HERMETICALLY SEALED SOLID STATE LAMP

• US 3,860,847 A
• Filed: 04/17/1973
• Issued: 01/14/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James A. Carley
• Original Assignee: James A. Carley
• Inventors: Carley, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brody, Alfred L.
• Application Number:
  US05/352,006
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 313/111,110,18D 317/234G,234H 250/211J
• US Class Current: 313/110
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/483 Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/56 Materials, e.g. epoxy or silicone resin
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/648 the elements comprising fluids, e.g. heat-pipes

Abstract

An electro-luminiscent solid state lamp that may selectively include either a visible light or infra-red light emitting diodes in combination with a hermetically sealed assembly for maintaining the selected diode in isolation from contact with the ambient atmosphere, with the assembly concurrently acting as a heat sink to permit the diode to operate on an electric current of greater magnitude for a prolonged period of time than would otherwise be possible, and as a protector to prevent the diode from being physically damaged by inadvertent forceful contact with a hard object.

Claims

1. A solid state lamp of the type that includes a light emitting diode having a p region and an n region and said lamp being characterized by an assembly that concurrently acts as a heat sink and protector for said diode, said assembly comprising:

a. a rigid glass envelope having a side wall in the form of a surface of revolution and first and second ends, said first end capable of transmitting light therethrough;

b. first means for hermetically sealing said second end of said envelope, said first means and envelope cooperating to define a confined space within the interior of the latter;

c. an inert heat conducting gas situated in said confined space;

d. first and second laterally spaced elongate electrical conducting members that have intermediate portions thereof hermetically sealed in said first means, with said members having first portions thereof situated in said confined space, and said members having second portions thereof projecting outwardly from said first means and connectable to a source of electric power, with said first portion of said first member supporting said diode in a fixed position in said confined space in such a manner that said p region of said diode is in electrical communication with said first portion, and said diode aligned with the longitudinal axis of said envelope; and

e. second means for maintaining electrical communication between said n region and first portion of said second conductor to cause said diode to luminesce when an electric current is applied to said second portions of said first and second members in a forwardly biased direction, said envelope preventing said diode being damaged by forceful contact with a hard object, and said gas due to said diode being centered in said envelope conducting heat from all parts of said diode at an equal rate during the operation of said lamp to minimize said diode being subjected to thermal strains.

2. A solid state lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said second portions of said first and second members are equally spaced from the outer periphery of said second end, and said first portion of said first member has an offset formed therein to position said diode in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said envelope.

3. A solid state lamp as defined in claim 1 in which said second means is a resilient electrical conductive wire that extends between said n region and said diode aNd said first portion of said second member and is rigidly bonded thereto.