U.S. patent application number 10/631027 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for light emitting diode light source.
This patent application is currently assigned to OPTOLUM, INC.. Invention is credited to Dry, Joel M..
Application Number | 20040141326 10/631027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22561183 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040141326 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dry, Joel M. |
July 22, 2004 |
Light emitting diode light source
Abstract
A light or radiation emitting source that utilizes radiation
emitting solid state or semiconductor devices is disclosed. The
devices are mounted on an elongate member having at least two
surfaces upon which the light emitting diodes are mounted. The
elongate member is thermally conductive and is utilized to cool the
devices. In the illustrative embodiment, the elongate member is a
tubular member through which a heat transfer medium flows.
Inventors: |
Dry, Joel M.; (New Orleans,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DONALD J. LENKSZUS
PO BOX 3064
CAREFREE
AZ
85377-3064
US
|
Assignee: |
OPTOLUM, INC.
Scottsdale
AZ
|
Family ID: |
22561183 |
Appl. No.: |
10/631027 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10631027 |
Jul 30, 2003 |
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10430732 |
May 5, 2003 |
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10430732 |
May 5, 2003 |
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10156810 |
May 29, 2002 |
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6573536 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 29/74 20150115;
F21K 9/20 20160801; F21S 4/28 20160101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21V
19/001 20130101; F21V 29/777 20150115; F21V 29/83 20150115; F21S
4/22 20160101; F21Y 2103/10 20160801; F21V 29/75 20150115; F21V
29/00 20130101; F21Y 2107/30 20160801; F21V 29/54 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/373 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 001/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A light source comprising: an elongate thermally conductive
member having an outer surface; at least one solid state light
source carried on said elongate member outer surface; one or more
electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive
member and connected to said at least one solid state light source
to supply electrical power thereto; and said elongate thermally
conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said
at least one solid state light source to fluid contained by said
elongate thermally conductive member.
2. A light source comprising: an elongate thermally conductive
member having an outer surface; a plurality of solid state light
sources carried on said elongate member outer surface at least some
of said solid state light sources being disposed in a first plane
and others of said solid state light sources being disposed in a
second plane not coextensive with said first plane; electrical
conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and
connected to said plurality of solid state light sources to supply
electrical power thereto; and said elongate thermally conductive
member being configured to conduct heat away from said solid state
light sources to fluid contained by said elongate thermally
conductive member.
3. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said fluid
comprises air.
4. A light source in accordance with claim 3, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or more heat
dissipation protrusions.
5. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube.
6. A light source in accordance with claim 5, wherein: said tube
has a cross-section in the shape of a polygon.
7. A light source in accordance with claim 5,wherein: said tube has
a cross-section having flat portions.
8. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a channel.
9. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises an extrusion.
10. A light source in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said
extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.
11. A light source in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular member.
12. A light source in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said
tubular member has a polygon cross-section.
13. A light source in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said
tubular member has a triangular cross-section.
14. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising: a
flexible circuit carried on a surface of said elongate thermally
conductive member, said flexible circuit comprising said electrical
conductors.
15. A light source in accordance with claim 14, wherein: said
flexible circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving
said plurality of light emitting diodes.
16. A light source in accordance with claim 15, wherein: each of
said solid state light sources is disposed in a corresponding one
of said apertures and affixed in thermally conductive contact with
said elongate thermally conductive member.
17. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein: a thermal
transfer media disposed therein.
18. A light source in accordance with claim 17, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a flow channel for
said thermal transfer media.
19. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising: at least
one clip for mounting said elongate thermally conductive member in
a fixture.
20. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising: an
electrically insulating layer disposed on said elongate thermally
conductive member outer surface and carrying said electrical
conductors thereon.
21. A light source in accordance with claim 20, wherein: said
electrically insulating layer comprises a plurality of apertures,
each aperture receiving one of said solid state light sources; and
each solid state light source of said plurality of solid state
light sources being mounted in a corresponding one of said
apertures and in thermally conductive contact with said elongate
thermally conductive member.
22. A radiation emitting source comprising: an elongate thermally
conductive member having an outer surface; at least one radiation
emitting semiconductor device carried on said elongate member outer
surface; one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate
thermally conductive member and connected to said at least one
radiation emitting semiconductor device to supply electrical power
thereto; and said elongate thermally conductive member being
configured to conduct heat away from said at least one radiation
emitting semiconductor device to fluid contained by said elongate
thermally conductive member.
23. A radiation emitting source comprising: an elongate thermally
conductive member having an outer surface; a plurality of radiation
emitting semiconductor devices carried on said elongate member
outer surface at least some of said radiation emitting
semiconductor devices being disposed in a first plane and others of
said radiation emitting semiconductor devices being disposed in a
second plane not coextensive with said first plane; electrical
conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and
connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply
electrical power thereto; and said elongate thermally conductive
member being configured to conduct heat away from said radiation
emitting semiconductor devices to fluid contained by said elongate
thermally conductive member.
24. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
wherein: said fluid comprises air.
25. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 24,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or
more heat dissipation protrusions.
26. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a
tube.
27. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 26,
wherein: said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a
polygon.
28. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim
26,wherein: said tube has a cross-section having flat portions.
29. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a
channel.
30. A radiation source in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises an extrusion.
31. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 30,
wherein: said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.
32. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 31,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular
member.
33. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 32,
wherein: said tubular member has a polygon cross-section.
34. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 32,
wherein: said tubular member has a triangular cross-section.
35. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
comprising: a flexible circuit carried on a surface of said
elongate thermally conductive member, said flexible circuit
comprising said electrical conductors.
36. A radiation source in accordance with claim 35, wherein: said
flexible circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving
said plurality of light emitting diodes.
37. A radiation source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: each
of said radiation emitting semiconductor devices is disposed in a
corresponding one of said apertures and affixed in thermally
conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive
member.
38. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
wherein: a thermal transfer media disposed therein.
39. A radiation source in accordance with claim 38, wherein: said
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a flow channel for
said thermal transfer media.
40. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
comprising: at least one clip for mounting said elongate thermally
conductive member in a fixture.
41. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 23,
comprising: an electrically insulating layer disposed on said
elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying
said electrical conductors thereon.
42. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 41,
wherein: said electrically insulating layer comprises a plurality
of apertures, each aperture receiving one of said radiation
emitting semiconductor devices; and each radiation emitting
semiconductor device of said plurality of radiation emitting
semiconductor devices being mounted in a corresponding one of said
apertures and in thermally conductive contact with said elongate
thermally conductive member.
43. A radiation emitting source comprising: an elongate thermally
conductive member having an outer surface; at least one radiation
emitting solid state device carried on said elongate member outer
surface; one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate
thermally conductive member and connected to said at least one
radiation emitting solid state device to supply electrical power
thereto; and said elongate thermally conductive member being
configured to conduct heat away from said at least one radiation
emitting solid state device to fluid contained by said elongate
thermally conductive member.
44. A radiation emitting source comprising: an elongate thermally
conductive member having an outer surface; a plurality of radiation
emitting solid state devices carried on said elongate member outer
surface at least some of said radiation emitting solid state
devices being disposed in a first plane and others of said
radiation emitting solid state devices being disposed in a second
plane not coextensive with said first plane; electrical conductors
carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected
to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical
power thereto; and said elongate thermally conductive member being
configured to conduct heat away from said radiation emitting solid
state devices to fluid contained by said elongate thermally
conductive member.
45. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: said fluid comprises air.
46. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 45,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or
more heat dissipation protrusions.
47. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a
tube.
48. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 47,
wherein: said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a
polygon.
49. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 47
wherein: said tube has a cross-section having flat portions.
50. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a
channel.
51. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises an
extrusion.
52. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 51,
wherein: said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.
53. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 52,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular
member.
54. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 53,
wherein: said tubular member has a polygon cross-section.
55. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 53,
wherein: said tubular member has a triangular cross-section.
56. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 54,
comprising: a flexible circuit carried on a surface of said
elongate thermally conductive member, said flexible circuit
comprising said electrical conductors.
57. A radiation source in accordance with claim 56, wherein: said
flexible circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving
said plurality of light emitting diodes.
58. A radiation source in accordance with claim 57, wherein: each
of said radiation emitting solid state devices is disposed in a
corresponding one of said apertures and affixed in thermally
conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive
member.
59. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: a thermal transfer media disposed therein.
60. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 59,
wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a flow
channel for said thermal transfer media.
61. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
comprising: at least one clip for mounting said elongate thermally
conductive member in a fixture.
62. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 44,
comprising: an electrically insulating layer disposed on said
elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying
said electrical conductors thereon.
63. A radiation emitting source in accordance with claim 62,
wherein: said electrically insulating layer comprises a plurality
of apertures, each aperture receiving one of said radiation
emitting solid state devices; and each radiation emitting solid
state device of said plurality of radiation emitting solid state
devices being mounted in a corresponding one of said apertures and
in thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally
conductive member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of my co-pending
application Ser. No. 10/430,732, filed May 5, 2003 which is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 10/156,810 filed May 29, 2002,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,536 issued Jun. 3, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to lighting sources, in general, and
to a lighting source that utilizes Light Emitting Diodes (LED's),
in particular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] LED's have many advantages as light sources. However, in the
past LED's have found application only as specialized light sources
such as for vehicle brake lights, and other vehicle related
lighting, and recently as flashlights. In these prior applications,
the LED's are typically mounted in a planar fashion in a single
plane that is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the viewing
area. Typically the LED planar array is not used to provide
illumination, but to provide signaling.
[0004] Recent attempts to provide LED light sources as sources of
illumination have been few, and generally unsatisfactory from a
general lighting standpoint.
[0005] It is highly desirable to provide a light source utilizing
LED's that provides sufficient light output so as to be used as a
general lighting source rather than as a signaling source.
[0006] One problem that has limited the use of LED's to specialty
signaling and limited general illumination sources is that LED's
typically generate significant amounts of heat. The heat is such
that unless the heat is dissipated, the LED internal temperature
will rise causing degradation or destruction of the LED.
[0007] It is therefore further desirable to provide an LED light
source that efficiently conducts heat away from the LED's.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the principles of the invention, an
improved light source is provided. The light source includes an
elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface. A
plurality of light emitting diodes is carried on the elongate
member outer surface. At least some of the light emitting diodes
are disposed in a first plane and others of said light emitting
diodes are disposed in a second plane not coextensive with the
first plane. Electrical conductors are carried by the elongate
thermally conductive member and are connected to the plurality of
light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto. The
elongate thermally conductive member conducts heat away from the
light emitting diodes.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an
illustrative embodiment of the invention utilizes light emitting
diodes that emit white light. However, other embodiments of the
invention may utilize light emitting diodes that are of different
colors to produce monochromatic light or the colors may be chosen
to produce white light or other colors.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the
elongate thermally conductive member transfers heat from the light
emitting diodes to a medium within said elongate thermally
conductive member. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention,
the medium is air.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
elongate thermally conductive member has one or more fins to
enhance heat transfer to the medium.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube. In one
embodiment of the invention, the tube has a cross-section in the
shape of a polygon. In another embodiment of the invention, the
tube has a cross-section having flat portions.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the
elongate thermally conductive member comprises a channel.
[0014] In accordance with the principles of the invention, the
elongate thermally conductive member may comprise an extrusion, and
the extrusion can be highly thermally conductive material such as
aluminum.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment of the invention the elongate
thermally conductive member is a tubular member. The tubular member
has a polygon cross-section. However, other embodiments my have a
tubular member of triangular cross-section.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, a flexible circuit is
carried on a surface of said elongate thermally conductive member;
the flexible circuit includes the electrical conductors.
[0017] In another aspect of the invention, the flexible circuit
comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving said plurality of
light emitting diodes. Each of the light emitting diodes is
disposed in a corresponding one of the apertures and affixed in
thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally
conductive member.
[0018] The elongate thermally conductive member includes a thermal
transfer media disposed therein in a flow channel.
[0019] At least one clip for mounting the elongate thermally
conductive member in a fixture may be included.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0020] The invention will be better understood from a reading of
the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which
like reference indications identify like elements, and in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a planar side view of a light source in accordance
with the principles of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top planar view of the light source of FIG.
1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light source of FIG. 1
with mounting clips;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a planar side view of the light source of FIG. 3
showing mounting clips separated from the light source;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top view of the light source and mounting clips
of FIG. 4; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section of the light source of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A light source in accordance with the principles of the
invention may be used as a decorative lighting element or may be
utilized as a general illumination device. As shown in FIG. 1, a
light source 100 in accordance with the invention includes an
elongate thermally conductive member or heat sink 101. Elongate
heat sink 101 is formed of a material that provides excellent
thermal conductivity. Elongate heat sink 101 in the illustrative
embodiment of the invention is a tubular aluminum extrusion. To
improve the heat dissipative properties of light source 100,
elongate heat sink 101 is configured to provide convective heat
dissipation and cooling. As more clearly seen in FIG. 2, tubular
heat sink 101 is hollow and has an interior cavity 103 that
includes one or more heat dissipating fins 105. Fins 105 are shown
as being triangular in shape, but may take on other shapes. Fins
105 are integrally formed on the interior of elongate heat sink
101. In the illustrative embodiment convective cooling is provided
by movement of a medium 102 through elongate heat sink 101. The
medium utilized in the illustrative embodiment is air, but may in
some applications be a fluid other than air to provide for greater
heat dissipation and cooling
[0028] The exterior surface 107 of elongate heat sink 101 has a
plurality of Light Emitting Diodes 109 disposed thereon. Each LED
109 in the illustrative embodiment comprises a white light emitting
LED of a type that provides a high light output. Each LED 109 also
generates significant amount of heat that must be dissipated to
avoid thermal destruction of the LED. By combining a plurality of
LEDs 109 on elongate heat sink 101, a high light output light
source that may be used for general lighting is provided.
[0029] Conductive paths 129 are provided to connect LEDs 109 to an
electrical connector 111. The conductive paths may be disposed on
an electrically insulating layer 131 or layers disposed on exterior
surface 107. In the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawing
figures, the conductive paths and insulating layer are provided by
means of one or more flexible printed circuits 113 that are
permanently disposed on surface 107. As more easily seen in FIG. 6,
printed circuit 113 includes an electrically insulating layer 131
that carries conductive paths 129. As will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art, other means of providing the electrically
conductive paths on the
[0030] Flexible printed circuit 113 has LED's 109 mounted to it in
a variety of orientations ranging from 360 degrees to 180 degrees
and possibly others depending on the application. Electrical
connector 111 is disposed at one end of printed circuit 113.
Connector 113 is coupleable to a separate power supply to receive
electrical current. Flexible printed circuit 113, in the
illustrative embodiment is coated with a non-electrically
conductive epoxy that may be infused with optically reflective
materials. Flexible printed circuit 113 is adhered to the tube 101
with a heat conducting epoxy to aid in the transmission of the heat
from LEDs 109 to tube 101. Flexible printed circuit 113 has
mounting holes 134 for receiving LEDs 109 such that the backs of
LEDs 109 are in thermal contact with the tube surface 107.
[0031] Tubular heat sink 101 in the illustrative embodiment is
formed in the shape of a polygon and may have any number of sides.
Although tubular heat sink 101 in the illustrative embodiment is
extruded aluminum, tubular heat sink 101 may comprise other thermal
conductive material. Fins 105 may vary in number and location
depending on particular LED layouts and wattage. In some instances,
fins may be added to the exterior surface of tubular heat sink 101.
In addition, apertures may be added to the tubular heat sink to
enhance heat flow.
[0032] Light source 100 is mounted into a fixture and retained in
position by mounting clips 121, 123 as most clearly seen in FIGS.
3, 4, and 5. Each of the clips is shaped so as to engage and retain
light source 100. Each clip is affixed on one surface 122, 124 to a
light fixture.
[0033] Although light source 100 is shown as comprising an elongate
tubular heat sink, other extruded elongate members may be used such
as channels.
[0034] In the illustrative embodiment shown, convection cooling by
flow of air through tubular heat sink 101 is utilized such that
cool or unheated air enters tubular heat sink 101 at its lower end
and exits from the upper end as heated air. In higher wattage light
sources, rather than utilizing air as the cooling medium, other
fluids may be utilized. In particular, convective heat pumping may
be used to remove heat from the interior of the heat sink.
[0035] In one particularly advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the light source of the invention is configured to
replace compact fluorescent lighting in decorative
applications.
[0036] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
principles of the invention are not limited to the use of light
emitting diodes that emit white light. Different colored light
emitting diodes may be used to produce monochromatic light or to
produce light that is the combination of different colors.
[0037] Although the invention has been described in terms of
illustrative embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be
limited to the illustrative embodiments shown and described. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes
and modifications may be made to the embodiments shown and
described without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. It is intended that the invention be limited only by the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *