Light tube and power supply circuit
First Claim
1. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
- disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion;
connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube;
disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and
disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket,wherein each end cap comprises a bi-pin connector for connecting with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A replacement light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube includes a bulb portion extending between a first end and a second end, the bulb portion comprising a support structure, a plurality of white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an elongate light-transmissive cover. The support structure has a first surface extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of LEDs are supported by the first surface and arranged between the first end and the second end. The elongate light-transmissive cover extends between the first end and the second end and over the first surface of the support structure. A first end cap and a second end cap are disposed on the first end and the second end, respectively, each configured to fit with a socket for a fluorescent light tube. A power supply circuit is configured to provide power to the plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs are arranged to emit light through the elongate light-transmissive cover and at least a portion of the power supply circuit is packaged inside at least one of the end caps.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein each end cap comprises a bi-pin connector for connecting with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 9, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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3. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to regulate the intensity of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes to compensate for ambient temperature changes during operation of the light tube.
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4. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein the power supply circuit comprises a current limiter having an inductive element electrically coupled between the pulse width modulator and at least some of the plurality of light emitting diodes, the current limiter configured to receive power from the pulse width modulator and to transmit power to the at least some of the plurality of light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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5. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein the power supply circuitry is configured to switch power to the plurality of light emitting diodes on and off at a frequency and to cause the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes to appear, when viewed by a human eye, to shine continuously during operation of the light tube. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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6. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein at least some components of the power supply circuits are disposed within at least one of the end caps. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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7. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein the power supply circuit comprises a rectifier configured to receive alternating current (AC) input and to provide direct current (DC) output during operation of the light tube. - View Dependent Claims (8, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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10. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein disposing the plurality of light emitting diodes relative to the light transmissive cover comprises disposing the plurality of light emitting diodes on a rigid support structure and covering the light emitting diodes with the light transmissive cover of the tubular housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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22. A method for providing a light tube for mounting within a conventional fluorescent light tube socket, the method comprising:
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disposing a plurality of light emitting diodes inside a bulb portion; connecting a power supply circuit to the plurality of light emitting diodes, the power supply circuit being configured to receive power from a power source and comprising a pulse width modulation circuit configured to regulate power delivered by the power supply circuit to the light emitting diodes during operation of the light tube; disposing the power supply circuit within the light tube; and disposing a pair of end caps at opposite ends of the bulb portion, each end cap configured to fit with the conventional fluorescent light tube socket, wherein the light emitting diodes comprises a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode, the first light emitting diode being the light emitting diode closest to an end of the rigid support structure and the second light emitting diode being the next closest to the end of the rigid support structure, the first and second light emitting diodes being are disposed such that a shortest distance between the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode is less than a shortest distance between the first light emitting diode and the end of the rigid support structure.
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Specification