Light emitting diode light source

• US 6,815,724 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optolum Inc
• Original Assignee: Optolum Inc
• Inventors: Dry, Joel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, TU TU V
• Application Number:
  US10/430,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20030230765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 257/88, 362/555, 362/294, 362/373
• US Class Current: 257/88
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/22 flexible or deformable, e.g. into a curved shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/00 Protecting lighting devices from thermal damage; Cooling or heating arrangements specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting fixtures combined with outlets for air-treatment systems F24F13/078
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/54 using thermoelectric means, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/777 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to 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: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• 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 source that utilizes light emitting diodes that emit white light is disclosed. The diodes 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 light emitting diodes. In the illustrative embodiment, the elongate member is a tubular member through which a heat transfer medium flows. A cooling or fluid movement device coupled with the elongate thermally conductive member enhances cooling of the light emitting diodes.

Claims

1. A light source comprising:

an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s) carried on said elongate member outer surface at least some of said light emitting diodes being disposed in a first plane and others of said light emitting diodes being disposed in a second plane not coextensive with said first plane;

said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said light emitting diodes to fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member;

temperature sensing apparatus providing signals representative of the temperature of said light emitting diodes; and

a controller coupled to said LED'"'"'s and to said temperature sensing apparatus for controlling the temperature of said LED'"'"'s dependent upon predetermined temperatures.

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

a cooling device coupled to said elongate thermally conductive member to enhance cooling of said LED'"'"'s, said fluid cooling device being controllable by said controller.

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

said cooling device comprises an electromechanical device.

4. A light source in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said electromechanical device comprises a fan.

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

said cooling device comprises an electronic device.

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

said cooling device comprises a solid state device.

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

said cooling device comprises an piezoelectric device.

8. A light source in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said elongate thermally conductive member is configured to conduct heat away from said light emitting diodes to fluid proximate said elongate member outer surface.

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

said fluid proximate said elongate member outer surface comprises air.

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

said cooling device comprises a fan.

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

said cooling device comprises a Peltier device.

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

said controller controls the amount of power provided to each of said LED'"'"'s.

13. A light source in accordance with claim 12, wherein:

said controller determines the amount of power provided to each of said LED'"'"'s based upon control signal inputs.

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

said controller determines the amount of power provided to each of said LED'"'"'s in dependence upon signals received from said temperature sensor.

15. A light source in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

at least some of said light emitting diodes emit colored light.

16. A light source in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said controller controls each of said light emitting diodes to control the color of the light output of said light source.

17. A light source comprising:

an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface;

at least one light emitting diode carried on said elongate member outer surface;

said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said at least one light emitting diode;

a cooling apparatus coupled to said elongate thermally conductive member to enhance cooling of said at least one light emitting diode; and

a controller for controlling operation of said cooling apparatus.

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

said controller controls power provided to said at least one light emitting diode.

19. A light source in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

said cooling device comprises a Peltier device.

20. A light source in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

said cooling device comprises a Piezoelectric device.