Lighting apparatus with heat dissipation system

• US 8,382,334 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2012
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LSI Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LSI Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Vanden Eynden, James G., Sferra, James P., Akers, Larry A., Boyer, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John A
• Application Number:
  US13/473,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20120230029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 362/218, 362/249.01, 362/249.02, 362/345, 362/547, 362/580, 362/373
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting apparatus is shown and described. In one aspect, the lighting apparatus includes a light source, a plate, and frame. The light source can include one or more lighting elements that are in thermal communication with the light source. The plate can have a dissipative portion extending outward from a point of thermal communication between the plate and the light source. The frame can at least partially enclose the light source and may also be in thermal communication therewith.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising:

a frame defining an aperture;

a light source positioned and configured within the frame such that light emitted from the light source passes through the aperture defined by the frame; and

a reflector associated with the light source to reflect light emitted from the light source;

a dissipative portion extending to a distal end located adjacent to the aperture defined by the frame, and the dissipative portion having first and second opposing sides exposed to the ambient air.

2. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

3. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein the luminaire further comprising a lens extending across the aperture enclosing the light source, but not the dissipative portion.

4. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein the frame and dissipative portion are constructed of sheet metal.

5. The luminaire of claim 1 further comprising a plate connected to the frame and in thermal communication with the light source.

6. The luminaire of claim 5 wherein the dissipative portion is an extension of the plate.

7. The luminaire of claim 1 being configured to direct light generally in a first direction and the dissipative portion extending generally at least partially in the first direction.

8. The luminaire of claim 1, the frame having an outer perimeter circumscribing the light source.

9. A luminaire comprising:

a frame defining an aperture;

a light source, wherein light emitted from the light source passes through the aperture defined by the frame;

a reflector associated with the light source to reflect light emitted from the light source;

a dissipative portion extending from the frame at a proximal end to a distal end to define a volume bounded at the perimeter by the dissipative portion and extending from the proximal end of the dissipative portion to the distal end of the dissipative portion; and

the light source within the volume defined by the dissipative portion.

10. The luminaire of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

11. The luminaire of claim 9 further comprising a lens spanning the aperture and enclosing the light source, but not the dissipative portion.

12. The luminaire of claim 9 wherein the frame is constructed of sheet metal.

13. The luminaire of claim 9 further comprising a plate connected to the frame and in thermal communication with the light source.

14. The luminaire of claim 13 wherein the dissipative portion is an extension of the plate.

15. The luminaire of claim 9 the dissipative portion surrounding the frame.

16. A luminaire comprising:

a frame defining an aperture;

a light source, wherein light emitted from the light source passes through the aperture defined by the frame;

the frame circumscribing the light source;

a dissipative portion extending away from the frame to a distal end located adjacent to the aperture defined by the frame; and

a lens spanning the aperture defined by the frame and enclosing the light source, but not the dissipative portion, within the frame.

17. The luminaire of claim 16 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

18. The luminaire of claim 16 further comprising a plate connected to the frame and in thermal communication with the light source.

19. The luminaire of claim 18 wherein the dissipative portion is an extension of the plate.

20. The luminaire of claim 16 wherein the dissipative portion partially circumscribes the frame.

21. The luminaire of claim 16 wherein the dissipative portion is constructed of sheet metal.

22. A luminaire comprising:

a frame having a perimeter wall defining an aperture on a front side of the frame;

a light source positioned and configured such that light emitted from the light source passes through the aperture defined by the frame;

a dissipative portion extending from a rear side of the frame to a distal end located adjacent to the front side of the frame such that the dissipative portion extends adjacent to and outside of the perimeter wall of the frame; and

a lens spanning the aperture defined by the frame and enclosing the light source within the frame.

23. The luminaire of claim 22 wherein the dissipative portion circumscribes the entire perimeter wall of the frame.

24. The luminaire of claim 22 wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

25. The luminaire of claim 22 further comprising a plate connected to the frame and in thermal communication with the light source.

26. The luminaire of claim 25 wherein the dissipative portion is an extension of the plate.

27. The luminaire of claim 22, the lens not enclosing the dissipative portion within the frame.