Tubular housing with light emitting diodes

• US 6,762,562 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: DeNovo Lighting, LLC
• Inventors: Leong, Susan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Assistant Examiner(s): A, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US10/299,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 315/51, 315/56, 315/272, 315/287, 315/291, 315/307, 362/252, 362/236, 362/249, 362/239, 362/800
• US Class Current: 315/51
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• 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 2107/60 on stacked substrates
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An LED lamp comprising a tubular wall circular, oval, or multi-faceted in cross-section having tubular wall ends. At least one electrical string mounted within the tubular wall extends between the tubular wall ends with at least one LED electrically mounted thereto. Electrical circuit means providing power to at least one LED from the ballast assembly of a fluorescent lamp fixture. Electrical circuit means include an LED circuit including at least one electrical string each having one LED or a plurality of LEDs connected in series thereto. The at least one electrical string can further include two electrical strings in parallel or a plurality of parallel electrical strings. Means for suppressing voltage delivered from the ballast assembly to an LED operating voltage within the design capacity of said plurality of LEDs in electrical connection with the electrical circuit means. The LED lamp can have opposed single-pin or bi-pin electrical contacts for use with ballast opposed single or double contact electrical sockets connected to electronic instant start, electronic rapid start, hybrid, or magnetic ballast assemblies. The means for supporting the LEDs and the LED electrical circuit including the parallel electrical strings can be either a single generally cylindrical self-biased LED circuit board mounted and held in the tubular wall, or a plurality of rigid flat support structures spaced apart and held in the tubular wall. Side-emitting radial beam high-brightness LEDs can be mounted to the support structures.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp for mounting to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly including ballast opposed electrical contacts, comprising:

a tubular wall generally circular in cross-section having tubular wall ends,

at least one LED positioned within said tubular wall between said tubular wall ends,

electrical circuit means for providing electrical power from the ballast assembly to said at least one LED,

means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts,

said electrical circuit means including an LED electrical circuit including at least one electrical string positioned within said tubular wall and generally extending between said tubular wall ends, said at least one LED being in electrical connection with said at least one electrical string,

said at least one LED being positioned to emit light through said tubular wall,

means for supporting and holding said at least one LED and said LED electrical circuit, said means for supporting and holding being positioned within said tubular wall between said tubular wall ends, and

means for suppressing ballast voltage being delivered from the ballast assembly to an LED operating voltage within a voltage design capacity of said at least one LED, said means for suppressing ballast voltage being in electrical connection with said electrical circuit means.

2. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts includes the ballast opposed electrical contacts being ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets and said electrical circuit means includes opposed single-pin electrical contacts mounted in said ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets.

3. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets is an electronic instant start ballast assembly.

4. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets is a hybrid ballast assembly.

5. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets is a magnetic ballast assembly.

6. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 2, wherein said opposed single-pin electrical circuit means having opposed single-pin electrical contacts includes single-pin integral electronics circuitry including a bridge rectifier for converting AC voltage received from said ballast assembly to DC voltage.

7. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 6, wherein said single-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes said means for suppressing ballast voltage, said means for suppressing ballast voltage being a voltage surge absorber.

8. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 7, wherein said single-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes a fuse for providing current protection to said LED electrical circuit and for de-energizing said LED electrical circuit in the event the current being delivered exceeds the maximum current limit of said ballast circuitry.

9. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 8, wherein said single-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes at least one resistor for limiting the current received by said at least one LED from the ballast assembly.

10. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 9, further including first and second single-pin electrical contacts and first and second opposed single-pin base end caps, each of said first and second single-pin electrical contacts being mounted to each of said first and second single-pin base end caps, respectively.

11. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 10, further including first and second single-pin integral electronics circuit boards, and wherein said single-pin integral electronics circuitry includes first and second single-pin integral electronics circuits, said first single-pin integral electronics circuit being mounted to said first single-pin integral electronics circuit board and said second single-pin integral electronics circuit being mounted to said second single-pin integral electronic circuit board, said first single-pin integral electronics circuit being electrically connected to said first single-pin electrical contact and said second single-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said second single-pin electrical contact.

12. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 11, wherein said LED electrical circuit is a single-pin LED electrical circuit including first and second single-pin LED electrical circuit connections associated with said first and second single-pin electrical contacts, respectively, and wherein said first single-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said first single-pin LED electrical circuit connection and said second single-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said second single-pin LED electrical circuit connection.

13. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first single-pin integral electronics circuitry includes said bridge rectifier.

14. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first single-pin integral electronics circuit includes said voltage surge absorber.

15. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first single-pin integral electronics circuit includes said fuse.

16. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of said first and second opposed single-pin base end caps have opposed inner and outer sides, said outer sides are generally flat and said inner sides define first circular slots, and wherein said tubular wall has opposed circular tubular ends, said opposed circular tubular ends being mounted into said first circular slots.

17. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 16, further including a cylindrical support member positioned within said tubular wall and adjoining said interior side of said LED circuit board, said cylindrical support member defining a support member passage within said cylindrical LED circuit board between said ends of said tubular wall.

18. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 17, wherein said cylindrical support member defines a plurality of holes extending between said LED circuit board and said support member passage.

19. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 18, wherein said inner sides of said single-pin base end caps define second circular slots concentric with and inward relative to said first circular slots, and wherein said support member has opposed circular support member ends, said opposed circular support member ends being mounted into said second circular slots.

20. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 19, further including means for holding said tubular wall to said single-pin base end caps in said first circular slots and for holding said support member to said single-pin base end caps in said second circular slots.

21. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 20, wherein said means for holding is glue.

22. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 20, wherein said means for holding is a press fit.

23. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts includes the ballast opposed electrical contacts being ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets and said electrical circuit means includes opposed bi-pin electrical contacts mounted in said ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets.

24. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 23, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets is an electronic rapid start ballast assembly.

25. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 23, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets is a hybrid ballast assembly.

26. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 23, wherein said ballast assembly having said ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets is a magnetic ballast assembly.

27. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 23, wherein said opposed bi-pin electrical circuit means having opposed bi-pin electrical contacts includes bi-pin integral electronics circuitry including at least one bridge rectifier for converting AC voltage received from said ballast assembly to DC voltage.

28. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 27, wherein said bi-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes said means for suppressing ballast voltage, said means for suppressing ballast voltage being at least one voltage surge absorber positioned at said bi-pin electrical contacts, whereby the voltage is suppressed in all directions.

29. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 28, wherein said bi-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes a fuse for providing current protection to said LED electrical circuit and for de-energizing said LED electrical circuit in the event the current being delivered exceeds the maximum current limit of said ballast circuitry.

30. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 29, wherein said bi-pin integral electronics circuitry further includes at least one resistor for limiting the current received by said at least one LED from the ballast assembly.

31. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 30, further including first and second bi-pin electrical contacts and first and second opposed bi-pin base end caps, each of said first and second bi-pin electrical contacts being mounted to each of said first and second bi-pin base end caps, respectively.

32. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 31, further including first and second bi-pin integral electronics circuit boards, and wherein said bi-pin integral electronics circuitry includes first and second bi-pin integral electronics circuits, said first bi-pin integral electronics circuit being mounted to said first bi-pin integral electronics circuit board and said second bi-pin integral electronics circuit being mounted to said second bi-pin integral electronic circuit board, said first bi-pin integral electronics circuit being electrically connected to said first bi-pin electrical contacts and said second bi-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said second bi-pin electrical contacts.

33. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 32, wherein said LED electrical circuit is a bi-pin LED electrical circuit including first and second bi-pin LED electrical circuit connections associated with said first and second bi-pin electrical contacts, respectively, and wherein said first bi-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said first bi-pin LED electrical circuit connection and said second bi-pin integral electronics circuit is electrically connected to said second bi-pin LED electrical circuit connection.

34. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 33, wherein said bridge rectifier means includes one bridge rectifier associated with said first bi-pin integral electronics circuit and another bridge rectifier associated with said second bi-pin integral electronics circuit.

35. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 34, wherein said first and second bi-pin integral electronics circuits each include said at least one voltage surge absorber.

36. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 35, wherein one of said first or second bi-pin integral electronics circuits includes said fuse.

37. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein each of said first and second bi-pin base end caps have opposed inner and outer sides, said outer sides are generally flat and said inner sides define first circular slots, and wherein said tubular wall has opposed circular tubular ends, said opposed circular tubular ends being mounted into said first circular slots.

38. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 37, further including a cylindrical support member positioned within said tubular wall in adjoining said interior side of said circuit board, said cylindrical support member defining a support member passage within said cylindrical LED circuit board between said ends of said tubular wall.

39. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 38, wherein said cylindrical support member defines a plurality of holes extending between said LED circuit board and said support member passage.

40. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 39, wherein said inner sides of said bi-pin base end caps define second circular slots concentric with and inward relative to said first circular slots, and wherein said support member has opposed circular support member ends, said opposed circular support member ends being mounted into said second circular slots.

41. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 40, further including means for holding said tubular wall to said bi-pin base end caps in said first circular slots and for holding said support member to said bi-pin base end caps in said second circular slots.

42. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 41, wherein said means for holding is glue.

43. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 41, wherein said means for holding is a press fit.

44. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for supporting and holding said at least one LED and said LED electrical circuit includes an LED circuit board formed in the general configuration of a cylindrical structure positioned and held within said tubular wall.

45. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 44, wherein said LED circuit board defines a central passage extending between said tubular wall ends.

46. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 45, wherein said LED circuit board is distanced from said tubular wall, said cylindrical structure, and said tubular wall forming an elongated space between said tubular wall ends, said at least one LED being at least two LEDs and said at least one electrical string being at least one parallel electrical string comprising two single electrical strings in parallel including at least one LED electrically connected to each single electrical string in parallel of said at least one parallel electrical string, said at least two LEDs and said at least one parallel electrical string being positioned in said elongated space.

47. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 46, wherein said LED circuit board electrical circuit including said at least one parallel electrical string and said at least two LEDs are mounted to said LED circuit board.

48. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 47, wherein said at least one parallel electrical string is a plurality of parallel electrical strings and said at least two LEDs includes a plurality of LEDs electrically connected to said plurality of parallel electrical strings.

49. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 44, wherein said LED circuit board is made of a self-biasing material.

50. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 49, wherein said LED circuit board is moveable between a preassembled unbiased mode and an assembled cylindrical mode, wherein said LED circuit board is positioned in said tubular wall and self-biased outwardly towards and supported by said tubular wall.

51. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said at least one LED includes a base portion, a body portion, and a lens portion, said lens portion being in juxtaposition with said tubular wall.

52. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 51, wherein said base portion is positioned in proximity with said LED circuit board.

53. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 52, further including a mount connecting said base portion with said LED circuit board.

54. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 53, wherein said mount includes rigid LED electrical leads connected to said base portion and to said LED circuit board.

55. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 54, further including solder securing said electrical leads to said LED circuit board.

56. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 31, wherein said tubular wall has a center line and wherein each said at least one LED has an LED center line which is aligned perpendicular to said center line of said tubular wall.

57. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 56, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs and wherein each said LED of said plurality of LEDs has an LED center line which is aligned perpendicular to said center line of said tubular wall.

58. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 57, wherein said tubular wall has a cylindrical outer surface and wherein each said LED center line of said plurality of LED center lines are perpendicular to a tangential plane defined at the area of juxtaposition between said tubular wall and each said LED of said plurality of LEDs.

59. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 57, wherein said tubular wall has a cylindrical outer surface and wherein each said LED center line of said plurality of LED center lines are parallel to a tangential plane defined at the area of juxtaposition between said tubular wall and each said LED of said plurality of LEDs.

60. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 59, wherein said tubular wall is linear.

61. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 59, wherein said tubular wall is curved.

62. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 61, wherein said means for supporting said plurality of LEDs and said LED electrical circuit includes an LED circuit board configured to be positioned and held within said curved tubular wall.

63. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 62, wherein said LED circuit board has an exterior side and an interior side, and an inner curved portion and an outer curved portion, said exterior side defining a plurality of slits at said outer curved portion, whereby said outer curved portion is extended in length relative to said inner curved portion.

64. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 63, wherein said plurality of LEDs supported by said circuit board are spaced farther apart at said outer curved portion than at said inner curved portion.

65. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 61, wherein said tubular wall is curved having an inner curved portion and an outer curved portion, wherein said plurality of disks are positioned in said curved tubular wall at first equal intervals at said inner curved portion, and wherein said plurality of disks are positioned in said curved tubular wall at second equal intervals at said outer curved portion, said second equal intervals being greater than said first equal intervals.

66. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 65, wherein said curved tubular wall has a curved center line and said LED center line of each of said plurality of LEDs positioned in said curved tubular wall is aligned generally perpendicular to said curved center line of said curved tubular wall relative to a plane generally defined by each said disk.

67. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for supporting and holding said at least one LED and said LED electrical circuit includes at least one disk positioned and held within said tubular wall.

68. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 67, wherein said at least one disk includes a plurality of disks each positioned and held within said tubular wall at spaced intervals.

69. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 68, wherein said at least one LED includes a plurality of LEDs each mounted to said plurality of disks.

70. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein each of said plurality of LEDs includes a base portion, a body portion, and a lens portion, said base portion being mounted to one of said walls of each of said disks.

71. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 70, wherein said lens portion is in juxtaposition with said tubular wall.

72. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 70, wherein said lens portion is in juxtaposition with one of said walls of each of said disks.

73. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein said tubular wall has a tubular wall center line and wherein each LED of said plurality of LEDs has an LED center line which is aligned perpendicular to said center line of said tubular wall.

74. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 73, wherein said at least one electrical string is a parallel electrical string mounted to each said disk configured in a circle concentric with said center line of said tubular wall and spaced from each said rim of each said disk.

75. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 74, wherein said at least one parallel electrical string is a plurality of parallel electrical strings in electrical parallel relationship and each of said number of LEDs of said plurality of LEDs are electrically connected in series within each said parallel electrical string of said plurality of parallel electrical strings, and configured in a circle concentric with said center line of said tubular wall and extending radially outward from said center line of said tubular wall.

76. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 75, wherein said plurality of LEDs electrically connected to each said parallel electrical string are spaced apart at generally equal intervals.

77. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 76, further including means for electrically connecting one said parallel electrical string with the adjoining said parallel electrical string.

78. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 77, wherein said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts include the ballast opposed electrical contacts being ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets and said electrical circuit means include opposed single-pin electrical contacts mounted in the ballast opposed single contact electrical sockets.

79. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 78, where said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts further include two AC lead lines, a DC positive lead line and a DC negative lead line, and an LED positive lead line and an LED negative lead line in electrical association with said opposed single-pin electrical contacts.

80. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 79, further including opposed first and second base end caps connected to said opposed single-pin electrical contacts each having opposed inner and outer sides, said outer sides are generally flat and said inner sides define circular slots, and wherein said tubular wall has opposed circular tubular opposed circular tubular ends being mounted into said circular slots.

81. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 80, further including means for securing said tubular wall into each said circular slot.

82. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 81, wherein said means for securing is glue.

83. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 81, wherein said means for securing is a press fit.

84. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 77, wherein said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts include the ballast opposed electrical contacts being ballast opposed double contact electrical sockets and said electrical circuit means include opposed bi-pin electrical contacts mounted in the ballast opposed electrical socket contacts.

85. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 84, wherein said means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical socket contacts include two AC lead lines, a DC positive lead line and a DC negative lead line, and an LED positive lead line and an LED negative lead line in electrical association with said opposed bi-pin electrical contacts.

86. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 85, further including opposed first and second base end caps connected to said opposed bi-pin electrical contacts each having opposed inner and outer sides, said outer sides are generally flat and said inner sides define circular slots, and wherein said tubular wall has opposed circular tubular ends, said opposed circular tubular ends being mounted into said circular slots.

87. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 86, further including means for securing said tubular wall into each said circular slot.

88. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 87, wherein said means for securing is glue.

89. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 87, wherein said means for securing is a press fit.

90. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein said tubular wall has a tubular wall center line and wherein each LED of said plurality of LEDs has an LED center line which is aligned parallel to said center line of said tubular wall.

91. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein an equal number of said plurality of LEDs is mounted to each of said disks.

92. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein an irregular number of said plurality of LEDs is mounted to each of said disks.

93. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein a single LED of said plurality of LEDs is mounted to each of said disks.

94. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein said tubular wall defines a plurality of circular slots defining planes perpendicular to said center line of said tubular wall.

95. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 94, wherein said plurality of disks has circular rims positioned and held in said circular slots.

96. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 69, wherein said at least one electrical string includes a plurality of electrical strings and wherein said plurality of electrical strings are mounted to said plurality of disks.

97. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 96, wherein said plurality of electrical strings include a number of electrical strings and said plurality of disks include a number of disks, wherein said number of disks and said number of said electrical strings are equal to said number of disks, and wherein each of said number of disks has mounted thereto at least a portion of one electrical string of said number of electrical strings.

98. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 96, wherein said plurality of electrical strings include a number of electrical strings and said plurality of disks include a number of disks, wherein said number of disks and said number of said electrical strings differ relative to said number of disks, and wherein each of said number of disks has mounted thereto at least a portion of one electrical string of said number of electrical strings.

99. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 62, wherein said tubular wall has a tubular wall center line, and wherein said at least one LED is a side-emitting radial beam LED having an LED center line which is aligned parallel to said tubular wall center line.

100. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 99, wherein said at least one side-emitting radial beam LED is mounted to said at least one disk, and wherein said at least one side-emitting radial beam LED center line is generally in alignment with said tubular wall center line.

101. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 100, wherein said at least one disk is a plurality of disks positioned and held within said tubular wall at spaced intervals, and said at least one side-emitting radial beam LED is a plurality of side-emitting radial beam LEDs with one side-emitting radial beam LED of said plurality of LEDs being mounted to each disk of said plurality of disks.

102. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 101, wherein said at least one side-emitting radial beam LED is a high-brightness side-emitting radial beam LED.

103. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 102, wherein said at least one high-brightness side-emitting radial beam LED is a plurality of high-brightness side-emitting radial beam LEDs mounted to said plurality of disks with one said high-brightness side-emitting radial beam LED of said plurality of high-brightness side-emitting radial beam LEDs being mounted to each disk of said plurality of disks.

104. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical string includes at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection with one another and generally extending between said tubular wall ends.

105. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 104, wherein said at least one LED is at least two LEDs comprising one LED mounted to each of said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

106. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 105, wherein said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection include a plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection generally extending between said tubular wall ends.

107. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 106, wherein said at least two LEDs include a plurality of LEDs, and wherein each of said plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection includes said plurality of LEDs being mounted to each of said plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

108. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 107, wherein said at least two LEDs are at least two high-brightness LEDs including one high-brightness LED mounted to each of said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

109. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 108, wherein said at least two high-brightness LEDs including one high-brightness LED mounted to each of said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection include a plurality of high-brightness LEDs mounted to each of said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

110. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one LED in electrical connection with said one electrical string is a plurality of LEDs in electrical series connection within said one electrical string.

111. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 110, wherein said at least one LED is a high-brightness LED.

112. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 111, wherein said at least one high-brightness LED is a plurality of high-brightness LEDs.

113. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 111, wherein said at least one high-brightness LED includes a heat sink.

114. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 112, wherein each high-brightness LED of said plurality of high-brightness LEDs includes a heat sink.

115. A light emitting diode (LED) lamp for mounting to an existing fixture for a fluorescent lamp having a ballast assembly including ballast opposed electrical contacts, comprising:

a tubular wall having tubular wall ends,

at least one LED positioned within said tubular wall between said tubular wall ends,

electrical circuit means for providing electrical power from the ballast assembly to said at least one LED,

means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit means with the ballast opposed electrical contacts,

said electrical circuit means including an LED electrical circuit including at least one electrical string positioned within said tubular wall and generally extending between said tubular wall ends, said at least one LED being in electrical connection with said at least one electrical string,

said at least one LED being positioned to emit light through said tubular wall,

means for supporting and holding said at least one LED and said LED electrical circuit, said means for supporting and holding being positioned within said tubular wall between said tubular wall ends, and

means for suppressing ballast voltage being delivered from the ballast assembly to an LED operating voltage within a voltage design capacity of said at least one LED, said means for suppressing ballast voltage being in electrical connection with said electrical circuit means.

116. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs and said means for supporting and holding includes an LED circuit board formed as a tubular structure conforming to said tubular wall and positioned within said tubular wall.

117. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 116, wherein said LED circuit board defines a central passage extending between said tubular wall ends.

118. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 117, wherein said LED circuit board is distanced from said tubular wall, said tubular structure and said tubular wall forming an elongated space between said tubular wall ends, said plurality of LEDs being positioned in said elongated space.

119. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 118, wherein said at least one electrical string includes a plurality of electrical strings, and said plurality of electrical strings is mounted to said LED circuit board.

120. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 117, wherein said tubular wall is generally circular in cross-section.

121. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 120, wherein said LED circuit board is generally circular in cross-section.

122. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 117, wherein said tubular wall is generally oval in cross-section.

123. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 122, wherein said LED circuit board is generally oval in cross-section.

124. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 117, wherein said tubular wall is multi-faceted in cross-section.

125. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 124, wherein said LED circuit board is multi-faceted in cross-section.

126. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 125, wherein said tubular wall multi-faceted in cross-section is triangular in cross-section.

127. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 126, wherein said LED circuit board is triangular in cross-section.

128. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 125, wherein said tubular wall multi-faceted in cross-section is rectangular in cross-section.

129. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 128, wherein said LED circuit board is rectangular in cross-section.

130. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 125, wherein said tubular wall multi-faceted in cross-section is hexagonal in cross-section.

131. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 130, wherein said LED circuit board is hexagonal in cross-section.

132. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 125, wherein said tubular wall multi-faceted in cross-section is octagonal in cross-section.

133. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 132, wherein said LED circuit board is octagonal in cross-section.

134. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs electrically connected to said at least one electrical string.

135. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED is at least one high-brightness LED.

136. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 135, wherein said at least one high-brightness LED is a plurality of high-brightness LEDs.

137. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED is a single high-brightness LED.

138. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDs.

139. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said plurality of LEDs is a plurality of high-brightness LEDs.

140. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one electrical string is at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection, and said at least one LED is at least two LEDs comprising one LED mounted to each of said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

141. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 140, wherein said at least two electrical strings in electrical parallel connection are a plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

142. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 141, wherein each of said plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection includes a plurality of LEDs mounted to each of said plurality of electrical strings in electrical parallel connection.

143. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 140, wherein said at least two LEDs are each a high-brightness LED.

144. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 143, wherein each of said two high-brightness LEDs includes a heat sink.

145. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said at least one LED mounted to said at least one electrical string is a plurality of LEDs mounted in electrical series connection within said at least one electrical string.

146. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 145, wherein said at least one LED is at least one high-brightness LED.

147. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 146, wherein said at least one high-brightness LED includes a heat sink.

148. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 147, wherein said at least one high-brightness LED is a plurality of high-brightness LEDs.

149. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 148, wherein each high-brightness LED of said plurality of high-brightness LEDs includes a heat sink.

150. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 115, wherein said means for supporting and holding said at least one LED and said LED electrical circuit include at least one support structure positioned and held within said tubular wall.

151. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 150, wherein said at least one support structure is a plurality of support structures.

152. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 151, wherein said at least one LED includes at least one side-emitting radial beam high-brightness LED mounted to said at least one support structure.

153. The LED lamp as set forth in claim 152, wherein said at least one support structure is a plurality of support structures, and said at least one side-emitting radial beam high-brightness LED mounted to said at least one support structure is a plurality of side-emitting radial beam high-brightness LEDs mounted to said plurality of support structures.