Low temperature LED lighting system

• US 7,121,675 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Artak Ter-Hovhanissian Patent Trust
• Original Assignee: Artak Ter-Hovhannisian
• Inventors: Ter-Hovhannisian, Artak
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/339,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 362/92, 362/249, 362/235, 362/800, 362/125, 362/126, 362/240, 362/433, 362/133, 622/64, 622/49, 312/223.5
• US Class Current: 362/92
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0404 Cases or cabinets of the closed type A47F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21

Abstract

A lighting system for low temperature environments includes a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to a support member mounted within a refrigeration unit or the like for illuminating contents thereof. A reflector is disclosed adjacent to the light emitting diodes for dispersing the light therefrom. A light transmitting cover overlies the light emitting diodes, and preferably includes non-planar surfaces for dispersing light onto objects within the refrigeration unit. A power supply converts alternating current voltage to a lower direct current voltage for powering the light emitting diodes in a safe manner.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a refrigeration unit storing perishable food product, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to a support member mounted within the refrigeration unit for illuminating the perishable food product stored within the refrigeration unit; and

a power supply operably connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes;

wherein the power supply converts alternating current voltage to a lower direct current voltage.

2. The system of claim 1, including a reflector disposed adjacent to the light emitting diodes for dispersing the light from the light emitting diodes.

3. The system of claim 2, including a light transmitting cover overlying the light emitting diodes.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cover is configured to include non-planar surfaces for dispersing the light onto objects within the refrigeration unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are formed in an array on a circuit board and potted with a sealant.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are formed in at least one linear array.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the reflector comprises angled reflective walls disposed adjacent to the light emitting diodes and extending substantially the length of the linear array.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the support is mounted coplanar to a refrigeration unit shelf with brackets removably attached to the shelf.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the support is positioned a predetermined distance from and perpendicular to a refrigeration unit shelf by mounting a frame to a refrigeration mullion.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein an end of the support includes a protuberance extending from an end thereof and configured to slidably fit within a channel of a track attached within a refrigeration unit.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the protuberance includes electrodes which contact electrodes within the track when the protuberance is fitted into the channel of the track in order to supply power to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

12. A lighting system for a refrigeration unit storing perishable food product, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes formed in an array on a circuit board attached to the support member mounted within a refrigeration unit for illuminating the product contents thereof;

a power supply operably connected to the light emitting diode array and capable of converting alternating current voltage to a lower direct current voltage;

a reflector disposed adjacent to the light emitting diodes for dispersing the light from the light emitting diodes; and

a light transmitting cover overlying the light emitting diodes.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are formed in at least one linear array, and wherein the reflector comprises angled reflective walls disposed adjacent to the light emitting diodes and extending substantially the length of the linear array.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the support is mounted coplanar to a refrigeration unit shelf with brackets removably attached to the shelf.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the support is positioned a predetermined distance from and perpendicular to a refrigeration unit shelf by mounting the frame to a refrigeration mullion.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the cover is configured to include non-planar surfaces for dispersing the light onto objects within the refrigeration unit.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein an end of the support includes a protuberance extending from an end thereof and configured to slidably fit within a channel of a track attached within a refrigeration unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the protuberance includes electrodes which contact electrodes within the track when the protuberance is fitted into the channel of the track in order to supply power to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

19. A lighting system for a refrigeration unit storing perishable food product, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes formed in at least one linear array on a circuit board attached to the support member mounted within a refrigeration unit for illuminating the product contents thereof;

a power supply operably connected to the light emitting diode array and capable of converting alternating current voltage to a lower direct current voltage;

a reflector comprising angled reflective walls disposed adjacent to the light emitting diodes and extending substantially the length of the linear array for dispersing the light from the light emitting diodes; and

a light transmitting cover overlying the light emitting diodes, the cover including non-planar surfaces for dispersing the light onto objects within a refrigeration unit.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the support is mounted coplanar to a refrigeration unit shelf with brackets removably attached to the shelf.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the support is positioned a predetermined distance from and perpendicular to a refrigeration unit shelf by mounting a frame to a refrigeration mullion.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein an end of the support includes a protuberance extending from an end thereof and configured to slidably fit within a channel of a track attached to a refrigeration unit.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the protuberance includes electrodes which contact electrodes within the track when the protuberance is fitted into the channel of the track in order to supply power to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

24. A lighting system for a refrigeration unit storing perishable food product, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to a support member mounted within the refrigeration unit for illuminating the perishable food product stored within the refrigeration unit, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are formed in an array on a circuit board and potted with a sealant; and

a power supply operably connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes.

25. A lighting system for low temperature environments, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to a support member mounted within a refrigeration unit for illuminating product stored within a refrigeration unit; and

a power supply operably connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes;

wherein an end of the support includes a protuberance extending from an end thereof and configured to slidably fit within a channel of a track attached within a refrigeration unit; and

wherein the protuberance includes electrodes which contact electrodes within the track when the protuberance is fitted into the channel of the track in order to supply power to the plurality of the light emitting diodes.