US Patent 7926975 Light distribution using a light emitting diode assembly

A fluorescent light tube retrofit with light emitting diodes (LEDs) that evenly distribute light to avoid bright spots is disclosed. One LED lighting unit includes a tubular housing and a plurality of LED assemblies mounted about a circumference of the tubular housing. LEDs face inward from a mounting surface that is angled offset of the tube. Alternatively, at least one LED can be oriented to emit light parallel to a tangent of the housing into a light pipe that curves inside at least a portion of the tubular housing.