LED lighting system

• US 8,115,411 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Original Assignee: LED Smart Inc.
• Inventors: Shan, Xinxin
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THAI N
• Application Number:
  US12/278,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 315/21, 315/77, 315/185.S, 315/195, 315/291, 315/294, 315/307, 315/317, 315/545, 315/800, 362/234, 362/254, 362/276, 362/545, 362/800
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/43 General lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0038 Illumination systems for cabins as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• 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: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/86 Ceramics or glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1895 Imitating a neon tube
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/305 Frequency-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/345 : Current stabilisation; Maintaining constant current
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 : Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light emitting diode lighting device and system that can be used for illuminating the interior and/or exterior of vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, signage or buildings is provided. It includes a voltage feedback constant current power supply circuitry and high power LEDs. The printed circuit assemblies are firmly mounted onto a continuous or semi-continuous mounting channel case that also works as a heat sink. By this means, it not only increases the reliability of the LED lighting tube but also it provides sufficient heat dissipation capability for the heat generated by the LEDs. Since the operating temperature of the LEDs is controlled and stays in cool condition, it dramatically increases the LED'"'"'s lifetime and efficiency. The end caps of this LED lighting device are fully compatible with existing conventional fluorescent light fixtures and can directly replace those fluorescent lighting tubes in vehicles, mass-transit, watercrafts, aircrafts, signage, furniture, equipment or buildings with minimal modifications.

Claims

1. An LED lighting system, comprising:

a support structure spanning between a first end and a second end, the support structure being heat conductive and rigid;

at least the first end of the support structure carrying electrical connectors for connection to a power source;

at least one LED array extending along the support structure; and

power control circuitry for the at least one LED array, the power control circuitry being carried by the support structure and being in electrical communication with the electrical connectors,

wherein;

the power control circuitry is configured to provide current control for the LED array;

the at least one LED array is supported by a circuit board and the corresponding power control circuitry is provided on the circuit board;

the at least one LED array is divided into sets of LEDs; and

the power control circuitry is formed of multiple current controllers, each current controller of the multiple current controllers providing current control for a corresponding set of LEDs in the LED array.

2. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the support structure forms a channel, and the at least one LED array is located in the channel.

3. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which each LED of the at least one LED array has a power rating of greater than 0.1 watts.

4. The LED lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

the support structure being generally elongated in a first direction;

the at least one LED array having a first illumination field directed perpendicularly to the first direction; and

at least one other LED array carried by the support structure, the at least one other LED array having a second illumination field directed perpendicularly to the first direction, the second illumination field being oriented at a non-zero angle to the first illumination field.

5. The LED lighting system of claim 4 in which the first illumination field and the second illumination field are oriented at 180 degrees to each other.

6. The LED lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

the support structure being generally elongated in a first direction; and

plural other LED arrays carried by the support structure, the plural other LED arrays being oriented to provide an illumination field that extends 360 degrees around the support structure at a given distance outward from the support structure.

7. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the support structure has a front side on which the at least one LED array is carried and a rear side on which the power control circuitry is carried.

8. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the support structure incorporates electrical connectors at a second end of the support structure.

9. The LED lighting system of claim 8 in which the electrical connectors at each of the first end and the second end of the support structure are compatible with a fluorescent light receptacle attachment pins.

10. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the power control circuitry is configured to provide constant current to the LEDs of the at least one LED array.

11. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the support structure is made of a unitary piece of material that is both heat conductive and rigid.

12. The LED lighting system of claim 1 further comprising an optically transparent or translucent cover secured to the support structure over the at least one LED array.

13. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the support structure is hollow.

14. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which support structure is provided with at least one slot, and the at least one LED array is carried on at least one board inserted in the at least one slot.

15. The LED lighting system of claim 1 in which the at least one LED array is provided on a front side of the support structure and the support structure has a domed shaped rear side.

16. The LED lighting system of claim 12 in which the combination of the support structure and the optically transparent or translucent cover has an egg shaped cross-section.

17. The LED system of claim 16 in which the power control circuitry is carried inside the support structure.

18. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 1 installed in a vehicle.

19. The lighting system of claim 18 in which the vehicle is a watercraft, aircraft or land vehicle.

20. A lighting system comprising multiple LED lighting systems according to claim 1 installed in a building or in signage.