Light emitting diode light source

• US 20050258440A1
• Filed: 04/27/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optolum Inc
• Original Assignee: Optolum Inc
• Inventors: Dry, Joel M.
• Application Number:
  US11/116,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/88
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/763 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/80 with pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light or radiation emitting source that utilizes radiation emitting solid state or semiconductor device is disclosed. The device are mounted on a surface that is in thermal communication with a plurality of elongate thermally conductive elements. The elongate thermally conductive elements are utilized to cool the devices.

Claims

1. A light source comprising:

a plurality of elongate thermally conductive members;

a surface in thermal communication with said plurality of elongate thermally conductive members;

at least one light emitting diode carried on said surface and in thermal communication therewith;

one or more electrical conductors carried by said surface and connected to said at least one light emitting diode to supply electrical power thereto;

a first electrical connector carried proximate one end of said surface;

a second electrical connector carried proximate another end of said surface.

2. A light source in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

a layer carrying said surface;

said layer comprising one or more thermally conductive paths between said surface and said elongate thermally conductive members.

3. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising:

said layer comprises one or more of metallic paths extending from said surface and in thermal communication with said elongate thermally conductive members.

4. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said layer comprises a circuit board.

5. A light source in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said layer comprises a polyamide layer.

6. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising:

a light director disposed proximate said at least one light emitting diode.

7. A light source in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

said light director comprises a lens structure disposed above said at least one light emitting diode.

8. A light source in accordance with claim 6, wherein;

said light director is a structure formed from plastic material.

9. A light source in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

said light director comprises a reflector structure disposed proximate said at least one light emitting diode.

10. A light source in accordance with claim 9, wherein:

said reflector structure comprises a reflector of plastic material.

11. A light source in accordance with claim 2, comprising:

said plurality of elongate thermally conductive members are configured to conduct heat away from said at least one light emitting diode to fluid contained by said plurality of elongate thermally conductive members.

12. A light source in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

said plurality of elongate thermally conductive members are configured to conduct heat away from said at least one light emitting diode to fluid contained by said plurality of elongate thermally conductive members.

13. A light module comprising:

an elongate thermally conductive member comprising a first portion carrying a plurality of elongate thermally conductive elements and a second portion carrying a second plurality of elongate thermally conductive elements, an electrically insulating layer disposed between said first and said second portions;

a surface in thermal communication with said elongate thermally conductive member;

at least one light emitting diode carried on said surface and in thermal communication therewith;

one or more electrical conductors carried by said surface and connected to said at least one light emitting diode to supply electrical power thereto.

14. A light source in accordance with claim 13, comprising:

a layer comprising said surface, said layer comprising one or more thermally conductive paths between said surface and said elongate thermally conductive elements.

15. A light source in accordance with claim 14, comprising:

said layer comprises one or more of metallic paths extending from said surface and in thermal communication with said elongate thermally conductive members.

16. A light source in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

said layer comprises a circuit board.

17. A light source in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

said layer comprises a polyamide layer.

18. A light source in accordance with claim 14, comprising:

a light director disposed proximate said plurality of light emitting diode.

19. A light source in accordance with claim 18, wherein:

said light director comprises a lens structure disposed above said light emitting diode.

20. A light source in accordance with claim 18, wherein;

said light director is a structure formed from plastic material.

21. A light source in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

said light director comprises a reflector structure disposed proximate said plurality of light emitting diodes.

22. A light source in accordance with claim 21, wherein:

said reflector structure comprises a reflector of plastic material.

23. A light source in accordance with claim 13, comprising:

said plurality of elongate thermally conductive elements are configured to conduct heat away from said light emitting diode to fluid contained by said plurality of elongate thermally conductive elements.