LED replacement lamp and a method of replacing preexisting luminaires with LED lighting assemblies

• US 8,783,900 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2012
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions Incorporated (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Holder, Ronald G., Rhoads, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): PHILOGENE, HAISSA
• Application Number:
  US13/602,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20120327641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 362/217.02, 362/227, 362/240, 362/249.02, 362/289, 362/311.02, 362/335, 362543-545, 362/640, 362/800, 315/149, 315/291, 315/297, 315/294, 315/312, 315/169.1, 257/79, 257/82, 372/98, 372/99
• US Class Current: 362/227
• 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: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/04 with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/002 Arrangements of cables or conductors inside a lighting device, e.g. means for guiding along parts of the housing or in a pivoting arm
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/357 specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• 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: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for retrofitting an existing luminaire includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) of similar or differing wavelengths arranged and configured in at least one light bar array, a heat sink module thermally coupled to the at least one light bar array, an electronic power module electrically coupled to the at least one light bar array, and a plate coupled to the at least one light bar array, electronic power module and the heat sink module, the plate arranged and configured for coupling to the luminaire to provide quick and easy installation and replacement of the at least one light bar array, heat sink module and electronic power module into and from the luminaire.

Claims

1. A method for retrofitting a street light that comprises a light source mounted in an enclosure and an opening in the enclosure,

the method comprising the steps of:

opening a door to the enclosure;

removing from the street light the light source and a light permeable member;

installing a member in the enclosure and adjacent to the opening, the member comprising an array of LEDs disposed adjacent a first side of a member, heat sink fins attached to a second side of the member, and a power module electrically connected to the array of LEDs; and

closing the door to the enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein subsequent to completing the steps of claim 1, the array of LEDs are disposed to emit light through the opening in the enclosure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the member and the heat sink fins are die cast as an integral piece.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the door of the enclosure includes the opening of the enclosure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of claim 1 are performed while the street light remains attached to a pole.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the member fits in the opening.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the door is hinged, and wherein the light permeable member comprises a protective glass cover, a protective plastic cover, a face plate, or a lens.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrofitted street light is Dark Sky Initiative compliant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of LEDs is recessed relative to a surface of the enclosure that faces a surface to be illuminated.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of LEDs is recessed relative to a peripheral edge of the opening.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrofitted street light blocks a light ray from the array that is directed at or above the horizon.

12. A system for retrofitting an outdoor luminaire that comprises an opening through which or from which light is provided, the system comprising:

a plate that is shaped to fit the opening and that comprises a recess;

an array of light emitting diodes disposed in the recess along a surface of the plate; and

an electronic power module electrically coupled to the array of light emitting diodes, wherein a heat sink projects from the plate opposite the recess.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plate is operable to mitigate light pollution of the array.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the outdoor luminaire comprises a lens covering the opening and a lamp, and wherein the system replaces the lens and the lamp.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the recess is of sufficient depth to interfere with one or more rays of light emitted by the array that would otherwise contribute to light pollution.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is Dark Sky Initiative compliant.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is operative to block a light ray from the array that is directed at or above the horizon.

18. A system for retrofitting a street light that comprises a light source mounted in an enclosure, the enclosure comprising:

(i) a door that opens towards a surface to be illuminated or is removable, (ii) an aperture through which or from which light from the light source is provided towards the surface; and

(iii) a light penetrable cover disposed at the aperture, the system comprising;

a die cast plate dimensioned to fit the aperture and comprising a first side from which heat sink fins protrude and a second side;

an array of light emitting diodes disposed along the second side; and

a power supply disposed adjacent the second side for powering the light emitting diodes,

wherein the system replaces the light penetrable cover and the light source.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second side comprises a cavity in which the array of light emitting diodes is disposed, and wherein the cavity has an edge that is disposed to occlude light produced by the array.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is dimensioned for retrofit installation in the street light through the door when opened or when the door is removed.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is adapted for an retrofit of the street light via the door while the street light remains attached to a pole.