Light emitting diode illumination system

• US 8,096,671 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2009
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Owen Stephens
• Original Assignee: Nmera, LLC
• Inventors: Cronk, Michael Kent, Stephens, Owen Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US12/384,491
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 362602-605, 362/147, 362/148, 362/249.02, 362/276, 362/612, 362/613, 362364-367, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/147
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/006 with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/0428 having a closed frame around the periphery
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/03 of surface-mounted type F21S8/02, F21S8/04 take precedence; details of wall or floor bases F21V21/02
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• 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: G02B 6/0078 Side-by-side arrangements, e.g. for large area displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0083 Details of electrical connections of light sources to drivers, circuit boards, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0091 of the light source relative to the light guide G02B6/0021 takes precedence

Abstract

An illumination panel has four peripheral edges constructed of an upper plate and a lower plate. Each of the plates has aligned peripheral edges and an upper and lower surface. The upper plate is fabricated of an optically reflective material. The lower plate is fabricated of an optically diffusive material. Each of the illumination panels includes a peripheral frame formed of four edge pieces. Each of the edge pieces is in a cross sectional configuration to receive and support the peripheral edges of the plates. A pair of opposed recesses face each other in the edge pieces. A printed circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes is supported in the edge pieces by the recesses. An electrical connector is adapted to disperse electrical power to the light emitting diodes.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode illumination system for utilizing flat thin panels to light up an area in a safe, compact, convenient and economical manner, the system comprising, in combination:

an area to be lit up, the area including a ceiling formed of a grid work of rectangular supports, each support having a peripheral ledge;

a plurality of rectangular ceiling panels, each ceiling panel having a periphery resting upon some of the peripheral ledges;

a plurality of rectangular illumination panels, each illumination panel having four peripheral edges resting upon some of the peripheral ledges remote from the ceiling panels;

each of the illumination panels being constructed of an upper plate, a lower plate and an intermediate plate between the upper and lower plates, each of the plates having aligned edges and an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface of the upper plate being in facing contact with the upper surface of the intermediate plate, the upper surface of the lower plate being in facing contact with the lower surface of the intermediate plate, the upper plate being fabricated of an optically reflective material, the lower plate being fabricated of an optically diffusive material, the intermediate plate being fabricated of an optically transparent material;

each of the illumination panels including a peripheral frame formed of four edge pieces, each of the edge pieces being in a C-shaped cross sectional configuration to receive and support the peripheral edges of the illumination panels, a pair of hinges separably coupling adjacent edge pieces for selectively providing access to the illumination panels for repair and reconstruction purposes, a plurality of hooks extending upwardly from the upper plate to provide additional support for each illumination panel, a pair of opposed recesses facing each other in the edge pieces;

a printed circuit board in a strip-like configuration supported in each edge piece by the recesses, each circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes facing the aligned edges of the plates;

an electrical connector positioned on the upper surface of the upper plate adapted to disperse electrical power to the light emitting diodes, and electrical lines adapted to couple the electrical connector to a source of electrical potential; and

a sensor operatively positioned in proximity to the plurality of light emitting diodes adapted to determine the lumen output of the plurality of light emitting diodes and to provide notification to a user that repair is required if a below acceptable level of lumen output is determined.