Lighting methods and systems

• US 7,178,941 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Roberge, Brian, Piepgras, Colin, Morgan, Frederick M., McCormick, Kevin, Hyer, Jeffrey, Swai, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar; Stephan F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunwiddie; Meghan K.
• Application Number:
  US10/839,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 362/294, 362/373, 362/555, 362/227, 362/249, 362543-545, 362/800, 362/240, 362/221, 362/225
• US Class Current: 362/225
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/013 the housing being an extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/745 the fins or blades being planar and inclined with respect to the joining surface from which the fins or blades extend
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/047 for light-buoys
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/004 mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/33 Pulse-amplitude modulation [PAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/335 Pulse-frequency modulation [PFM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/345 Current stabilisation; Maintaining constant current
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/355 : Power factor correction [PFC]; Reactive power compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 : Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for lighting systems, including high output linear lighting systems for various environments. The linear lighting systems may include power systems for driving light sources in high-voltage environments.

Claims

1. A lighting method, comprising:

providing a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally therein, the first cavity holding a circuit board, the circuit board supporting a plurality of LED light sources;

providing a power facility for providing power to the light sources; and

providing a channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity between the circuit board and the power facility for shielding the light sources from heat produced by the power facility.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the power facility is exterior to the housing.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the power facility is a modular power supply that can be positioned movably on the outside of the housing.

6. A method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of fins for dissipating heat from the housing.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of mounting brackets for positioning the housing on a surface.

8. A method of claim 1, further comprising providing a fan for circulating air within the housing to dissipate heat from the light sources and the power facility.

9. A method of claim 8, further comprising providing a thermal sensor, wherein the fan operates in response to a temperature condition sensed by the thermal sensor.

21. A method of claim 1, comprising:

group selecting the plurality of light sources into a number of differently addressable groups;

selecting a base address; and

controlling the plurality of light sources based on the selected number of differently addressable groups and the base address, such that each of the plurality of light sources in a given addressable group responds to commands issued to the given addressable group.

2. A lighting method, comprising:

providing a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally therein, the first cavity holding a circuit board, the circuit board supporting a plurality of LED light sources;

providing a power facility for providing power to the light sources;

providing a channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity between the circuit board and the power facility for shielding the light sources from heat produced by the power facility; and

locating the power facility in a second cavity extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced part from the channel.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the power facility is a power-factor-corrected power facility.

19. A method of claim 2, comprising providing a light transmitting lens to form an exterior wall of the first cavity.

10. A lighting system, comprising:

a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally within the linear housing;

a circuit board positioned within the first cavity;

a plurality of LED light sources, the light sources supported within the first cavity by the circuit board;

a power facility for providing power to the light sources; and

a first channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity between the circuit board and the power facility for shielding the light sources from heat produced by the power facility.

13. A system of claim 10, wherein the power facility is exterior to the housing.

14. A system of claim 10, wherein the power facility is a modular power supply that can be positioned movably on the outside of the housing.

15. A system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fins for dissipating heat from the housing.

16. A system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of mounting brackets for positioning the housing on a surface.

17. A system of claim 10, further comprising a fan for circulating air within the housing to dissipate heat from the light sources and the power facility.

18. A system of claim 17, further comprising a thermal sensor, wherein the fan operates in response to a temperature condition sensed by the thermal sensor.

22. A system of claim 10, comprising:

a user interface comprising a first selector for group selecting the plurality of light sources into a number of differently addressable groups and a second selector for selecting a base address; and

a controller arranged to receive in input from the user interface for controlling the plurality of light sources based on the selected number of differently addressable groups and the base address, such that each of the plurality of light sources in a given addressable group responds to commands issued to the given addressable group.

11. A lighting system, comprising:

a substantially linear housing having a first cavity extending longitudinally within the linear housing;

a circuit board positioned within the first cavity;

a plurality of LED light sources, the light sources supported within the first cavity by the circuit board;

a power facility for providing power to the light sources;

a first channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first cavity between the circuit board and the power facility for shielding the light sources from heat produced by the power facility; and

a second channel extending longitudinally within the housing and spaced apart from the first channel, wherein the power facility is positioned within the second channel.

12. A system of claim 11, wherein the power facility is a power-factor-corrected power facility.

20. A system of claim 11, comprising a light transmitting lens forming an exterior wall of the first cavity.