Abstract:
The housing for a light fixture includes a plaster frame with an opening. The can light, having opened ends along the top and bottom, is positioned through the opening. A trim assembly and lamp assembly are connected to the bottom side of the can. An outer housing, having dimensions suitable for placing the housing between joists having sixteen inch centers, is connect to the plaster frame and about the top portion of the can. The outer housing includes a doubler panel positioned within the inner walls of the outer housing and having a geometry and size to match with and fit snugly into the upper portion of the outer housing. The open can allows for convection to draw the heat away from the lamp assembly and into the outer housing. The doubler panel evenly distributes the heat along the exterior surfaces of the housing.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/865,509, entitled “Halo Lighting Fixture,” filed Nov. 13, 2006, the complete disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to recessed lighting fixtures and more particularly to a insulation contact housings for a recessed lighting fixture. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A recessed lighting fixture is a light fixture that is installed in a hollow opening in a ceiling. A typical recessed lighting fixture includes hanger bars fastened to spaced-apart ceiling supports or joists. A plaster frame extends between the hanger bars and includes an aperture configured to receive a lamp housing or “can.” A bottom edge of an installed can should be flush with a bottom edge of the ceiling. Thus, the bottom of the installed lighting fixture is mounted flush with the visible surface of the ceiling, and the body of the lighting fixture projects into the space above the ceiling. 
         [0004]    Because these recessed fixtures are in contact with, or very close to, the ceiling and joists the temperature of the portions of the fixture that will come into contact with any flammable materials must be maintained below acceptable levels. Standards have been created that set forth the acceptable temperature levels for different portions of the recessed fixture. Typically, those portions of the recessed fixture in contact with or very close to the ceiling or joists must maintain a temperature at those contact points that is below ninety degrees Celsius. For recessed lighting fixtures that will come into contact with insulation, called insulation contact or “IC” fixtures, the portions of the fixture that are in contact with the insulation also must be maintained below these acceptable temperature levels. Furthermore, for IC recessed fixtures, the can cannot directly vent thermal energy into the area above the ceiling. 
         [0005]    Conventional fixtures have included many methods to distribute thermal energy to prevent the recessed fixture from having a temperature above acceptable levels. For instance, some conventional recessed fixtures have a can that is “closed” at the top and open at the bottom to direct the thermal energy downward below the ceiling and into the room environment. Other conventional recessed fixtures improved on this by placing a domed top on the can to increase the surface area of the can for the dispersion of thermal energy that is not directed down and out of the can. Unfortunately, for many lamps having higher wattage output (and therefore higher levels of thermal energy) a closed can is not able to adequately disperse the thermal energy and maintain a temperature below the acceptable level, especially at the top of the can and along the trim where it contacts the ceiling. 
         [0006]    To overcome this problem, some conventional recessed fixtures replaced the closed can with an “open” can, having openings at both the top and the bottom of the can. Furthermore, since the thermal energy could not be directly vented into the ceiling, an air-tight housing was placed around the portion of the can above the ceiling level. While the open can recessed fixture provided improved thermal characteristics, by drawing the thermal energy up through the can and into the housing through convection and radiation, for higher wattage lamps, the top of the housing typically reached temperature levels that were still above the acceptable level because an inordinate amount of thermal energy was directly transmitted to the top of the housing through convection in the open can. Conventional methods for solving this problem include making the housing big enough such that it has sufficient surface area to distribute the heat and maintain the exterior surfaces below the acceptable levels. However, larger housings take up larger spaces in the ceiling area, are bulkier to install and are generally not favored. Furthermore, in many residential applications, one or more dimensions of the housing are restricted based on the distance between the joists or the distance between the ceiling and the roof structure. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists in the art for recessed lighting fixtures using higher wattage lamps to safely and efficiently distribute thermal energy and maintain exterior surfaces below acceptable levels. In particular, a need exists in the art for cost-efficient systems and methods for providing IC recessed lighting fixtures capable of efficiently distributing thermal energy while maintaining exterior surfaces of the fixture below acceptable levels in a housing having a relatively small volume. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The invention provides an apparatus and system for efficiently distributing thermal energy in an IC recessed lighting fixture having a high watt lamp and a standard-sized housing. In certain aspects of the invention, the recessed light fixture can include a plate-shaped plaster frame. The plaster frame can include a hole extending through the plate of the plaster frame. A portion of a can light can be slidably inserted through the hole in the plate of the plaster frame. The can light can include openings along the top and bottom of the can that come together and define a channel or passageway through the can. A lamp can be positioned within the can for providing illumination. A housing can be placed along the plaster frame and around a portion of the can that extends up through the hole in the plate of the plaster frame. The housing can include wall members extending upward from the plaster frame and a ceiling member coupled to the upper portion of the wall members. The housing can also including a second plate that is placed between the ceiling of the housing and the plate of the plaster frame and is positioned within the housing. 
         [0009]    In an alternative aspect of the invention, the recessed light fixture can include a horizontal bottom panel for the plaster frame. The bottom panel can include a hole extending vertically through the bottom panel of the plaster frame. An open-ended can may be dimension so that at least a portion of the can fits through the hole in the bottom panel of the plaster frame. The open-ended can may include openings along the top and bottom of the can, an outer wall, and a hollow core that extends from the top to the bottom opening and defines a channel or passageway through the can. A lamp assembly can include a fifty watt lamp and can be positioned within the can for providing illumination for an area near the fixture. A housing can be placed along and coupled to the bottom panel of the plaster frame and around a portion of the can that extends up through the hole in the bottom panel of the plaster frame. The housing can include several wall panels that extend upward from the bottom panel of the plaster frame and a second horizontal panel that is attached to the wall panels along the upper portion of each wall panel. The housing can also include a heat deflection panel positioned within the housing and above the top opening of the can between the bottom panel and the second horizontal panel. The heat deflection panel can be placed in a spaced-apart orientation in relation to the second horizontal panel. 
         [0010]    In certain other aspects of the invention, the recessed light fixture can include a first horizontal panel acting as a bottom panel for the plaster frame. The bottom panel can include a hole extending vertically through a portion of the first horizontal panel. An open-ended can may be cylindrically shaped and coupled to the first horizontal panel. The can may be positioned such that a portion of the can extends though the hole in the first horizontal panel and a second portion extends below the first horizontal panel. The can may also be dimension so that at least a portion of the can fits through the hole in the first horizontal panel. The open-ended can includes openings along the top and bottom of the can, an outer wall and a hollow core that extends from the top to the bottom opening and defines a channel or passageway through the can. The opening along the bottom of the can may be three inches in diameter. A lamp assembly can include a fifty watt lamp and can be positioned within the channel of the can. A housing can be placed along and coupled to the first horizontal panel of the plaster frame and around a portion of the can that extends up through the hole in the first horizontal panel of the plaster frame. The housing can include a substantially horizontal ceiling panel and several wall panels that extend downward from and are coupled to the ceiling panel along the upper portion of each wall panel. The housing can also include a heat deflection panel positioned within the housing and above the top opening of the can between the bottom panel and the second horizontal panel. The heat deflection panel can be placed in a spaced-apart orientation in relation to the second horizontal panel. The fixture can also include a trim assembly that is coupled to the can. The trim assembly can include a portion that is placed adjacent to a bottom lip of the can and a gasket can be placed between the trim assembly and the bottom lip of the can to prevent light and heat loss. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated exemplary embodiments, which include the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of components of a recessed light fixture housing, according to certain exemplary embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the recessed light fixture housing, according to certain exemplary embodiments; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the recessed light fixture housing, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    The present invention is directed to space-saving and cost-efficient systems and methods for providing a recessed housing for use with a recessed lighting fixture in an insulation contact (“IC”) installation environment. In particular, the invention is directed to an improved recessed housing having a smaller profile for use with a fifty watt lamp fixture. 
         [0017]    Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the figures, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of a plaster frame  102 , an open-ended can  104 , a trim assembly  106 , a lamp assembly  108 , a gasket  110 , an outer housing  112  and a doubler panel  116  of a recessed light fixture housing  100 , according to certain exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, side view of the assembled plaster frame  102 , open-ended can  104 , trim assembly  106 , lamp assembly  108 , gasket  110 , outer housing  112 , and doubler panel  116  of  FIG. 1 , according to certain exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the plaster frame  102 , outer housing  112 , a pair of hanger bars  305  and a junction box  310 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the hanger bars  305  are configured to be mounted between spaced supports or joists (not shown) within a ceiling  205 ,  210 . For example, each end  315 ,  320  of the hanger bars  305  can be fastened to vertical faces of the supports or joists by nailing or other fastening means, including but not limited to screws or spikes integral with the end  315 ,  320  of the hanger bar. In certain exemplary embodiments, each end  315 ,  320  of the hanger bar  305  can include integral fasteners for attaching the hanger bar  305  to the supports or joists, substantially as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/090,654, entitled “Hanger Bar for Recessed Luminaires with Integral Nail,” the complete disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0020]    The distance between supports or joists can vary to a considerable degree. Therefore, in certain exemplary embodiments, the length of each hanger bar  305  is adjustable. Each hanger bar  305  includes two inter-fitting members that are configured to slide adjacent to one another to provide a desired length of the hanger bar  305 . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many other suitable means exist for providing adjustable length hanger bars  305 . For example, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments, one or more of the hanger bars described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,918, entitled “Single Piece Adjustable Hanger Bar for Lighting Fixtures,” the complete disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference, may be utilized in the light fixture housing  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0021]    Each hanger bar  305  is releasably coupled to the plaster frame  102  of the light fixture housing  100 . The plaster frame  102  extends between the hanger bars  305  and includes a generally flat plate  102   a  with upturned edges  102   b . In certain exemplary embodiments, the plaster frame  102  can take the form of several shapes including, but not limited to the shapes of a parallelogram, square, rectangle or other geometric shapes known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the plaster frame  102  has a rectangular shape. The plaster frame  102  is typically made of a metallic material, for example steel, and the material used to manufacture the plaster frame  102  can be selected for its ability to wick thermal energy from the can  104  and the lamp assembly  108 . The flat plate  102   a  of the plaster frame  102  can rest on a top surface  210  of the ceiling or be positioned adjacent to and substantially parallel with the top surface  210  of the ceiling. A junction box  310  is mounted to the top surface of the flat plate  102   a . In certain exemplary embodiments, the junction box  310  is a box having insulated wiring terminals and knock-outs for connecting external wiring (not shown) to a lamp assembly  108  disposed within the can  104  of the light fixture  100 . 
         [0022]    The plaster frame  102  includes a generally circular aperture  102   c  sized for receiving the can  104 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the aperture  102   c  has a diameter of between three and four inches. The aperture  110   c  provides an illumination pathway for the lamp. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the aperture  102   c  can have a different, non-circular, shape that corresponds to an outer profile of the can  104 . 
         [0023]    The can  104  has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a first aperture  104   a  positioned along the top of the can  104  and a second aperture  104   b  positioned along the bottom of the can  104 . A channel is provided through the inside of the can  104  connecting the first  104   a  and second  104   b  apertures. The can  104  is slidably engaged to the plaster frame  102  through the circular aperture hOc by positioning at least a portion of the can  104  through the circular aperture  102   c , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0024]    A trim assembly  106  is coupled to the can  104 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the trim assembly  106  can include fasteners  107  for releasably coupling the trim assembly  106  to the can  104  by slidably inserting the trim assembly  106  through the second aperture  104   b  of the can  104  and hooking or fastening the fasteners  107  to one or more notches (not shown) along the interior surface of the can  104 . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many other suitable means exist for coupling or releasably coupling the trim assembly  106  to the can  104  including, but not limited to, adhesive, screws, and tabs and slots. In certain exemplary embodiments, the trim assembly  106  includes a first annular surface  109  and a second annular surface  111 . The first annular surface  109  has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the can  104 , such that the first annular surface  109  may slidably engage and be positioned within the can  104 . The first annular surface  109  can also have a substantially cylindrical shape and connected openings along the top and bottom of the first annular surface defining a passage therethrough. In these exemplary embodiments, the fasteners  107  are coupled along the interior or exterior surface of the first annular surface  109 . 
         [0025]    In certain exemplary embodiments, the second annular surface  111  has an internal diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the first annular surface  109  and an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the first annular surface  109 . In certain exemplary embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when assembled, the top side of the second annular surface  111  is positioned adjacent the bottom side of the can  104 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the trim assembly  106  is constructed of die cast aluminum. 
         [0026]    The exemplary light housing  100  also includes a lamp assembly  108  disposed within and coupled to the trim assembly  106  and positioned within the can  104  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The lamp assembly  108  includes an electrical connection (not shown) to the junction box  310  for providing electrical power to the lamp assembly  108 . The lamp assembly  108  also includes a lamp for illuminating a portion of the area below the light housing  100 . In certain exemplary embodiments the lamp is a fifty watt lamp. In these exemplary embodiments, the lamp can be more specifically described as a fifty watt MR16 lamp. 
         [0027]    The exemplary light housing  100  further includes a gasket  110  having a substantially annular shape. The gasket  110  is typically disposed between the top side of the second annular surface  111  and the bottom side of the can  104 . The gasket  110  can be configured to provide additional air tightness and prevent light-loss between the trim assembly  106  and the can  104 . In certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the gasket  110  can be omitted. In such embodiments, the form-fitting relationship between the top side of the second annular surface  111  and the bottom side of the can  104  limits thermal and light loss between the can  104  and the trim assembly  106 . 
         [0028]    The exemplary light housing  100  also includes an outer housing  112  releasably coupled to the plaster frame  102 . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many suitable means exist for coupling the outer housing  112  to the plaster frame  102  including, but not limited to, placing tabs  113  positioned along the bottom side of the outer housing  112  through slots (not shown) in the plaster frame  102 . The outer housing  112  includes four vertical panels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c , and  112   d  and a top panel  112   e . Each of the four vertical panels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c , and  112   d  is coupled along its respective top edge to an edge of the top panel  112   e . In certain exemplary embodiments, vertical panels  112   a  and  112   c  are parallel to one another and vertical panels  112   b  and  112   d  are parallel to one another. In an alternative embodiment, the four vertical panels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c , and  112   d , and the top panel  112   e  can be an integral housing stamped or formed from a single piece of material. In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer housing  112  is made from a metallic material, such as aluminum. More specifically, the outer housing  112  can be made from 3004 aluminum. 
         [0029]    In certain exemplary embodiments, one of the vertical panels  112   a  can include an aperture  114 . In these exemplary embodiments, the aperture  114  is generally shaped to substantially match the shape of the junction box  310  and is positioned adjacent to the junction box  310 , such that the junction box  310  abuts against the aperture  114  and limits heat dissipation through the aperture  114 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the outer housing  112  has a width substantially equal to nine inches, a height substantially equal to seven inches, and a depth substantially equal to eleven inches. In certain alternative embodiments, the outer housing  112  has a width substantially equal to twelve inches, a height substantially equal to five and one-quarter inches and a depth substantially equal to thirteen inches. In certain other alternative embodiments, the outer housing  112  has a volume of less than nine hundred cubic inches. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that the outer housing  112  can alternatively be designed in several different shapes other than the box-shape as described herein to suit the intended purpose and specific geometries of the particular installation site. 
         [0030]    The exemplary light housing  100  also includes a doubler panel  116 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the doubler panel  116  is a flat or substantially flat plate with downturned or upturned (not shown) edges. In certain exemplary embodiments, the doubler panel  116  can take the form of several alternative shapes and will typically have a planar geometry that matches the horizontal planar geometry of the outer housing  112 . In one exemplary embodiment, the doubler panel  116  has a rectangular shape and dimensions that are substantially equal to the internal dimensions of the horizontal cross-section of the outer housing  112 . The doubler panel  116  is typically made of a metallic material, such as aluminum. More specifically in certain exemplary embodiments, the doubler panel  116  is made of 3004 aluminum. 
         [0031]    The doubler panel  116  is slidably coupled to the interior of the outer housing  112 . A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will recognize that many suitable means exist for coupling or releasably coupling the doubler panel  116  to the outer housing  112  including, but not limited to, adhesives, screws, rivets, and the like. The doubler panel  116  can also include one or more tabs  118  positioned along the periphery of the doubler panel  116  and extending above the flat plate of the doubler panel  116 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tabs  118  can contact the bottom surface of the top panel  112   e  and define the separation between the flat plate of the doubler panel  116  and the top panel  112   e.    
         [0032]    The exemplary doubler panel  116  also includes a generally circular aperture  120  positioned on the substantially flat plate of the doubler panel  116 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the aperture  120  in the doubler panel  116  is offset from the aperture  102   c  in the plaster frame  102 . The aperture  120  is typically smaller than the aperture  102   c  in the plaster frame  102 . The aperture  120  provides access to a thermal sensor (not shown) coupled to the bottom side of the top panel  112   e  inside the outer housing  112 . The thermal sensor is electrically coupled in series with and between the electrical supply in the junction box  310  and the lamp assembly  108 . The aperture  120  also typically has an access panel (not shown) that covers the aperture  120  when access to the thermal sensor is not occurring. The access panel can slide, rotate, flip or otherwise can be easily adjustable from an open to a closed position over the aperture  120 . 
         [0033]    If the thermal sensor senses a temperature that is above an allowable level, either through misuse or improper installation of the housing  100  or because a lamp having a wattage that is above the rated wattage for the housing  100 , the sensor will prevent the power supply from reaching the lamp assembly  108 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the allowable temperature level is ninety degrees Celsius. Furthermore, in certain exemplary embodiments the rated wattage for the housing  100  is fifty watts. 
         [0034]    In certain exemplary embodiments, when assembled, the light fixture housing  100  provides improved thermal conductivity over prior IC housings and allows for the use of a fifty watt lamp with an outer housing  112  having a much smaller surface area for heat dispersion purposes. When power is supplied and the lamp is activated, the lamp emits infrared light though the first aperture  104   a  and the second aperture  104   b  of the can  104 . The exemplary aluminum can  104  being open on both ends creates a boundary around the lamp, draws the thermal energy away from the lamp, and drives the thermal energy from the lamp up into the outer housing  112  and away from the ceiling surface  210 . The thermal energy then contacts the doubler panel  116 , which improves the ability of the panels  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c ,  112   d , and  112   e  to conduct heat. Without the doubler panel  116 , the thermal energy would go directly towards the top panel  112   e  (which is an exterior surface) due to radiation and convection caused by the open can  104  and the thermal temperatures for a fifty watt lamp at the top panel  112   e  would exceed the allowable maximum. 
         [0035]    Thermal testing is typically conducted on recessed IC housing light fixtures to determine the temperature levels of the exterior of the fixture  100 . If the surface of the fixture  100  exceeds ninety degrees Celsius during operation the fixture  100  is considered to be outsider the permitted range. The temperature requirements are designed to prevent the fixture  100  from starting a fire at the point where the trim  106  contacts the ceiling  205 , where the plaster frame contacts the ceiling  210  or where the remaining portions of the fixture  100  (including the outer housing  112 ) contact the insulation or joists. 
         [0036]    During recessed thermal testing, multiple temperature sensors are applied to the fixture  100  and power is supplied to the lamp for a time interval of at least seven and one-half hours. At the end of the time interval, the maximum temperature reading at each sensor is determined. If any sensor along an exterior surface has a reading that is greater than ninety degrees Celsius, the fixture  100  fails the test. Multiple recessed thermal tests have been conducted to determine the thermal performance characteristics of certain exemplary light fixture housings  100  having the mechanical and structural features described above. The testing was completed on the light fixture housing  100  with several different trim types, each having different mechanical designs and different thermal characteristics. 
         [0037]    The following table summarizes the recessed thermal testing results of certain exemplary light fixture housings having mechanical structures substantially similar to the light fixture housing  100  with a second aperture  104   b  in the can  104  that is three inches in diameter: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 IC Light Fixture Housing 100; Recessed Thermal Testing Results 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Lamp 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 angle 
                   
                   
                   
                 Trim in 
               
               
                   
                 (degrees 
                   
                 Can 
                 Plaster 
                 contact 
                 Can 
                 Thermal 
               
               
                   
                 off 
                 Watt- 
                 side 
                 ground 
                 with 
                 top 
                 pro- 
               
               
                 Trim 
                 down 
                 age 
                 bottom 
                 at wood 
                 wood 
                 center 
                 tector 
               
               
                 Style 
                 angle) 
                 (W) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (° C.) 
                 (° C.) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 3001 
                 0 
                 50 
                 78 
                 83 
                 85 
                 83 
                 87 
               
               
                 3001 
                 15 
                 50 
                 79 
                 86 
                 88 
                 84 
                 88 
               
               
                 3002 
                 15 
                 50 
                 70 
                 68 
                 73 
                 74 
                 79 
               
               
                 3002 
                 0 
                 50 
                 69 
                 62 
                 70 
                 74 
                 78 
               
               
                 3003 
                 0 
                 50 
                 68 
                 67 
                 73 
                 72 
                 78 
               
               
                 3003 
                 35 
                 50 
                 72 
                 72 
                 79 
                 76 
                 80 
               
               
                 3004 
                 35 
                 50 
                 67 
                 61 
                 68 
                 71 
                 76 
               
               
                 3004 
                 0 
                 50 
                 66 
                 59 
                 65 
                 70 
                 75 
               
               
                 3005 
                 0 
                 50 
                 62 
                 60 
                 62 
                 66 
                 70 
               
               
                 3006 
                 0 
                 50 
                 74 
                 79 
                 84 
                 80 
                 86 
               
               
                 3006 
                 25 
                 50 
                 76 
                 80 
                 86 
                 81 
                 87 
               
               
                 3007 
                 0 
                 50 
                 73 
                 54 
                 61 
                 79 
                 84 
               
               
                 3008 
                 0 
                 50 
                 72 
                 51 
                 66 
                 78 
                 83 
               
               
                 3009 
                 45 
                 50 
                 58 
                 56 
                 60 
                 60 
                 63 
               
               
                 3009 
                 0 
                 50 
                 59 
                 55 
                 59 
                 62 
                 65 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    As illustrated in the above table, the exemplary light fixture housing  100  successfully maintained an exterior temperature below ninety degrees Celsius when using a fifty watt lamp regardless of the type of trim assembly  106  used with the fixture  100  or the angle of disposition of the lamp during the testing period. The results above for the light fixture housing  100  were unexpected. Typically, the light fixture housing  100  would need an outer housing  112  having a much larger surface area and internal volume thirty percent larger in order to dissipate the thermal energy sufficiently over the exterior of the fixture  100  without the exterior of the fixture  100  reaching a temperature over ninety degrees Celsius. 
         [0039]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects of the invention were described above by way of example only and are not intended as required or essential elements of the invention unless explicitly stated otherwise. Various modifications of, and equivalent steps corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the exemplary embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.