Thermal management methods and apparatus for lighting devices

• US 20050276053A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: Lys, Ihor A., Mueller, George G., Dowling, Kevin J., Morgan, Frederick M., Nortrup, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,344,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/43 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0457 the sensor sensing the operating status of the lighting device, e.g. to detect failure of a light source or to provide feedback to the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/54 using thermoelectric means, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/677 the fans being used for discharging
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/713 in direct thermal and mechanical contact of each other to form a single system
• 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 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for providing active and passive thermal or cooling facilities for LED lighting systems, including radiating and convective thermal facilities, including fans, phase change materials, conductive polymers, potting compounds, vents, ducts, and other thermal facilities.

Claims

1-85. -85. (canceled)

86. A method of providing lighting, comprising:

a. providing a plurality of LEDs disposed in an environment that includes a platform for supporting the LEDs, wherein the platform comprises an LED-based lamp; and

b. providing a thermal facility for removing heat from the environment of the LEDs, wherein the thermal facility comprises a convection facility for encouraging the circulation of air in the environment of the LEDs.

87. A method of claim 86, wherein the convection facility is a directional convection facility.

88. A method of claim 86, wherein the convection facility causes air to flow in a curved flow pattern.

89. A method of claim 86, wherein the convection facility is a squirrel cage fan that circulates air to the center of the LED-based lamp and ejects air out the edges of the LED-based lamp.

90. A method of claim 86, wherein the LED-based lamp is configured into a puck that can be surface-mounted to a ceiling.

91. A method of claim 86, further comprising providing a noise dampening facility for reducing noise caused by the flow of air.

92. A method of claim 91, wherein the noise dampening facility is a passive noise dampening facility.

93. A method of claim 92, wherein the passive noise dampening facility is a noise absorbing material.

94. A method of claim 92, wherein the passive noise dampening facility comprises a non-metallic fixture.

95. A method of claim 92, wherein the passive noise dampening facility includes providing a rubber feature of the fixture.

96. A method of claim 95, wherein the rubber feature is a washer.

97. A method of claim 95, wherein the rubber feature is a socket.

98. A method of claim 92, wherein the passive noise dampening facility is in the shape of the fixture.

99. A method of claim 98, wherein the fixture is provided with an irregular shape to reduce reflected noise.

100. A method of claim 98, wherein the fixture is provided with an insulating material.

101. A method of claim 100, wherein the insulating material is positioned on the exterior of the fixture to absorb noise.

102. A method of claim 91, wherein the noise dampening facility is an active noise dampening facility.

103. A method of claim 102, wherein the active noise dampening facility comprises a plurality of blades for reflecting sound in different directions.

104. A method of claim 102, wherein the active noise dampening facility comprises a noise canceling facility.

105. A method of claim 91, wherein the noise dampening facility comprises adjusting the airflow rates of the thermal facility to make noise inaudible to the human ear.

106. A method of claim 105, wherein making the noise inaudible comprises shifting the frequency of the noise caused by the airflow.

107. A method of claim 86, wherein the fan responds to a sensor-feedback facility.

108. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor feedback facility includes a sound sensor.

109. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.

110. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor is a motion sensor.

111. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor accelerates the thermal facility when motion is not detected.

112. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor diminishes the activity of the thermal facility when motion is detected.

113. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor accelerates the noise canceling facility when motion is detected.

114. A method of claim 107, wherein the sensor diminishes the noise canceling facility when motion is not detected.

115-293. -293. (canceled)

294. A lighting system, comprising:

c. a plurality of LEDs disposed in an environment that includes a platform for supporting the LEDs, wherein the platform comprises an LED-based lamp; and

d. a thermal facility for removing heat from the environment of the LEDs, wherein the thermal facility comprises a convection facility for encouraging the circulation of air in the environment of the LEDs.

295. A system of claim 294, wherein the convection facility is a directional convection facility.

296. A system of claim 294, wherein the convection facility causes air to flow in a curved flow pattern.

297. A system of claim 294, wherein the convection facility is a squirrel cage fan that circulates air to the center of the LED-based lamp and ejects air out the edges of the LED-based lamp.

298. A system of claim 294, wherein the LED-based lamp is configured into a puck that can be surface-mounted to a ceiling.

299. A system of claim 294, further comprising providing a noise dampening facility for reducing noise caused by the flow of air.

300. A system of claim 299, wherein the noise dampening facility is a passive noise dampening facility.

301. A system of claim 300, wherein the passive noise dampening facility is a noise absorbing material.

302. A system of claim 300, wherein the passive noise dampening facility comprises a non-metallic fixture.

303. A system of claim 300, wherein the passive noise dampening facility includes providing a rubber feature of the fixture.

304. A system of claim 303, wherein the rubber feature is a washer.

305. A system of claim 303, wherein the rubber feature is a socket.

306. A system of claim 300, wherein the passive noise dampening facility is in the shape of the fixture.

307. A system of claim 306, wherein the fixture is provided with an irregular shape to reduce reflected noise.

308. A system of claim 306, wherein the fixture is provided with an insulating material.

309. A system of claim 308, wherein the insulating material is positioned on the exterior of the fixture to absorb noise.

310. A system of claim 299, wherein the noise dampening facility is an active noise dampening facility.

311. A system of claim 310, wherein the active noise dampening facility comprises a plurality of blades for reflecting sound in different directions.

312. A system of claim 310, wherein the active noise dampening facility comprises a noise canceling facility.

313. A system of claim 299, wherein the noise dampening facility comprises adjusting the airflow rates of the thermal facility to make noise inaudible to the human ear.

314. A system of claim 313, wherein making the noise inaudible comprises shifting the frequency of the noise caused by the airflow.

315. A system of claim 294, wherein the fan responds to a sensor-feedback facility.

316. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor feedback facility includes a sound sensor.

317. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.

318. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor is a motion sensor.

319. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor accelerates the thermal facility when motion is not detected.

320. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor diminishes the activity of the thermal facility when motion is detected.

321. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor accelerates the noise canceling facility when motion is detected.

322. A system of claim 315, wherein the sensor diminishes the noise canceling facility when motion is not detected.

323-777. -777. (canceled)