Extensible linear light emitting diode illumination source

Abstract

A compact, energy-efficient extensible illumination source combines the reliability advantages of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with the brightness of conventional lighting. High reliability of the LEDs provides trouble-free operation over a long hour lifetime. This high-output light source can be used in direct lighting applications or for backlighting for translucent materials. The illumination source includes LED printed wire board segments that may be configured to form a light line of any length. The segments are mounted on a inner mounting base which also serves as a first stage heat sink for the LEDs. The illumination source includes a linear mirror for reflecting radiant energy away from the LEDs to produce a uniform linear illumination pattern. A window provides mechanical protection for the LEDs and may be used for diffusing or filtering light from the LEDs. An integral base in contact with the inner mounting base also serves as a heat sink and provides structural support for the illumination source. The integral base further includes channels and cavities for cooling the illumination source and for housing power cables.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An extensible linear light source, comprising: 
 a first illumination segment, comprising: 
 a first inner mounting base having a first joining end;  
 a first set of linearly arranged lamps mounted on the first inner mounting base, the lamps being spaced apart by a constant distance, and one of the lamps mounted adjacent the first joining end;  
   a second illumination segment, comprising: 
 a second inner mounting base having a second joining end;  
 a second set of linearly arranged lamps mounted on the second inner mounting base, the lamps being spaced apart by the constant distance;  
   wherein the first joining end and the second joining end are constructed to align so that the lamp mounted adjacent the first joining end is spaced apart from the lamp mounted adjacent the second joining end by the constant distance.    
   
   
       22 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , further including heat conducting adhesive disposed between each of the lamps and their respective inner mounting bases.  
   
   
       23 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , further including heat conducting channels cooperating with the inner mounting bases.  
   
   
       24 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , further including a rigid base for supporting and aligning the first inner mounting base and the second inner mounting base.  
   
   
       25 . The extensible light source of  claim 24 , further including heat conducting channels in the rigid base for conducting away heat generated by the lamps.  
   
   
       26 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , wherein the inner mounting bases are aluminum with an anodized mounting surface.  
   
   
       27 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , further including: 
 a first power cable powering only the first illumination segment; and    a second cable powering only the second illumination segment.    
   
   
       28 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , further including mirrors for directing the light generated by the lamps.  
   
   
       29 . The extensible light source of  claim 28 , further including a set of elongated mirrors aligned parallel to the sets of lamps.  
   
   
       30 . The extensible light source of  claim 28 , further including a mirror coupled to each respective lamp  
   
   
       31 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , wherein each of the lamps is an LED.  
   
   
       32 . The extensible light source of  claim 21 , wherein each of the lamps is an LED with an associated parabolic mirror.  
   
   
       33 . An illumination segment, comprising: 
 an inner mounting base having a first end and a second end;    a set of linearly arranged lamps mounted on the inner mounting base between the first end and the second end, the lamps being spaced apart by a constant distance;    a first joining end at the first end of the inner mounting base, the first joining end constructed to cooperate and align with a joining end of another illumination segment;    a second joining end at the second end of the inner mounting base, the second joining end constructed to cooperate and align with a joining end of another illumination segment;    a first space between the first joining end and the lamp adjacent to the first end, the first space being less than the constant distance; and    a second space between the second joining end and the lamp adjacent to the second end, the second space being less than the constant distance.    
   
   
       34 . The illumination segment of  claim 33 , wherein the first space and the second space are both equal to one-half the constant distance  
   
   
       35 . The illumination segment of  claim 33 , further including a heat conducting adhesive disposed between each of the lamps and the inner mounting bases.  
   
   
       36 . The illumination segment of  claim 33 , further including heat conducting channels cooperating with the inner mounting bases.  
   
   
       37 . The illumination segment of  claim 33 , further including a rigid support base.  
   
   
       38 . An extensible linear light source, comprising: 
 a plurality of like illumination segments aligned end to end, each illumination segment comprising: 
 an inner mounting base; and  
 a set of linearly arranged lamps mounted on the inner mounting base, the lamps being spaced apart by a constant distance; and  
   wherein every lamp in the extensible linear light source is spaced apart a constant distance from an adjacent lamp.    
   
   
       39 . The illumination segment of  claim 38 , further including a heat conducting adhesive disposed between each of the lamps and the inner mounting bases.  
   
   
       40 . The illumination segment of  claim 38 , further including a rigid support base.