Apparatus for using heat pipes in controlling temperature of an LED light unit

• US 8,596,845 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Original Assignee: Dialight Corporation (Dialight PLC)
• Inventors: Burton, Thomas R., Curran, John W., Peck, John Patrick, Zimmer, Kenneth J., Balczarek, Gregory K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US12/568,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20100084979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 362/218, 362/249.02, 362/276, 362/294, 362/373, 362/502, 362/505, 362/545, 362/547
• US Class Current: 362/547
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/20 Arrangement of optical beacons
• 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: F21S 45/30 Ventilation or drainage of lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/42 Forced cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/48 with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/49 Attachment of the cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/60 Heating of lighting devices, e.g. for demisting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/51 using condensation or evaporation of a fluid, e.g. heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/54 using thermoelectric means, e.g. Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/713 in direct thermal and mechanical contact of each other to form a single system
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• 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 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/06 for aircraft runways or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 : involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) light unit is disclosed. For example, the LED light unit includes at least one support plate having one or more inner openings. At least one LED array may be coupled to an LED board. The LED light unit also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the LED board, wherein said LED board is coupled to the at least one support plate.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode (LED) light unit, comprising:

at least one support plate;

a controller coupled to at least one thermoelectric cooler and at least one temperature sensor, wherein said at least one support plate is coupled approximately 90 degrees to said at least one thermoelectric cooler;

at least one heat pipe coupled to said at least one thermoelectric cooler on an opposite side of said at least one thermoelectric cooler that is coupled to said at least one support plate, wherein said at least one heat pipe comprises an interior volume filled with a working fluid;

at least one LED coupled to said at least one support plate and the at least one thermoelectric cooler;

wherein the at least one temperature sensor is coupled to said at least one LED; and

a housing coupled to said at least one heat pipe, wherein said at least one heat pipe dissipates heat away from said at least one LED and to said housing.

2. The LED light unit of claim 1, wherein said LED light unit comprises a headlight for a vehicle.

3. The LED light unit of claim 2, wherein said at least one heat pipe is coupled to a part of said vehicle.

4. The LED light unit of claim 3, wherein said part comprises at least one of:

a bumper or a chassis.

5. The LED light unit of claim 1, wherein said controller, said at least one thermoelectric cooler and said at least one temperature sensor form a feedback control loop for controlling a temperature of said at least one LED.

6. The LED light unit of claim 1, wherein said controller is located remotely on a display console of a vehicle.

7. The LED light unit of claim 1, wherein said at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises a Peltier device.