Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This present application claims priority to and is a continuation of a U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/739,470, entitled “LED Light Fixture”, filed on Apr. 24, 2007, which claims the benefit of and priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/794,819, entitled “LED Light Panel or Fixture”, filed on Apr. 24, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a diversified LED fixture/panel, which can be of any size, geometric shape, flat, formed or combination thereof. The fixtures/panels may stand alone, be stacked, or be joined. The fixture/panel can be a structural or decorative panel. More particularly, it relates to an LED lighting system, which contains all necessary standardized components in a simplified lightweight fixture/panel. AC or DC voltage may be connected to the fixture panel which comprises of internal connectors, contacts, round conductive pins or wire connections, and any required on board circuits. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , light emitting diodes (LEDs)  19  work by connecting a power source to terminal pins  3  and sending the current in the right direction through a simple semiconductor  5 . The interaction that occurs when this happens generates light. The ends of the terminal pins  3  and semiconductor  5  are housed in a hemispherical dome  7 , bulb, or any other configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1A , which concentrates the light emitted as it bounces off the sides and through the top. Thus, the light emitted is substantially around a vertical axis  9 . As can be seen, LEDs do not have a filament that can burn out and does not generate heat during operation. 
         [0004]    Popular conventional lighting systems use either an incandescent or fluorescent source. When these light sources expire, they must be replaced. The typical life of a fluorescent bulb is 10,000 to 20,000 hours. An incandescent bulb lasts only 2,000 hours, and about ninety percent of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs is lost as heat. Conventional light fixtures are heavy in weight, difficult to manufacture, and have many replacement components as ballasts, which are potential failures in addition to the fluorescent bulb. 
         [0005]    In contrast, light emitting diodes do not burn out. Instead, they gradually degrade in performance over time. For example, some LED products are predicted to still deliver an average of 70% of initial intensity after 50,000 hours of operation. At 12 hours per day, 365 days per year, this amounts to a lifetime of 11 years with only 30% degradation (70% lumen maintenance) from initial luminous output and no catastrophic failures. 
         [0006]    LEDs last ten years longer than any conventional light sources, and these solid state devices have no moving parts, no fragile glass, no mercury, no toxic gases, and no filament. There is nothing to break, rupture, shatter, leak, or contaminate. 
         [0007]    LEDs are more energy efficient, are safe to touch since they remain cool, provide instant light, and are available in white, green, blue, royal blue, cyan, red, red orange, and amber. 
         [0008]    Also, LEDs produce directional light unlike conventional light sources that emit light in all directions, which causes a loss of intensity. Typical losses range from 40% to 60% of the light generated. The direct nature of LEDs can result in efficiencies of 80% to 90%. This results in reduced maintenance costs by eliminating or practically reducing the frequency of required maintenance. 
         [0009]    LEDs have many other desirable features. They are fully dimmable without color variation. They instantly turn on, have full color, and provide 100% light. LEDs have no mercury in the light source and no heat or UV in the light beam. LEDs are capable of starting cold and low voltage DC operation. LEDs can be binned for photometric luminous, flux (LM), color, wavelength, radio metric power, and forward voltage. 
         [0010]    LED benefits are based on good thermal system design to achieve the best efficiency and reliability. The LED absolute maximum thermal ratings must be maintained for LED junction and aluminum printed circuit board temperature. The LED requires heat management in order to achieve maximum rated life. Thermal resistance causes a temperature difference between the source of the heat and the exit surface for heat. The less heat retained by the LED the more enhanced its performance and lifetime. 
         [0011]    Despite the advantages of LEDs, current designs have several problems. In present LED products and designs, the panels or fixtures are heavy in weight, expensive, and difficult to manufacture and install, and are not rugged or impact resistant. Furthermore, the heat sinking is inadequate, most LED products are not waterproof, impact resistant, or antimagnetic. Moreover, they cannot be trimmed or cut to size, and the products experience reduced life spans due to LEDs exceeding manufacturers&#39; specified required thermal temperature limits. 
         [0012]    The present invention overcomes these issues. The present invention may package all necessary components in a lightweight panel with a connecting power wire to the outside of the panel for easy installation. It also manages heat, which increases the life span of the LED light fixture/panel. The present invention may also be waterproof, flame resistant, impact resistant, and antimagnetic. In addition, it can be formed and cut to any size. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture/panel, which use a single LED or a plurality of LEDs to produce an equivalent amount of light but use less energy when compared to conventional lighting fixtures. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to package all or any of the electronic system components, wiring, optical components, reflectors, LED drivers, printed circuit board assemblies, batteries, battery back up circuitry, alarm circuitry, power supplies, wireless transmitter, diffusers, motion detectors, and cameras in a lightweight panel. 
         [0015]    Still another object of the present invention is to operate in a variety of environments, including ones that are not suitable for conventional fixtures or panels due to their weight, installation problems, low thermal conduction, and low shock and corrosion resistance. 
         [0016]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an LED fixture/panel that is low cost, waterproof, shock proof, fire resistant, acoustical, impact resistant, easy to assemble, and provides EMI shielding. 
         [0017]    Still another object of the present is to provide a decorative panel/fixture that does not require extreme thermal conductivity and rigid structural integrity. The core of the panel may be less dense, have less core or heat conductive foam, and the outside upper skin may be a clear window or other material. This configuration may allow indirect and direct light distribution and low power LEDs. 
         [0018]    Still another object of the present invention is to form the metal skin into custom shapes and sizes, which allows the standardization of all the system components and materials. The shapes may be a flat or three-dimensional rectangular, square, circle, octagon, hexagon, pyramid, triangle, right angle, or custom shape. 
         [0019]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a light fixture using LEDs includes a lower skin layer possessing heat transfer properties. A circuit board is affixed to the lower skin layer, and an LED is electrically connected to the circuit board. The LED, when electrically activated, emits light substantially around a vertical axis. The light fixture also includes a core possessing heat transfer properties that is in thermal contact with the LED and has an interior cavity for the LED. The core is affixed to the lower skin layer, and an upper skin layer containing a window over the LED is affixed to the core. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a light panel/fixture using LEDs includes a lower metal skin layer possessing heat transfer properties. A printed circuit board is affixed to the lower skin, and the LEDs are bonded and soldered to the circuit board. When a DC voltage is applied to the LED or LEDs, they emit light through a window, which may be a hemispheric dome or other configurations based on the light emission angle desired. The light panel/fixture also includes a core possessing heat transfer properties that is in thermal contact with the LED or LEDs. The core is affixed to the lower skin layer and an upper skin layer containing a window over the LED. The LEDs conduct the heat from the lower skin through the core to the upper skin. This increases the thermally conductive surface area. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the present invention, additional skin layers and cores may be between the upper and lower skin layers. This configuration allows more heat to be conducted to the upper skin and the lower skin through the core. This also allows for more high power LED applications. This configuration also allows light distribution to be vertically upward and vertically downward. In addition, more internal area is allowed for additional electronic and mechanical components. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is a light panel/fixture using LEDs, which includes a lower skin layer formed to a right angle and possessing heat transfer properties. A printed circuit board is affixed to the lower skin layer, and the LEDs are connected to the circuit board. When a DC voltage is applied to the LED or LEDs, they emit light through a window, which may be a hemispheric dome or other configurations based on the light emission angle desired. The light panel/fixture also includes a core possessing heat transfer properties that is in thermal contact with the LEDs and affixed to the lower skin layer. The upper skin is also affixed to the core and formed at a right angle as well. 
         [0023]    Another important aspect of the present invention is the use of LEDs, lenses, reflectors, geometric forms, graphic films, and shapes to direct the light distribution to the edges of the panel and through windows of the present invention to indirectly distribute and transmit light. 
         [0024]    Another aspect of the present invention is to be interfaced, added on, or mounted to in any plane to a prior art panel such as flat honeycombs panels with any type prior art construction. 
         [0025]    Another aspect of the invention is to use prior art fasteners, and edging systems such as solid, tube, “C” channel, channel molding, end cap, formed edge, compound edge, fill, or custom extrusion. 
         [0026]    Yet another aspect of the invention is to use existing art joint panel joiners such as spline joint, “H” channel, camlock, mechanical angles, bolts and washers, sleeve insert, 90 degree and 45 degree corner extrusion, cap channel or custom corner. 
         [0027]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is to be used and interchanged with prior art suspended and tile floors. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic side view of an LED light fixture/panel provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified schematic side view of an LED. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic side view of an LED light fixture mounted to a four gang electrical box in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light panel provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an LED light fixture provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a simplified three-dimensional illustration of an exterior view of an LED light fixture/panel provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates the separate components of an LED light fixture provided in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a simplified schematic of a front view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a simplified schematic of a front view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a simplified schematic of a front view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a simplified schematic of a front view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 10A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 11  is a simplified schematic of an exterior view of an LED light fixture/panel side view of an alternative embodiment provided in accordance to the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 12  is a simplified schematic side view of an LED light fixture/panel of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 12A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 13  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 14  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 15  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 15A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 16  is a simplified schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 16A  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 17  is a two dimensional figure of an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment perspective of an LED light fixture/panel in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0055]    The present invention is directed to LED lighting structures that contain all the necessary functional components in a lightweight, sturdy panel or fixture.  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  show three embodiments of the present invention in a simplified schematic form. In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , an LED light fixture/panel is encapsulated by a lower skin layer  13  and an upper skin layer  15 . The lower skin layer  13  and upper skin layer  15  may be made in formed or flat configurations. A single or plurality of LEDs  19  is connected to a printed circuit  21  and is attached to the lower skin layer  13  by an adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . Also attached by adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23  to the lower skin layer  13  is the core  27 . Attached to the core by adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23  is an upper skin layer  15 . 
         [0056]    The LEDs  19  have and optical component  25  and reflector  31 . The upper skin  15  and the lower skin  13  may be flat or formed. The lower skin layer  13  can be of any thickness. Preferably, it has a thickness from 0.010 to 0.500 inches. The lower skin layer  13  may also be made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. If metal, it is preferably aluminum. The lower skin layer  13  can actually be made of any material with proper heat transfer properties. Some examples include aluminum and copper. 
         [0057]    The upper skin layer  15  can also be of any thickness. Preferably, it has a thickness from 0.010 to 0.500 inches. The upper skin layer  15  may be made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two. If metal, it is preferably aluminum. The upper skin layer  15  may also be textured or have other decorative materials or graphic film added to it. There may also be an additional skin layer added to the upper skin layer  15 . 
         [0058]    The upper skin layer  15  also includes a window  17  above the LEDs  19  so that light may transmit from the fixture/panel  11 . Window  17  may include clear windows, diffusers, or refractors for direct or indirect transmission of light. The window  17  may have a graphic or luminous, film applied. Also, the window  17  may be a flexible substrate  72  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The window may have parabolic, louvered, or baffles of various cell sizes and shapes attached to it. 
         [0059]    The upper skin layer  15  also may include a window  17  or several windows  17  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Window  17  may include clear, diffusers, prismatic patterns, or refractors for the direct or indirect transmission of light. 
         [0060]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , the upper skin layer  15  may include a single LED or a plurality of LEDs  19  electrically connected to a printed circuit board  21  and attached to the upper skin layer  15  by adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . This configuration allows light distribution vertically upward and vertically downward. 
         [0061]    Internal to the lower skin layer  13  may be one or more circuit boards  21 . The circuit board  21  may be metal core printed circuit boards, flex circuits, molded, or custom printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board may have on board LED drivers and thermal monitoring circuitry. The circuit board  21  is affixed to the lower skin layer  13 . Preferably, the circuit board  21  is affixed to the lower skin layer  13  by a thermally conductive and waterproof adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23 . 
         [0062]    The circuit board  21  may be in many shapes, sizes, and configurations. The shapes may include circles, rings, rectangles, squares, diamonds, octagons, or custom shapes and thicknesses. The desired shapes may be thermally bonded by the adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23  to the lower skin layer  13 . The circuit board  21  may be designed with on board modular circuitry and drivers as required by each application. 
         [0063]    Connected to the circuit board  21  are the LEDs  19 . LEDs  19  can be configured into any pattern. The LEDs  19  may be made by any manufacturer and could be any style and package that LEDs may have in the future. For example, LEDs  19  may be mounted on the circuit board  21  in a square, round, or line pattern. Optical component  25  surrounds the LEDs  19 . Any type of optical component can be incorporated. Optical components  25  may cover single or multiple LEDs  19  and may be of any shape. For example, lenses can be used for light distribution, collimation, or a diffuser could be used to achieve a uniform light. Optical component  25  or  44  can be used to direct or focus the light. 
         [0064]    The core  27  is located between the lower skin layer  13  and the upper skin layer  15 . The core  27  is attached to the lower skin layer  13  and the upper skin layer  15  by adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23 . The core  27  may be of any thickness. Preferably, the core  27  is 0.250 to 6.00 inches thick. The core  27  can be made of any material with proper heat transfer properties. For example, aluminum or copper would be acceptable material for core  27 . Core  27  may be various configurations of density, cell sizes, and shapes to increase or decrease thermal conductivity and strength or may be of custom shapes. 
         [0065]    The main structural core  27  inside the lower skin layer  13  and upper skin layer  15  could be various structural shape configurations. For example, the configuration could be honeycomb, louvers, baffles, egg crate, channel, I beam, U channel, stand offs, threaded inserts, or any other shape. The LED light fixture  11  manages heat by using the panel and structure of the core  27  to conduct heat away from the LEDs  19 . Reliability of LEDs  19  requires maintaining their junction temperature below manufacturers&#39; specifications requirements. By conducting heat away from the LEDs  19 , the present invention increases the time between replacements. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , other structures of plastic material types and shapes  60  such as acrylic, polycarbonate, laminates may be added between or on the surface of the lower skin layer  13  and upper skin layer  15 . The clear plastic allows for edge illumination of the fixture/panel  11 . 
         [0067]    As shown best in  FIG. 6 , in the region of the LED light panel  11  where the LEDs  19  are located, the core  27  may be cut appropriately. A reflector  29  may be placed between the edge of the core  27  and the region where the LEDs  19  are located. The reflector  29  has a reflective surface  31  which also may be chemically coated for increased performance. 
         [0068]    The combination of optical component  25  with a reflector  29  adds to the versatility of the present invention by changing the light direction and intensity of the LEDs  19 . If optical component  25  is transparent or translucent, some stray light may not be properly directed by the optical component  25 . In that case, the stray light bounces off reflector  29  into the proper direction. The reflection angle can be changed as required. 
         [0069]    The outside edges of core  27  can also be cut as needed. For example,  FIG. 2  shows the edge cut at an angle, and  FIG. 3  shows the edge cut straight on the vertical.  FIG. 1  has a decorative edge  46 . The decorative edge  46  may be attached to any of the embodiments. 
         [0070]    The LED light fixture/panel  11  also contains a modular power supply or supplies  33 . The power supply  33  can be mounted inside the upper skin layer  15  and lower skin layer  13  or mounted externally on the fixture/panel  11 . Other desired electrical items may be added to the interior or exterior of the panel/fixture  11 . The power supply  33  voltage/wattage can be sized for the number of LEDs  19  in the panel/fixture  11 . Power supply inputs may be any AC voltage. DC to DC voltage doublers or regulators may also be included for DC inputs to the panel. 
         [0071]    The LED light fixture  11  may also include mounting flange  35  for ease of installation. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the flange may be reversed for flush mounting  50 ,  51 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , standoffs  45  can be installed between the lower skin layer  13  for mounting holes or securing other items to the panel fixture for mounting. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4  shows each component of the present invention separated into layers. In  FIG. 4 , the LED light fixture includes the lower skin layer  13  as the bottom layer. The components above are affixed to the lower skin layer  13  by adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23 . The adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23  affixes the lower skin layer  13  to the core  27  and circuit boards  21 . The LEDs  19  may be electrically connected to the circuit boards  21 , and the LEDs  19  are surrounded by optical components  25  or  44  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The optical components position maybe adjustable in the X, Y, or Z axis. The core  27  surrounds the circuit boards  21  and is cut out in the areas where the circuit boards  21  and LEDs  19  are placed. The core  27  is affixed to the upper skin layer  15  by adhesive epoxy or thermal film  23 . In the areas where the core  27  has been removed, a window  17  is placed as part of the upper skin layer  15  so that the light from the LEDs  19  may illuminate the desired area. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5  shows an exterior view of the LED light panel  11 . The exterior of the LED light fixture/panel  11  is composed of the lower skin layer  13  and the upper skin layer  15 . The LEDs  19  are allowed to emit through the upper skin layer  15  via windows  17 . Internally, the LED light panel  11  contains power supply  33 . In cases where an external power source is unavailable or goes out, the LED light fixture/panel  11  may also have an internal battery  34 . The battery  34  may be used as a back-up or for emergency lighting. Also, emergency LEDs  39  may illuminate as not to draw down the batteries.  FIG. 5  shows three emergency LEDs  39 , but any number may be used. Additionally, the LED light fixture/panel  11  may also contain optional air vents or forced air in order to further dissipate heat if required. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  also shows optional alignment pins  37 . The alignment pins  37  may extend in the x, y, or z direction or be formed to any angle. The alignment pins  37  may also be used to DC power the panel when stacking or a matrix grid of panels is desired. Although alignment pins  37  are shown in  FIG. 5 , the LED light panel  11  may include alignment posts, pins, tube shapes for stacking LED light panels or adding additional LED light fixtures to a system. Redundancy LEDs can be added to the system so that if one LED goes out, then another illuminates, thus adding additional time before the panel replacement for difficult locations such as towers. The attaching and alignment to an LED light panel  11  may complete a ceiling grid, a wall of LED light fixtures, or a floor in any plane of the X, Y, or Z grid. 
         [0075]    The LED light panel  11  may have connecting wires  41  or connectors  48  that connect from the power supply  33  to an external electrical system. The connectors may provide power, data, or combination of both to the internal circuits. Sources of power include batteries, solar panels, wind generators, power supplies, and commercial, industrial, and residential AC power. The connecting wires  41  may be the only component that is outside of the housing of the LED light panel  11 . Since all of the components may be included in a lightweight panel with only the connecting wires  41  or connector, or internal contacts,  45  to be connected, installation is simplified, and labor is reduced when a replacement is needed. 
         [0076]    The surfaces of the exterior of LED light panel  11  may be plated, hard coated, painted, brushed, anodized, or powder coated with multiple finishes and coating configurations. Also, other desirable coatings or material layers may be added to the panel for decorative purposes. For example, louvers may be added to the outside to enhance the appearance and control luminance of transmitted light from the panel/fixture  11 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  illustrates some of the major components of LED light panel  11 . First, the lower skin layer  13  can be made of any material with proper heat transfer properties. Aluminum and copper are common examples. On the other end, the panel  11  has an upper skin layer  15  with a window  17 . The window  17  shown accommodates a circular pattern of LEDs  19 , but it can be cut into any shape. Upper skin layer  15  may be made of plastic or metal as required. It may also be textured or have other material added on. 
         [0078]    Circuit board  21  is affixed to the lower skin layer  13 . The circuit board  21  may be any shape.  FIG. 6  shows circuit board  21  in square, round, and straight patterns. These shapes accommodate any pattern for the LEDs  19 , which are electrically connected to the circuit board  21 . The circuit board  21  may be designed with on board components and drivers as required by each application. 
         [0079]    Core  27  is in thermal contact with the LEDs  19 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , an inner cavity is cut out from core  27  in the location of the LEDs  19  with a round pattern. The inner cavity of core  27  can be cut to any shape so that it corresponds with the pattern of LEDs  19 . In addition, the inner cavity of core  27  could be cut for each individual LED  19  to form an alternating array of core  27  and LED  19 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 7  is a decorative panel/fixture  11  which has a lower skin layer  13  affixed to aluminum shape  65  and reflector  69  by an adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . Beneath the reflector  69  may be a conductive foam  67  to provide stiffness and conduct to the panel  11  and lower skin layer  13 . The upper skin layer  15  may have a decorative screen, picture, negative, or image affixed to the face. The upper skin layer  15  is attached by adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . Reflector  69  may include graphic film  75  as required for visual effects. Also the graphic film  75  may be attached to protect the window(s)  17  from ultraviolet light. The angle is adjustable depending on light transmission distribution. 
         [0081]    In  FIG. 8 , a multiple reflector LED panel/fixture  11  has LEDs  19  connected to the printed circuit board  21 , and the printed circuit board  21  is thermo epoxied to the reflector  59 . The reflector  59 , components, and square tube shape  58  are attached with adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23  to the upper skin layer  15 . The upper skin layer  15  has several windows  17  above the LEDs  19 . Lower skin layer  13  and tube shape  58  are optional. 
         [0082]    In  FIG. 9 , H Beam shape  64  has LEDs  19  electronically connected to a printed circuit board  21 . The printed circuit board  21  is affixed to the H Beam shape  64  with thermal epoxy  23 . Optical components or lenses  44  provide light distribution to the reflector  61 . Window  17  allows light distribution from the reflector  61 . Metal shape  68  and lower skin layer  13  are optional. Optical components or lenses  44  may be required dependent on light distribution desired and may be adjustable in position in the X, Y, or Z plane. 
         [0083]    In  FIG. 10 , lower skin layer  13  is attached to the upper skin layer  15  with adhesive, epoxy, or thermal skin  23 . In addition, clear plastic shape  60  is affixed to the upper skin layer  15  and lower skin layer  13  with adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23 . Reflector  61  may be metal or plastic. Reflector  61  can be any angle desired and is a triangular shape. LEDs  19  and circuit board  21  are affixed to the upper skin layer  15  with adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . In addition, windows  17  are affixed to the upper skin layer  15  with adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . The embodiment in this configuration provides for the illumination of plastic edge  60  and window  17 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 11  shows an embodiment for a stoplight in accordance with the present invention. Three circular LEDs  19  and circuit boards  21  are affixed to the lower skin layer  13  by a thermo adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23  in location  54 ,  56 , and  57 . Each circuit board  21  has a plurality of red LEDs in location  54 , a plurality of yellow LEDs in location  56 , and a plurality of green LEDs in location  57 . The core  27  has three circular holes cut to allow the LEDs  19  and circuit boards  21  to be mounted in the cavity and affixed to the lower skin layer  13  via an adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23 . The upper skin layer  15  has three circular holes cut to allow light transmission from the LEDs  19  through the window  17 . A shaft  53  is inserted through a square shape and round bushing  81  in order to pivot or hang the fixture/panel  11 . 
         [0085]    In  FIG. 12 , the upper skin layer  15  is formed to a fixture/panel  11 . Windows  17  are affixed to the upper skin layer  15  by adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23 . The LEDs  19  and circuit board  21  are affixed to the formed, right angle lower skin layer  13  by adhesive, epoxy or thermal film  23 . This embodiment of a formed fixture panel illuminates in the horizontal and vertical plane. 
         [0086]      FIG. 12A  shows a length  63  of the above fixture/panel of the above embodiment. 
         [0087]      FIG. 13  shows upper skin layer  15  with flanges  50  for recess mounting the fixture/panel  11 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 14  shows lower skin layer  13  with flanges  51  for surface mounting the fixture/panel  11 . 
         [0089]      FIGS. 15 and 15A  show an embodiment configuration comprising a combination of system components. The fixture/panel  11  consists of two panels, a top panel  98  and a bottom panel  99 . Solar panel  95  is located within the fixture/panel  11  and hinged by hinge  80  for movement. Also, a section of the panel  11  contains another embodiment of the LED light fixture/panel  11  formed to a bottom panel  99 . Inside the panel  11  is a solar changing and photo eye  102 . The bottom panel  99  contains a circuit board  101  and a modular battery  90 . The fixture/panel  11  can be mounted using mounting flange  96 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 16  shows a formed upper skin layer  15  and lower skin layer  13  conforming to a V structure panel with LEDs  19  and circuit board  21 . The V structured panel  11  is attached with fastener  82 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 17  shows a LED fixture  125  mounted thru a honeycomb panel. 
         [0092]      FIG. 18  has several embodiments of the present invention combined. Shown are several configurations of hanging ceiling panels  130 , wall sconce  131 , and wall panel  132 . 
         [0093]    One important aspect of the present invention is its ability to conduct heat away from the LEDs  19 . This characteristic is achieved by the core  27 . The core  27  is in thermal contact with the LEDs  19  to dissipate the heat that the LEDs  19  produce. By dissipating the heat, the lifespan of the LEDs  19  is increased. The core  27  operates as a heat sink due to its large surface area. The large surface area increases the heat dissipation rate as compared to prior art devices without the core  27  of the present invention. For high-powered applications, additional heat sinks may be added on the rear of the LEDs  19  on the upper skin layer  15  or lower skin layer  13 . The density of the core  27  and cell size may be decreased and the cell thickness increased for better heat conduction if required. 
         [0094]    Another aspect of the present invention is that it may be waterproof depending on the application. Adhesive, epoxy, or thermal film  23  is waterproof which creates a watertight seal around all of the components in the LED light panel  11 . 
         [0095]    Similarly, the present invention may be configured in rigidity, stability, and toughness. As described above, increased structural integrity can be achieved by installing standoffs, aluminum shapes, or increase core density between the lower skin layer  13 , upper skin layer  15 , and window  17 . It can also be weather resistant, flame resistant, and corrosion resistant. It may also have thermal control, sound control, other custom configuration, or any combination thereof. Because of the versatile nature of the present invention, many techniques known in the art can be applied to the present invention so that it can be used in any environment. As further examples, the LED light fixture/panel  11  can be configured for acoustics, and the lower skin layer  13  and upper skin layer  15  may be any color or shape and may be perforated for sound. 
         [0096]    The present invention has many applications. In large-scale systems, it may be utilized as, or in addition to, walls, ceilings, or floors. It can be configured to rounded, v strips, corners, flat strips, rectangles, squares, triangles, formed sheet metal, or any configuration desired. The present invention can be manufactured as flat, formed, or any dimensional configuration required. In addition, it can be surface mounted or recessed. Other mechanical devices may be added to the formed or flat surfaces for cosmetic appearances. 
         [0097]    Because of the novel design of the present invention, it can be a stand-alone, a ceiling fixture, a hanging ceiling panel, a complete system of ceiling panels/fixtures, signage, furniture, an aquarium illuminating cover, artwork, or it can be cut to size to fit inside an existing conventional lighting fixture. The present invention can be used on or as a wall, ceiling, floor, or configured to be a complete structural system. It also can be used in conjunction with a prior art panel. The present invention can be assembled and formed into any dimensional product. For example, the present invention can be shaped to be a square or rectangular box, a pyramid, a structural system with four walls and a ceiling, or any custom shape configuration. In other words, the present invention may be cut, trimmed, or formed into a two or three-dimensional object of any length, width, thickness, or shape. It can be a single fixture panel, ganged assembled, or stacked together to form a structural system. It may be formed to walls, ceilings, floors, or custom structures. 
         [0098]    The versatility of the present invention allows it to be used indoors or outdoors. Its structural integrity and durability makes it perfect for military, industrial, commercial, transportation, aircraft, and residential use. If designed to be waterproof, it can be used for marine applications. The present invention can also be antimagnetic by using antimagnetic materials, which allows it to be used in all areas of a medical facility such as MRI rooms. The design of the present invention allows it to be used in any setting. 
         [0099]    Known LED ceiling tiles must be low power due to their design. If they were high power, the LEDs would burn out because of the lack of heat transfer. Known LED ceiling tiles are also bulky and heavy. When dropped, they easily break. In contrast, the present invention uses lightweight materials that transfer the heat away from the LEDs  19 . 
         [0100]    The present invention described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-18  provide the most functions at the lowest cost while maintaining good thermal conductivity, component standardization, and minimum weight. It may be used for both utilitarian and decorative purposes. 
         [0101]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling with the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: f