Thermal Management Of LED-Based Lighting Systems

Abstract

An LED lighting element for use in a fluorescent lighting fixture includes first and second end caps formed as printed circuit boards for connecting with and obtaining physical support from respective first and second sockets of the fluorescent lighting fixture, and a blade supporting one or more LEDs between the first and second end caps. The blade includes a first compartment that contains high voltage circuitry, a second compartment, separated from the first compartment, that contains a low voltage assembly including the one or more LEDs, and a third compartment forming an optical cavity. The element also includes a power converter, located in one or both of the first and second end caps, that converts power from the fluorescent light socket into power for operating the LEDs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An LED lighting element for use in a fluorescent lighting fixture, comprising:
 a first end cap formed as a printed circuit board for connecting with and obtaining physical support from a first socket of the fluorescent lighting fixture;   a second end cap formed as a printed circuit board for connecting with and obtaining physical support from a second socket of the fluorescent lighting fixture;   a blade supporting one or more LEDs between the first and second end caps, the blade comprising
 a first compartment that contains high voltage circuitry, 
 a second compartment, separated from the first compartment, that contains a low voltage assembly including the one or more LEDs, and 
 a third compartment forming an optical cavity; and 
   a power converter, located in one or both of the first and second end caps, that converts power from the fluorescent light socket into power for operating the LEDs.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the two or more blades being substantially ‘L’ shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LEDs mount on a back surface of a first portion of the blade, the first portion being substantially perpendicular to a second portion of the blade. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LEDs mount on a front surface of a first portion of the blade, the first portion being substantially perpendicular to a second portion of the blade. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each blade forms a first portion and a second portion coupled with the first portion and substantially perpendicular to the first portion, and the venting space is limited by respective second portions and one of the first portions, of two blades nearest the venting space. 
     
     
         6 . A flow-through LED lighting system, comprising:
 a housing; and   two or more substantially flat blades disposed with the housing, at least one of the blades having a plurality of LEDs mounted therewith such that light emits from the LEDs substantially perpendicularly to a plane of the blade, and further comprising at least one optical element for dispersing the light parallel to the plane of the blade.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 ,
 the optical element comprising a reflective surface, and   the at least one of the blades being disposed with the housing such that when the system is in an operational position, (a) the plane of the blade is substantially vertical, and (b) the optical element disperses the light downwardly.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , each blade being separated from an adjacent blade by a venting space that is rectangular in cross section, such that the blade and the adjacent blade form two opposing sides of the venting space, and portions of the housing form two other opposing sides of the venting space. 
     
     
         9 . A light-emitting diode (“LED”) based lighting system, comprising one or more light bars, each of the one or more light bars having a plurality of LEDs mounted proximate to a bottom surface thereof, each of the one or more light bars having a height to width aspect ratio of 3:1 to 6:1. 
     
     
         10 . The LED based lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more light bars has a height to width aspect ratio of about 4:1.