Abstract: A system for illuminating panels such as advertising display panels is provided. Such illuminated panels include at least one row of point light sources located substantially within the at least one illuminated frame member, a diffusion layer have a diffusion edge facing the at least one row of point light sources, a backscattering layer coupled to a back surface of the diffusion layer, and a dispersion layer coupled to a front surface of the diffusion layer. The diffusion layer has an edge with a surface roughness configured to diffuse light emitted by the at least one row of point light sources. In some embodiments, the light sources are dimmable Luxeon LEDs and can be activated by an infrared sensor. It is also possible to use ultraviolet to blue light sources for the panel and to include a phosphor in the dispersion layer of the panel for converting the ultraviolet to blue light into visible light.

Abstract: An LED assembly for illuminating a refrigerated area includes a plurality of LED modules and a reflector base configured to reflect light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area. The reflector base is further configured to conduct heat away from the plurality of LED modules and also includes a base cooling channel. Both the reflector base and the plurality of LED modules are located substantially within the refrigerated area. The LED assembly also includes an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the reflector base, wherein the external heat sink is further configured to be mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area. The LED assembly can include a doom lens that forms a doom cooling channel substantially enclosing the reflector base. This internal heat sink includes an internal sink cooling channel.

Abstract: LED modules are provided for efficiently illuminating edge illuminated panels. Each LED module includes a base, an LED located substantially within the base, an inner beam director, and an outer beam director. An interface between the inner beam director and the outer beam director is shaped to refract and/or reflect the light beam along the interface, thereby narrowing a substantial portion of the light beam generated by the LED. For light output efficiency, each LED can have a geometrically coated phosphor layer which produces a whiter light beam. The interface between the inner and outer beam directors can be curved and/or substantially flat. The N value of the inner beam director is generally lower than the N value of the outer beam director thereby enabling the LED module to generate a substantially narrow beam of light.

Abstract: An LED assembly for illuminating a refrigerated area includes a conductive base, a plurality of LED modules coupled to the conductive base, and a waveguide configured to direct light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area by reflecting and refracting light generated by the plurality of LED modules. The waveguide is located substantially within the refrigerated area. The LED assembly also includes an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the conductive base. The external heat sink is mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area. The external heat sink can include an integral cooling channel. The LED assembly can also include an external cooling doom configured to provide cooling for the external heat sink.

Abstract: An edge-illuminated panel with a shaped edge diffuser is provided. The panel includes a panel frame having at least one illuminated frame member coupled to the shaped edged diffuser. The diffuser includes a diffusion layer having a shaped illuminated edge. The panel frame includes at least one wide-angled light source located substantially within the at least one illuminated frame member. The wide-angled light source, e.g., a light emitting diode, illuminates the shaped illuminated edge of the diffusion layer with a substantially wide-angled beam of light. The shaped illuminated edge then transforms the substantially wide-angled beam of light into a substantially narrow beam of light capable of penetrating the diffusion layer. In some embodiments, the shaped illuminated edge of the diffusion layer includes a curved portion.

Abstract: An improved light source for illuminating optical fibers includes a high-intensity gas-discharge lamp positioned within a reflector assembly that focuses radiation from the lamp onto a remote focal point, and that selectively transmits and reflects desired visible radiation and attenuates undesirable ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Alignment procedures in assembly process ensure maximization of flux intensity supplied to optical fibers positioned at the remote focal point of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for illuminating optical fibers includes a bezel block for positioning the ends of optical fibers near an area of illumination that is isolated from the heat of the source of illumination and that is cooled by air flowing through the block. Heat is transferred from the source of illumination by flowing air which is controlled within an enclosure for maintaining low exhaust temperatures.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for illuminating optical fibers includes a bezel block for positioning the ends of optical fibers near an area of illumination that is isolated from the heat of the source of illumination and that is cooled by air flowing through the block. Heat is transferred from the source of illumination by flowing air which is controlled within an enclosure for maintaining low exhaust temperatures.

Abstract: Improved lighting apparatus and method for use in decorative and in hazardous environments uses optical fibers which are illuminated from one or both ends, and which are configured to support higher order modes of light flux propagating therein to produce substantial lateral emissions of light flux through the surface of the fibers along the entire length thereof.