Patent Application
20080062696
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in
A solid-state light source 26, preferably a light emitting diode, is mounted adjacent the closed end 22 by a thermal adhesive 40. The solid-sate light source has energizing wires 26a and 26b attached thereto and exit the housing via the slot 24 for connection to an appropriate power source.
A light dispenser 36 in the form of an acrylic rod 27 has a first end 37 fixed in the tubular portion 18 and extends for a given distance along the longitudinal axis 16 to a second end 42 fixed in a reflector housing 44.
The reflector housing 44 has a tubular body 46 with a closed end 48 having a reflector coating 50 thereon and is preferably constructed of ABS.
Both the light engine subassembly housing 14 and the reflector housing 44 have a plurality of crush ribs 28 spaced about the interior surfaces thereof to grasp and center the acrylic rod 27, which is subsequently sealed in position by the application of a clear acrylic potting material that is dispensed into the interior of the cup-shaped portions formed by the closed ends and surrounding sidewalls.
Prior to dispensing the acrylic potting material, the wire-receiving slot 24 is sealed by a plug 34. Alternatively, the slot 24 can be sealed by the application of a piece of tape.
The light engine subassembly housing 14 and the reflector housing 44 are provided with mounting means 30. The mounting means 30 can preferably comprise extending flanges 30a having elongated mounting apertures 30b formed therein for receiving threaded studs 30c such as bolts or screws.
Thus there is provided a light engine that is easy to mount, has long life and ready adaptability to many lighting applications. The length of the acrylic rod, as well as its shape can be varied to fit many situations. Further, multiple light engines can be arranged in arrays to provide lighting over a wide area. The power, color and number of LEDs can be varied to supply many solutions.
While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
