Light engine for and method of simulating a flame

• US 9,689,544 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Idea Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: MJ Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Green, Jr., William P., Wei, Ninghua
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Monica C
• Application Number:
  US15/090,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20160327227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/006 the substrate being distinct from the light source holder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame. A three dimensional carrier includes an array of a plurality of light sources distributed on it. A control circuit coordinates on/off of the light sources in a manner to simulate a jumping flame. In one embodiment, the three dimensional carrier and LEDs are encapsulated in an at least partially light transmissive cover. This light modular engine includes a control circuit and an interface to electrical power. The system can include the light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture. The methodology can include a sequence of on/off and brightness variations for the array of light sources.

Claims

1. A light engine comprising:

a. a three-dimensional substrate having a top and a bottom, a flexible material formed into a three-dimensional shape;

b. a set of LEDs spaced apart from one another on the substrate from at or towards the bottom to at or towards the top of the substrate in three dimensions;

c. a power interface adapted for connection to an electrical power source;

d. a control circuit between the power interface and the LEDs wherein the control circuit is programmed to simulate a flame, wherein the control circuit;

i. drives selected LEDs towards the bottom to quickly turn on or off and/or change intensity;

ii. drives selected LEDs toward the middle to periodically turn on and off in groups that move towards the top;

iii. drives selected LEDs towards the top to periodically turn on and off;

e. further comprising a shroud over the LEDs, the shroud comprising transparent, translucent, at least partially light transmissive, or light diffusing material; and

f. the light engine comprises a bulb shape where;

i. the substrate is generally a cylinder;

ii. the shroud comprises a cylinder concentric to the substrate; and

iii. the power interface comprises a threaded base adapted for threadable mounting in a threaded light socket.

2. The light engine of claim 1 wherein the substrate is:

a. opaque;

b. diffusively reflective;

or

c. translucent.

3. The light engine of claim 1 wherein the control circuit is programmed for one or more of:

a. to turn the LEDs on and off;

b. to turn the LEDs on and off according to a sequence;

c. to dim some or all of the LEDs by a manual or remote control;

or

d. selectively turn on all the LEDs to steady state on by a manual or remote control.

4. The light engine of claim 1 wherein the power interface comprises an electrical cord or a threaded base for an electrical socket.

5. The light engine of claim 1 wherein the power interface comprises an electrical connection to:

a. an on-board or external battery;

or

b. a solar power source.

6. The light engine of claim 1 in combination with a fireplace and the substrate is elongated in a horizontal direction.

7. The light engine of claim 6 wherein the elongated shape is triangular in cross-section and the LEDs are distributed at least on opposite sides of the elongated shape, further comprising the elongated shape is transparent or translucent.

8. The light engine of claim 1 further comprising:

a. one or more additional sets of LEDs on the substrate, each with its own said control circuit, the additional sets of LEDs spaced from the said set of LEDs and/or configured to be controlled in a different sequence than the said set of LEDs, wherein the LEDs of each set have the same or differing operating characteristics comprising one or more of color temperature, intensity, or output distribution, or

b. one or more additional substrates either adjacent to or nested within the said substrate, each of the one or more additional substrates having an additional set of LEDs, each with its own said control circuit, each the additional set of LEDs spaced from the said set of LEDs and/or configured to be controlled in a different sequence than the said set of LEDs, wherein the LEDs of each set have the same or differing operating characteristics comprising one or more of color temperature, intensity, or output distribution.

9. The light engine of claim 8 wherein the generally three dimensional shape comprises at least one of:

a. a cylinder;

b. a frustum;

c. a truncated cone;

d. star-shaped in cross-section;

e. donned-shape; and

f. a dome shape with star-shaped cross section.

10. The light engine of claim 1 in combination with a lighting fixture, the lighting fixture including a shroud over the LEDs, the shroud comprising:

a. transparent material;

b. translucent material comprising one of hammered glass, sand blasted glass, or etched glass;

c. at least partially light transmissive material;

or

d. light diffusing material comprising microfaceted material, or material that scatters light by one or more of refraction, diffusion, or total internal reflection.