AC light emitting diode and AC LED drive methods and apparatus

• US 7,489,086 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lynk Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lynk Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Miskin, Michael, Andersen, James N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, David Hung
• Application Number:
  US11/066,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 315/185.R, 315/210, 315/224, 315/225, 315/226, 315/291, 315/187, 315/192
• US Class Current: 315/185.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/382 with galvanic isolation between input and output
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/39 Circuits containing inverter bridges
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/42 Antiparallel configurations

Abstract

An AC LED package and circuits are disclosed along with an AC LED driver. The AC LED circuit may include as few as one LED or an array of anti-parallel LEDs driven with AC power sources and AC LED drivers at various voltages and frequencies. The AC LEDs are pre-packaged in various forms and materials and designed for mains or high frequency coupling in various forms to AC power sources, inverter type drivers or packages. The AC LED driver is a fixed frequency driver that provides a relatively constant voltage output to different size loads within the wattage limitation of the driver and in some cases is a direct mains power source.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

two or more LED circuits each LED circuit having at least two diodes connected to each other in opposing parallel relation, at least one of which such diodes is an LED;

at least one capacitor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the capacitor having only one end connected to the opposing parallel LEDs;

a driver connected to the two or more LED circuits, the driver providing AC voltage and current to the two or more LED circuits, the driver and the two or more LED circuits forming a driven circuit and the driver and the two or more LED circuits being configured such that any number of LED circuits can be added to or subtracted from the driven circuit so long as the total wattage output of the driver is not exceeded;

(a) without significantly affecting a pre-determined desired output range of light from any individual LED;

(b) without the need to;

(i) change a value of any discrete component;

or, (ii) to add or subtract any discrete components, of any of the pre-existing driven circuit components which remain after the change; and

,

wherein the two or more LED circuits are packaged separately from the driver and the packaged LED circuits include one or more lenses.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising at least one resistor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the resistor being connected in series with the at least one capacitor.

3. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the AC driver is the mains power and the LED circuits are packaged with connectors which accommodate a standard utility outlet.

4. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the AC driver provides high frequency AC voltage.

5. The lighting system of claim 4 wherein the frequency provided by the driver is above 100 cycles per second.

6. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the two or more LED circuits has opposing parallel series strings of LEDs.

7. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the at least one capacitor is discrete components.

8. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein a capacitance of the at least one capacitor is provided as an inherent attribute of a circuit component which serves to provide a function in addition to or besides providing capacitance.

9. The lighting system of claim 1 including a phosphor coating over the LEDs.

10. The lighting system of claim 1 including lenses for the LEDs and nano-crystals doped in the lenses to affect the light output of the LEDs.

11. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the package includes one or more of an integrated heat sinking material, a reflective material integrated within the package near the LEDs reflecting the light out from the package, and lenses for the LEDs.

12. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the LEDs are organic LEDs.

13. The lighting system of claim 5 wherein the driver is an inverter.

14. The lighting system of claim 13 wherein the inverter is configured to provide a relatively constant output frequency and voltage under variable loads.

49. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the LEDs are organic LEDs.

15. An LED device for use with an AC voltage power source comprising:

a first set of two LEDs connected together in opposing parallel relationship to each other and forming two connected junctions at opposing ends of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

a capacitor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

a second power connection lead connected directly to the second connected junction of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

the opposing parallel LEDs, capacitor and power connection leads are formed on an insulating substrate material, and;

the insulating substrate integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power connection leads on the substrate.

16. The device of claim 15 comprising more than two LEDs connected together in two separate series strings opposing parallel of each other,

a capacitor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of the opposing parallel series strings of LEDs,

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of the capacitor connected to the first connected junction of the opposing parallel series strings of LEDs,

a second power connection lead connected directly to a second connected junction of the opposing parallel series strings of LEDs,

the opposing parallel series strings of LEDs including capacitor and power connection leads formed on an insulating substrate and integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power connection leads on the substrate.

17. The device of claim 15 comprising more than two sets of two opposing parallel LEDs,

each set of two opposing parallel LEDs having an individual capacitor connected to each set of two opposing parallel LEDs,

each individual capacitor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of each set of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of each individual capacitor connected to the opposing parallel LEDs,

a second power connection lead connected to the second connected junction of each set of opposing parallel LEDs,

each first power connection lead commonly connected to a first power connection bus line,

each second power connection lead commonly connected to a second power connection bus line,

the opposing parallel sets of LEDs including capacitors and power connection leads formed on an insulating substrate and integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power connection bus lines on the substrate.

18. The device of claim 15 comprising more than two sets of two opposing parallel LEDs,

each set of two opposing parallel LED having an individual resistor connected to each set of opposing parallel LEDs,

each individual resistor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of each individual resistor connected to each set of the opposing parallel LEDs,

a second power connection lead connected to the second connected junction of each set of opposing parallel LEDs,

each first power connection lead commonly connected to a first power connection bus,

each second power connection lead commonly connected to a second power connection bus, and;

at least one power connection bus having at least one capacitor connected in series to all the sets of opposing parallel LEDs,

the end of the at least one capacitor opposite the opposing parallel LEDs having a power connection lead,

the sets of opposing parallel LEDs including the at least one series capacitor and power connection leads formed on an insulating substrate and integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power leads on the substrate.

19. The device of claim 15 having at least one resistor in series of at least one power connection lead of the opposing parallel LEDs.

20. The device of claim 15 having a second capacitor connected to the second connected junction of the opposing parallel LEDs,

the second capacitor having a first end connected to a second connected junction of the opposing parallel LEDs,

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of the second capacitor connected to the second connected junction of the opposing parallel LEDs.

21. The device of claim 15 utilizing prepackaged LEDs with lenses.

22. The device of claim 15 utilizing prepackaged discrete capacitors.

23. The device of claim 15 having a device with sufficient capacitance in place of the capacitors.

24. The device of claim 15 having a lens.

25. The device of claim 15 wherein the LEDs have a phosphor coating.

26. The device of claim 15 having nano-crystals doped in a lens to effect the light output of the LEDs.

27. The device of claim 15 having a substrate made of sapphire.

28. The device of claim 15 having a substrate made of gallium nitride.

29. The device of claim 15 having a substrate made of silicon carbide.

30. The device of claim 15 having a substrate made of printed circuit board material.

31. The device of claim 15 being coupled directly to a fixed high frequency inverter output having a relatively constant voltage and relatively constant frequency AC output.

32. The device of claim 31 having no series inductor between the inverter output and the LED circuit device.

33. The device of claim 31 having no series capacitor between the inverter output and the LED circuit device.

34. The device of claim 15 further comprising:

more than two sets of more than two opposing parallel LEDs, each set of the more than two opposing parallel LEDs having an individual resistor connected to each set of opposing parallel LEDs, each individual resistor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of the two opposing parallel LEDs;

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of each individual resistor connected to each set of the opposing parallel LEDs;

a second power connection lead connected to the second connected junction of each set of opposing parallel LEDs;

each first power connection lead commonly connected to a first power connection bus;

each second power connection lead commonly connected to a second power connection bus; and

,

at least one power connection bus having at least one capacitor connected in series to all the sets of opposing parallel LEDs, the end of the at least one capacitor opposite the opposing parallel LEDs having a power connection lead, the sets of opposing parallel LEDs including the at least one series capacitor and power connection leads formed on an insulating substrate and integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power leads on the substrate.

35. The device of claim 34 having at least one capacitor connected to each set of opposing parallel LEDs.

36. The device of claim 15 comprising more than two sets of more than two opposing parallel LEDs,

each set of the more than two opposing parallel LEDs having an individual resistor connected to each set of opposing parallel LEDs,

each individual resistor having a first end connected to a first connected junction of the two opposing parallel LEDs,

a first power connection lead connected to the second end of each individual resistor connected to each set of the opposing parallel LEDs,

a second power connection lead connected to the second connected junction of each set of opposing parallel LEDs,

each first power connection lead commonly connected to a first power connection bus,

each second power connection lead commonly connected to a second power connection bus, and;

at least one power connection bus having at least one capacitor connected in series to all the sets of opposing parallel LEDs,

the end of the at least one capacitor opposite the opposing parallel LEDs having a power connection lead,

the sets of opposing parallel LEDs including the at least one series capacitor and power connection leads formed on an insulating substrate and integrated within a single LED package that provides electrical connectivity to the LED circuit power leads on the substrate.

37. The device of claim 35 having at least one capacitor in series of each set of opposing parallel LEDs.

38. A lighting system comprising:

two or more LED circuits each LED circuit having at least two diodes connected to each other in opposing parallel relation, at least one of which such diodes is an LED;

lenses for the LEDs and nano-crystals doped in the lenses to affect the light output of the LEDs;

at least one capacitor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the capacitor having only one end connected to the opposing parallel LEDs;

a driver connected to the two or more LED circuits, the driver providing AC voltage and current to the two or more LED circuits, the driver and the two or more LED circuits forming a driven circuit and the driver and the two or more LED circuits being configured such that any number of LED circuits can be added to or subtracted from the driven circuit so long as the total wattage output of the driver is not exceeded;

(a) without significantly affecting a pre-determined desired output range of light from any individual LED; and

,

(b) without the need to;

(i) change a value of any discrete component;

or, (ii) to add or subtract any discrete components, of any of the pre-existing driven circuit components which remain after the change.

39. The lighting system of claim 38 further comprising at least one resistor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the resistor being connected in series with the at least one capacitor.

40. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein the AC driver is the mains power and the LED circuits are packaged with connectors which accommodate a standard utility outlet.

41. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein the AC driver provides high frequency AC voltage.

42. The lighting system of claim 41 wherein the frequency provided by the driver is above 100 cycles per second.

43. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the two or more LED circuits has opposing parallel series strings of LEDs.

44. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein the two or more LED circuits are packaged separately from the driver.

45. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein the at least one capacitor is discrete components.

46. The lighting system of claim 38 wherein a capacitance of the at least one capacitor is provided as an inherent attribute of a circuit component which serves to provide a function in addition to or besides providing capacitance.

47. The lighting system of claim 38 including a phosphor coating over the LEDs.

48. The lighting system of claim 44 wherein the package includes one or more of an integrated heat sinking material, a reflective material integrated within the package near the LEDs reflecting the light out from the package, and lenses for the LEDs.

50. The lighting system of claim 42 wherein the driver is an inverter.

51. The lighting system of claim 50 wherein the inverter is configured to provide a relatively constant output frequency and voltage under variable loads.

52. A lighting system comprising:

two or more LED circuits each LED circuit having at least two diodes connected to each other in opposing parallel relation, at least one of which such diodes is an LED;

at least one capacitor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the capacitor having only one end connected to the opposing parallel LEDs;

a driver connected to the two or more LED circuits, the driver providing AC voltage and current to the two or more LED circuits, the driver and the two or more LED circuits forming a driven circuit and the driver and the two or more LED circuits being configured such that any number of LED circuits can be added to or subtracted from the driven circuit so long as the total wattage output of the driver is not exceeded;

(a) without significantly affecting a pre-determined desired output range of light from any individual LED; and

,

(b) without the need to;

(i) change a value of any discrete component;

or, (ii) to add or subtract any discrete components, of any of the pre-existing driven circuit components which remain after the change; and

,

wherein the two or more LED circuits are packaged separately from the driver and the package includes one or more of an integrated heat sinking material, a reflective material integrated within the package near the LEDs reflecting the light out from the package, and lenses for the LEDs.

53. The lighting system of claim 52 further comprising at least one resistor being connected to and being part of each opposing parallel LED circuit, the resistor being connected in series with the at least one capacitor.

54. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein the AC driver is the mains power and the LED circuits are packaged with connectors which accommodate a standard utility outlet.

55. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein the AC driver provides high frequency AC voltage.

56. The lighting system of claim 55 wherein the frequency provided by the driver is above 100 cycles per second.

57. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein at least one of the two or more LED circuits has opposing parallel series strings of LEDs.

58. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein the at least one capacitor is discrete components.

59. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein a capacitance of the at least one capacitor is provided as an inherent attribute of a circuit component which serves to provide a function in addition to or besides providing capacitance.

60. The lighting system of claim 52 including a phosphor coating over the LEDs.

61. The lighting system of claim 52 including lenses for the LEDs and nano-crystals doped in the lenses to affect the light output of the LEDs.

62. The lighting system of claim 52 wherein the LEDs are organic LEDs.

63. The lighting system of claim 56 wherein the driver is an inverter.

64. The lighting system of claim 63 wherein the inverter is configured to provide a relatively constant output frequency and voltage under variable loads.