Low profile light

• US 8,201,968 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2010
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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., Reynolds, Raymond A., Widjaja, Addy S., Boomgaarden, Mark Penley, Soler, Robert Rafael, Schellack, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US12/775,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20110080727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147, 362/148, 362/149, 362/150, 362/404, 362/294, 362/373, 362/547, 362/365
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/04 Recessed bases
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A luminaire includes a heat spreader and a heat sink thermally coupled to and disposed diametrically outboard of the heat spreader, an outer optic securely retained relative to at least one of the heat spreader and the heat sink, and a light source disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader, the light source having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, in combination, have an overall height H and an overall outside dimension D such that the ratio of H/D is equal to or less than 0.25. The combination defined by the heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, is so dimensioned as to: cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and, cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

Claims

1. A luminaire, comprising:

a heat spreader and a heat sink thermally coupled to the heat spreader, the heat sink being substantially ring-shaped and being disposed around and coupled to an outer periphery of the heat spreader;

an outer optic securely retained relative to at least one of the heat spreader and the heat sink; and

a light source disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader, the light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed on the heat spreader such that the heat spreader dissipates heat from the LEDs;

wherein the heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, in combination, have an overall height H and an overall outside dimension D such that the ratio of H/D is equal to or less than 0.25;

wherein the combination defined by the heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, is so dimensioned as to;

cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and

, cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

2. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein:

the heat spreader and the heat sink are integrally formed such that a heat flow path from the light source through the heat spreader to the heat sink is continuous and uninterrupted.

3. The luminaire of claim 2, wherein the integrally formed heat spreader and heat sink form a base, the base having a back surface with radially oriented recesses therein.

4. The luminaire of claim 2, wherein the heat spreader and the heat sink are integrally formed to define a base, wherein a back side of the base comprises a plurality of heat sink fins and air flow channels configured and disposed to transport heat generated by the light source away from the light source.

5. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein:

the heat spreader comprises mounting holes suitably spaced apart to receive mounting fasteners to secure the heat spreader to an electrical junction box.

6. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising:

a phosphor disposed over the plurality of LEDs comprising material to produce a color temperature output of 2700 deg-Kelvin.

7. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting bracket; and

a power conditioner, the power conditioner being configured and disposed to receive AC voltage from an electrical supply line and to deliver DC voltage to the plurality of LEDs;

wherein the power conditioner is supported by the mounting bracket on one side thereof, and the heat spreader and heat sink are supported by the mounting bracket on another opposing side thereof; and

wherein the mounting bracket comprises mounting holes disposed to secure the luminaire to an electrical junction box.

8. The luminaire of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one torsion spring configured and disposed so as to secure the luminaire to a can light fixture.

9. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising:

a trim ring;

wherein the outer optic is securely retained relative to at least one of the heat spreader and the heat sink via fasteners; and

wherein the trim ring snap-fits onto the outer optic in such a manner as to cover the fasteners securely retaining the outer optic.

10. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein a back surface of the heat spreader is substantially planar with a back surface of the heat sink.

11. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising:

an inner optic disposed over the plurality of LEDs.

12. The luminaire of claim 11, wherein:

the inner optic is integrally formed with the reflector.

13. The luminaire of claim 11, wherein:

the inner optic comprises a color mixing diffuser.

14. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein at least some of the LEDs are connected to a circuit board, the circuit board being disposed substantially flat on the heat spreader inside a recessed portion of the heat sink.

15. The luminaire of claim 1, further comprising:

a power conditioner mechanically supported by the heat spreader, the power conditioner being configured and disposed to receive AC voltage from an electrical supply line and to deliver DC voltage to the plurality of LEDs.

16. The luminaire of claim 15, wherein:

the power conditioner is disposed on a same side of the heat spreader as the plurality of LEDs.

17. The luminaire of claim 15, further comprising:

a reflector disposed on the heat spreader, the reflector having an aperture in which the plurality of LEDs are disposed.

18. The luminaire of claim 17, wherein:

the heat spreader comprises mounting holes and the reflector comprises mounting holes suitably spaced apart to receive mounting fasteners to secure the heat spreader to an electrical junction box.

19. The luminaire of claim 15, wherein:

the power conditioner is disposed on an opposite side of the heat spreader as the plurality of LEDs, the power conditioner being so dimensioned as to fit within;

a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and

, a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

20. A luminaire, comprising:

a heat spreader and a ring-shaped heat sink thermally coupled to and disposed diametrically outboard of the heat spreader;

an outer optic securely retained relative to at least one of the heat spreader and the heat sink;

a light source disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader, the light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are disposed on the heat spreader such that the heat spreader dissipates heat from the LEDs;

the heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic define a combination having an overall height H and an overall outside dimension D such that the ratio of H/D is equal to or less than 0.25; and

a power conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the light source, the power conditioner being configured to receive AC voltage from an electrical supply line and to deliver DC voltage to the plurality of LEDs, the power conditioner being so dimensioned as to fit within at least one of;

a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and

, a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

21. The luminaire of claim 20, wherein:

the power conditioner is so dimensioned as to fit completely within at least one of;

a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and

, a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

22. The luminaire of claim 21, wherein:

the defined combination is so dimensioned as to cover a circular opening defined by at least one of;

a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and

, a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.

23. The luminaire of claim 20, wherein:

the heat sink forms a trim plate that is disposed completely external of the can light fixture or the electrical junction box.