Liquid cooled LED systems
First Claim
1. A lighting system comprising:
- a tubular optical envelope;
an array of LED devices without a submount or other carrier within the optically transmissive envelope to be operable to substantially emit omnidirectional light when energized;
an optically transmissive fluid medium in thermal communication with the array of LED devices; and
a flow return member in fluid communication with the tubular optical envelope so that the optically transmissive fluid medium can circulate through the optically transmissive envelope, the flow return member further comprising a plurality of metal coils through which the optically transmissive fluid passes, the plurality of metal coils being external to the tubular optical envelope.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Liquid cooled LED systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide an LED lighting system in which the LED devices are cooled by circulating liquid or fluid. In example embodiments, a flow return member provides a way for a fluid medium to enter and exit an envelope containing the LED devices. An additional cooling mechanism, such as a radiator or thermoelectric cooler can be provided. The optically transmissive fluid medium can be, for example, oil or a fluorinated or halogenated liquid or gel, and can optionally provide index matching. The fluid medium can optionally include a phase change material in order to enhance cooling. In some embodiments, a pump is used to circulate the fluid medium. However, the optical envelope and/or the flow return member could also be oriented so that the fluid medium circulates by gravity and/or temperature difference.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A lighting system comprising:
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a tubular optical envelope; an array of LED devices without a submount or other carrier within the optically transmissive envelope to be operable to substantially emit omnidirectional light when energized; an optically transmissive fluid medium in thermal communication with the array of LED devices; and a flow return member in fluid communication with the tubular optical envelope so that the optically transmissive fluid medium can circulate through the optically transmissive envelope, the flow return member further comprising a plurality of metal coils through which the optically transmissive fluid passes, the plurality of metal coils being external to the tubular optical envelope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A light fixture comprising:
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an optically transmissive tubular envelope; a linear array of LED devices without a submount or other carrier disposed in the tubular envelope to be operable to substantially emit omnidirectional light when energized; a reflector configured to reflect the omnidirectional light from the linear array of LED; an optically transmissive fluid medium in thermal communication with the linear array of LED devices; a flow return member in fluid communication with the tubular envelope so that the optically transmissive fluid medium can circulate through the tubular envelope, the flow return member further comprising a plurality of metal coils through which the optically transmissive fluid passes, the plurality of metal coils being external to the tubular envelope; and a power supply connected to the linear array of LED devices. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of operating an LED lighting system, the method comprising:
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energizing a linear LED array comprising a plurality of LEDs without a submount or other carrier so that the plurality of LEDs substantially emit omnidirectional light; circulating an optically transmissive fluid through a tubular optical envelope surrounding the linear LED array so that the LED array substantially emits the omnidirectional light through the optically transmissive fluid medium and the tubular optical envelope; and dissipating heat from the optically transmissive fluid by circulating the optically transmissive fluid medium through a flow return member comprising a plurality of metal coils through which the optically transmissive fluid passes, the plurality of metal coils being external to the tubular optical envelop. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification