Thermal and optical control in a light fixture

• US 7,637,643 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Maxik, Fredric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US11/945,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 362/187, 362/188, 362/273, 362/289, 362/294, 362/372, 362/373, 362/800, 362/199, 362/249.01, 362/269, 362/287, 362/427, 362/646
• US Class Current: 362/373
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels

Abstract

A housing has an internally-threaded opening that opens through an external surface. A support has external threads that engage the internal threads. Radiation-emitting structure on the support emits a beam of radiation that propagates to a location remote from the housing. At the location, the beam has a width that is a function of the position of the support within the housing. According to a different aspect, a housing has an internally-threaded opening that opens through an external surface, the housing including thermally-conductive material with the internal threads thereon. A support has external threads that engage the internal threads, the support including thermally-conductive material with the external threads thereon. Radiation-emitting structure is provided on the support, and the thermally-conductive material of the support carries heat from the radiation-emitting structure to the external threads.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a base;

a housing pivotally connected to said base, said housing having an external surface and having an opening therein that extends in a direction and that opens at one end through said external surface, said opening having internal threads, and said housing including thermally conductive material with said internal threads thereon;

a support that is disposed in said opening and that has external threads engaging said internal threads, said external threads being responsive to rotation of said support with respect to said housing for causing said support to move parallel to said direction within said opening in relation to said housing, said support including thermally-conductive material that has said external threads thereon; and

a radiation-emitting structure supported on a side of said support nearest said end of said opening, said thermally-conductive material of said support carrying heat from said radiation-emitting structure to said external threads;

wherein said base comprises an electrical connector at one end configured to provide electrical power to said radiation-emitting structure, and a pivotal joint at an opposing end where said housing is pivotally connected.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radiation-emitting structure emits a beam of radiation that propagates within said opening and through said end of said opening to a location remote from said housing, and wherein at said location said beam has a width that is a function of a position of said support within said housing.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radiation-emitting structure includes radiation-emitting semiconductor structure.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said semiconductor structure includes a light emitting diode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises an axial recess disposed between said connector and said pivotal joint, said apparatus further comprising a power unit disposed within said recess, said power unit in electrical communication with said electrical connector and said radiation-emitting structure.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recess comprises a cylindrical recess, and wherein said power unit comprises a flexible circuit board conformable to and disposed within said cylindrical recess.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flexible circuit board is embedded in said cylindrical recess via a thermally conductive potting material.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said radiation-emitting structure comprises a light emitting diode, and wherein said power unit is configured to receive and convert 120 volt alternating current into a suitable signal for driving said light emitting diode.

9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein said suitable signal comprises a direct current voltage or a pulse width modulated signal.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical connector comprises an E26 connector, an E27 connector, or a medium Edison-type connector.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bezel and an optically transparent lens disposed at said one end of said housing, and a resilient O-ring disposed between said bezel and said housing for sealing said housing against moisture.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises two spaced apart recesses on a side facing said opening of said housing, said two spaced apart recesses providing means for causing said support to move parallel to said direction within said opening in relation to said housing.