Modular LED lamp

• US 8,230,690 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2009
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nader Salessi
• Original Assignee: Nader Salessi
• Inventors: Salessi, Nader
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THAI N
• Application Number:
  US12/592,563
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 315/32, 315/113, 315/169.1, 315/291, 315/309, 315/112, 362/327, 362/362, 362/373, 362/547, 362/294, 257/E33.059, 257/E25.02, 257/E23.082, 257/290, 165/80.2, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 165/185, 62/32, 62/37
• US Class Current: 62/3.7
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/54 using thermoelectric means, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/00 Semiconductor devices having potential barriers specially adapted for light emission; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof H10K50/00 takes precedence; devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor components formed in or on a common substrate and including semiconductor components having potential barriers, specially adapted for light emission H01L27/15; semiconductor lasers H01S5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/645 the elements being electrically controlled, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A modular solid-state lamp has a plurality of replaceable and rearrangeable modules. The modular lamp uses active cooling and passive cooling for thermal management. One cooling system for the modular lamp includes at least one active cooling device and a graphite heat sink in thermal contact with the at least one active cooling device to further enhance the efficiency of the cooling system. The modular solid-state lamp includes at least two modules, a power supply module and a light source module. The power supply module includes a power supply and LED driver that are able to power one or more light source modules. The power supply module further includes sensors that further improve the energy-efficiency of the lamp.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a solid-state lamp, comprising:

a thermo-electric cooling device for coupling to a LED die;

a heat sink is in thermal connection with the thermo-electric cooling device, wherein the heat sink is substantially cylindrical, wherein the heat sink is made of compressed graphite having better thermal conductivity in two dimensions than in a third dimension, and further wherein the compressed graphite is arranged in the heat sink such that the better thermal conductivity is radial; and

a plurality of thermal generators is in thermal connection with the heat sink, the plurality of thermal generators are arranged substantially equi-distantly along a circumference of the heat sink, the thermal generators generating current from transferred heat, the current provided to the thermo-electric cooling device.

2. The cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a graphite pad interposed between the thermo-electric cooling device and the heat sink.

3. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the heat sink includes a plurality of fins and each fin includes a plurality of protrusions.

4. The cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of electrical cables, wherein each of the plurality of thermal generators is coupled to an electrical cable, wherein the electrical cables provide mechanical support for the plurality of thermal generators.

5. An active cooling system for a lamp having at least one LED, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical heat sink having a circumferential surface, wherein the heat sink is made of compressed graphite having better thermal conductivity in two dimensions than in a third dimension, and further wherein the compressed graphite is arranged in the heat sink such that the better conductivity is radial;

a plurality of cables capable of carrying an electric current; and

a plurality of thermo generators are arranged substantially equi-distantly along the circumference surface of the heat sink, each of the plurality of thermo generators connected to one of the plurality of cables, wherein the thermo generators generate electrical energy from heat and the electrical energy is provided to the at least one LED by the cables.

6. The active cooling system of claim 5 further comprising a thermal electric cooling device is in thermal contact with the heat sink and the at least one LED, the thermal electric cooling device receives some electrical current for operation from at least one of the plurality of thermo generators.