Reflector and lamp comprised thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of a reflector and a lamp that utilizes the reflector and light-emitting diode (LED) devices to generate an optical intensity distribution substantially similar to that of a conventional incandescent light bulb. The lamp can include a heat dissipating assembly with one or more heat dissipating elements disposed annularly about the envelope and spaced apart from the envelope in order to promote convective airflow. In one embodiment, the reflector operates as a total internal reflection (TIR) lens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lamp, comprising:
 an envelope forming an interior volume; and   a reflector disposed in the interior volume, the reflector comprising a facet having a first end and a second end proximate, respectively, an outer peripheral edge and a center axis of the reflector, the facet having an exterior facet profile with a first face, a second face opposing the first face, and a facet edge disposed therebetween, wherein the first face and the second face are configured to at least partially reflect light.   
     
     
         2 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior facet profile comprises a first form factor in which the first face and the second face form the sides of a triangle. 
     
     
         3 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first face forms a first angle and the second face forms a second angle with a geometric plane that extends between an end of the first face and an end of the second face, and wherein the first angle and the second angle have the same value. 
     
     
         4 . The lamp of  claim 3 , wherein the value is in the range of 40° to 55°. 
     
     
         5 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior facet profile comprises a first profile at a first end of the facet and a second profile at a second end of the facet, wherein the first profile is different from the second profile. 
     
     
         6 . The lamp of  claim 5 , wherein the first profile is dimensionally larger than the second profile. 
     
     
         7 . The lamp of  claim 5 , wherein the ratio of the first profile to the second profile is 1 or greater. 
     
     
         8 . The reflector of  claim 1 , wherein the reflector has an outer peripheral edge, and wherein the facet edge tapers from the outer peripheral edge toward the center axis. 
     
     
         9 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the reflector has an aperture that is coaxial with the center axis. 
     
     
         10 . The lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source with an optical axis that aligns with the center axis of the reflector, wherein the reflector is spaced apart from the light source and spaced apart from a top portion of the envelope along the center axis. 
     
     
         11 . A lamp, comprising:
 a light-emitting diode device with an optical axis;   a reflector spaced apart from the light-emitting diode device, the reflector having a center axis aligned with the optical axis and comprising a plurality of facets disposed circumferentially about the center axis, the facets having an exterior facet profile with a first face, a second face opposing the first face, and a facet edge disposed therebetween;   an envelope in surrounding relation to the reflector; and   a heat dissipating assembly with a heat dissipating element spaced apart from the outer surface of the envelope forming an air gap.   
     
     
         12 . The lamp of  claim 11 , wherein the reflector forms an internal reflection lens. 
     
     
         13 . The lamp of  claim 11 , wherein the facets comprise a first facet and a second facet that is adjacent the first facet, and wherein the first face of the first facet and the second face of the second facet form a valley therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The lamp of  claim 13 , wherein an end of the first face of the first facet and an end of the second face of the second facet meet at a point to form the valley. 
     
     
         15 . The lamp of  claim 11 , wherein the reflector comprises an aperture that proximate the center axis. 
     
     
         16 . The lamp of  claim 15 , wherein the reflector comprises an element that covers at least part of the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The lamp of  claim 11 , wherein the first face and the second face of the facets are configured to reflect a first amount of light emitted by the light source back to a first portion of the envelope and to refract a second amount of light emitted by the light source to a second portion of the envelope, wherein the first portion is subjacent to the second portion along the optical axis. 
     
     
         18 . A reflector for use in a lamp, said reflector comprising:
 a plurality of facets disposed circumferentially about a center axis forming an outer peripheral edge, the facets having an exterior facet profile with a first face, a second face opposing the first face, and a facet edge disposed therebetween, wherein the exterior facet profile comprises a first profile proximate the outer peripheral edge of the reflector and a second profile proximate the center axis that is different from different from the first profile.   
     
     
         19 . The reflector of  claim 18 , wherein the first face and the second face form sides of a triangle. 
     
     
         20 . The reflector of  claim 19 , wherein the triangle of the first profile is smaller than the triangle of the second profile.