Light source using semiconductor devices mounted on a heat sink
First Claim
1. A semiconductor light source for emitting light to illuminate a space used by humans, the semiconductor light source comprising:
- an enclosure, said enclosure being fabricated from a material substantially transparent to white light, a base to which said enclosure is mounted, an interior volume within said enclosure, a secondary heat sink located in said interior volume, said secondary heat sink being capable of drawing heat from one or more semiconductors devices, a plurality of primary heat sinks mounted on said secondary heat sink, each of said primary heat sinks being smaller than said secondary heat sink, a semiconductor chip capable of emitting light mounted on one of said primary heat sinks, said semiconductor chip being capable of emitting monochromatic light, said semiconductor chip being selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, light emitting diode arrays, laser chips, and VCSEL chips, said chip including a substrate on which epitaxial layers are grown, a buffer layer located on said substrate, said buffer layer serving to mitigate differences in material properties between said substrate and other epitaxial layers, a first cladding layer serving to confine electron movement within the chip, said first cladding layer being adjacent said buffer layer, an active layer, said active layer emitting light when electrons jump to a valance state, a second cladding layer, said second cladding layer positioned so that said active layer lies between cladding layers, and a contact layer on which an electron may be mounted for powering said chip, and a coating for converting monochromatic light emitted by said chip to white light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A semiconductor light source for emitting light to illuminate a space used by humans, the semiconductor light source comprising:
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an enclosure, said enclosure being fabricated from a material substantially transparent to white light, a base to which said enclosure is mounted, an interior volume within said enclosure, a secondary heat sink located in said interior volume, said secondary heat sink being capable of drawing heat from one or more semiconductors devices, a plurality of primary heat sinks mounted on said secondary heat sink, each of said primary heat sinks being smaller than said secondary heat sink, a semiconductor chip capable of emitting light mounted on one of said primary heat sinks, said semiconductor chip being capable of emitting monochromatic light, said semiconductor chip being selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, light emitting diode arrays, laser chips, and VCSEL chips, said chip including a substrate on which epitaxial layers are grown, a buffer layer located on said substrate, said buffer layer serving to mitigate differences in material properties between said substrate and other epitaxial layers, a first cladding layer serving to confine electron movement within the chip, said first cladding layer being adjacent said buffer layer, an active layer, said active layer emitting light when electrons jump to a valance state, a second cladding layer, said second cladding layer positioned so that said active layer lies between cladding layers, and a contact layer on which an electron may be mounted for powering said chip, and a coating for converting monochromatic light emitted by said chip to white light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A semiconductor light source for creating white light to illuminate a space used by humans, the semiconductor light source comprising:
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an enclosure, said enclosure being fabricated from a material substantially transparent to white light, an interior volume within said enclosure, a heat sink located in said interior volume, said heat sink being capable of drawing heat from one or more semiconductors devices, a plurality of semiconductor devices located in said interior volume, said semiconductor devices being capable of emitting light, at least one of said semiconductor devices including a substrate on which epitaxial layers are grown, a buffer layer located on said substrate, said buffer layer serving to mitigate differences in material properties between said substrate and other epitaxial layers, a first cladding layer serving to confine electron movement within the chip, said first cladding layer being adjacent said buffer layer, an active layer, said active layer emitting light when electrons jump to a valance state, a second cladding layer, said second cladding layer positioned so that said active layer lies between cladding layers, and a contact layer on which an electron may be mounted for powering said chip. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A semiconductor light source for creating white light to illuminate a space used by humans, the semiconductor light source comprising:
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an enclosure, said enclosure being fabricated from a material substantially transparent to white light, a base to which said enclosure is mounted, an interior volume within said enclosure, a heat sink located in said interior volume, said heat sink being capable of drawing heat from one or more semiconductors devices mounted on it, a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting laser chips capable of emitting light mounted on said heat sink, said vertical cavity surface emitting laser chips including a substrate, a plurality of epitaxial layers of semiconductor materials, panel of a conductive material located on said semiconductor materials, and a plurality of apertures in said panel, said apertures being formed to permit light to pass therethrough, and a coating for converting monochromatic light emitted by said chip to white light. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification