Linear lamp replacement

Abstract

A linear lamp is provided having one or more light emitting elements provided therein. The light emitting elements are directed to emit light in a direction different from the primary direction of the illumination of the lamp. The light emitting elements may be supported by a supporting optical element. The supporting optical element may permit the transmission of light therethrough. The supporting optical element may be an integral window upon which the light emitting elements are disposed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lamp comprising:
 one or more light emitting elements emitting light primarily in a direction that is different from a primary direction of illumination of the lamp;   a circuit board upon which the one or more light emitting elements are disposed; and   a supporting optical element formed from an at least partially optically transmissive material supporting the circuit board.   
     
     
         2 . The lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a modifying optical element configured to redirect light from the one or more light emitting elements to primary direction of illumination. 
     
     
         3 . The lamp of  claim 1  further comprising an additional optical element including a lens or grating that extends the light emitted from the one or more light emitting elements along a length of the lamp. 
     
     
         4 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit board is formed of an at least partially optically transmissive material selected from plastic or glass. 
     
     
         5 . The lamp of  claim 4 , wherein the circuit board comprises transparent conductors. 
     
     
         6 . The lamp of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit board and the supporting optical element are integrally formed. 
     
     
         7 . The lamp of  claim 2 , wherein the modifying optical element is a diffuse or specular reflector that is at least partially reflective. 
     
     
         8 . The lamp of  claim 2 , wherein the modifying optical element has a first wing and a second wing and a structural stiffener connecting the wings such that a space is formed between the structural stiffener and the first wing and the second wing. 
     
     
         9 . The lamp of  claim 2 , wherein the supporting optical element is substantially flat and the modifying optical element is substantially curved and contacts the supporting optical element, thereby at least partially enclosing the lamp. 
     
     
         10 . The lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wavelength down converter configured to interact with the light emitted by the one or more light emitting elements. 
     
     
         11 . The lamp of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one wavelength down converter is a phosphor or a quantum dot. 
     
     
         12 . The lamp of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one wavelength down converter is located remotely from the one or more light emitting elements. 
     
     
         13 . The lamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a U-shaped or V-shaped protrusion above the light emitting elements configured to direct light away from the light emitting elements. 
     
     
         14 . A lamp comprising:
 one or more light emitting elements emitting light primarily in a direction that is different from a primary direction of illumination of the lamp;   a circuit board upon which the one or more light emitting elements are disposed; and   a modifying optical element configured to redirect light from the one or more light emitting elements to primary direction of illumination, wherein the redirected light is non-pixelated.   
     
     
         15 . The lamp of  claim 14 , wherein the non-pixelated light is distributed with a continuous intensity and are not divided into pixels with a less than one justice noticeable difference (JND) in the primary direction of illumination. 
     
     
         16 . The lamp of  claim 14 , wherein the intensity of light distributed in the primary direction of illumination is lambertian. 
     
     
         17 . The lamp of  claim 14 , wherein the modifying optical element is a diffuse or specular reflector that is at least partially reflective. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing illumination comprising:
 emitting light, from one or more light emitting elements of a lamp, primarily in a direction that is different from a primary direction of illumination of the lamp;   electrically connecting the one or more light emitting elements to a power source using a circuit board upon which the one or more light emitting elements are disposed; and   supporting the circuit board using a supporting element; and   transferring heat from the one or more light emitting elements of the lamp to the ambient environment primarily through the supporting element.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the supporting element is formed from an at least partially optically transmissive material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising altering the light from the one or more light emitting elements to be distributed in the primary direction of illumination using a modifying optical element.