Abstract:
A light device having a light source, lenses adjacent to the light source, a housing for securing the light source and the lenses, and a light fixture for securing the housing. The light source includes high efficiency light emitting diodes (LEDs), driver circuitry, and a heat sink mounted and integrated on a common board. The driver circuitry receives multiple input voltages, supplies an appropriate power signal, provides over-voltage protection and controls dimming for the LEDs. Lenses magnify and focus light emitting from the LEDs at a diffusion angle between 10° and 100°. The housing comprises a first and a second portion fittable together (e.g., threads, screws and openings). LEDs are operable between 250 mA to 1 A at 3.2 volts and produce at least 55 lumens per LED. The light fixture may be rotateable to adjust the direction of the light from the LED. The light fixture may be puck-shape.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of electronics and lighting. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to electronics and lighting devices that provide illumination using light emitting diode (LED). 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Typically, a light emitting diode (LED) is designed to operate with no more than 30-60 milliwatts of electrical power because higher power reduces its lifespan and heat generated by the LED may damage its operation or render it inoperable. However, in recent years, LED components with much larger semiconductor die sizes have been developed to allow operation with higher power inputs. 
         [0003]    High power LED components are desirable because they produce more light and use less power over conventional light sources. For example, LED components use 5-10 times less energy than a florescent light and produce significantly more lumens. For instance, Lumileds has developed a 5-watt LED available with efficiencies of 18-22 lumens per watt, and a 1-watt LED with efficiency of 65 lumens. Other manufacturers have followed by developing higher power LED components (e.g., Cree Inc. developed an LED having 65 lumens per waft at 20 mA). As the need for conserving energy increases, a need for a more efficient method of producing more lumens per unit of energy increases as well. High power LED components do not only help to conserve energy by virtue of their high efficiency but they produce more lumens per unit of energy as well. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, the higher the power the more heat is generated by the LED. As a result, the lifespan of the LED may be reduced and if the generated heat is not addressed, the LED component may be damaged. Conventional LED light devices use large heat sink components such as a metal slug. In general, the LED is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) which is separate from the metal slug that allows the heat to be removed from the LED die. For example, a PCB is usually used to house the LED and another PCB with metal slug is used that acts as a heat sink such that the heat is transferred from the front of the PCB housing the LED to the back of the heat sink PCB. Additionally, PCBs may also be needed for driver circuitry. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately the higher the power used for an LED, the larger the semiconductor die size is needed along with a larger heat sink. Moreover, in order to efficiently dissipate the heat, a separate PCB is used. Using additional space for dissipating the heat renders the conventional LED lighting device bulky and not readily usable in small fixtures (e.g., a light fixture). 
         [0006]    Moreover, conventional LED driver components are not equipped with a component stepping up or down the input voltage (e.g., converter) such that the LED can be used universally and without the need for an external transformer. For example, there are currently no LED driver component to take a wide voltage input and produce the voltage and current required to operate the LED component (e.g., 350 mA-1000 mA and 3.2 v). 
         [0007]    Moreover, LED driver components are in general not equipped with over voltage protection to protect the LED in case the input voltage swings outside of the converter&#39;s range. Furthermore, similar to most electrical equipment with dimmable features, LED driver circuits may be equipped with their corresponding dimming components integral therein. Unfortunately, the dimming components are inoperable with external dimmers belonging to other electronic devices, hence they require their own corresponding external dimmers. 
         [0008]    Conventional LED drivers and heat sinks are not readily adapted for existing light fixtures. Accordingly, placing LED lighting component with its circuitry inside lighting fixtures and other structures is challenging with various space constraints and electrical incompatibility. As a result, lighting fixtures utilizing LED light sources are not readily available in conventional lighting supply houses. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Accordingly, a need has arisen to provide a light emitting diode (LED), light device or “engine” that is compact, provides high power LED components and is able to be component replaceable with conventional lighting fixtures. In one embodiment the novel light engine contains a single board driver circuitry operable with high power LED components thereon, equipped with a heat sink as an integral part of the single board to dissipate the generated heat. The driver circuitry contains a converter for varying multiple allowable input voltages to a proper voltage within the operating range of the LED, an over voltage protection component for protecting the LED (and other circuitry) against voltages outside of their operating range and a dimming component adaptable to be operated with external dimming switches belonging to other devices. In another embodiment, the driver circuitry also contains a transformer to accept line voltage input. 
         [0010]    Additionally, a need has arisen to provide the above functionality in a manner such that the compact light engine can be readily used in a light fixture. Additionally, a need has arisen to provide a cartridge for housing the light engine such that they can easily be integrated inside a conventional light fixture or removed from one. Moreover, a need has arisen to focus the light emanating from an LED such that the light may be focused, magnified and/or diffused by certain angles. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the present invention that the embodiments of the present invention satisfy the above mentioned needs. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, an LED engine is described that is compact and operable in one embodiment for low voltage and/or another embodiment for high voltage applications. The light engine is operable using a single electronic board which contains high power LED components (e.g., 250-1000 mA at 3.2 v). The single board LED engine is equipped with a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated from the one or more LEDs. In one embodiment, the heat sink is formed as an integrated layer or multiple layers of nickel and silver plates of the single board (e.g., PCB board). In other embodiments, the heat sink may be formed by a plurality of vias on the single board wherein the vias allow air flow to dissipate heat. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention include a light engine also having driver circuitry that contains a converter on the single board for accepting multiple input voltages and converting to a voltage within the operable range of the LED(s). The light engine further includes an over voltage protection component for preventing potential damage to the LED components or other circuitry present on the single board resultant from an input voltage outside of the operating range. Furthermore, in one embodiment a dimming component is used that is operable with an external dimming component belonging to other electronic devices. In line voltage applications, a power converter which may be a transformer is also present within the light engine. 
         [0013]    As a result, a flexible, compact and universal light engine (on a single piece PCB board) is provided which is operable with multiple input voltages, and wherein its components are protected from input voltage swings outside of their normal operating range. Additionally, the light engine and its dimming component are provided with added flexibility to be operable with external dimming components belonging to other electronic devices. The light engine also has integrated compact heat dissipation. 
         [0014]    The high power LEDs also provide excellent light output at 250 to 1000 mA at 3.2 volts. The high light output coupled with the compact design of the light engine make it an excellent choice as a high efficiency light source for most lighting fixtures. The lighting engine can be used to readily replace the light source for most conventional lighting fixtures, whether it be high voltage or low voltage applications. 
         [0015]    More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention pertains a light device including a light source comprising a plurality of high efficiency light emitting diodes (LEDs), driver circuitry and a heat sink mounted on a common board; a plurality of lenses housed adjacent to the light source, wherein a number of the plurality of lenses correspond to the plurality of LEDs; a housing for securing the light source and the plurality of lenses, and wherein the housing is configured for installation in a lighting fixture; and a light fixture for securing the housing. 
         [0016]    The embodiments include the above and wherein the common board comprises a single printed circuit board comprising the heat sink integrated therein for dissipating heat and coupled to the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the driver circuitry is coupled to the printed circuit board and further coupled to drive the plurality of LEDs, the driver circuitry operable to receive multiple input voltages and supplying an appropriate power signal to drive the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the driver circuitry is further operable to provide over-voltage protection for the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the driver circuitry is further operable to control dimming of the plurality of LEDs. In one embodiment the plurality of lenses magnify and focus light emanating from the plurality of LEDs and wherein the plurality of lenses diffuse light emanating from the plurality of LEDs at an angle wherein the angle is selected from a group ranging substantially between 10° and 100°. In one embodiment the plurality of lenses is formed in a lens housing comprising a plurality of tri-lens optics. 
         [0017]    Embodiments also include the above and wherein the plurality of LEDs is operable substantially between 250 mA to 1 A at 3.2 volts and produces at least 55 lumens per LED. In one embodiment the plurality of LEDs is arranged in groups of three, and wherein the plurality of lenses is arranged in groups of three forming a plurality of tri-lens optics mountable on the plurality of LEDs arranged in groups of three, and wherein the housing secures and houses the light source comprising the plurality of LEDs arranged in groups of three and the plurality of lenses arranged in groups of three. 
         [0018]    The embodiments also include the above and wherein the housing comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are fittable together for securing the light source and the plurality of lenses. The embodiments also include the above and wherein the first and the second portion comprise a plurality of threads for securing the light source and the plurality of lenses. In one embodiment the first and the second portion comprise a plurality of screws and openings to secure the light source and the plurality of lenses. In one embodiment the lighting fixture is rotateable and operable to adjust the direction of light emanating from the plurality of LEDs. In one embodiment the lighting fixture is puck-shaped. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary light engine block diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a single light engine having a printed circuit board with an LED in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  shows a light engine having a single printed circuit board with three LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  shows a light engine having a single printed circuit board with nine LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  shows a light engine having a single printed circuit board with twelve LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3D  shows a light engine having a single printed circuit board with thirty six LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3E  shows a light engine having a single printed circuit board with nine LED components independently controlled by three LED drivers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section of a PCB board comprising an integrated heat sink in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a cross section view of a PCB board comprising an integrated heat sink in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  shows an exemplary light engine driver circuit having a line input voltage in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  shows an exemplary generic light engine driver circuit having a DC input voltage in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6C  shows an exemplary light engine driver circuit having a low DC input voltage with a buck converter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6D  shows an exemplary light engine driver circuit having a low DC input voltage with a buck-boost converter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows an optic for a one LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a side and a top view of optics for a three LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a top and a bottom portion of a cartridge for housing a single piece LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 10A  shows the cartridge of  FIGS. 9A and 9B  housing a single piece LED light engine and an optic in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10B  shows the cartridge of  FIGS. 9A and 9B  housing a single piece LED light engine and an optic for narrow lighting fixture application in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10C  shows a light engine strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show a top and bottom portion of a fixture housing the encapsulated LED circuit board of  FIG. 10  forming a replaceable can in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  shows a directional flood, e.g., landscape, light fixture for housing a cartridge that houses the LED light engine of  FIG. 10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  shows a two sided light fixture for housing a cartridge that houses the LED engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  shows a light fixture for housing the LED engine for lighting the water flowing from one side of the fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 15  shows a puck light fixture for housing the LED engine for lighting underneath cabinets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternative, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary light engine block diagram  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The block diagram comprises an AC/DC block  110  coupled to a driver circuitry  120  which is further coupled to at least one light emitting diode (LED) component  130  with a heat sink  140 . The AC/DC block  110  is optional and may be used to convert alternating current (AC) to a direct current (DC) in embodiments that accept line-voltage input. In one embodiment, the AC/DC block  110  may be a rectifier to provide low voltage from a line voltage input. AC/DC block  110  is coupled to the driver circuitry  120 . It is appreciated that in other embodiments the AC/DC block  110  may be formed as an integral part of the driver circuitry  120 . 
         [0045]    The driver circuitry  120  may be used to convert the input voltage to an appropriate voltage for the LED (e.g., by using a power converter). The functional unit for converting is depicted as unit  122 . As such, the driver circuitry  120  may step-up or step-down the input voltage such that the appropriate voltage is supplied to the LED component  130 . For example, the power converter may accept multiple input voltages (e.g., 90-260 volts) and convert the input voltage to 3.2 volts, the operating voltage of the LED component  130  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Moreover, the driver circuitry  120  may provide over-voltage protection. Accordingly, over-voltage protection circuitry protects the LED component  130  such that the LED component  130  is protected against input voltage swings outside of the power converter range. The functional unit for over-voltage protection is depicted as unit  126 . For example, if the power converter is operable between 90-260 volts and an input voltage of 280 volts is applied, the over-voltage protection circuitry disables the circuit in order to protect the driver circuitry  120  and the LED component  130 . In one embodiment, the driver circuitry  120  is capable of providing the LED component  130  with a universal dimming functionality. The universal dimming function of the driver circuitry  120  is capable of being used with any external dimming components belonging to other devices. The dimming functionality of the driver circuitry  120  is shown by the functional unit  124 . As such, conventionally installed external dimmers may be used. 
         [0047]    The driver circuitry  120  is coupled to the LED component  130 . The LED component  130  in one example may be a high brightness LED with efficiency of at least 90% and operable at a few milliamps to more than 1 A and produces up to 110 lumens with a lifespan of 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. In one embodiment of the present invention, the LED  130  used is a K2 LED model manufactured by Lumileds Inc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the LED  130  operates at 350 mA at 3.2 volts and produces at least 55 lumens. One advantage of using LED technology is that it requires 5-10 times less power over conventional light while producing more lumens in comparison to other light producing devices (e.g., a fluorescent light). 
         [0048]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the LED component  130  is coupled to a heat sink  140 . The heat sink  140  is used to dissipate heat that is generated by the LED component  130 . Since LED  130  generates heat it can damage the driver circuitry  120  or the LED  130  if not addressed. Accordingly, the heat sink  140  is physically coupled to the LED component  130  to transfer and to dissipate heat away from the LED component  130 . It is appreciated that the heat sink  140  may also be coupled to the driver circuitry  120  (not shown). It is appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention the heat sink  140  is integrated into the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the LED component is attached. However, it is also appreciated that a heat sink separate from but proximate to the PCB board may be used. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat sink  140  comprises a nickel silver plate layer. The heat sink  140  may also comprise good thermal conductors such as copper or aluminum alloy. Accordingly, the nickel silver plate or other similar alloys act to transfer and to dissipate heat from the LED component  130 . In one embodiment, the heat sink layer  140  may comprise a plurality of vias (e.g., holes) such that airflow can effectively transfer the heat away from driver circuitry  120  and the LED component  130 . In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vias is used, allowing airflow to transfer and to dissipate heat in conjunction with using the nickel silver plate layer. It is appreciated that even though that in one embodiment a nickel silver plate layer is used as a heat sink, other metals and alloys may be similarly be used. Accordingly, the use of nickel silver plate layer is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. It is also appreciated that more than one layer of nickel silver plate or other similar alloys may be used. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top view a light engine having a single printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The light engine  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes an LED component  230  and driver circuitry  220  on a single PCB board  210  comprising a heat sink  240  integrated therein. Input voltage is supplied via line  215 . 
         [0051]    The driver circuitry  220 , coupled to the PCB  210 , includes an integrated circuit and one or more surface mounted passive components and may receive an input voltage (e.g., a line voltage between 90-260 v). The driver circuitry  220  may have a transformer for transforming the AC to a DC in addition to stepping-up or stepping-down the input voltage to an appropriate voltage within the operating voltage of the LED component  230  (e.g., 3.2 volts). For example, the step-up or step-down operation may be performed using a transformer or a voltage converter housed within the driver circuitry  220  or separate from the driver circuitry  220 . For example, in one embodiment, the driver circuitry  220  is capable of accepting multiple input voltages (e.g., 90-260 v) and converting it to an appropriate DC voltage for the LED  230  (e.g., 3.2 volts at 250 to 1000 mA). In embodiments that accept low voltage input only, the AC to DC conversion is not required. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the driver circuitry  220  is further equipped with internal over-voltage protection circuitry. The integrated over-voltage protection circuitry disconnects the light engine  200  if the input voltage is outside of the operating range of the LED component  230 . The over-voltage protection circuitry may be used to protect the LED component  230  from voltage swings outside of the light engine&#39;s  200  operating range. For example, in one embodiment if the input voltage is above 260 v, the over-voltage protection detects that the input voltage is outside of its operating range and disconnects the light engine  200  to protect the LED component  230 . It is appreciated that if a converter is not used, the over-voltage protection circuitry disconnects the light engine  200  if it detects the input voltage to be outside of the operating range of the LED component  230 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the driver circuitry  220  is further equipped with an integrated dimming circuitry. The integrated dimming circuitry controls the brightness of the LED component  230 . In one embodiment, the dimming circuitry is a universal dimming circuitry such that it is operable with any external dimming component belonging to other electronic devices. As such, the need to replace external dimming components belonging to other electronic devices is eliminated. It is appreciated that over voltage-protection circuitry, the dimming circuitry and the converter discussed above may be implemented within the driver circuitry  220 . 
         [0054]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the driver circuitry  220  is coupled to the PCB  210  and further coupled to the LED component  230 . The driver circuitry  220  converts the input voltage to the operating voltage for the LED component  230 . As discussed above, the LED component  230  may be a K2 LED model manufactured by Lumileds Inc. In one embodiment, the LED  230  is operable from a few milliamps to over 1 amp. In one preferred embodiment, the LED component  230  is operable at 350 mA and produces at least 55 lumens. 
         [0055]    The LED component  230  may generate considerable amount of heat that if not addressed can damage the LED component  230  and other electronic circuitries. Accordingly, a heat sink  240  is used to dissipate and to transfer heat generated by the LED component  230 . In one embodiment, the heat sink  240  is integrated within the PCB and comprises a plurality of vias  250 . The plurality of vias  250  may be distributed uniformly over the surface area of the PCB  210 . 
         [0056]    It is appreciated that the plurality of vias  250  may completely extend through the thickness of the PCB  210  from one end to another end or they may be vias that partially extend through the PCB  210 . The plurality of vias  250  is operable to dissipate heat by the virtue of their openings. The plurality of vias  250  that completely extend through the PCB  210  enable airflow through the PCB  210 . Accordingly, the airflow through transfers and dissipates the generated heat away from the PCB  210  and other electronic components on the PCB  210  (e.g., the LED  230 ). As such, the PCB  210  and other electronic components on the PCB  210  (e.g., the LED  230  and the driver circuitry  220 ) are cooled. It is appreciated that various methods may be employed to design the heat sink  240 . For example, a combination of metal alloys may be used as heat transfer, which is discussed in more detail below. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a light engine  300 A having its components housed within a single PCB with three LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In addition to the electronic components described in  FIG. 2 , the light engine  300 A further comprises two additional LED components, LED  340  and LED  350  situated uniformly across the surface area of the PCB, the LEDs may be of the same or different color. In this embodiment, the LEDs  230 ,  340  and  350  are controlled by the same driver circuitry  220 . It is appreciated that in one embodiment the LED components  230 ,  340  and  350  are equally spaced on the PCB board  210  such that they form an even light array when they are turned on. 
         [0058]    It is appreciated, however, that each LED component may be controlled independently with its own corresponding driver circuitry (not shown). It is further appreciated that even though three LED components are shown, the light engine may comprise additional LED components. For example, the light engine  300 A may comprise six LED components (not shown), nine LED components (not shown), twelve LED components (not shown) and thirty six LED components (not shown). It is further appreciated, that the number of LED components may be extended to any number of LED components. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the number of LED components shown is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. It is also appreciated that the LED components may be tinted and be of different colors (e.g., red, blue and green) where each color is capable of being controlled by its corresponding driver circuitry in the above case having independent control. In the case of independent control, each separate driver circuit requires its own input voltage supply line. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a light engine  300 B having its components housed within a single printed circuit board with nine LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is appreciated that the driver circuitry and the heat sink are included but not shown. In this embodiment, nine LED components are used. In this embodiment, three groups containing three LED components  231 ,  232  and  233  are equally spaced on the PCB board. It is appreciated that in one embodiment each group  231 ,  232  and  233  contains three LED components. It is also appreciated that in one embodiment the three LED components in each group are equally spaced on the PCB such that when the LED components are turned on they form a uniform light array. It is further appreciated that the LED components and/or groups may be controlled by a single driver circuit as described above or may have their own corresponding driver circuitry. In independent control, each group may be independently controlled or each respective light in all groups may be independently controlled. Using the latter, each LED of a group may be of a different color e.g., red, green, blue. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C , a light engine  300 C having its components housed within a single printed circuit board with twelve LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is appreciated that in one embodiment, nine LED components may be formed into three groups  231 ,  232  and  233  as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3B . It is also appreciated that the three groups  231 ,  232  and  233  are equally spaced on the PCB board wherein each group containing three LED components are also equally spaced within the same group. In this embodiment, the tenth, the eleventh and the twelfth LED components may be formed into a fourth group  234  and shown by dash lines. It is appreciated that according to one embodiment the fourth group  234  containing three LED components are inter-dispersed equally between the first three groups  231 ,  232  and  233  such that when LED components are turned on they form a uniform light array. 
         [0061]    It is appreciated that in one embodiment, the LED components and/or groups may have different colors (e.g., red, blue and green) and may be separately controlled. It is further appreciated that the LED components and/or groups may be controlled by a single driver circuit as described above or may have their own corresponding driver circuitry and input voltage line. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 3D , a light engine  300 D having its component mounted on a single printed circuit board with thirty six LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The light engine  300 D comprises three groups  300 C, each containing twelve LED components. It is appreciated that each group  300 C may be implemented as described above in  FIG. 3C . It is also appreciated that each group  300 C may be equally spaced on the PCB board such that when the LED components are turned on they form a single uniform light array. Similar to above, the LED components may have different colors (e.g., red, green and blue). It is further appreciated that the LED components and/or groups  300 C may be controlled by a single driver circuit as described above or may have their own corresponding driver circuit. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 3E , a light engine  300 E having its components housed within a single printed circuit board with nine LED components independently controlled by three LED drivers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is appreciated that the light engine  300 E is capable of receiving multiple voltage inputs, provides for dimming functionality, provides over-voltage protection and dissipates heat away from the light engine as described above. The light engine  300 E according to one embodiment contains nine LED components formed into three groups  231 ,  232  and  233 . According to one embodiment, each group  231 ,  232  and  233  or each respective LED in all groups is controlled by a separate driver circuitry. For example, group  231  is controlled by driver circuitry  220 , group  232  is controlled by driver circuitry  220 ′ and group  233  is controlled by driver circuitry  220 ″. Alternatively, the first LED in all groups or the second LED in all groups or the third LED in all groups can be separately controlled. 
         [0064]    It is appreciated that the design may be extended to where each LED component is controlled by a separate driver circuitry. Controlling each group/LED component with a separate driver circuitry may be used in lighting effect. For example, LED components may be of different colors (e.g., red, blue and green) and each LED component being controlled by a separate driver may be programmed such that a different light color is turned on separately via separate voltage input lines. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a cross section of a PCB board  400  comprising an integrated heat sink in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. This heat sink can be used with any of the light engine embodiments discussed herein. A typical PCB board comprises trace layers on the surface of the PCB for providing a mean for connecting various electronic components. It is appreciated that trace layers may be on one side of the PCB board or on both sides of the PCB board as shown by trace layers  410  and  450 . 
         [0066]    In general PCB boards further comprise a substrate layer. For example, epoxy resin is commonly used in forming one or more substrate layers. The heat sink  400  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may use two layers of substrate  420  and  440 . However, it is appreciated that any number of substrate layers may be used. It is further appreciated that the use of two substrate layers in the PCB board  400  is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. 
         [0067]    Referring still to  FIG. 4 , the PCB board  400  further comprises a heat sink layer  430 . In one embodiment, the heat sink layer  430  may be a nickel silver plate layer. It is appreciated that other similar thermal conductors such as copper or aluminum alloy may be used. As such, the heat sink layer  430  may be used to transfer and dissipate heat away from the LED component and the light engine generally. It is further appreciated that the PCB board  400  may further comprise additional heat sink/substrate layers or it may use fewer layers than what is presented. It is also appreciated that the thickness of the layers may vary. Accordingly, each layer may be uniform or non-uniform with varying thickness. 
         [0068]    In one embodiment, the heat sink comprises via  460  which may extend through the PCB board  400 . The via  460  may extend through from one side of the PCB to another side of the PCB board. Accordingly, air flows from one side of a PCB board to another side of the PCB board. In this embodiment, the via  460  is adjacent to the heat sink layer  430 . Accordingly, heat is transferred by the heat sink layer  430  and is dissipated using the air flow through the via hole  460 . It is appreciated that the via  460  may be a partial or complete connecting one side of the PCB board  400  to another side. 
         [0069]    It is further appreciated that a heat sink well  470  may also be used. For example, the heat sink well  470  may be coupled to various layers of the PCB board  400 . In this example, the heat sink well  470  is coupled to the surface of the PCB board  400 . The heat sink well  470  is also coupled to the substrate layer  420 , heat sink layer  430  and partially coupled to the substrate layer  440 . It is appreciated that the heat sink well  470  may be coupled to both sides of the PCB board. It is further appreciated that the depth of the heat sink well  470  may vary. As such, the heat sink well  470  may be coupled to some layers and not others. It is therefore appreciated that coupling of the heat sink well  470  to the substrate layer  420 , the heat sink layer  430 , and partially to the substrate layer  440  is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view of a PCB board  500  comprising an integrated heat sink in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The PCB board  500  comprises a plurality of layers including trace layers  510  and  570 , substrate layers  520  and  560 , and various heat sink layers including heat sink layers  530 ,  540  and  550 . Trace layers may be formed on the surface of the PCB for connecting various electronic components together. It is appreciated that trace layers may be on one side of the PCB board or on both sides of the PCB board as shown by trace layers  510  and  570 . Trace layers are usually made from conductive material such that electrical connection between electronic components can be established. For example, copper may be used for trace layers  510  and  570 . 
         [0071]    Adjacent to the trace layers  510  and  570  may reside the substrate layers  520  and  560 . As discussed above, most PCB boards use epoxy resin as their substrate layer. In this embodiment, three layers of heat sink  530 ,  540  and  550  may be used. The heat sink layers comprise thermal conductors. For example, heat sink layers may comprise copper, nickel, or silver plate layers or any combination thereof. It is appreciated that heat sink layers  530 ,  540  and  550  may comprise the same material or different material. It is also appreciated that the number of heat sink layers may vary. It is further appreciated that the thickness of the layers, including the heat sink layers may vary. Accordingly, the layers may have different thickness and they may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed. It is also appreciated that even though the heat sink layers  530 ,  540  and  550  are shown adjacent to one another they may also be separated by other layers (e.g., substrate layer). As such, three adjacent heat sink layers  530 ,  540  and  550  is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0072]    The heat sink layers  530 ,  540  and  550  are capable of distributing the generated heat over one or more layers and dissipating the generated to the surrounding environment. For example, heat may be transferred over the heat sink layer  530  to via  590  through the PCB board  500 . Accordingly, the generated heat may be transferred using the heat sink layer  530  to the via  590  and dissipated to the surrounding environment by allowing the air flow through the via  590 . 
         [0073]    Referring still to  FIG. 5 , the heat sink may further comprise a plurality of vias,  580  and  590  for allowing the generated heat to be dissipated. In one embodiment, the via  580  is a partial. It is appreciated that the via  590  may extend through the PCB board  500  from one side to another side in order to allow air flow from one side to another. Accordingly, the air flow can dissipate the heat out to the surrounding environment, cooling the PCB board  500  as a result. It is appreciated that the depth of the partial via  580  may vary. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the depth of the via  580  that ends at the heat sink layer  550  is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. As such, the depth of the partial via  580  may be up to heat sink layer  540  or any other layer. It is further appreciated that even though one partial via  580  and one complete via  590  is shown, any number of partial or complete vias may be employed. 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIG. 6A , an exemplary light engine driver circuit  600 A having a line input voltage in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The light engine driver circuit  600 A comprises an integrated circuit chip  610  coupled to a plurality of LED components  618  and  620 . The light engine driver circuit  600 A further comprises additional electronic component that will be described below. The integrated circuit  610  in one embodiment is a HV9910 chip and can be purchased from Supertex Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. 94089. 
         [0075]    In one embodiment, the integrated circuit chip  610  is a pulse width modulation LED driver control integrated circuit (IC). In this embodiment a converter circuitry may be used to convert a universal line voltage input to a DC voltage in order to operate the integrated circuit chip  610 . A rugged high voltage junction may be used such that an input voltage surge of up to 450 v is tolerated. In one embodiment an optional passive power factor correction circuit can be added to pass the AC harmonic limits for equipment having input power of less than 25 W. In one embodiment, an input filter capacitor is used to hold the rectified AC voltage above twice the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  throughout the AC line cycle. It is appreciated that the input line voltage 85-135 voltage AC is exemplary and should not be construed limiting. For example, in other embodiments a wider input voltage may be used (e.g., 90-260 volt AC). 
         [0076]    In one embodiment, to provide a flexibility of being operable with a universal AC line a converter may be used to step-up or step-down the input voltage to a desired level. The converter may be a transformer in one embodiment that may be implemented within the integrated circuit chip  610  or alternatively it may be implemented outside of the integrated circuit chip  610 . 
         [0077]    In one embodiment, the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  coupled to the integrated circuit chip  610  are driven at a constant current. Accordingly, the light output is constant, the reliability is enhanced and the lifespan of the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  is increased as comparison to operating the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  at a constant voltage. In this embodiment, the output current is programmed between a few milliamps to more than 1 A. 
         [0078]    It is appreciated that although the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  are shown to be coupled in series, the configuration should not be construed as limiting. Accordingly, the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  may be coupled in parallel, series or combination thereof. 
         [0079]    In one embodiment, the integrated circuit chip  610  controls all basic types of converters. Accordingly, a gate signal coupled to the MOSFET transistor  626  may be used to enhance the power, such that integrated circuit chip  610  stores the input energy in the inductor  624  coupled to the integrated circuit chip  610  that may partially deliver energy to the plurality of LED components  618  and  620 . Accordingly, the energy stored in the magnetic component is delivered to the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  during the off-cycle of the power MOSFET  626 , which produces current through the plurality of LED components  618  and  620 . In one embodiment, the integrated circuit chip  610  controls the external MOSFET transistor  626  at a fixed frequency of up to 300 kHz through the gate pin of the integrated circuit chip  610 . In one embodiment, the frequency can be programmed by using a resistor  630 . It is appreciated that in one embodiment the value of the inductor  624  is designed such that the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  receive a constant current. In one preferred embodiment, the inductor  624  is designed such that the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  receive approximately 350 mA. 
         [0080]    In one embodiment, when the voltage at V dd  pin exceeds the ultra-voltage lockout threshold, the gate is enabled. In this embodiment, the output current is controlled by limiting peak current in the external power MOSFET  626 . A resistor  628  may be used as a current sense resistor. Accordingly, the MOSFET  626  is turned off when the voltage at the CS pin exceeds a peak current sense voltage threshold by terminating the gate drive signal. In this embodiment, the threshold is set at 250 mV. Alternatively, the threshold may be programmed externally by applying a voltage to the LD pin. Additionally, a diode  622  may be used for added stability in the circuit and for protection against voltage swings. 
         [0081]    In embodiments that soft start is required, a capacitor  614  may be used to allow the voltage to ramp at a desired rate. Accordingly, the output current to the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  ramp gradually, preventing the LED components from being damaged. Alternatively, a passive power factor correction circuit may be utilized (not shown) for ramping up gradually. 
         [0082]    In one embodiment, the peak CS voltage is a good approximation of the current in the plurality of LED components  618  and  620 . However, there is a small error associated with this current sensing method which is introduced by the difference between the peak and the average current in the inductor  624 . The small error may be compensated for by introducing a resistive component which may be the same as the current sensing resistor  628 . 
         [0083]    The integrated circuit chip  610  is capable of dimming and varying the brightness of the plurality of LED components  618  and  620 . Dimming may be accomplished by varying the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation pin such that the brightness of the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  can be controlled. In one embodiment, the low frequency pulse width modulation signal has a duty ration between 0-100% and a frequency up to a few kilohertz. In one embodiment, the pulse width modulation signal can be generated by a microcontroller (not shown) or a pulse generator. Accordingly, this signal enables and disables the converter modulating the LED current. 
         [0084]    In an alternative embodiment, the dimming of the LED components  618  and  620  may be accomplished by applying a control voltage to the LD pin of the integrated circuit chip  610  which is known as linear dimming. In linear dimming a control voltage of approximately 0 to 250 mV is applied to the LD pin which overrides the internally set threshold of 250 mV of the CS pin. It is appreciated that dimming may be accomplished using either of the above described method singly or in combination. 
         [0085]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated circuit chip  610  is equipped with over-voltage protection circuitry. In order to protect the integrated circuit chip  610  as well as the plurality of LED components  618  and  620 , the integrated circuit chip  610  may be disabled by pulling the pulse width modulation pin to ground when the over-voltage condition is detected. 
         [0086]    It is appreciated that the LED components discussed herein may be clear LED components. It is further appreciated that the LED components may be colored in some embodiments. For example, it is appreciated that the LED components may be colored red, yellow, blue, orange, green and white. 
         [0087]    Referring now to  FIG. 6B , an exemplary generic light engine driver circuit  600 B having a DC input voltage in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the input voltage is DC. Accordingly, in this embodiment a converter for converting an AC input voltage to DC is not required. In this exemplary embodiment, the input voltage may vary substantially between 8 and 450 volt DC. The exemplary light engine  600 B is operable with multiple input voltages while it is capable of providing over-voltage protection and dimming functionality. Moreover, the exemplary light engine  600 B is capable of dissipating and transferring heat away from the light engine. These functionalities are described above. 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIG. 6C , an exemplary light engine driver circuit  600 C having a low DC input voltage for driving a single LED component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a buck power conversion circuit  632  is coupled to the integrated circuit chip  610 . The buck power conversion circuit  632  may be used to lower the input supply voltage. The buck power circuit  632  is operable within 8-30 volts. The buck circuit  632  provides a low DC voltage (e.g., 3.2 volts) to the integrated circuit chip  610 . The light engine driver circuit  600 C according to one embodiment is operable with one LED component  618  operating at 900 mA at 4.5 volts DC. The exemplary light engine  600 C is operable with multiple input voltages while it is capable of providing over-voltage protection and dimming functionality. Moreover, the exemplary light engine  600 C is capable of dissipating and transferring heat away from the light engine. These functionalities are described above. 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIG. 6D , an exemplary light engine driver circuit  600 D having a low DC input voltage for driving a plurality of LED components in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a buck-boost circuit  634  may be used to step-up the input voltage to a desired level. The light engine driver circuit  600 D according to one embodiment is operable with a plurality of LED components (e.g., between three to eight LED components)  618  and  620  operating at 350 mA at 3.2 volts DC. Buck-boost converter  634  may require an output filter capacitor  616  to deliver power to the plurality of LED components  618  and  620  when a MOSFET transistor  626  is on such that flyback inductor  624  current is diverted from the output of the converter. The exemplary light engine  600 D is operable with multiple input voltages while it is capable of providing over-voltage protection and dimming functionality. Moreover, the exemplary light engine  600 D is capable of dissipating and transferring heat away from the light engine. These functionalities are described above. 
         [0090]    A PCB board with at least one LED component along with other electronic components with various functionalities has been described above. There is a need to assemble the light engine into a structure (e.g., a cartridge) such that the assembled structure can be easily used in light fixtures. Assembling the light engine as described above into a structure usable in a fixture is described below. 
         [0091]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an optic for a one LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In one embodiment, the optical lens  700  is a clear glass or plastic and functions as a protective structure for the LED. In other embodiments, the optical lens magnifies and focuses the light emanating from the LED. The optical lens may be designed to diffuse the light arrays emanating from the LED at different angles. For example, the light arrays may be designed to diffuse at 10°, 20°, 35° 60° and 100°. However, it is appreciated that the diffusion of light arrays described above are exemplary and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0092]    The single optical lens  700  has a top lens portion  710  which may focus and magnify light emanating from the LED. The thickness and the radius of the top lens portion  710  determines the magnification and the diffusion angle. It is appreciated that the top lens portion  710  may be semicircular or it may have other shapes. It is appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention the surface of the top lens portion  710  may be a honeycomb surface. 
         [0093]    In this embodiment, the single optical lens  700  comprises a hollow portion  730  for housing the LED inside it. Moreover, in this embodiment the single optical lens  700  further comprises a bottom lens portions  720  and  740 , which are used to diffuse and magnify the light emanating from the LED further. The radius of the bottom lens portions  720  and  740  may be designed such that they alone or in combination with the top portion  710  achieve the desired magnification and the desired diffusion. 
         [0094]    It is appreciated that even though the bottom lens portions  720  and  740  are shown separate from the top portion  710 , they may nevertheless be combined to form a single piece lens portion. It is additionally appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention may be exercised with the top portion  710 , the bottom portions  720  and  740  or any combination thereof. It is also appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention may comprise additional lens portions for diffusion and magnification of the light. It is further appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention, the surfaces are polished to SPI A-1 lens grade diamond. It is also appreciated that the optical lens used may be a clear coated optical lens or colored. For example, a green, a yellow, a blue, a red and a warm white optical lens may be used. 
         [0095]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a side and a top view of optics for a three LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is appreciated that the three LED optical lens may be designed such that the light emanating from each corresponding optical lens is combined with the light emanating from other optical lenses to form a single uniform light array at a certain diffusion rate. In one embodiment, the three optical lenses may be spaced such that three distinguished light is emanated. It is appreciated that the optical lens used may be a single piece optical lens comprising three single optical lenses as described in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, it is appreciated that in one embodiment three piece optical lenses comprising three single optical lenses as described in  FIG. 7  may be used. It is also appreciated that one embodiment may comprise a single piece optical lens for a plurality of LED components. It is further appreciated that the optical lenses may be clear or they may be colored. For example, the optical lenses may be green, yellow, blue, red and white. 
         [0096]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a top and a bottom portion of a cartridge for housing a single piece LED light engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cartridge housing may be an insulating housing that holds the light engine and the optical lens as described above. In this embodiment, the cartridge comprises two pieces. The top portion is shown in  FIG. 9A  and the bottom portion is shown in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0097]    The top portion comprises a holding mechanism  910  such that the optical lens mounted on the light engine is held in place and cannot slide out of the top portion of the cartridge. It is appreciated that the holding mechanism may be a hook, a flange, a rib, a shoulder or a lip. It is further appreciated that the holding mechanism may be partial or alternatively it may surround the inside of the cylindrical cartridge. 
         [0098]    The bottom portion comprises a base  920  for the light engine as described above. Additionally the bottom portion may comprise an opening  930  (e.g., a hole) for allowing wires to extend through the cartridge such that the light engine can be connected to a power supply (e.g., a line voltage or DC supply). Moreover, the bottom portion may have a cylindrical portion  940  (e.g., a male portion) such that the cylindrical portion  940  can slide and lock into the top portion (e.g., a female portion). Accordingly, the top and the bottom portion are press-fit to form a single cartridge holding the light engine and its optical lens. 
         [0099]    It is appreciated that the cartridge may be extended to hold a light engine comprising a plurality of drivers, a plurality of LED components and a plurality of optical lenses. It is also appreciated that in other embodiments, other methods for holding the top portion of the cartridge and the bottom portion of the cartridge may be used. For example, in one embodiment the top and the bottom portion may comprise a plurality of threads such that the top and the bottom portion of the cartridge can be secured in place by screwing them together. It is further appreciated that in one embodiment the top and the bottom portion may be held in place by using screws or similar components. 
         [0100]    It is appreciated that the cylindrical cartridge shown is exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the cartridge may be rectangular, spherical, or it may be a pyramid. It is further appreciated that the cartridge may act as an insulator or alternatively it may be metallic. It is also appreciated that the cartridge may be a single piece cartridge or it may comprise more than two pieces (not shown). 
         [0101]    Referring now to  FIG. 10A , the cartridge  1000 A in accordance with  FIGS. 9A and 9B  housing a single piece LED light engine and an optic in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The assembled cartridge  1000 A comprises a top portion  1010  as described in  FIG. 9A  and a bottom portion  1020  as described in  FIG. 9B . The bottom portion  1020  houses the PCB board  1040  that houses the LED  1030  and other electronic components  1050  (e.g., the light engine described above). Additionally, the bottom portion  1020  comprises an opening for allowing the wire  1060  to couple the plug or a power supply to the PCB board  1040 . The top portion  1010  holds the optical lens  700  such that the optical lens is secured and does not slide out of the top portion of the cartridge (e.g., by using a hinge, a lip, a rib, a shoulder, or a flange). 
         [0102]    Referring now to  FIG. 10B , the cartridge in accordance with  FIGS. 9A and 9B  housing a single piece LED light engine and an optic for narrow lighting fixture application in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the present invention is adapted such that the light engine can be used in narrow lighting fixture applications. Accordingly, the PCB board  1080  housing the electronic components (e.g., the driver circuitry) is substantially perpendicular to the heat sink  1070  which houses the LED component  1030 . Therefore, designing the PCB board  1080  perpendicular to the heat sink  1070  reduces the circumference of the cartridge allowing it to be used in narrow light fixture applications. 
         [0103]    It is appreciated that the cartridges described in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A and  10 B can be used as a replaceable can for holding the light engine forming a light source. Accordingly, the cartridge housing forming a can allows the light source to be secured in a light fixture easily. As such, having a plurality of threads on the side of the can light source makes the replacement of the can light source inside a light fixture easier. 
         [0104]    Referring now to  FIG. 10C , a light engine strip  1000 C in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In one embodiment, a driver circuit  600 B as described above is housed on a PCB board strip  1040 . A plurality of LED components  1030  are coupled to the drive circuit  600 B. It is appreciated any of the driver circuitries described above may be used (e.g.,  600 A,  600 C,  600 D). The light engine  1000 C has over-voltage protection, dimming functionality, capable of accepting multiple input voltages and contains a heat sink as described above to dissipate and transfer generated heat away from the light engine. The strip light engine  1000 C may be used in a tube for decorative purposes or it may be used for night lighting in the kitchen. 
         [0105]    It is appreciated that any combination of the driver circuitries may be used and the embodiment shown should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, each LED component is controlled by one drive circuit. However, it is appreciated that more than one drive circuit may be used. Moreover, it is appreciated that the LED components used in this embodiment may be any color (e.g., red, green or blue). 
         [0106]    Referring now to  FIG. 11A , a top portion of a fixture housing the encapsulated LED circuit board of  FIGS. 10A and 10B  forming a replaceable can in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The top portion comprises a base  1130  which may be metallic. The top portion further comprises a glass piece or an optical piece portion  1120  which allows the light to be emanated from the LED to the surrounding environment. Moreover, the top portion comprises a wall  1110  that houses the optical lens and the light engine. It is appreciated that the top portion may house a plurality of optical lenses. It is also appreciated that top portion may house a tri-focal optics. The top portion may hold the cartridge described in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A and  10 B. It is further appreciated that the replaceable can as described herein holds a light engine that may comprise three, nine, twelve or thirty six LED components. 
         [0107]    Referring now to  FIG. 11B , a bottom portion of a fixture housing the encapsulated LED circuit board of  FIGS. 10A and 10B  forming a replaceable can in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the bottom portion comprises a base  1140  for holding the light engine having the optical lens mounted on it. It is appreciated that the light engine may comprise three, nine, twelve or thirty six LEDs or more as described above. The bottom portion further comprises a metallic wall  1160  (e.g., a male portion) that is press-fit to couple the bottom portion to the top portion (e.g., female portion) as described in  FIG. 11A . Additionally, the bottom portion of the fixture may comprise an opening  1150  (e.g., a hole) for allowing a wire to extend through and couple the light engine to a line voltage or to a power supply residing outside of the fixture. The bottom portion of the fixture may hold the cartridge as described in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A and  10 B. In one embodiment, the bottom portion may hold the can light source as described above. 
         [0108]    Referring now to  FIG. 1200 , a directional flood, e.g., landscape, light fixture  1200  for housing a cartridge that houses the LED light engine of  FIGS. 10A and 10B  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The light fixture  1200  comprises a base portion  1220  which may be metallic. The base portion  1220  is coupled to the top portion  1210 . It is appreciated that even though the top portion  1210  may be movable. For example, the top portion  1210  may have a linear motion mechanism (e.g., a sliding mechanism). Alternatively, the top portion  1210  may have a rotational mechanism (e.g., a hinge mechanism). Additionally, the top portion  1210  may have a combination of linear and rotational motion (e.g., cammed motion). It is appreciated that the invention may be practiced with non-movable portion. It is further appreciated that in other embodiments the bottom portion may be movable similar to the top portion. 
         [0109]    The top portion  1210  further comprises a glass  1240  or similar structures for allowing the light to extend through the structure and to the surrounding. The glass  1240  may be made of glass or other materials such as a plexiglas. The top portion  1210  is operable to hold the cartridge  1270  described in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A and  10 B. The cartridge  1270  is operable to hold the optical lens  1250  and the PCB board  1260  having electronic components and the LED mounted on it (e.g., the light engine). Additionally, the top portion  1210  may further comprise an opening such that a wire  1230  can pass through to supply power to the light engine. Additionally, the base portion  1220  may further comprise an opening (e.g., a hole) such that the wire  1230  can pass through and connect the light engine to a power supply or to a line voltage. 
         [0110]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a two sided light fixture  1300  for housing a cartridge that houses the LED engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The two sided fixture  1300  comprises a cylindrical portion  1310  and a base portion  1320 . The cylindrical portion  1310  and the base portion  1320  may be made from metal alloys. The cylindrical portion  1310  is operable to house multiple cartridges. In this embodiment, two cartridges are used. Each cartridge as described above comprises a top portion and a bottom portion which houses the light engine comprising the PCB board, LED component and its related electronic components (e.g., a driver circuitry). In one embodiment, the two cartridges housed in the cylindrical portion  1310  face away from one another such that light emanates from both end (e.g., the top and the bottom) of the cylindrical portion  1310 . The base  1320  of the fixture is to mount the fixture on a wall, a column or other structures. 
         [0111]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a light fixture  1400  for housing the LED engine for lighting the water flowing from one side of the fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the cartridge is held in place in  1410  opening such that light emanates from the light engine to the right. It is appreciated that the cartridge may be insulated from other portions of the fixture  1400  such that it creates a seal. In one embodiment the seal is waterproof. In one embodiment, the water may flow through a hose coupled to the nozzle  1420 . The water may flow from the top and is pushed out of the fixture  1400  through nozzle  1430 . Accordingly, the light emanating from the light engine, lights the water flowing out of the nozzle  1430 . As such, the fixture  1400  may be used in a water fountain, or it can be used in other water fixture structures and for other decorative purposes. 
         [0112]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a puck light fixture  1500  for housing the LED engine for lighting underneath cabinets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the puck light fixture  1500  houses the light engine described above. The light engine housed inside the puck light fixture  1500  emanates light from the top portion  1510 . The bottom portion of the puck light fixture  1520  secures the base of the light engine. The bottom portion of the puck light fixture may have a hole  1530  such that a wire can be passed through it to supply power to the light engine secured inside the puck light fixture. Accordingly, the puck light fixture may be used as a light source for underneath a cabinet. 
         [0113]    In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is, and is intended by the applicants to be, the invention is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.