LED bulb with internal heat dissipating structures

1. An LED based light comprising:

a base having a first end and a second end;

a light structure adjacent to the base and extending along a longitudinal axis of the light;

wherein the light structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a cavity;

a heat dissipating structure extending into the cavity; and

at least one LED mounted in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure;

wherein:

the light structure is an annular flange;

the at least one LED includes at least one organic LED; and

the at least one organic LED is mounted to the outer surface and arranged to emit light in a predetermined light distribution.

2. The LED based light of claim 1 wherein the predetermined light distribution is the light distribution of a conventional incandescent bulb.

3. An LED based light comprising:

a base having a first end and a second end;

a light structure adjacent to the base and extending along a longitudinal axis of the light;

wherein the light structure includes an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a cavity;

a heat dissipating structure extending into the cavity; and

at least one LED mounted in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure;

wherein:

the light structure is a light pipe having a proximal end opposing a distal end;

the inner surface is configured for substantially total internal reflection of light; and

the light pipe is configured to distribute a light produced by the at least one LED in a predetermined light distribution.

4. The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising a connector fixed to the first end of the base and configured to provide a physical connection to a conventional incandescent light fixture.

5. The LED based light of claim 4 further comprising electronics, wherein:

the base defines a compartment;

the electronics are disposed within the compartment;

the connector is further configured to provide an electrical connection to the conventional incandescent light fixture;

the electronics are in electrical communication with the connector and configured to receive a power from a conventional incandescent light fixture through the connector;

the electronics are in electrical communication with the at least one LED; and

the electronics are configured to supply a power suitable for transmission to the at least one LED.

6. The LED based light of claim 5 wherein the base includes a plurality of apertures configured to allow airflow between the compartment and an ambient environment external to the base.

7. The LED based light of claim 3 wherein the predetermined light distribution is the light distribution of a conventional incandescent bulb.

8. The LED based light of claim 3 wherein:

the heat dissipating structure extends from the base;

the base is made from a thermally conductive material; and

the at least one LED includes a first group of LEDs mounted in thermally conductive relation to the base.

9. The LED based light of claim 8 wherein:

the second end defines an annular platform;

an annular circuit board is mounted on the annular platform;

the first group of LEDs is mounted on and in electrical communication with the annular circuit board; and

the first group of LEDs is oriented to face substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light.

10. The LED based light of claim 3 wherein:

the at least one LED includes a first LED disposed adjacent to the second end of the base;

the proximal end of the light pipe includes a proximal light receiving portion optically configured to receive a light produced by the first LED.

11. The LED based light of claim 10 wherein:

the light pipe is an annular light pipe;

the annular light pipe is solid between the inner surface and outer surface; and

the proximal light receiving portion defines an annular cutaway sized to receive the first LED.

12. The LED based light of claim 10 wherein:

the at least one LED includes a second LED oriented to face the inner surface; and

the inner surface includes an interior light receiving portion optically configured to receive a light produced by the second LED.

13. The LED based light of claim 3 wherein:

the heat dissipating structure is made from highly thermally conductive material; and

the heat dissipating structure has a high surface area to volume ratio.

14. The LED based light of claim 13 wherein the heat dissipating structure is at least one of a plurality of longitudinally extending pins or a plurality of longitudinally extending fins.

15. The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising an active heat dissipating device disposed within the cavity.

16. The LED based light of claim 3 further comprising a first thermal insulating shroud disposed about the base.

17. The LED based light of claim 16 further comprising a second thermal insulating shroud, wherein:

the second thermal insulating shroud extends over the distal end of the light structure to enclose the heat dissipating structure; and

at least one of the light structure or the second thermal insulating shroud includes a plurality of apertures configured to allow airflow between the cavity and an ambient environment external to the light structure.

18. A method making an LED based light comprising:

providing a base having a first end and a second end;

mounting a light structure having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a cavity adjacent to the base so that the light structure extends along a longitudinal axis of the light, wherein the light structure is an annular flange;

providing a heat dissipating structure within the cavity;

mounting at least one LED in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure;

mounting the annular flange in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure; and

mounting the at least one LED to the outer surface.

19. A method making an LED based light comprising:

providing a base having a first end and a second end;

mounting a light structure having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a cavity adjacent to the base so that the light structure extends along a longitudinal axis of the light;

providing a heat dissipating structure within the cavity; and

mounting at least one LED in thermally conductive relation to the heat dissipating structure;

wherein:

the light structure is a light pipe having a proximal end opposing a distal end;

the inner surface is configured for substantially total internal reflection of light; and

the light pipe is configured to distribute a light produced by the at least one LED in a predetermined light distribution.

20. The LED base light of claim 3 wherein the outer surface is linear and extends radially outward along the longitudinal axis of the light to form a conical shape.

21. The LED base light of claim 3 wherein the outer surface is contoured to form a bulbous profile.