Semiconductor light source configured as a light tube
First Claim
1. A light source comprising:
- a semiconductor light source;
a tube comprising a transparent medium, said tube having a side tube surface, a center curve, one end surface, a length, and a maximum cross-sectional dimension, said tube having scattering centers that cause light traveling in said tube to be reflected at angles such that said reflected light leaves said tube through said side tube surface;
said semiconductor light source being positioned to emit light into said tube within a cone of angles such that said light will not leave said side tube surface in the absence of said scattering centers, wherein said length is greater than 10 times said maximum cross-sectional dimension;
wherein said scattering centers are dispersed throughout said transparent medium; and
phosphorescent material located at each of said scattering centers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tubular light source having a semiconductor light source and a tube is disclosed. The tube includes a transparent medium, the tube having a side tube surface, a center curve, one end surface, a length, and a maximum cross-sectional dimension. The tube includes scattering centers that cause light traveling in the tube to be reflected at angles such that the reflected light leaves the tube through the side tube surface. The semiconductor light source is positioned to emit light into the tube within a cone of angles such that the light will not leave the side tube surface in the absence of the scattering centers. The scattering centers can be dispersed in the transparent medium or located on the side tube surface. The transparent medium can be rigid or flexible.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A light source comprising:
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a semiconductor light source; a tube comprising a transparent medium, said tube having a side tube surface, a center curve, one end surface, a length, and a maximum cross-sectional dimension, said tube having scattering centers that cause light traveling in said tube to be reflected at angles such that said reflected light leaves said tube through said side tube surface; said semiconductor light source being positioned to emit light into said tube within a cone of angles such that said light will not leave said side tube surface in the absence of said scattering centers, wherein said length is greater than 10 times said maximum cross-sectional dimension; wherein said scattering centers are dispersed throughout said transparent medium; and phosphorescent material located at each of said scattering centers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification