WO2014011667A1

WO2014011667A1 - Methods and apparatuses for constructing a universal luminaire

Info

Publication number: WO2014011667A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/049771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rick Kauffman; Donald Vandersluis; Robert Fugerer
Original assignee: Evolucia Lighting Inc
Current assignee: Evolucia Lighting Inc
Priority date: 2012-07-09
Filing date: 2013-07-09
Publication date: 2014-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-09
Also published as: CN105121954A; EP2870408A4; EP2870408A1

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR CONSTRUCTING A UNIVERSAL LUMINAIRE

BACKROUND

[0001] There is an ongoing increase in market share of luminaires based on Light Emitting

Diodes (LEDs), otherwise known as Solid-State Lighting (SSL), versus those based on traditional light sources. SSL luminaires utilize the inherent advantages of LEDs such as greater efficiency, longer lifetime, mechanical ruggedness and freedom from dangerous toxins like mercury.

[0002] SSL luminaires generally require the use of a plurality of LEDs to achieve the desired intensity and pattern of light whereas conventional luminaires typically require only a singular source, such as a metal halide bulb. Furthermore, such traditional light sources tend to emit light in a nearly omnidirectional fashion, whereas high-power LEDs tend to emit light in a more nearly unidirectional fashion, generally a Lambertian radiation pattern. In order to most cost effectively utilize the light output of each LED, the aiming and beam spread of each LED should be controlled individually or in very small groups. The aiming can be effectively accomplished by mounting the LEDs to a thermally conductive printed circuit board (PCB) which is in turn mounted to a cast, molded, extruded or machined aiming platform. This platform also provides heat sinking so as to cool the LEDs and allow them to maintain proper operating temperature. While a cast or molded aiming platform is effective optically and thermally and is also cost effective in large production quantities, these methods of manufacture limit flexibility in changing the aiming points of LEDs.

The high cost of a mold relegates a casting to providing only one fixed pattern of light. Extrusions on their own do not provide a sufficient number of possible aiming points due to the nature of the extrusion process. Machining an aiming platform allows for sufficient aiming points, can be very effective thermally and certainly allows for flexibility in changing the aiming points from one machined piece to the next but is generally not cost effective for even modest production volume.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure recognizes that having multiple surfaces through which light must be transmitted may degrade overall performance of a luminaire. Provided in the present disclosure are several embodiments of luminaires that may be constructed using more cost effective

techniques and that provide for both aiming and cooling of LEDs with production-adjustable aiming points. Such SSL luminaires may be economically produced yet still allow the desired pattern of light to be altered on a production basis efficiently and economically.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 1 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0004] According to one aspect, a solid state lighting apparatus is provided. The apparatus generally includes a housing, an aiming platform coupled with the housing and comprising a plurality of mounting platforms, at least a subset of the plurality of mounting platforms having an adjustable mounting surface, and a plurality of light modules coupled with the plurality of

mounting platforms. The plurality of mounting surfaces may have a plurality of different mounting angles relative to a surface to be illuminated by the apparatus, for example. In some embodiments, the aiming platform is formed from a single sheet of material, which may include a thermally conductive sheet of material. In some embodiments, the single sheet of material is a sheet of aluminum, which may be cut to a required width and length and that includes a plurality of tabs that are bent to a desired angle to form the mounting platforms.

[0005] In some embodiments, at least a subset of the plurality of light modules comprise two or more LEDs coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB), and the PCB may be mounted to an

associated mounting platform. In other embodiments, at least a subset of the mounting platforms include a heat sink configured to transfer heat away from the associated LEDs. In some

embodiments, one or more of the light modules may also include a corresponding lens or secondary optical component.

[0006] According to another aspect, another solid state lighting apparatus is provided. The apparatus generally includes a housing, an aiming platform coupled with the housing, and a

plurality of light modules coupled with the aiming platform, at least a subset of the plurality of light modules comprising an adjustment component configured to allow the corresponding light module to emit light at an adjustable angle relative to the aiming platform. The aiming platform may include, for example, a number of mounting platforms, at least a subset of the mounting platforms having an adjustable mounting surface. The light modules may be configured to emit light at a number of different angles relative to the aiming platform. In some embodiments, the aiming platform is formed from a single sheet of material. The adjustment component, in some

embodiments, may include a gimbaled bolt. In still further embodiments, at least a subset of the light modules may include two or more LEDs coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB) and a heat sink, with the heat sink is mounted to an associated adjustment component, such as a gimbaled bolt.

[0007] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The

conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 2 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features which are believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to their

organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better

understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a SSL luminaire according to various

embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a SSL luminaire according to various embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of another SSL luminaire according to various

embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of another SSL luminaire according to various embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 4;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of aiming platforms according to various embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 7 is another illustration of aiming platforms according to various embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a light module according to various embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a light module according to various embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an aiming platform according to various

embodiments;

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 3 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0019] FIG. 1 1 is a bottom perspective view of an aiming platform according to various embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an aiming platform without light module or heat sink components, according to various embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of an aiming platform without light module or heat sink components, according to various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of another aiming platform according to various embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of another aiming platform according to various embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 4 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0033] FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of another SSL luminaire housing according to various embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of another aiming platform according to various embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of another aiming platform according to various embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a SSL light module according to various

embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective view of a SSL light module according to various

embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of a SSL light module according to various embodiments;

[0040] FIG. 32A is a side elevation view of a SSL light module according to various

embodiments;

[0041] FIG. 32B is a section view along section A-A of the SSL light module of FIG. 32A;

[0042] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a SSL light module according to various embodiments; and

[0043] FIG. 34 is a top view of a heat sink module according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope,

applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as

appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 5 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0045] Municipalities, commercial enterprises and the US military bases are installing SSL luminaires in increasing numbers. Traditional light sources such as incandescent, metal halide and sodium vapor lamps are being supplanted by luminaires based on LEDs. Energy savings, reduced operational expenses and minimized maintenance are significant advantages that Solid State

Lighting provides. The ruggedness, longevity, efficiency (among other qualities) of LEDs has continued to increase the number of applications and market share of SSL luminaires.

[0046] Typically, luminaires are installed in order to light a specified area, be it the wall of a building as in architectural lighting for example or a roadway as is typical in street lighting. In most such lighting applications, a specific pattern of light must be generated by a given luminaire in order to meet the requirements for that application. These requirements are often dictated by standards bodies, one of which, in the case of roadway lighting is the IES, the Illuminating

Engineering Society of North America. One pertinent standard is RP-8, the American National Standard Practice for Roadway Lighting, for example. Further, the US Department of Energy

(DOE) has developed Fitted Target Efficacy (FTE) requirements for SSL luminaires. This standard defines a metric of how efficiently a given luminaire fills the requisite pattern vs. the amount of electrical power consumed.

[0047] The FTE metric is part of the DOE's Energy Star program to provide a means of setting minimum efficacy requirements in illuminating a given target area and to also allow a fair

comparison between various SSL luminaires. Also, a given luminaire's area of coverage is

considered to be the area that provides illumination within the uniformity ratios as defined by the IES (as in roadway lighting, for example).

[0048] Many SSL luminaires position their LEDs in simple linear arrays or sometimes several such arrays, which achieve only a poor approximation of the light pattern required. Uniformity may be poor form or there may be inadequate coverage for some areas of the pattern or spillage outside the desired area which means that the FTE would be low. Providing a platform by which individual light emitting diodes or small groups of light emitting diodes are aimed precisely

provides greater control of the light pattern and has proven to generate higher FTE than competing methods.

[0049] Present methods of accomplishing this precise aiming utilize multi-faceted cast or molded housings, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, which serve as both aiming platforms 1 and thermal dissipation elements 2. Thermal dissipation or conduction of heat away from the LEDs is required

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 6 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. in order to maintain the LEDs' operating temperature within their specified range. Such cast or molded parts provide good economies of scale: when produced in high-volume, an expensive mold becomes much less costly to amortize over its lifetime. While this a cost effective method of production for luminaires whose generated pattern of light has sufficient market demand for high volume, aspects of the present disclosure provide a more cost effective method of producing a luminaire whose generated pattern of light may be in less demand in the market or may fill a custom requirement or as a means of using the same housing for producing multiple luminaires which generate different patterns of light.

[0050] Another advantage provided by various embodiments is greater economy of initial production. Whereas tooling for high-volume castings, for example, are generally very expensive as previously mentioned, tooling for extrusions and the forming of sheet metal parts are generally much less expensive. Various embodiments described herein enable the use of such inexpensive tooling. This enables the production of a luminaire or luminaires which are designed to generate a given pattern of light at a lower cost of entry into a given market.

[0051] According to some aspects of the disclosure, aiming elements of a luminaire may be positioned via formed or bent sheet metal or may have their aim-points adjustable via a movable apparatus on which the LED or LEDs and their optics reside.

[0052] In one exemplary embodiment, described here with reference to Figure 3, an external housing 3 is secured by mounting apparatus 4 to an arm 5 which in turn is mounted to a pole, building or other structure. A mounting socket 6 is provided to install a photocell common to the street lighting industry. Internal to said housing 3 are mounted aiming platforms 7 that are

arranged at various angles as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and in this exemplary embodiment, various heights as needed to achieve the required pattern of generated light.

[0053] These mounting platforms 7 are formed of a material having sufficient thermal

conductivity so as to remove enough heat from the LEDs assemblies that mount to the aiming platforms 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the aiming platforms 7 are constructed of sheet aluminum which is cut to the required width and length then bent to the needed angle 8 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. These aiming platforms 7 may also be constructed via extrusion if, for example, higher production quantities are required.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 7 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0054] In this exemplary embodiment, the LED assemblies 9 are depicted in Figures 8 and 9 and consist of a thermally conductive PCB 10 to which are mounted four LEDs 11 and their

corresponding lenses 12. The lenses may have a housing 13 used for mounting the lens to the PCB. The PCB is attached to the mounting platforms 7 via fasteners (not shown) through the mounting holes 14. Electrical power is provided through terminals 15, which in this exemplary embodiment mate to common "quick-connect" crimp terminals (not shown). In other embodiments, the method of electrical connection may differ from the method depicted here. A transient voltage suppressor (TVS) 16 provides electrical protection against transient electrical events such as surges and electro-static discharge (ESD).

[0055] In other embodiments of such an LED assembly, the number of LEDs and corresponding lens or lenses may differ, depending upon the specific pattern of light that needs to be generated and upon the efficacy of the individual LEDs used. The number of LEDs included in each LED package may also differ. Also, the lenses may consist of total internal reflection (TIR) -type lenses as depicted in Fig. 8 or they may be a compound parabolic reflectors followed by Fresnel-type lenses as depicted in other embodiments shown later, or they may be some other configuration.

[0056] The LED assemblies 9 may, in another exemplary embodiment as shown in Figures 10 and 11, be attached to a formed, folded or bent sheet metal aiming platform 17. Heat removal is then accomplished via small, inexpensive finned heat sinks 18. Shielding against environmental contaminants may be provided by individual protective lenses 19.

[0057] The sheet metal aiming platform 17, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, is made from a high thermal conductivity material such as aluminum in order to facilitate heat transfer between the LED assemblies 9 and the heat sinks 18. The LED assemblies 9 are mounted to individual areas 20 on the aiming platform 17. Each of these areas 20 are bent or formed at specific angles 21 in order to achieve the specific pattern of light required. Typically and in this exemplary embodiment, these angles 21 are formed about more than one axis of the assembly.

[0058] In yet another exemplary embodiment of this novel invention, Figures 14 and 15 depict a luminaire 22 which consists of a formed, bent, molded or stamped shell 23 which provides external environmental protection for an extruded heat sink 24. In this exemplary embodiment, this shell is formed metal but may be of another material such as a polymer. The heat sink 24 provides thermal conduction and dissipation for the LED assemblies 9 which are mounted to the heat sink via the aiming platform 25.

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 8 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0059] The thermal energy from the LED assemblies is typically transferred away from the heat sink via a combination of convection and radiation; convection may be through a plurality of ventilation holes 53 shown along the top of the metal shell of the luminaire 22 in Figure 14. These ventilation holes 53 may be drilled, stamped, cut, etched or otherwise formed into the shell of the luminaire or be drilled, stamped, cut, etched or otherwise formed into an insert that is fitted into the shell 23 of said luminaire 22. These ventilation holes 53 may be of various shapes and sizes but are generally sized to allow sufficient convection to cool the luminaire 's LEDs while minimizing ingress of environmental contaminants such as dust, debris, bird droppings, insects, etc. The plurality of holes may be further protected by a finer mesh screen or a layer of an air-permeable, water-resistant membrane such as Gortex or similar, placed either inside the luminaire or attached over the plurality of holes on the outside of the luminaire.

[0060] The aiming platform 25 in this exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, includes formed, bent or stamped sheet metal having a high thermal conductivity. The sheet metal has sufficient thermal conductivity to allow heat from the LED assemblies 9 to be conducted to the heat sink 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the sheet metal is aluminum. The mounting areas 26 are sized to fit the LED assemblies 9 and are set at various angles 27 in order to direct the light from LEDs in the proper direction for the light pattern required. In some embodiments, these angles 27 are formed about more than one axis of the assembly.

[0061] In this example, tabs 28 are provided on the distal ends of each mounting area in order to provide an additional thermal path to conduct heat away from the LED assembly 9. These tabs also provide additional support and help maintain the set angles 27 of the mounting areas 26.

[0062] The heat sink 24 from Figure 15 is shown in more detail in Figures 18, 19 and 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the heat sink is manufactured using an extrusion process, which typically uses an inexpensive mold relative to that required for casting. In this exemplary embodiment, said heat sink is made from aluminum. Fins 29 provide sufficient surface area to couple thermal energy from the heat sink to the surrounding air. These fins may vary in number, spacing, length,

thickness, shape and length. Slots 30 provide mating surfaces for fasteners (not shown) used to attach the aiming platform 25. Mounting surface area 31 is provided to couple thermal energy from the aiming platform 25 to the heat sink 24.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 9 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. [0063] The heat sink 24 as shown in extrusion profile in Figure 20 has a generally elliptical form in this exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, said heat sink may also have other forms as illustrated in but not limited to Figures 21 through 26. These forms and others may be dictated by requirements such as aesthetic, thermal, manufacturing, market demand or some other requirement.

[0064] In yet another exemplary embodiment, Figures 27 and 28 depict a luminaire subassembly 32 which includes a simple stamped, punched or cut sheet metal plate 33 onto which are mounted individually heat-sunk LED aiming modules 34 which attach to the plate 32 via gimbaled bolts 35. The LED aiming modules may be aimed in any direction within the needed range and locked in place with a single fastener, the gimbaled bolt 35.

[0065] The LED aiming modules 34 may be positioned by hand for single or short run

production of a given lighting pattern or may be positioned by a pre-formed fixture (not shown) into which an un-adjusted luminaire may be set, allowing the LED aiming modules 34 to align with the fixture. After such alignment, the gimbaled bolts 35 would be tightened by hand or with power tool assistance or robotically, fixing the given pattern in place on the luminaire. This method could be useful for various sized production runs or custom light patterns. Alternatively, said aiming modules 34 may be oriented robotically with the gimbaled bolts 35 being also tightened robotically, allowing for a nearly infinite range of light patterns to be produced by a single product line of luminaires.

[0066] The luminaire sub-assembly 32 may be mounted in a wide variety of protective

enclosures of various shapes and sizes as needed by aesthetic, architectural, market or other

requirements. If external lenses that provide protection against incursion of water, dust and other environmental hazards are incorporated into the LED aiming modules 34, appropriate mounting hardware is provided and the requisite power supply or supplies are provided and appropriately protected, the luminaire sub-assembly 32 could function as a luminaire without a fully enclosed external housing.

[0067] The LED aiming modules 34 are shown in greater detail in Figures 29 through 33.

Attached to the gimbaled bolt 35 is an extruded heat sink 36 to which is attached an LED assembly 37. This LED assembly is similar to the LED assemblies 9 as depicted in Figures 8 and 9. The gimbaled bolt 35 is shown in greater detail and in cross section in Figure 32. The gimbaled bolt 35 is comprised of the securing bolt 38 which screws into the slotted housing 39. The slot 40 provides

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 10 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. the degree of angular freedom necessary to achieve the required aiming points and thus

collectively, the light pattern required. Rotation freedom is provided by both the sphere-ended internal bolt 41 which allows rotation about the long axis of the LED aiming module 34 and also by the rotational freedom of the gimbaled bolt 35 in the mounting plate 33 (seen in Figures 27 and 28).

[0068] In some embodiments, there may be elastomeric or other compliant, elastomeric or partially compressible material (not shown) placed between the concave surface of the securing bolt 38 and the convex surface of the internal bolt in order to reduce the likelihood of movement after the LED aiming module 34 is mounted and the securing bolt 38 is tightened. Material that would best serve this purpose would have a high coefficient of friction such a silicone elastomer. Also, in some embodiments there may be a washer, lock-washer or gasket of similar elastomeric or other material between the securing bolt 38 and the mounting plate 33 or between the mounting plate 33 and the slotted housing 39.

[0069] The extruded heat sink 36 is shown in this exemplary embodiment to be of a primarily circular form, as shown in Figures 29 through 33 and in extrusion profile in Figure 34. However, other embodiments may be of elliptical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, triangular or some other form as may suit the needs of a given luminaire, aesthetic design, market demand or other

requirement. The length and number of fins may vary as well as the length of the extruded heat sink 36 as needed in order to provide sufficient total external surface area to couple thermal energy from the heat sink to the surrounding air. Enough thermal energy must be transferred away from the LED assembly 37 to keep the LEDs at a sufficiently low operating temperature for longevity and proper operation. This thermal energy is typically transferred away from the heat sink via a

combination of convection and radiation.

[0070] In this exemplary embodiment, a thermally conductive printed circuit board (PCB) 42 is attached to the heat sink 36 via fasteners 43. Mounted on the thermally conductive PCB 42 are LEDs 44. In this exemplary embodiment, there are four LEDs, though in other exemplary

embodiments, there may be more or fewer. These LEDs 44 may have a single die per package or multiple dice per package.

[0071] In this exemplary embodiment, the optical collimating section 45 serves to gather the light from the LEDs 44 which typically radiate in a Lambertian pattern and redirect such light to a substantially singular direction. The optical collimating section 45 is comprised of molded, formed or cast polymer which is coated internally with a reflective layer forming compound parabolic

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 11 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. mirrors, matching in number the number of LEDs 44 and having their axes align with the axes of the LEDs 44.

[0072] The collimated light is then expanded to the required amount by a set of spreading lenses 46, which match in number the number of LEDs 44 and having their axes align with the axes of the LEDs 44. These spreading lenses are, in this embodiment, Fresnel-type lenses molded as a single piece. These lenses may be identical to each other within a given molded piece or may each be different from the other within a given molded piece. In other embodiments, these lenses may be conventional, non-Fresnel lenses, gradient-index (GRIN) lenses or another type of lens.

[0073] In this exemplary embodiment, the spreading lenses 46 are positioned by the guide rods 47 and also the beam-spread adjustment screw 48. This beam-spread adjustment screw 48 allows the distance between the spreading lenses 46 and the LEDs 44 to be varied in order to vary the spread of the light as needed.

[0074] In other embodiments the optical collimating section 45 may consist of total internal reflection (TIR) type lenses similar to those depicted in Fig. 8 which may or may not be followed by spreading lenses 46 as depicted in other embodiments shown here, or they may incorporate the spreading function into their front surface.

[0075] Areas 49 depicted in Figure 33 represent locations for electrical contact to be made so as to provide power to the LEDs 44. Also provided but not shown in this exemplary embodiment is electrical protection against transient electrical events such as surges and electro-static discharge (ESD). This is protection device 16 shown earlier in the exemplary embodiment depicted in

Figures 8 and 9.

[0076] An extrusion profile of the heat 36 used in this exemplary embodiment is shown in

Figure 34. Mounting holes 50 are provided for fasteners 43 to mount the LED assembly 37. Fins 51 may vary in number, spacing, length, thickness, taper and shape. A central mounting hole 52 is provided to mount the LED aiming module 34.

[0077] The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings describes exemplary embodiments and does not represent the only embodiments that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" when used in this description means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or

...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 12 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. "advantageous over other embodiments." The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described embodiments.

[0078] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure the term "example" or "exemplary" indicates an example or instance and does not imply or require any preference for the noted example. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 13 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A solid state lighting apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an aiming platform coupled with the housing and comprising a plurality of mounting platforms, at least a subset of the plurality of mounting platforms having an adjustable mounting surface; and

a plurality of light modules coupled with the plurality of mounting platforms.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mounting surfaces have a plurality of different mounting angles relative to a surface to be illuminated by the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aiming platform is formed from a single sheet of material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the single sheet of material comprises a thermally conductive sheet of material.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the single sheet of material comprises a sheet of aluminum.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sheet of aluminum is cut to a required width and length and comprises a plurality of tabs that are bent to a desired angle to form the mounting platforms.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of light modules comprise two or more LEDs coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the PCB is mounted to an associated mounting platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a subset of the mounting platforms comprise a heat sink configured to transfer heat away from the associated LEDs.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one or more of the light modules further comprise a

corresponding lens or secondary optical component.

10. A solid state lighting apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an aiming platform coupled with the housing; and ...Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 14 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. a plurality of light modules coupled with the aiming platform, at least a subset of the plurality of light modules comprising an adjustment component configured to allow the

corresponding light module to emit light at an adjustable angle relative to the aiming platform.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the aiming platform comprises a plurality of mounting platforms, at least a subset of the plurality of mounting platforms having an adjustable mounting surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of light modules are configured to emit light at a plurality of different angles relative to the aiming platform.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the aiming platform is formed from a single sheet of material.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, the adjustment component comprises a gimbaled bolt.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of light modules comprise two or more LEDs coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB) and a heat sink, and wherein the heat sink is mounted to an associated adjustment component.

.Constructing a Universal Luminaire Page 15 of 16 Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc.