Abstract: A lighting fixture, such as a recessed or can type lighting fixture, has an external housing containing a number of LEDs used to provide light. The LEDs are connected to a power supply, and are mounted on a heat sink that includes heat-dissipating fins that are oriented vertically within a vertical portion of an internal flow tube. The internal flow tube may be U-shaped, with entry and exit points on opposite ends of the flow tube. The external housing and flow tube are oriented so as to create a path for air to rise along the heat sink as it is heated then flow back down along the unheated path of the flow tube. An air mover may also be placed in the flow tube to provide further air flow through the flow tube.

Abstract: A light unit that includes an internal power supply that may be used in the event of an external power failure to provide power to the light unit. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting apparatus, comprising (a) a power input configured to receive external power from an external power source; (b) a solid state light element that is interconnected to the power input; (c) a detection circuit interconnected to the power input and that, when power is not provided to the power input, measures input impedance at the power input and determines if there is a lack of external power; and (d) a back-up power source that is interconnected to the solid state light element and the power input and that provides power to the solid state light element when the light element is; not provided with power from the power input.

Abstract: An adapter plate is provided that fits an existing luminaire in place of an existing globe that mounts to the luminaire. A heat sink mates to the adapter plate and also houses a solid state light engine and associated electronics. The heat sink may provide an enclosed, protective volume for the associated electronics, such as a power supply for the solid state light engine. A globe mounting ring attached to the heat sink allows either an existing globe to be re-mounted or a new globe to be installed.

Abstract: A lamp assembly manages thermal energy output from solid state lighting elements. An aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp assembly that achieves enhanced cooling of light elements within the assembly. Enhanced cooling is achieved, in this aspect, by providing a lamp assembly including a heat sink having a plurality of thermo bosses protruding therefrom on a first side, and a plurality of heat sink fins on a second side. A printed circuit board is secured to the first side of the heat sink, and has a plurality of through holes that correspond to the size and locations of the thermo bosses, such that when the printed circuit board is secured to the heat sink, the thermo bosses extend into the through holes.

Abstract: A desired output from a solid state lighting assembly is generated using a combination of a light assembly and an external protective lens. Provided are aspects in which the spreading and/or steering of aimed beams from individual light elements is achieved by through sections formed into an external protective lens. This may be embodied either in a luminaire originally designed to utilize solid state lighting elements, such as LEDs, or in a retrofit device or mechanism designed to convert an existing luminaire that uses a traditional light source into a luminaire that uses solid state lighting elements.

Abstract: A luminaire for re-use, a retro-fit device, or mechanism, that are designed to both fit into an existing luminaire while also making efficient use of LEDs or other solid state light elements is provided. Thermal elements are provided that act to remove heat generated by light elements. A housing is provided that may be configured to receive LEDs, or other optical elements, that are aimed to provide light in a desired direction through mounting to a facet or mounting surface, and have effective thermal environment control through one or more fins mounted to the side of the facet opposite the light element. Luminaires are provided for both original designs that utilize solid state light elements, and retrofit assemblies designed to convert an existing luminaire (that uses a traditional light source or sources) into a luminaire that uses solid state light elements.

Abstract: A luminaire for re-use, a retro-fit device, or mechanism, that are designed to both fit into an existing luminaire while also making efficient use of LEDs or other solid state light elements is provided. Thermal elements are provided that act to remove heat generated by light elements. A housing is provided that may be configured to receive LEDs, or other optical elements, that are aimed to provide light in a desired direction through mounting to a facet or mounting surface, and have effective thermal environment control through one or more fins mounted to the side of the facet opposite the light element. Luminaires are provided for both original designs that utilize solid state light elements, and retrofit assemblies designed to convert an existing luminaire (that uses a traditional light source or sources) into a luminaire that uses solid state light elements.

Abstract: Light assemblies are disclosed which incorporate mechanisms by which light losses due to angle of incidence from a lens covering an LED, or other solid state source or sources, are reduced. Assemblies may incorporate low-loss covers in luminaires originally designed to utilize LEDs or in an LED retrofit device or mechanism designed to convert an existing luminaire that uses a traditional light source or sources into a luminaire that uses LEDs. The low loss covers include discrete surfaces that correspond to individual LEDs, small arrays of LEDs, or small groups of LEDs. The discrete surfaces may be substantially orthogonal to the rays of light that are incident upon the surfaces from the associated LED(s) to reduce the amount of light reflected back to the associated LED(s).

Abstract: An outdoor overhead lamp assembly uses light emitting diodes to provide illumination for an area to be illuminated. The lamp assembly includes a unitary housing, which may be formed from a single casting. The housing includes mechanical mounting structure for mounting the housing to a mast arm. The housing includes an electrical compartment for housing electrical components and connections. Heat sink fins are formed on the integral housing that provide for thermal control of the electronic components and LED modules within the lamp assembly. The LED modules are mounted to aiming platforms within an optical compartment for the assembly. An external lens provides environmental protection for the LEDs and their individual lenses. The housing may also include structures for mounting decorative coverings or “skins” to accommodate different aesthetic requirements.

Abstract: An adapter plate is provided that fits an existing luminaire in place of an existing globe that mounts to the luminaire. A heat sink mates to the adapter plate and also houses a solid state light engine and associated electronics. The heat sink may provide an enclosed, protective volume for the associated electronics, such as a power supply for the solid state light engine. A globe mounting ring attached to the heat sink allows either an existing globe to be re-mounted or a new globe to be installed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an LED based light unit that produces an output lighting pattern that meets desired lighting characteristics using a reduced number of LED elements. The present disclosure provides a number of point sources that are directed into a desired direction such that, when combined with other point sources, a synthesized light output is provided that minimizes the LED headcount.

Abstract: A light unit that includes an internal power supply that may be used in the event of an external power failure to provide power to the light unit. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting apparatus, comprising (a) a power input configured to receive external power from an external power source; (b) a solid state light element that is interconnected to the power input; and (c) a back-up power source that is interconnected to the solid state light element and the power input and that provides power to the solid state light element when the light element is not provided with power from the power input.

Abstract: A lighting fixture, such as a recessed or can type lighting fixture, has an external housing containing a number of LEDs used to provide light. The LEDs are connected to a power supply, and are mounted on a heat sink that includes heat-dissipating fins that are oriented vertically within a vertical portion of an internal flow tube. The internal flow tube may be U-shaped, with entry and exit points on opposite ends of the flow tube. The external housing and flow tube are oriented so as to create a path for air to rise along the heat sink as it is heated then flow back down along the unheated path of the flow tube. An air mover may also be placed in the flow tube to provide further air flow through the flow tube.

Abstract: Solar panels with an integrated DC-to-AC converter are provided. Such solar panels are usable as an independent generator of AC power or as part of an array of panels, and may be grid-connected with low initial cost of entry. Other aspects provide a panel with a built-in array of “micro-batteries” for energy storage in off-grid applications or grid-connected. Also provided herein, in another aspect, is an AC solar panel whose internal design and structure is optimized for the generation of AC power. Intrinsically, this includes an embedded DC-to-AC converter or converters. The AC solar panel may be used as an independent generator of AC power or as part of an array of panels. In still further aspects, one or more panels may be used as a remote AC power source with after sun-down power generation capability, low initial cost of entry and ease of deployment.

Abstract: A solar power system includes solar panels placed below-grade and an optical section placed above-grade that collects solar radiation and transmits the solar radiation to the solar panels. The optical section may include optical components and a tracking mechanism. Photovoltaic material may be mounted to one or more surfaces below grade. The surfaces may have a reflective coating that reflects optical radiation that is not absorbed by photovoltaic material of the solar panels such that other solar panels receive the reflected light.

Abstract: A lamp assembly manages thermal energy output from solid state lighting elements. An aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp assembly that achieves enhanced cooling of light elements within the assembly. Enhanced cooling is achieved, in this aspect, by providing a lamp assembly including a heat sink having a plurality of thermo bosses protruding therefrom on a first side, and a plurality of heat sink fins on a second side. A printed circuit board is secured to the first side of the heat sink, and has a plurality of through holes that correspond to the size and locations of the thermo bosses, such that when the printed circuit board is secured to the heat sink, the thermo bosses extend into the through holes.

Abstract: A light unit that includes an internal power supply that may be used in the event of an external power failure to provide power to the light unit. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting apparatus, comprising (a) a power input configured to receive external power from an external power source; (b) a solid state light element that is interconnected to the power input; (c) a detection circuit interconnected to the power input and that, when power is not provided to the power input, measures input impedance at the power input and determines if there is a lack of external power; and (d) a back-up power source that is interconnected to the solid state light element and the power input and that provides power to the solid state light element when the light element is; not provided with power from the power input.

Abstract: A light unit that includes an internal power supply that may be used in the event of an external power failure to provide power to the light unit. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting apparatus, comprising (a) a power input configured to receive external power from an external power source; (b) a solid state light element that is interconnected to the power input; and (c) a back-up power source that is interconnected to the solid state light element and the power input and that provides power to the solid state light element when the light element is not provided with power from the power input.