Apparatus and method for using emitting diodes (LED) in a side-emitting device

An apparatus comprising:

• an LED light source having a predetermined direction of radiation;
• a first reflector opposing the LED light source having a predetermined direction of reflection, the direction of reflection of the first reflector opposing the direction of radiation of the LED light source;
• and
• a second reflector having a predetermined azimuthal direction of reflection, the second reflector positioned relative to the first reflector to receive light from the first reflector and to redirect the light into the azimuthal direction of reflection.
• where the LED source, first and second reflectors collectively comprise an illumination unit and further comprising a plurality of illumination units axially arranged and configured with respect to each other to provide a stack of illumination units,
• where the first and second reflectors comprise a common body with two surfaces, one surface providing the first reflector and the other surface providing the second reflector.

A method comprising:

• generating light from an LED light source in a predetermined direction of radiation;
• reflecting light from a first reflector opposing the LED light source in a predetermined direction of reflection, the direction of reflection opposing the direction of radiation of the LED light source;
• reflecting light from a second reflector having a predetermined azimuthal direction of reflection, the second reflector positioned relative to the first reflector to receive light from the first reflector and to redirect the light into the azimuthal direction of reflection;
• and
• combining the LED light source, first and second reflectors collectively as an illumination unit and axially stacking a plurality of illumination units,
• where axially stacking a plurality of illumination units comprises employing an LED light source and second reflector of one illumination unit and a first reflector of an adjacent illumination unit as a replicated combination in the stack,
• where employing an LED light source and second reflector of one illumination unit and a first reflector of an adjacent illumination unit comprises providing the first and second reflectors on a common body with two surfaces, one surface providing the first reflector and the other surface providing the second reflector.