 |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Orange County Convention Center’s Green Initiatives Include Albeo LED Lighting |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Future Lighting Solutions Launches Line of LED Light Engines
SSLighting Design News Staff
February 4, 2010...Future Lighting Solutions a maker of LED light engines using Luxeon Rebel LEDs, has created an exclusive line of light engines designed to accelerate the development, prototyping and delivery of solid state lighting applications as well as reduce fixture development costs. The new simpleLED program light engines are reportedly available in 12 form factors and 600-plus customization options, all featuring ANSI-binned Luxeon Rebel LEDs integrated with key components.
The light engines come in twelve off-the-shelf configurations that are available for immediate shipment. These include: linear, circular and square layouts with 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 9 white 3000K, 3500K or 4000K LEDs. Each assembly incorporates circuit boards, LEDs, Tyco Electronics connectors, and 10mm, 20mm, Tri-Lens or ultra-wide Carclo optics. Applications for the light engines range from recessed downlights to low bay, cove, wall wash, display case, under cabinet, desk/task and street/area lighting.
Custom configurations can be easily specified online with Future's new Light Engine Builder and shipped in four weeks. Additional customization including color LEDs and alternative optics is available with slightly longer lead times.
The company says that all the light engines in the program offer a three-year manufacturer's warranty as well as the full benefits of the Luxeon Rebel platform, including the ability to support drive currents up to 1000mA, compliance with ANSI color binning requirements, and a minimum CRI of 80. The LEDs are also UL Recognized, eliminating the need for a full in-system LED component investigation to obtain UL Listed status for new luminaires built with Future's light engines.
"LED light engines save time and development costs for smaller manufacturers, those with limited LED development experience, companies with rapid prototyping needs, and others by reducing engineering, sourcing and assembly needs. But until now, the selection in the market has been very small," said Danny Miller, Vice President - Lighting Integration for Future Lighting Solutions. "The breadth of product and extensive customization available through our simpleLED program mark a quantum leap in simplifying solid state lighting development."
Future Lighting Solutions News Release
Cree Offers New 24-Die XLamp MPL Easy White LED
LIGHTimes News Staff
February 2, 2010...Cree has introduced an LED package that delivers up to 1500 lumens at 75 lumens per Watt.
Cree claims that its new lighting-class LED can make energy inefficient light bulbs obsolete.
The XLamp MPL EasyWhite takes advantage of the company's previously announced EasyWhite binning which essentially mixes a variety of chips in a 7 MacAdam range in a single bin in order to average the color to a narrower 4 MacAdam range. The MLP EasyWhite encapsulates 24 die together. The XLamp MPL EasyWhite LED features up to 1500 lumens at 250 mA and has a compact 12-mm x 13-mm footprint, which the company says is 72 percent smaller than the nearest-competing LED component.
The multi-chip XLamp MPL EasyWhite LED is reportedly optimized for directional lighting applications, including PAR- or BR-style light bulbs. Cree boasts that with the proper system design, the MPL EasyWhite LED can deliver the required light output for a 3000-K, 75-Watt equivalent BR-30 light bulb, but would consume 78-percent less energy than traditional incandescent technology.
Cree News Release,
SSL Design PageTwo members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Seoul Semiconductor to Introduce 100 lm/W LED Source During First Quarter 2010
SSLighting Design News Staff
February 2, 2010...Seoul Semiconductor, a global LED manufacturer, announced that it will introduce a 100 lm/W AC LED light source during the first quarter of 2010. Offering 25% greater efficiency than existing LED light products, this latest offering from Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche brand will be available for sampling by March 1. It will be supported with a global marketing campaign.
The company says that Acriche outlasts incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, and due to its high reliability and long life is less costly to use than traditional lighting methods.
Like the company's other Acriche products, the new 100 lm/W LED needs no AC-DC converter. Additionally, it reportedly generates less than 1/10th the carbon emissions of an incandescent bulb. Seoul Semiconductor News Release,
SSL Design PageTwo members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Cree Showcases New Residential LED Downlight
SSLighting Design News Staff
January 21, 2010...Cree's new 6-inch LED downlight, the CR6, for the residential market was showcased this week at the 2010 International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas. Cree says that CR6 LED downlight takes the technology at the heart of the LR6 family and redesigns it to deliver maximum value for residential lighting.
The CR6 downlight, planned for availability in mid-2010, is being designed to meet Energy Star criteria and for an end user price of approximately $60.
“By delivering the beautiful warm light created by Cree TrueWhite™ technology in an affordable, energy-efficient LED residential fixture, we’re providing consumers with an alternative to energy wasting incandescents and the poor color-rendering of compact fluorescent bulbs,” said Neal Hunter, President of Cree LED Lighting. “There is no residential LED downlight on the market today that can come close to matching the value and performance of the CR6. This product builds on the success of the award-winning LR6, which has shipped more than 350,000 units to date.” Company News Release
New GreenStar Galaxy Street Lights Integrate Philips Lumileds' Luxeon Rebel LEDs
SSLighting Design News Staff
February 2, 2010...GreenStar a maker of LED lighting solutions has introduced its Galaxy series street and outdoor solutions that incorporate several unique design features and patent pending innovations. The Galaxy series will utilize Philips Lumileds Luxeon Rebel LEDs to maximize overall system performance in a wide range of applications.
GreenStar points out that its Galaxy fixtures incorporate several patented (pending) product performance advancements including the overall design, thermal management, micro-controller based illumination and communications capabilities. The company says that the Galaxy series reduces energy consumption, management overhead, total ownership cost, and payback period. According to GreenStar, this makes them an excellent selection for cities and municipalities with a “green” vision and an eye on fiscal responsibility.
“We firmly believe that the Philips Lumileds Luxeon Rebel LED is ideal to attain GreenStar’s demanding lumen maintenance and efficacy goals. They offer several technical advantages,” said Dr. Chuck Chakravarty, GreenStar COO. “We know with our patent (pending) heat dissipation technology the Galaxy series street and area lighting solutions will deliver long-term service, energy savings, and a financially compelling proposition. Simply stated, our fixtures offer superior quality, value and return on investment.”
“We are pleased that GreenStar selected Luxeon Rebel LEDs for their Galaxy street lights,” said Steve Barlow, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Philips Lumileds. “By working together, GreenStar is able to obtain the many advantages of using Philips Lumileds Luxeon LEDs to optimize system performance. Our Luxeon LEDs deliver industry leading lumen maintenance and reliability, and provide best-in-class light output and efficacy at actual solution operating conditions.”
GreenStar News Release
Osram Sheds Light on the Novotel Hotel, Heathrow
SSLighting Design News Staff
January 28, 2010...Osram was approached to provide a bespoke solution to enhance the appearance of London's Novotel Hotel exterior. Osram previously supplied Halogen Energy Saver lamps for Novotel’s interior. 300W halogen lamps were previously used to light the exterior of the hotel. However, the Novotel Hotel wanted to find a solution that could increase visibility while achieving energy savings. High Power Flood RGB LED luminaires from Osram were installed on the exterior of the Novotel Hotel, London Heathrow. The luminaires offer complete color control which can create a different lighting atmosphere and mood depending on the occasion. Osram News Release SSL Design PageTwo members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Helsinki Light Season 2009 Illuminated with Robe CitySource 96s
SSLighting Design News Staff
January 28, 2010...Over 100 of the new Robe CitySource 96 LED wash fixtures illuminated two high profile light works - at Parliament House and the Council of State and University buildings in Senate Square adjacent to the Cathedral during Helsinki's 2009 Light Season. The exterior light art for both sites was designed by Finnish lighting designer Mikki Kunttu and his company Moving Light. The second year of the event followed on from Kunttu's very successful lighting of Senate Square during the previous year.
Kunttu chose the prestigious and visible site in the city for the lighting event. The newly launched Robe CitySource 96 units were specified following site tests. After the tests Kunttu was convinced that Robe CitySource 96 units were the must-use lights. The fixtures were delivered to lighting rental company Moving Light via Robe's Finnish distributor Live Nation Finland two weeks before the installations went live.
With the luminaires at his disposal Kunttu was able to produce a spectacular color changing canvass on Parliament House. The luminaires allowed Kunttu to create a completely different look and feel for Senate square than he had been able to do using different fixtures last year. Robe Lighting News Release
SSL Design PageTwo members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Proprietary MicroEmitter LED Technology in Providence Line of Fixtures
SSLighting Design News Staff
January 28, 2010...Architectural Area Lighting of La Mirada, California USA has unveiled the Providence® LED as part of its new Designer SSL Series of high performance area luminaires. The luminaires feature the company's exclusive MicroEmitter technology.
Providence is the company's family of transitional style luminaires. The company says that they combine modern lighting performance with aesthetics in a traditional form. The series, which now includes LED options, also includes area luminaires, plus a sconce and bollard.
The fixture's MicroEmitter technology and beam angle offer a uniform light with decreased glare. The technology is focused in the EmitterDeck, which consists of an array of replaceable. MicroEmitter modules that tightly and precisely control each diode. A secondary perimeter reflector within the housing redirects any stray light. According to AAL, the result is powerful, low glare, uniform illumination.
AAL says its exclusive MicroEmitter control and beam angle design limit the fixture's glare, while still allowing wide pole spacing. The result is maximum throw with broad, uniform illumination. The company says that the fixture's unique precision aiming system allows only half of the LEDs to be seen at any given time, resulting in 50 percent less glare when compared to other exposed, uncontrolled LED systems currently on the market.
The Providence LED fixture features: glare guard perimeter reflector; center reflector that distributes light evenly directly below the fixture; heat dissipating aluminum carrier plate; precisely aimed MicroEmitters; one-piece memory retentive silicone gasket; die cast housing for maximum durability; decorative struts that conceal wiring and tool-less access to the fixture's drivers.
Providence LED is available with a choice of four distribution patterns (Type 2, 3, 4 or 5) and two color temperatures to meet any job requirements: 60LED-WW (60 light emitting diode array – 70-73 total input watts – warm white [3500K] 120 through 277 volt) and 60LED-BW (60 light emitting diode array – 70-73 total input watts – bright white [5100K] 120 through 277 volt).
The luminaire's housing made of die cast aluminum disperses the heat away from the optical chamber. The internal reflector module is sealed from the outer housing with a one-piece, memory retentive, molded silicone gasket. The silicone gasket seals the tempered glass lens to the housing, and a stainless steel latch releases a hinged panel for easy access.
The fixture's finish reportedly consists of a five-stage pretreatment regimen with a polymer primer sealer, oven dry off, and top coated with a thermoset super TGIC polyester powder coat finish that comes in 13 standard colors. Company News Release
Our news features are reported
by the SSL Design staff writers.
For submissions or content suggestions, you can contact us using
editor -at - solidstatelightingdesign.com
For more information and to reserve promotion space contact
Info7 -at - solidstatelightingdesign.com
or call +1 (512) 257-9888
|
Commentary & Perspectives...
The Challenge of the 'Tween' LED Lights
Tom Griffiths - Publisher
February 2, 2010...Kermit the Frog's famous one-liner was, "It isn't easy being green..." inspires us to suggest that, "It isn't easy being tween" here in the solid state lighting world. By 'tween' we mean sitting in the nether-world of purpose-built lighting that is conveniently enabled by LED lighting. A big opportunity for the LED lighting world is to put light, or particular kinds of light, in places and form factors where it didn't work (easily or cost-effectively) before. Examples could include the world of color changing, as well as "flat" lights, glowing panels, multi-directional and semi-omnidirectional bulbs and luminaires.
Color changing, and even fixed color RGB sources, are very understandable in what they do and why they work well. If you can generate a 'native' light color, instead of filtering a wider spectrum source, you'd expect to get a lot more efficient solution. Present a source with a full or nearly full spectrum (think halogen or metal-halide) and then throw a blue colored lens in front of it, and I've been told that you're effectively disposing of 90% of the lumens that you started with. Feed a current to a blue LED, and you get 100% blue photons from start to finish, and at efficiencies that are as good or better than the full spectrum source was for generating all its light. It's a no-brainer to understand why Hollywood, theater and entertainment lighting leaped onto LED-based sources from early on. We all know red-green-blue generates what our eyes perceive as "white" since true white is simply a real healthy mix of the full spectrum. The funny thing is that an RGB solution is still a little "peaky", and while our eyes appreciate the rich color it returns, the instruments do not. That shows up as a penalty when you compare RGB-generated white-lumens to incandescent, or in the case of fluorescents, phosphor-generated lumens. This isn't about the "CRI" thing (an important ongoing discussion on its own), but about the "white energy" in my layman's terms.
A good example of this comes to mind in the projector applications. About a year and half ago, we reported on our subjective experience with a Samsung pocket-projector powered by one of Luminus Devices PhlatLight LEDs. In case you're not familiar with it, the Luminus chips are around half a business card sized monsters that contain big red, green and blue LED die that are about a quarter of an inch square. They scale up and down from there, and also have phosphor converted white solutions as well, but the RGB family made it's mark in the DLP television wave as the source that provided much richer colors, and a 50,000 to 100,000 hour life, instead of the optimistic 5000 that your standard metal-halide through a color wheel solution did. What my eyes saw from this 200-ish lumen RGB LED projector was overall brightness perception that came a good way towards matching our 2000 lumen conference projector. When it came to color quality, there was no contest at all. The movie on the LED projector didn't have that washed out color look, and it just 'felt' better. Mark McClear of Cree, in a talk at last summer's DOE meet in Chicago, posed the question, "Why can't the standards acknowledge what we see with our eyes?" Namely that LED light can provide a higher quality that currently isn't reflected in the numbers.
There are other interesting "tweens" that we're having to come to grips with now. Most recently, we've seen several new Edison-based A-lamp designs hit the market. When we think A-lamp, we picture our very familiar 60, 75 or 100w incandescents, with the visible addition of the heat sink there between the base and 'globe' in the designs of most LED challengers. With the virtual completion of the DOE-generated "Integral LED Lamp" Energy Star specification, there is finally a reference point on what a "replacement" for a number of standard incandescent Edison-based bulbs should do. The spec is pretty comprehensive, and places the emphasis in the right places. For PAR/R replacements, generally recognized as the easiest 'replacement bulb' challenge for LEDs to tackle, the standards are about smoothness in the distribution, the width of the beam angle, and the brightness (center beam candle power) on the target. The MR specs follow the same approach, and since you can measure those characteristics for the 'average' incandescent solution, the bar was set to meet the distribution and output, and do it at X number of lumens per watt or better. PAR/R/MR lamps need to beat 40-45 lm/watt (the lower number for the smaller lamps), decorative/candelabra base need to beat 40 lm/watt, and A-lamps need to beat 50 lm/watt for less 10w of LED power, or 55 lm/watt for those greater than 10w. (You can see PDF slide copies of the presentation that Marc Ledbetter of the DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory gave at the January 2010 LA SSL Summit here).
Then there's the tweens. They have the same efficacy requirements as the A-lamps, but drop the requirement for a particular distribution which allows things like A-lamp shaped directional lamps, as a very specific 'for instance'. Why would you want one of those? For one big reason, to replace standard incandescent A-lamps, and CFLs in the zillions of pendants and cans that they have found themselves in. Would R's work as well? Seems like they would, but for whatever reason, whether for looks or cost, or because the fixture had an attractive way to leak some of the light out in other directions, omnidirectional lamps are in there, and mostly being asked to send light in one direction. What an ideal fit for LEDs, since they really do like to send light out directionally, and those sockets are being served by 10-40lm/watt omnidirectional solutions right now (I'm guessing the light loss is likely on the order of 25-50%, so consider the range to be 5-30lm/watt out of the fixture). Here's the part that's not easy when being tween... describing it.
Humans seem to have gotten really used to the whole "Watt" thing, and the Energy Star specs acknowledge that by setting guidelines for what you can claim as an equivalent to incandescents of different wattages. And they have clearly set them with the intention that a consumer is not disappointed by the amount of brightness that they observe from the equivalent. Challenge number one comes in the form of potentially more perceived brightness coming from the higher quality LED solutions. There's already anecdotal evidence of people needing to "step down" in what they thought would be an equivalent in order to get the same overall impression of light and color. Challenge number two comes when you're a tween, such as the A-lamp form factor that is tailored to downlights. Or similarly, the one that will result from "a bulb really optimized for use in a table lamp" as Marc Ledbetter put it. (That would be one which cast the majority of its light downward towards the floor or book reader, with correct doses of side lighting to illuminate the shade and up lighting to give a nice ambiance to the room... in other words, "smart design"). But how do you describe the equivalence. If you say, "equivalent to a 75w incandescent in downlight applications" you an expect a knock at the door from the Energy Star police (not yet elevated to czar status) because you don't have a PAR/R or A-omnidirectional type of distribution. "Don't make the comparisons if you're 'other'," says the spec. Oh my. Do you not worry about being Energy Star, or not make the comparison? Tough choice. As an industry, let's keep giving it deep thought for ways to both draw the comparisons, as well as educate the coming masses that it's not about the watts anymore. Lumens and efficacy... lumens and efficacy... lumens and efficacy. Once we get that, hopefully we'll be ready to re-flash their programming to cover the whole "perceived brightness" thing. (Sigh).
Current PageTwo members may access extended content by logging in here
or Sign up for a SSL Design PageTwo membership now
Copyright 2007 by Veriphos Communications. LLC
Content under license