Retrofit light emitting diode tube

• US 6,936,968 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mule Lighting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mule Lighting, Inc.
• Inventors: Cross, Robert Hartwell, Cross, Robert Porter, Cross, Jeffery Parker
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Jimmy T.
• Application Number:
  US09/998,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20030102810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 315/74, 315/73, 315/246, 315/291, 315/307, 313/21, 313/39, 313/249, 313/558
• US Class Current: 315/74
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/60 on stacked substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/90 on two opposite sides of supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/305 Frequency-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/382 with galvanic isolation between input and output
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An LED light tube for replacement for fluorescent light tubes includes an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope, a base cap at each end of the envelope, and at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base cap. The LED light tube is adapted for use in troffer light fixtures.

Claims

1. A retrofit LED light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube in a troffer fixture, the LED retrofit light tube comprising:

an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope;

a base cap at each end of the envelope, wherein the base cap comprises a first prong and a second prong extending from the base cap, wherein the first and second prongs are adapted to electrically communicate with a fluorescent light socket; and

at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base cap, wherein a positive terminal of the LED device is in electrical communication with the first prong and a negative terminal is in electrical communication with the second prong, wherein the at least one LED device consists of organic light emitting diodes.

2. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED device are connected in parallel to additional LED devices.

3. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 1, further comprising a means for protection against a voltage surge.

4. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 3, wherein the means for protection against a voltage surge comprises a varistor positioned in parallel with the at least one LED device.

5. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 1, wherein the LED device comprises a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs serially connected to the circuit board.

6. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 1, wherein the envelope comprises a first half and a second half, wherein the halves are complementary and adapted to form the envelope.

7. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED device is connected in series to a half wave rectifier.

8. A retrofit LED light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube in a troffer fixture, the LED retrofit light tube comprising:

an elongated cylindrical transparent envelope, wherein the envelope comprises a first half and a second half, wherein the halves are complementary and adapted to form the envelope;

a base cap at each end of the envelope, wherein the base cap comprises a first prong and a second prong extending from the base cap, wherein the first and second prongs are adapted to electrically communicate with a fluorescent light socket; and

at least one LED device in electrical communication with the base camp, wherein a positive terminal of the LED device is in electrical communication with the first prong and a negative terminal is in electrical communication with the second prong.

9. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 8, wherein the LED device comprises an organic light emitting diode.

10. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 8, wherein the at least one LED device are connected in parallel to additional LED devices.

11. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 8, further comprising a means for protection against a voltage surge.

12. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 11, wherein the means for protection against a voltage surge comprises a varistor positioned in parallel with the at least one LED device.

13. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 8, wherein the LED device comprises a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs serially connected to the circuit board.

14. The retrofit LED light tube of claim 8, wherein the at least one LED device is connected in series to a half wave rectifier.