# US 11,029,084 B2 · LED lighting array system for illuminating a display case > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,084 B2 - Document ID: US11029084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/201,570 - Filed: 2018-11-27 - Published: 2019-03-28 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-30 - Assignees: ElectraLED, Inc. - Applicants: ElectraLED, Inc. - Inventors: James Thomas; Vladimir Volochine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029084B2 ## CPC - F25D 27/00: Lighting arrangements (in general F21) - A47F 3/001: {Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation} - A47F 3/04: air-conditioned, refrigerated (refrigerators F25D; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84) - A47F 11/10: Arrangements of light sources - F21V 33/0024: {Household or table equipment} - A47F 3/0482: {Details common to both closed and open types} - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract An LED lighting array system includes discrete lighting modules spatially arrayed along a support member to provide illumination of items within a display case. The modules have a low overall height that results in them being mounted in a low-profile configuration at various locations along the support member. The modules include a housing with opposed first and second sets of side apertures, a plurality of internal reflecting surfaces associated with the apertures, respectively, an external lens, a multi-sided light engine and a group of side-emitting LEDs. During operation, a first portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is discharged through apertures and the lens into the cooler to illuminate contents therein, while a second portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through said apertures and the lens into the cooler. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lighting array system featuring light emitting diodes (LEDs) for use with at least one support member within a refrigerated cooler to illuminate products residing within the cooler, the lighting array system comprising: a light engine that includes a linear current regulator, a protective diode, a ballast resistor, a transient voltage suppressor and an insulation displacement connector; and at least one module configured to be installed within a support member, each module comprising: a housing having a first aperture and a second aperture, a first internal reflecting surface extending outward from the first aperture, and a second internal reflecting surface extending outward from the second aperture, an external lens configured to substantially overlie an upper extent of the housing, a first LED associated with the first aperture, a second LED associated with the second aperture, and wherein during operation of the lighting array system, a first portion of light generated by said first and second LEDs is discharged through the lens, and a second portion of light generated by said first and second LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through the lens. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of modules configured to be installed an appreciable distance apart within the support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein the module is positioned within an aperture that is formed within the support member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein the first internal reflecting surface is oriented at an upward angle as said reflecting surface extends outward from the first aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein the support member is integrated into an extent of a support frame of the refrigerated cooler. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein each module is symmetrical about a major axis of the module and a minor axis of the module. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein the first and second LEDs are side-emitting LEDs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein the first and second apertures are side apertures and are in an opposed positional relationship to one another. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The lighting array system of claim 1, wherein a maximum intensity of the light output from the first LED of the first module is orientated substantially parallel with a front extent of the refrigerated cooler and a maximum intensity of the light output from the first LED of the second module is orientated substantially parallel with a front extent of the refrigerated cooler. ### Claim 10 A refrigerated cooler that displays products residing within the cooler, the cooler having a lighting array system to illuminate products within the cooler, the cooler comprising: an arrangement of internal support members; a lighting array system installed within the cooler and including: a first module installed within a support member of the cooler, a second module installed within said support member a distance from the first module, said first and second modules each including a housing having: a first aperture, a first internal reflecting surface extending outward from the first aperture, a first LED, an external lens configured to substantially overlie an upper extent of the housing and an extent of the first LED, and wherein during operation of the lighting array system, a first portion of light generated by the first LED of the first module is discharged through the lens of the first module into the cooler to illuminate the products and a first portion of light generated by the first LED of the second module is discharged through the lens of the second module into the cooler to illuminate the products. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The refrigerated cooler of claim 10, further comprising a second aperture in an opposed positional relationship with the first side aperture and a second internal reflecting surface extending outward from the second aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The refrigerated cooler of claim 10, wherein a second portion of light generated by first LED of the first module is redirected by the reflecting surface of the first module through the lens of the first module into the cooler to illuminate the products and a second portion of light generated by first LED of the second module is redirected by the reflecting surface of the second module through the lens of the second module into the cooler to illuminate the products. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The refrigerated cooler of claim 10, wherein each module is symmetrical about a major axis of the module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The refrigerated cooler of claim 10, further comprising a light engine that includes a linear current regulator, a protective diode, a ballast resistor, a transient voltage suppressor and an insulation displacement connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The refrigerated cooler of claim 10, wherein a maximum intensity of the light output from the first LED of the second module is orientated substantially parallel with a front extent of the refrigerated cooler. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The refrigerated cooler of claim 11, wherein the first and second modules each include a second LED; and wherein during operation of the lighting array system, a first portion of light generated by second LED of the first module is discharged through the lens of the first module into the cooler to illuminate the products, and a second portion of light generated by second LED of the first module is redirected by the reflecting surface through the lens of the first module into the cooler to illuminate the products. ### Claim 17 A lighting array system featuring light emitting diodes (LEDs) for use within a refrigerated cooler to illuminate products residing within the cooler, the lighting array system comprising: an internal support member that includes an opening formed therein, said internal support member is designed to be integrated into a support frame member of the cooler; a module positioned within said opening formed within the support member, said module comprising: a housing having a first aperture and an internal reflecting surface, a first LED associated with the first aperture; an external lens configured to overlie an extent of the housing and the first LED, and wherein during operation of the lighting array system, a first portion of light generated by said first LED is discharged through the lens, and a second portion of light generated by said first LED is redirected by the reflecting surface through the lens; and wherein a maximum intensity of the light output from the first LED is orientated substantially parallel with a front extent of the refrigerated cooler. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The lighting array system of claim 17, wherein the module is symmetrical about a major axis of the module.