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US 8,093,823 B1Granted
Light sources incorporating light emitting diodes
AssigneeAltair Engineering, Inc.
InventorsJohn Ivey, Jos Timmermans, Jean C. Raymond
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AssigneeAltair Engineering, Inc.
InventorsJohn Ivey, Jos Timmermans, Jean C. Raymond
Estimating the term…
A light source including at least one light emitting diode and, optionally, a housing portion surrounding the light emitting diode. The at least one light emitting diode can be an organic light-emitting diode sheet. The at least one light emitting diode is preferably enclosed in a housing portion comprising a hollow bulb-shaped portion formed of glass, plastic, etc. The housing portion can be filled partially or completely by a potting material. Alternatively, the housing portion can be formed of a potting material or a conformal coating material. At least one connector is coupled to the end of the housing portion. A power supply circuit supplies electrical current to the at least one light emitting diode through the connector.
A replacement light for use in a fixture having a double ended bi-pin socket set designed for fluorescent tubes wherein the light comprises:
A replacement light for use in a fixture having a double ended bi-pin socket set designed for fluorescent tubes wherein the light comprises:
A replacement light for use in a fixture having a double-ended, bi-pin socket set designed to receive conventional fluorescent tube lights wherein the light comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers: light sources comprising…
Light sources comprising attachment means: retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for…
Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes: details of end…
The light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs: fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light…
Term ended 22 Mar 2022 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light sources incorporating light emitting diodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a line drawing showing a light tube, in perspective view, which in accordance with the present invention is illuminated by LEDs packaged inside the light tube;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the LEDs mounted on a circuit board;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a light source according to the invention in the form of a light tube 20. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the light tube 20 is illuminated by LEDs 22 packaged inside the light tube 20. The light tube 20 includes a cylindrically shaped housing portion 24 having a pair of end caps 26 and 28 disposed at opposite ends of the housing portion 24. Preferably, the housing portion 24 is made from a transparent or translucent material such as glass, plastic, or the like. As such, the housing material may be either clear or frosted.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light tube 20 has the same dimensions and end caps 26 and 28 (e.g., electrical male bi-pin connectors, type G13) as a conventional fluorescent light tube. As such, the present invention can be mounted in a conventional fluorescent light tube socket 40 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing one end of the light tube 20 disconnected from one end of a light tube socket 40. Similar to conventional fluorescent lighting systems and in this embodiment of the present invention, the light tube socket 40 includes a pair of electrical female connectors 42 and the light tube 20 includes a pair of mating electrical male connectors 44.
Alternatively, end caps with single-pin connectors, incorporating so-called “instant start” ballasts, as well as recessed double-pin connectors are also possible with suitable mounting sockets for this embodiment. Another possible connector and its related socket for a light tube 20 are shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12, discussed in more detail below, shows yet another connector in a different embodiment of the light source according to the present invention. The light tube 20 could also be in the form of a conventional round housing portion, i.e., the “doughnut” shaped bulb, with the 4-pin connector used with such bulbs.