# US 8,540,401 B2 · LED bulb with internal heat dissipating structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,401 B2 - Document ID: US8540401B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/071,985 - Filed: 2011-03-25 - Published: 2011-09-29 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-26 - Assignees: iLumisys, Inc. - Applicants: David L. Simon; John Ivey - Inventors: David L. Simon; John Ivey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540401B2 ## CPC - F21V 29/83: the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes - F21K 9/23: Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings - F21K 9/232: specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb - F21K 9/61: using light guides - F21V 21/00: Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices (F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00); Hand grips - F21V 23/009: {the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device} - F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} - F21V 29/508: of electrical circuits - F21V 29/70: characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks - F21V 29/74: with fins or blades - F21V 29/15: Thermal insulation - F21Y 2105/10: comprising a two-dimensional [2D] array of point-like light-generating elements - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21Y 2115/15: Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES 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 - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An LED based light comprises a base, a light structure, a heat dissipating structure, and at least one LED. The light structure is adjacent to the base and extends along a longitudinal axis of the light. The light structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a cavity, and the heat dissipating structure extends into the cavity. At least one LED is mounted in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure. In one version, the light structure is an annular flange, and an organic LED is mounted to the outer surface. In another version, the light structure is a light pipe configured to distribute a light produced by the at least one LED in a predetermined light distribution. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An LED based light comprising: a base having a first end and a second end; a light structure adjacent to the base and extending along a longitudinal axis of the light; wherein the light structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a cavity; a heat dissipating structure extending into the cavity; and at least one LED mounted in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; wherein: the light structure is an annular flange; the at least one LED includes at least one organic LED; and the at least one organic LED is mounted to the outer surface and arranged to emit light in a predetermined light distribution. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The LED based light of claim 1 wherein the predetermined light distribution is the light distribution of a conventional incandescent bulb. ### Claim 3 An LED based light comprising: a base having a first end and a second end; a light structure adjacent to the base and extending along a longitudinal axis of the light; wherein the light structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a cavity; a heat dissipating structure extending into the cavity; and at least one LED mounted in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; wherein: the light structure is a light pipe having a proximal end opposing a distal end; the inner surface is configured for substantially total internal reflection of light; and the light pipe is configured to distribute a light produced by the at least one LED in a predetermined light distribution. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising a connector fixed to the first end of the base and configured to provide a physical connection to a conventional incandescent light fixture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The LED based light of claim 4 further comprising electronics, wherein: the base defines a compartment; the electronics are disposed within the compartment; the connector is further configured to provide an electrical connection to the conventional incandescent light fixture; the electronics are in electrical communication with the connector and configured to receive a power from a conventional incandescent light fixture through the connector; the electronics are in electrical communication with the at least one LED; and the electronics are configured to supply a power suitable for transmission to the at least one LED. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The LED based light of claim 5 wherein the base includes a plurality of apertures configured to allow airflow between the compartment and an ambient environment external to the base. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 wherein the predetermined light distribution is the light distribution of a conventional incandescent bulb. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 wherein: the heat dissipating structure extends from the base; the base is made from a thermally conductive material; and the at least one LED includes a first group of LEDs mounted in thermally conductive relation to the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The LED based light of claim 8 wherein: the second end defines an annular platform; an annular circuit board is mounted on the annular platform; the first group of LEDs is mounted on and in electrical communication with the annular circuit board; and the first group of LEDs is oriented to face substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 wherein: the at least one LED includes a first LED disposed adjacent to the second end of the base; the proximal end of the light pipe includes a proximal light receiving portion optically configured to receive a light produced by the first LED. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The LED based light of claim 10 wherein: the light pipe is an annular light pipe; the annular light pipe is solid between the inner surface and outer surface; and the proximal light receiving portion defines an annular cutaway sized to receive the first LED. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The LED based light of claim 10 wherein: the at least one LED includes a second LED oriented to face the inner surface; and the inner surface includes an interior light receiving portion optically configured to receive a light produced by the second LED. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 wherein: the heat dissipating structure is made from highly thermally conductive material; and the heat dissipating structure has a high surface area to volume ratio. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The LED based light of claim 13 wherein the heat dissipating structure is at least one of a plurality of longitudinally extending pins or a plurality of longitudinally extending fins. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising an active heat dissipating device disposed within the cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising a first thermal insulating shroud disposed about the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The LED based light of claim 16 further comprising a second thermal insulating shroud, wherein: the second thermal insulating shroud extends over the distal end of the light structure to enclose the heat dissipating structure; and at least one of the light structure or the second thermal insulating shroud includes a plurality of apertures configured to allow airflow between the cavity and an ambient environment external to the light structure. ### Claim 18 A method making an LED based light comprising: providing a base having a first end and a second end; mounting a light structure having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a cavity adjacent to the base so that the light structure extends along a longitudinal axis of the light, wherein the light structure is an annular flange; providing a heat dissipating structure within the cavity; mounting at least one LED in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; mounting the annular flange in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; and mounting the at least one LED to the outer surface. ### Claim 19 A method making an LED based light comprising: providing a base having a first end and a second end; mounting a light structure having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a cavity adjacent to the base so that the light structure extends along a longitudinal axis of the light; providing a heat dissipating structure within the cavity; and mounting at least one LED in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; wherein: the light structure is a light pipe having a proximal end opposing a distal end; the inner surface is configured for substantially total internal reflection of light; and the light pipe is configured to distribute a light produced by the at least one LED in a predetermined light distribution. ### Claim 20 (depends on 3) The LED base light of claim 3 wherein the outer surface is linear and extends radially outward along the longitudinal axis of the light to form a conical shape. ### Claim 21 (depends on 3) The LED base light of claim 3 wherein the outer surface is contoured to form a bulbous profile.