Abstract: Apparatus and methods separate the functions of light emission, heat dissipation, and power conversion in LED lighting. Doing so may facilitate cost-effective LED lighting and enable the conversion of existing incandescent lamps to LED service. An LED light bulb includes a thermal path from LED dies to a thermal transfer contact having an externally available surface. The LED light bulb and an incandescent lamp adapter are consumer-installable in an incandescent lamp. A heat spreader component of the lamp adapter contacts the thermal transfer contact of the LED light bulb to dissipate heat originating at the LED dies. A lamp adaptable LED power supply plugs into a standard AC power outlet and includes a receptacle to accept insertion of a lamp cord plug to deliver power to the LED light bulb. A lock-in safety device prevents retraction of the lamp cord plug from the LED power supply once inserted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods separate the functions of light emission, heat dissipation, and power conversion in LED lighting. Doing so may facilitate cost-effective LED lighting and enable the conversion of existing incandescent lamps to LED service. An LED light bulb includes a thermal path from LED dies to a thermal transfer contact having an externally available surface. The LED light bulb and an incandescent lamp adapter are consumer-installable in an incandescent lamp. A heat spreader component of the lamp adapter contacts the thermal transfer contact of the LED light bulb to dissipate heat originating at the LED dies. A lamp adaptable LED power supply plugs into a standard AC power outlet and includes a receptacle to accept insertion of a lamp cord plug to deliver power to the LED light bulb. A lock-in safety device prevents retraction of the lamp cord plug from the LED power supply once inserted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods separate the functions of light emission, heat dissipation, and power conversion in LED lighting. Doing so may facilitate cost-effective LED lighting and enable the conversion of existing incandescent lamps to LED service. An LED light bulb includes a thermal path from LED dies to a thermal transfer contact having an externally available surface. The LED light bulb and an incandescent lamp adapter are consumer-installable in an incandescent lamp. A heat spreader component of the lamp adapter contacts the thermal transfer contact of the LED light bulb to dissipate heat originating at the LED dies. A lamp adaptable LED power supply plugs into a standard AC power outlet and includes a receptacle to accept insertion of a lamp cord plug to deliver power to the LED light bulb. A lock-in safety device prevents retraction of the lamp cord plug from the LED power supply once inserted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods separate the functions of light emission, heat dissipation, and power conversion in LED lighting. Doing so may facilitate cost-effective LED lighting and enable the conversion of existing incandescent lamps to LED service. An LED light bulb includes a thermal path from LED dies to a thermal transfer contact having an externally available surface. The LED light bulb and an incandescent lamp adapter are consumer-installable in an incandescent lamp. A heat spreader component of the lamp adapter contacts the thermal transfer contact of the LED light bulb to dissipate heat originating at the LED dies. A lamp adaptable LED power supply plugs into a standard AC power outlet and includes a receptacle to accept insertion of a lamp cord plug to deliver power to the LED light bulb. A lock-in safety device prevents retraction of the lamp cord plug from the LED power supply once inserted.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods separate the functions of light emission, heat dissipation, and power conversion in LED lighting. Doing so may facilitate cost-effective LED lighting and enable the conversion of existing incandescent lamps to LED service. An LED light bulb includes a thermal path from LED dies to a thermal transfer contact having an externally available surface. The LED light bulb and an incandescent lamp adapter are consumer-installable in an incandescent lamp. A heat spreader component of the lamp adapter contacts the thermal transfer contact of the LED light bulb to dissipate heat originating at the LED dies. A lamp adaptable LED power supply plugs into a standard AC power outlet and includes a receptacle to accept insertion of a lamp cord plug to deliver power to the LED light bulb. A lock-in safety device prevents retraction of the lamp cord plug from the LED power supply once inserted.

Abstract: A current source generates, with high efficiency, a current that is substantially constant over a wide range of output voltages. This current is injected into the first end of a series-connected string (hereinafter referred to as string) of LEDs, with the second end of the string connected through a resistor to ground. The voltage developed across this resistor, which is a measure of current flow in the series string, is fed back to the current source, wherein feedback maintains nearly constant current output over a wide range of output voltages. A switch, such as a field effect transistor (FET) is placed in parallel with each LED in the string. A level shift gate driver couples a pulse width modulated control signal to the gate of each FET. When the FET across a particular LED is on, substantially all the current flows through the FET rather than the LED, and little or no light is emitted.