Solid state light source

Abstract

A modular light source system forms a plurality of distinct light sources with a common tubular metal housing, an LED based lighting element for each light source, and a pair of end caps on opposed ends of the metal housing for each light source. Each distinct lighting source is comprised of one of the LED based lighting elements and a given pair of the end caps, whereby distinct light sources can be formed through replacement of the LED based lighting elements and the end caps.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 759,516 entitled “Solid State Light Source” filed Jan. 16, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,298, and which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication number 2004-00170014 on Sep. 2, 2004. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 759,516 is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 263,922 entitled “Solid State Light Source” filed Oct. 3, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,905, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 263,922 claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 326,802 entitled “Solid State Light Source” Filed Oct. 3, 2001. The above identified patents and published patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a solid state light source, and more particularly, to a modular light...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the typical halogen source suffers several shortcomings and was not designed for use on the factory floor.

The light from a fresh halogen lamp is brilliant; but, output declines steadily over the lamp's relatively short (typically) 1000 hour life.

In addition, a typical halogen lamp consumes 150 watts of power and generates a tremendous amount of heat.

Consequently, the typical halogen lamp light source is not a sealed, shock resistant unit because ventilation is required.

Due to these design considerations, present product offerings are housed in heavy, bulky enclosures.

While not as bright, LED technology offers features and capabilities unavailable with halogens.

However, the illumination patterns generated from these products are generally poor and uneven because the individual LED elements produce hot spots that randomized fiber optic would have eliminated.

LED light sources have been proposed in a number of areas, but have not yet adequately addressed all of the lighting criteria.

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