Patent ID: 7267459

Claim:
A sealed housing unit for a lighting system, the sealed housing unit comprising: (a) a thermally conductive base; (b) a frame sealingly connected to the thermally conductive base, wherein said frame is hollow and has an interior surface which includes a means for allowing ingress of water or water vapor into the frame; (c) an array of light-emitting elements in thermal contact with the thermally conductive base, the array is surrounded by the frame, wherein the interior surface of the frame faces the array; (d) an optically transmissive panel sealingly connected to the frame; (e) sealing means associated with the thermally conductive base, the frame and the transmissive panel forming a sealed housing unit enclosing the array of light-emitting elements; and (f) a desiccant or hygroscopic material placed within the frame; wherein said light-emitting elements are electrically connected to a power source through at least one sealing aperture in the thermally conductive base or the frame.