CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT LIGHT FIXTURE

• US 20150338084A1
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clear-Vu Lighting LLC (Autronic Plastics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Libohova, Agjah I., Ryder, George B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,897,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/005 by permanent fixing means, e.g. gluing, riveting or embedding in a potting compound
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/043 actuated by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/047 Mounting arrangements with fastening means engaging the inner surface of a hole in a ceiling or wall, e.g. for solid walls or for blind holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/048 Mounting arrangements for fastening lighting devices to false ceiling frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/009 the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/08 producing an asymmetric light distribution
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0011 : the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 : Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 : Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0086 : Positioning aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0095 : Light guides as housings, housing portions, shelves, doors, tiles, windows, or the like

Abstract

Controlled environment light fixture configurations include an LED light source. The light fixtures can be installed and removed from below the ceiling. The light fixture can be installed and removed without opening the lens frame of the light fixture. The light fixture includes a sealed housing and seals to the ceiling when installed. The light fixtures are provided in exterior dimension sizes that allow the fixtures to be installed in a variety of controlled environment ceilings in recessed configurations. The lower surface exposed to the controlled environment is free of welds and grinds in order to provide a corrosion resistant surface.

Claims

1. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling application, the light fixture comprising:

an enclosure that includes a housing and a lens frame;

the housing having an upwardly-facing mounting surface adapted to be disposed below the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure;

a gasket carried by the housing;

the gasket having a first portion for sealing the housing to the ceiling when the light fixture is installed in the ceiling;

the first portion of the gasket being disposed on the upwardly-facing mounting surface; and

the gasket having a second portion disposed between the lens frame and the housing to seal the lens frame to the housing.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising a light guide plate disposed within the enclosure;

the light guide plate having a plurality of edges; and

the LED light source arranged to direct light into an edge of the light guide plate.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lens of the lens frame.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially parallel to the lens of the lens frame.

5. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an outwardly projecting flange that defines the upwardly-facing mounting surface;

the gasket having first and second legs with the outwardly projecting flange disposed between the first and second legs of the gasket.

6. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a connector mounting member disposed below portions of the outwardly projecting flange to define a channel which receives the second leg of the gasket.

7. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising connectors that connect the lens frame to the housing;

the connectors being disposed directly under and aligned with the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

8. The light fixture of claim 7, further comprising a nut for each connector;

each of the nuts being movably carried by the housing under the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

9. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a plurality of selectively movable swing arm mounting assemblies that are each movable between at least a first position and a second position;

the second position of each swing arm mounting assembly locating a portion of the swing arm mounting assembly above the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

10. The light fixture of claim 9, wherein each of the movable swing arm mounting assemblies includes a drive shaft that extends into the housing inward of the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

11. The light fixture of claim 10, wherein the lens frame defines an access opening for each of the drive shafts such that the installer can access the drive shaft without removing the lens frame from the housing;

and further comprising a cap sealing each access opening.

12. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an LED mount having a substantially vertical surface;

the LED light source being mounted to the substantially vertical surface of the LED mount;

the housing receiving heat from the LED light source through conduction to function as a heat sink.

13. The light fixture of claim 12, wherein the housing defines a plurality of fins used to increase surface area of the housing to remove heat from the housing.

14. The light fixture of claim 13, wherein the housing includes an extruded aluminum envelope disposed between first and second aluminum end caps;

the extruded aluminum envelope defining the plurality of fins.

15. The light fixture of claim 14, further comprising an LED power supply disposed within the enclosure.

16. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling application, the light fixture comprising:

an enclosure that includes a housing and a lens frame;

the housing having an upwardly-facing mounting surface adapted to be disposed below the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

a gasket having a first portion disposed on the upwardly-facing mounting surface;

an LED light source carried by the enclosure; and

a plurality of connectors securing the lens frame to the housing;

each of the connectors being disposed directly under and aligned with the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

17. The light fixture of claim 16, wherein the gasket has a second portion disposed between the lens frame and the housing to seal the lens frame to the housing.

18. The light fixture of claim 16, further comprising a nut movably carried by the housing for each of the connectors;

each of the nuts being disposed under the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

19. The light fixture of claim 18, wherein the housing includes a connector mounting member disposed below portions of the upwardly-facing mounting surface to define a channel which receives a portion of the gasket.

20. The light fixture of claim 19, wherein the nuts are at least partially disposed in the channel between the connector mounting member and the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

21. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling application, the light fixture comprising:

an enclosure that includes an aluminum housing and a lens frame;

an LED light source carried by the enclosure;

the LED light source being mounted directly to the aluminum housing such that the housing functions as a conductive heat sink for the LED circuit board.

22. The light fixture of claim 21, wherein the aluminum housing includes an integral aluminum LED mount that defines a substantially vertical surface when the light fixture is mounted in the ceiling;

the LED light source being mounted to the substantially vertical surface of the integral aluminum LED mount.

23. The light fixture of claim 22, wherein the aluminum housing defines a plurality of fins used to increase surface area of the housing to remove heat from the housing.

24. The light fixture of claim 23, wherein the housing includes an extruded aluminum envelope disposed between first and second aluminum end caps;

the extruded aluminum envelope defining the plurality of fins.

25. The light fixture of claim 24, wherein the extruded aluminum envelope defines a plurality of channels;

the end caps being secured to the envelope with threaded fasteners that engage the channels.

26. The light fixture of claim 25, wherein each of the end caps defines a slot;

the envelope having first and second ends disposed in the slots of the ends caps; and

a sealing material disposed in the slots between the envelope ends and the end caps.

27. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure having a lens frame sealed to a housing;

the housing having a mounting surface adapted to engage the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

the housing having a height above the mounting surface of no more than two inches; and

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure.

28. The light fixture of claim 27, further comprising an LED power supply carried within the enclosure and a light guide plate having a plurality of edges;

the light guide plate being disposed above the lens frame of the enclosure;

the LED light source being arranged to direct light into an edge of the light guide plate.

29. The light fixture of claim 27, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lens of the lens frame.

30. The light fixture of claim 27, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially parallel to the lens of the lens frame.

31. The light fixture of claim 27, wherein the mounting surface is an upwardly-facing mounting surface adapted to be disposed below the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

and further comprising a gasket carried by the housing;

the gasket having a first portion for sealing the housing to the ceiling when the light fixture is installed in the ceiling;

the first portion of the gasket being disposed on the upwardly-facing mounting surface.

32. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure having a lens frame and a housing;

the housing adapted to fit into one of a 1×

2, 2×

2, and 2×

4 light opening defined by a 2.0″

T-bar grid ceiling; and

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure.

33. The light fixture of claim 32, wherein the enclosure can be mounted to ceilings formed from other systems including gypsum and panel systems.

34. The light fixture of claim 32, further comprising an LED power supply carried within the enclosure and a light guide plate having a plurality of edges;

the light guide plate being disposed above the lens frame of the enclosure;

the LED light source being arranged to direct light into an edge of the light guide plate.

35. The light fixture of claim 32, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lens of the lens frame.

36. The light fixture of claim 32, wherein the lens frame includes a lens and wherein the LED light source is arranged to direct light in a direction substantially parallel to the lens of the lens frame.

37. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure having a lens frame sealed to a housing;

an LED edge lit panel sealed within the enclosure; and

an LED power supply sealed within the enclosure.

38. The light fixture of claim 37, wherein the housing has an upwardly-facing mounting surface and a gasket having a first portion carried by the housing on the upwardly-facing mounting surface such that the first portion of the gasket is used to seal the light fixture to the ceiling and wherein the gasket has a second portion disposed between the lens frame and the housing to seal the enclosure.

39. The light fixture of claim 38, further comprising swing arm mounting assemblies connected to the enclosure;

each swing arm mounting assembly being selectively movable between at least a first position and a second position;

the second position of each swing arm mounting assembly locating a portion of the swing arm mounting above the upwardly-facing flange surface.

40. The light fixture of claim 39, wherein each of the movable swing arm mounting assemblies includes a drive shaft that extends into the housing inward of the upwardly-facing flange surface.

41. The light fixture of claim 40, wherein the lens frame defines an access opening for each of the drive shafts such that the installer can access the drive shaft without removing the lens from the housing;

and further comprising a cap removably sealing each access opening.

42. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure having a lens frame and a housing;

the housing defining an upwardly-facing mounting surface disposed under the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure;

a plurality of swing arm mounting assemblies being selectively movable between at least a first position and a second position;

the second position of each swing arm mounting assembly locating a portion of the swing arm mounting assembly above the upwardly-facing mounting surface;

each of the movable swing arm mounting assemblies includes a drive shaft that extends into the housing inward of the upwardly-facing mounting surface;

the lens frame defining an access opening for each of the drive shafts such that the installer can access the drive shaft without removing the lens from the housing; and

a sealing member sealing each access opening;

each sealing member being removable to provide access to the drive shaft and replaceable to seal the access opening.

43. The light fixture of claim 42, wherein the drive shafts are disposed outward of the LED light source.

44. The light fixture of claim 42, wherein the sealing member is a threaded cap.

45. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure having a lens frame and a housing;

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure; and

the lens frame having a lens carried by a stainless steel perimeter frame;

the perimeter frame having a plurality of corners and an outwardly-facing surface exposed to the controlled environment when the light fixture is installed;

the corners of the stainless steel perimeter frame being free of welds.

46. The light fixture of claim 45, wherein the housing has an upwardly-facing mounting surface used to mount the light fixture to the ceiling;

a gasket having a first portion disposed on the upwardly-facing mounting surface to seal the housing to the ceiling; and

the stainless steel perimeter frame engaging the gasket.

47. The light fixture of claim 45, wherein the entire outwardly-facing surface is free of welds.

48. A light fixture for a controlled environment ceiling;

the light fixture comprising;

an enclosure that includes a housing and a lens frame;

the housing having an upwardly-facing mounting surface adapted to be disposed below the ceiling when the light fixture is installed;

an LED light source disposed within the enclosure;

an LED power supply disposed within the enclosure;

a gasket carried by the housing;

the gasket having a first portion for sealing the housing to the ceiling when the light fixture is installed in the ceiling;

the first portion of the gasket being disposed on the upwardly-facing mounting surface;

a light guide plate disposed within the enclosure;

the light guide plate having a plurality of edges; and

the LED light source arranged to direct light into an edge of the light guide plate; and

the light fixture having a symmetric/asymmetric light distribution pattern.

49. The light fixture of claim 48, wherein the lens frame includes a lens;

the lens having the symmetric/asymmetric light distribution pattern.

50. The light fixture of claim 48, wherein the light guide plate has the symmetric/asymmetric light distribution pattern.

51. The light fixture of claim 48, further comprising a diffuser disposed below the light guide plate;

the diffuser having the symmetric/asymmetric light distribution pattern.