| 摘要 |
The present invention provides an elongated lighting apparatus for use in environments subject to temperature fluctuations, wherein the lighting apparatus can be illuminated along its entire length during operation. The elongated lighting apparatus comprises several components which operate in harmony in order to provide this functionality. The lighting apparatus comprises at least two elongated tubular members fabricated from a material that allows the passage of light therethrough. These elongated tubular members are fixedly mounted on a surface in an end to end configuration, separated by a region enabling the thermal expansion/contraction of the members. Slidably positioned inside each tubular member is a substrate having a plurality of light emitting devices integrated thereon for providing illumination. The open ends of the elongated tubular members are enclosed by end caps that enable the sealing of these ends of the members. At least one of these end caps has a protrusion therein that projects towards the region of separation and this protrusion is fabricated from a material that allows the passage of light therethrough. Positioned proximate to a protrusion in an end cap is at least one of the plurality of light emitting devices, wherein this protrusion provides a means for light diffusion into the region separating the elongated tubular members, thereby illuminating this region. Enclosing the region between the elongated tubular members is a flexible interconnector also fabricated from a material that allows the passage of light therethrough. The flexible interconnector provides a means for the visual concealment of the region separating the adjacent members. The lighting apparatus further comprises electrical interconnection between the light emitting devices and an external power source thereby providing a system for the energization of the light sources.
|
