Solid state lighting

An electric light fixture comprising:

• a) a luminaire comprising a luminaire shell and a socket, said luminaire being adapted for recessed lighting and is installed in a ceiling;
• b) a lamp comprising a light emitting diode (LED), a base, a heat sink, and a power supply;
• said lamp being installed in said luminaire;
• said heat sink adapted for flowing air therethrough;
• and
• c) a passage between said heat sink and said luminaire shell suitable for flowing air from the proximity of said lamp base to the space below said ceiling.

A method for cooling electric light fixture comprising the steps of:

• a) presenting a luminaire comprising a luminaire shell and a socket, said luminaire being adapted for recessed lighting and is installed in a ceiling;
• b) presenting a lamp comprising a light emitting diode (LED), a base, a heat sink, and a power supply;
• said lamp being installed in said luminaire;
• said heat sink adapted for flowing air therethrough;
• c) presenting a passage between said heat sink and said luminaire shell suitable for flowing air from the proximity of said lamp base to the space below said ceiling;
• d) operating said LED to generate light and waste heat;
• e) transferring said waste heat to said heat sink;
• f) drawing ambient air from below said ceiling into said heat sink;
• g) heating said air in said heat sink to produce a warm air stream;
• h) transferring heat from said warm air stream to said luminaire to produce a cooled air stream;
• i) flowing said cooler air stream into the space below said ceiling.