Collimating and controlling light produced by light emitting diodes

Abstract

A light source channel is described. The light source channel includes an extrusion forming a channel having an open length and a light source positioned within the channel. A light transfer medium is positioned above the light source and covers the open length of the channel. The light transfer medium has a cross section. A method embodiment according to the present invention produces a light source channel by installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion and covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine. The light transfer medium has a cross-section.

1 . A light source channel, comprising: 
 an extrusion forming a channel having an open length;    a light engine positioned within the extrusion channel;    a light transfer medium positioned above the light engine and covering the open length of the extrusion channel, the light transfer medium having a cross section.    
     
     
         2 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light engine includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium in cross-section is at least one of a half round and a corner angle.  
     
     
         4 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium is at least one of a solid acrylic, polycarbonate, and clear plastic composite.  
     
     
         5 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is at least one of a flat window, convex lens, round lens, and triangular lens.  
     
     
         6 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to diffuse light emitted from the light engine.  
     
     
         7 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to refract light emitted from the light engine.  
     
     
         8 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to evenly collimate light emitted from the light engine.  
     
     
         9 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light transfer medium is adapted to internally reflect a portion of light emitted from the light engine.  
     
     
         10 . The light source channel of  claim 9 , wherein light transfer medium transfers a light mixture comprising light emitted from light engine and internally reflected light emitted from the light engine.  
     
     
         11 . The light source channel of  claim 10 , wherein light mixture transferred by light transfer medium minimizes color temperature variations in light emitted from light engine.  
     
     
         12 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , further comprising: a pair of inserts closing opposite ends of the extrusion channel.  
     
     
         13 . The light source channel of  claim 12 , wherein the light transfer medium is waterproof sealed to the extrusion channel.  
     
     
         14 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the extrusion includes a pair of opposing grooves on the inner portion of the channel for receiving the light transfer medium.  
     
     
         15 . The light source channel of  claim 14 , wherein the pair of opposing grooves extend the length of the extrusion.  
     
     
         16 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , wherein the light engine includes a reflective surface.  
     
     
         17 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , the extrusion further comprising one or more attachment ears for mounting the light source channel.  
     
     
         18 . The light source channel of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally conductive medium positioned between the light engine and the extrusion.  
     
     
         19 . A method for producing a light source channel, comprising the steps of: 
 installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion; and    covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine, the light transfer medium having a cross section.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of: plugging opposite ends of the extrusion channel.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of: sealing the light transfer medium in position in a waterproof manner.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sealing the light transfer medium step further includes: 
 applying a waterproof sealant to the connection of the light transfer medium and the extrusion channel.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the light engine includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the covering step comprises inserting the light transfer medium into a pair of opposing grooves on opposite sides of the extrusion channel.  
     
     
         25 . A light source channel, comprising: 
 light emitting means for emitting light;    extrusion means for receiving the light emitting means within a channel along an open length of the extrusion;    a light transfer medium positioned above the light engine and covering the open length of the extrusion channel, the light transfer medium having a cross section.    
     
     
         26 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light emitting means includes one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, and a light emitting polymer.  
     
     
         27 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium in cross-section is at least one of a half-round and a corner angle.  
     
     
         28 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium is at least one of a solid acrylic, polycarbonate, and clear plastic composite.  
     
     
         29 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is at least one of a flat window, convex lens, round lens, and triangular lens.  
     
     
         30 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to diffuse light emitted from the light emitting means.  
     
     
         31 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to refract light emitted from the light emitting means.  
     
     
         32 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium cross section is adapted to evenly collimate light emitted from the light emitting means.  
     
     
         33 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , further comprising: one or more closing means for closing one or more open ends of the extrusion means.  
     
     
         34 . The light source channel of  claim 33 , wherein the light transfer medium is waterproof-sealed to the extrusion means.  
     
     
         35 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , the extrusion means comprising light transfer medium receiving means on the inner portion of the extrusion channel for receiving the light transfer medium.  
     
     
         36 . The light source channel of  claim 35 , wherein the light transfer medium extends the length of the extrusion means.  
     
     
         37 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , the light emitting means comprising light reflecting means for reflecting light.  
     
     
         38 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , the extrusion means comprising one or more attachment means for mounting the light source channel.  
     
     
         39 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , comprising thermal conducting means positioned between the light emitting means and the extrusion means for conducting thermal energy from the light emitting means to the extrusion means.  
     
     
         40 . The light source channel of  claim 25 , wherein the light transfer medium is adapted to internally reflect a portion of light emitted from the light light emitting means.  
     
     
         41 . The light source channel of  claim 40 , wherein light transfer medium transfers a light mixture comprising light emitted from light emitting means and internally reflected light emitted from the light emitting means.  
     
     
         42 . The light source channel of  claim 41 , wherein light mixture transferred by light transfer medium minimizes color temperature variations in light emitted from light emitting means.