Sign illumination system
A radiation-emitting device comprising a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface and a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device. A reflector at least partially surrounds the side-emitting optoelectronic device. The reflector is positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction. A reflective, non-transparent layer is disposed adjacent the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
1. A light fixture comprising:
a housing;
a translucent output panel connected to the housing;
at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including:
a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;
a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;
a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and
a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.
2. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.
3. The light fixture of claim 1 , further comprising a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially towards the output panel.
4. The light fixture of claim 3 , wherein the reflector is polygonal and includes at least one angled side.
5. The light fixture of claim 3 , wherein the reflector is substantially parabolic.
6. The light fixture of claim 3 , wherein the reflector substantially collimates the emitted light.
7. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the translucent panel is spaced a distance from the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the distance being between about 3 inches and 6 inches.
8. The light fixture of claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink positioned in thermal conduction with the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
9. The light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the heat sink at least partially supports the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
10. The light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the heat sink includes a circuit board having a metallic substrate.
11. The light fixture of claim 10 , wherein the metallic substrate includes aluminum.
12. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the non-transparent layer is applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
13. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic device outputs a plurality of wavelengths which comprise white light.
14. The light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the output panel contains a fluorescent material, and wherein the optoelectronic device outputs ultraviolet radiation that excites the fluorescent material.
15. A light fixture comprising:
a housing;
a translucent output panel connected to the housing;
at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including:
a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;
a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;
a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and
a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the non-transparent layer is applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, and wherein the non-transparent layer includes paint applied to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
16. A light fixture comprising:
a housing;
a translucent output panel connected to the housing;
at least two light-emitters supported by the housing, each of the light-emitters including;
a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;
a heat sink in thermal conductivity with the side-emitting optoelectronic device;
a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially in an output direction; and
a non-transparent layer positioned between the translucent panel and the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device, wherein the optoelectronic device outputs substantially monochromatic light.
17. A light fixture comprising:
a housing having a base and at least one wall;
a translucent panel coupled to the housing and spaced a distance from the base, the translucent panel and the housing cooperating to define a light space; and
a plurality of light-emitters supported by the housing and positioned to emit light through the translucent panel, each light-emitter including:
a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface;
a non-transparent layer applied directly to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device; and
a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially toward the translucent panel, wherein the non-transparent layer includes paint applied to the upper surface of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
18. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the optoelectronic device includes a side-emitting light-emitting diode.
19. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the reflector is polygonal and includes at least one angled side.
20. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the reflector is substantially parabolic.
21. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the translucent panel is spaced a distance from the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the distance being between about 3 inches and 6 inches.
22. The light fixture of claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink positioned in thermal conduction with one of the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
23. The light fixture of claim 22 , wherein each heat sink at least partially supports the side-emitting optoelectronic device.
24. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the side-emitting optoelectronic device further comprises a truncated substantially spherical portion and a frustoconical portion having a concave top, the frustoconical portion disposed adjacent the truncated substantially spherical portion.
25. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein the optoelectronic device outputs a plurality of wavelengths which comprise white light.
26. The light fixture of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the light-emitters emits light of a different color than the remaining light-emitters.
27. A light fixture comprising:
a housing having a base and at least one wall;
a translucent panel coupled to the housing and spaced a distance from the base, the translucent panel and the housing cooperating to define a light space; and
a plurality of light-emitters supported by the housing and positioned to emit light through the translucent panel, each light-emitter including:
a side-emitting optoelectronic device having an upper surface; and
a reflector at least partially surrounding the side-emitting optoelectronic device, the reflector positioned and shaped to reflect the emitted light substantially toward the translucent panel wherein the translucent panel contains a fluorescent material, and wherein the optoelectronic device outputs ultraviolet radiation that excites the fluorescent material.