprising:

a frame supporting a reflector having at least one elongated recess, the recess having a light reflecting side configured to at least partially surround at least one elongated fluorescent bulb having a diameter D, and defined by a geometry having a convex portion merging with angled sidewalls; and

a white thermosetting powder coating disposed on the light reflecting side of the recess of the reflector, and having a thickness within the range of approximately 2-4 mils.

13. The fixture of claim 12 wherein the convex portion of the recess is defined by a radius of approximately 0.875 D.

14. The fixture of claim 12 wherein the convex portion of the recess comprises two convex portions, each convex portion defined by a radius of approximately 0.386 D.

15. The fixture of claim 12 wherein the white thermosetting powder coating comprises a triglycidylisocyanurate with UV resistance and optical brighteners and has a reflectivity of at least approximately 93 as measured by a BYK-Gardner reflectometer.

16. A method of making a fluorescent light fixture, comprising:

providing a frame supporting a reflector having at least one elongated recess, the recess having a light reflecting side configured to at least partially surround at least one elongated fluorescent bulb having a diameter D, and defined by a geometry having a convex portion merging with angled sidewalls; and

applying a white thermosetting powder coating on the light reflecting side of the recess of the reflector to a thickness within the range of approximately 2-4 mils.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of applying the white thermosetting powder coating comprises spraying the coating onto the reflector using electrostatic spray guns.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of pretreating the reflector with an alkaline cleaner before the step of applying the white thermosetting powder coating.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of applying a substantially phosphate free conversion coating to the reflector before the step of applying the white thermosetting powder coating.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of curing the white thermosetting powder coating on the reflector at a temperature of at least approximately 350°

F. for at least approximately 20 minutes after the step of applying the white thermosetting powder coating.