Light emitting diode waveguide assemblies for illuminating refrigerated areas

Abstract

An LED assembly for illuminating a refrigerated area includes a conductive base, a plurality of LED modules coupled to the conductive base, and a waveguide configured to direct light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area by reflecting and refracting light generated by the plurality of LED modules. The waveguide is located substantially within the refrigerated area. The LED assembly also includes an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the conductive base. The external heat sink is mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area. The external heat sink can include an integral cooling channel. The LED assembly can also include an external cooling doom configured to provide cooling for the external heat sink.

1 . A light emitting diode (LED) assembly useful for illuminating a refrigerated area, the LED assembly comprising:
 a conductive base;   a plurality of LED modules coupled to the conductive base;   a waveguide configured to direct light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area by reflecting and refracting light generated by the plurality of LED modules, and wherein the waveguide is further configured to operate substantially within the refrigerated area; and   an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the conductive base, wherein the external heat sink is further configured to be mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area.   
     
     
         2 . The LED assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an external cooling doom configured to provide cooling for the external heat sink. 
     
     
         3 . The LED assembly of  claim 1  wherein the external heat sink includes an external sink cooling channel. 
     
     
         4 . The LED assembly of  claim 1  wherein the waveguide is impregnated with a phosphor. 
     
     
         5 . A light emitting diode (LED) assembly useful for illuminating a refrigerated area, the LED assembly comprising:
 a conductive base;   a plurality of LED modules coupled to the conductive base;   a waveguide configured to direct light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area by reflecting and refracting light generated by the plurality of LED modules, and wherein the waveguide is further configured to operate substantially within the refrigerated area;   an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the conductive base, wherein the external heat sink is further configured to be mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area; and   wherein at least one of the plurality of LED modules includes:
 an LED base; 
 an LED located substantially within the LED base and configured to generate a light beam; 
 an inner beam director; and 
 an outer beam director, wherein an interface between the inner beam director and the outer beam director is shaped to refract and reflect the light beam along the interface, thereby narrowing a substantial portion of the light beam. 
   
     
     
         6 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the LED has a geometrically coated phosphor layer. 
     
     
         7 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the interface between the inner beam director and the outer beam director includes an intermediate beam director configured to further refract and reflect the light beam generated by the LED. 
     
     
         8 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the shaped interface is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The LED assembly of  claim 7  wherein the shaped interface is highly reflective. 
     
     
         10 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the intermediate beam director is highly reflective. 
     
     
         11 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the inner beam director has a first N value and the outer beam director has a second N value, and wherein the first N value is substantially lower than the second N value. 
     
     
         12 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  further comprising an external cooling doom configured to provide cooling for the external heat sink. 
     
     
         13 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the external heat sink includes an external sink cooling channel. 
     
     
         14 . The LED assembly of  claim 5  wherein the waveguide is impregnated with a phosphor.