Tunable Lighting Apparatus

• US 20130293148A1
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Holland, Eric, Boomgaarden, Mark P., Kelley, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 9,366,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/297
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/77 with essentially identical diverging planar fins or blades, e.g. with fan-like or star-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]

Abstract

A luminaire provides light having a distribution pattern with high center beam candle power and a gradual gradient across a wide area. The luminaire includes a light source having first and second sets of light emitting elements selected and positioned to achieve the desired light distribution pattern. The luminaire further includes an optic configured to refract light emitted from the light source to achieve the desired light distribution pattern.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising:

a housing;

a light source carried by the housing comprising a first set of light emitting elements and a second set of light emitting elements; and

a lens assembly carried by the housing, the lens assembly comprising a lens;

wherein the first set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a first beam angle;

wherein the second set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a second beam angle;

wherein the light emitted by the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements combine to form a combined light;

wherein the combined light has a center beam and a gradient; and

wherein the center beam has a greater candle power than the gradient.

2. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the first beam angle is about 18 degrees;

and wherein the second beam angle is about 47 degrees.

3. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the first set of light emitting elements comprises a white light-emitting diode (LED);

and wherein the second set of light emitting elements comprises a red LED.

4. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the first set of light emitting elements emit light having a luminous intensity of at least about 7.4 candelas per lumen.

5. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the second set of light emitting elements emit light having a luminous intensity of about at least 0.9 candelas per lumen.

6. A luminaire according to claim 1 further comprising a controller that is configured to operate each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements independently.

7. A luminaire according to claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to receive an input;

and wherein the controller is programmable to operate the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements responsive to the input.

8. A luminaire according to claim 7 wherein the input is an electrical signal transmitted to the controller via an electrical connector of the housing.

9. A luminaire according to claim 7 wherein the controller is programmable to control the luminous intensity of light emitted by each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements through pulse-width modulation.

10. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the lens comprises a first refraction section and a second refraction section;

and wherein each of the first refraction section and the second refraction sections are configured to have a smoothness.

11. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the lens assembly further comprises one or more light source receiving members.

12. A luminaire according to claim 11 wherein the light source receiving members are configured to comprise one or more refraction properties selected from the group consisting of beam angle and luminous intensity.

13. A luminaire comprising:

a housing;

a light source carried by the housing comprising a first set of light emitting elements and a second set of light emitting elements;

a lens assembly carried by the housing, the lens assembly comprising a lens; and

a controller;

wherein the first set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a first beam angle;

wherein the second set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a second beam angle;

wherein the light emitted by the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements combine to form a combined light;

wherein the controller is configured to operate each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements independently;

wherein the controller is configured to receive an input;

wherein the controller is programmable to operate the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements responsive to the input; and

wherein the controller is programmed to operate the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements so as to alter center beam candle power and a gradient of the combined light.

14. A luminaire according to claim 13 wherein the input is an electrical signal transmitted to the controller via an electrical connector of the housing.

15. A luminaire according to claim 13 wherein the lens assembly further comprises one or more light source receiving members.

16. A luminaire according to claim 15 wherein the light source receiving members are configured to comprise one or more refraction properties selected from the group consisting of beam angle and intensity.

17. A luminaire according to claim 13 wherein the controller is programmable to control the luminous intensity of light emitted by each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements through pulse-width modulation.

18. A method of operating a luminaire having a first set of light emitting elements, a second set of light emitting elements, and a controller configured to independently operate each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements, wherein the first set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a first beam angle, the second set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a second beam angle, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input at the controller; and

operating each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements responsive to the input;

wherein light emitted by each of the first and second sets of light emitting elements combine to form a combined light;

wherein a center beam candle power of the combined light is altered by controlling the operation of the first set of light emitting elements; and

wherein a gradient of the combined light is altered by controlling the operation of the second set of light emitting elements.

19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of controlling the luminous intensity of light emitted by each of the first set of light emitting elements and the second set of light emitting elements through pulse-width modulation.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the first set of light emitting elements comprises white light-emitting diodes (LEDs);

and wherein the second set of light emitting elements comprises red LEDs.