DYNAMIC HEAT SINK FOR LIGHT EMITTING DIODES

• US 20070102033A1
• Filed: 11/05/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Universal Media Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Media Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Petrocy, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/556,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102033A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/203
• 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: F21V 29/54 using thermoelectric means, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/06 with parabolic curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/08 with elliptical curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/645 the elements being electrically controlled, e.g. Peltier elements

Abstract

Dynamic heat sink that uses a thermoelectric cooler, such as a Peltier Junction, to move the heat at a LED junction to the other side of the cooling chip. This would allow the LED to run with more current in a much smaller area than a passive metal heat sink without burning out the junctions. The Present Invention would therefore permit a compact light device comprising a plurality of LED'"'"'s to be constructed. Such a light device would be competitive with standard fluorescent bulbs by outputting light of equivalent brightness with less power dissipation.

Claims

1. A light fixture device comprising electronic and non-electronic components, wherein said electronic components further comprise:

a) an electrically conductive connector adapted to allow electric current to flow through the electronic components;

b) at least one light emitting diode (LED); and

,

c) a thermoelectric cooler configured such that when an electromotive force (EMF) is applied thereto, the cooler develops a hot side and a cold side;

wherein the at least one LED is attached to the cold side of the cooler in such a manner that the cooler acts as a heat sink that conducts away any heat generated by the LED.

2. The light fixture device of claim 1 wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LED'"'"'s.

3. The light fixture device of claim 2 wherein the non-electronic components comprise a thermally conductive mounting fixture to which both the cooler and the LED'"'"'s are mounted.

4. The light fixture device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of LED'"'"'s are mounted on the fixture in a cluster.

5. The light fixture device of claim 1 wherein the non-electronic components further comprise a reflective housing having an optically reflective inside surface, wherein light emitted from the at least one LED that impinges on said inside surface is redirected.

6. The light fixture device of claim 5 wherein the optically reflective inside surface is shaped so that the at least one LED is at a focal point of said inside surface, thereby permitting light emitted from the device to be collimated.

7. The light fixture device of claim 2 wherein the non-electronic components further comprise a reflective housing having an optically reflective inside surface, wherein light emitted from the plurality of LED'"'"'s that impinges on said inside surface is redirected.

8. The light fixture device of claim 7 wherein the optically reflective inside surface is shaped so that the at least one LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s is at a focal point of said inside surface.

9. The light fixture device of claim 8 wherein the optically reflective inside surface is shaped so that more than one LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s is at a focal point of said inside surface.

10. The light fixture device of claim 8 wherein the optically reflective inside surface is shaped so that all of the LED'"'"'s of the plurality of LED'"'"'s is at a focal point of said inside surface.

11. The light fixture device of claim 1 wherein the non-electronic components comprise an output focusing device adapted to direct light emitted from the device into a desired output pattern.

12. The light fixture device of claim 11 wherein the output focusing device is a refractive lens.

13. The light fixture device of claim 11 wherein the output focusing device is a Fresnel lens.