Light sources incorporating light emitting diodes

Abstract

Taught herein are various light sources using light emitting diodes. A light source includes a housing, a connector configured for connection to an electrical socket and coupled to an end of the housing, at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted inside the housing and in electrical communication with the connector, and a power supply circuit for supplying electrical current to the at least one organic light emitting diode through the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light source comprising:
 a housing;   a connector configured for connection to an electrical socket and coupled to an end of the housing;   at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted inside the housing and in electrical communication with the connector; and   a power supply circuit for supplying electrical current to the at least one organic light emitting diode through the connector.   
     
     
         2 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet is at least one flexible sheet arranged into a curved shaped within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The light source of  claim 2  wherein the at least one flexible sheet is a single organic light emitting diode sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the connector comprises a first bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket, the light source further comprising:
 a second bi-pin electrical connector disposed at an opposing end of the circuit board from the first bi-pin electrical connector, the second bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket. 
 
     
     
         5 . The light source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a circuit board in electrical communication with the connector, the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted in electrical communication with the circuit board.   
     
     
         6 . The light source of  claim 5  wherein the power supply circuit is mounted on the circuit board. 
     
     
         7 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the power supply circuit comprises a rectifier for converting AC to DC power and a modulating circuit for modulating the DC power. 
     
     
         8 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the at least one organic sheet is in contact with at least a portion of the housing and surrounded by at least a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The light source of  claim 8  wherein the power supply circuit comprises a rectifier for converting AC to DC power, at least one current-limiting circuit and means for modulating the DC power. 
     
     
         10 . The light source of  claim 9  wherein the connector comprises a first bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket and wherein the housing portion is substantially tubular, the light source further comprising:
 a second bi-pin electrical connector disposed at an opposing end of the hollow tube from the first bi-pin electrical connector, the second bi-pin electrical connector shaped to be coupled with a fluorescent light tube socket. 
 
     
     
         11 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a potting material and wherein the potting material is one of clear and tinted. 
     
     
         12 . The light source of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a rigid hollow structure including at least one of glass and plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The light source of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a circuit board in electrical communication with the connector, the at least one organic light emitting diode sheet mounted in electrical communication with the circuit board; and   a heat sink extending from the circuit board to dissipate heat.   
     
     
         14 . The light source of  claim 13  wherein the heat sink is integral with the circuit board.