Solid state light source
First Claim
1. An illumination light source comprising:
- a housing formed of a tube with a pair end caps removably attached at opposed ends of the tube;
an LED light member having at least one individual LED element mounted in the housing, wherein each individual LED element is at least 1-candela;
a replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling removably mounted directly onto one end cap of the housing with the fiber optic bundle coupling adapted to removably receive the end of a fiber optic bundle therein, wherein the replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling is separate from the end cap; and
a mechanism within the housing between the LED light member and the fiber optic bundle coupling for concentrating light from the LED light member onto the fiber optic bundle coupling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light source includes a housing, an LED array of individual LED elements mounted in the housing, and a controller mounted in the housing and coupled to the LED array. The controller sequentially, intermittently pulses the LED elements of the LED array. The controller over drives the LED elements of the LED array with a current in excess of several times the continuous forward rating for the individual LED elements. The housing is a substantially closed, waterproof, tubular member and may include a power source in the housing. The light source may form a portable light source. The light source may include a fiber optic bundle coupling in the housing and a fresnel lens between the LED array and the fiber optic bundle coupling.
170 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An illumination light source comprising:
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a housing formed of a tube with a pair end caps removably attached at opposed ends of the tube; an LED light member having at least one individual LED element mounted in the housing, wherein each individual LED element is at least 1-candela; a replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling removably mounted directly onto one end cap of the housing with the fiber optic bundle coupling adapted to removably receive the end of a fiber optic bundle therein, wherein the replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling is separate from the end cap; and a mechanism within the housing between the LED light member and the fiber optic bundle coupling for concentrating light from the LED light member onto the fiber optic bundle coupling. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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2. A light source comprising:
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a housing; an LED light member mounted in the housing, wherein the LED light member is an array of individual LED elements; a fiber optic bundle coupling mounted in the housing; and a controller intermittently pulsing the LED elements of the LED array, and wherein the controller sequentially pulses the LED elements and over drives the LED elements of the LED array with a current in excess of the continuous forward rating for the individual LED elements. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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16. An illuminating fiber optic light source comprising:
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a light-weight housing formed of an aluminum tube with a pair of threaded end caps removably attached to opposed ends of the tube; an LED light member including at least one LED element mounted in the tube of the housing, wherein each LED element is at least 1 candela; a lens mounted in the housing adjacent the LED light member; and a replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling threaded directly in one end cap of the housing, wherein the fiber optic bundle coupling is configured to removably receive the end of a fiber optic bundle therein, wherein the replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling is separate from the end cap; and a mechanism within the housing between the LED light member and the fiber optic bundle coupling for concentrating light from the LED light member onto the fiber optic bundle coupling. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A portable LED light source comprising:
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a ridged, substantially closed housing formed of an aluminum tube with opposed threaded end caps; a LED light member formed of at least one individual LED element mounted in the housing; and a power source coupled to the LED light member; a replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling threaded directly in one end cap of the housing, wherein the fiber optic bundle coupling is configured to removably receive the end of a fiber optic bundle therein, wherein the replaceable fiber optic bundle coupling is separate from the end cap; a mechanism within the housing between the LED light member and the fiber optic bundle coupling for concentrating light from the LED light member onto the fiber optic bundle coupling and a controller mounted in the housing and coupled to the LED light member, wherein the controller evaluates the power source and controls the LED light member providing a light source output that is substantially constant over a range of input voltages from the power source, and wherein the controller over drives the LED elements of the LED light member with a current in excess of the continuous forward rating for the individual LED elements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification