Lighting Device Cooling with Active Fluid Flow and Movable Emitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state light emitters, such as LEDs, have reduced lifetimes and efficiency when operating at elevated temperatures, and conventional heat sinks are bulky, costly, and can obstruct optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of active fluid cooling methods, including the use of fans and nozzles to direct fluid towards the light emitters, or movable components to create fluid flow, which helps manage the junction temperature and reduce thermal resistance without the need for traditional heat sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heat sinks are used to cool solid state light emitters, then the junction temperature is reduced and lifetime is extended, but the device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from traditional bulk heat sinks and implements it through a fluid delivery system with nozzles that direct cooling fluid directly at the light emitter array. This separates the heat dissipation function from the structural support function, allowing much lighter construction while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system where cooling fluid is pumped through a delivery system with nozzles that direct the fluid onto the light emitter array. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach replaces solid heat sink structures with fluid-based heat transfer, dramatically reducing weight and device size.
2Reliability
If traditional heat sinks are used to cool solid state light emitters, then the junction temperature is reduced and efficiency is maintained, but the optical performance is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from bulky heat sink structures and implemented through a targeted fluid delivery system. This allows the light emitter array to be positioned without obstruction from large heat sinks, improving optical performance while maintaining efficient heat removal through direct fluid cooling.
3Loss of energy
If active fluid cooling with fans and nozzles is implemented, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved and device size is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pneumatic/hydraulic cooling system using pumps and nozzles to deliver cooling fluid directly to the light emitter array. This approach improves heat dissipation efficiency by enabling direct liquid cooling, which is significantly more effective than air cooling or conventional heat sinks, while the modular nozzle design helps manage system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for more efficient heat dissipation, extending the lifespan and improving the consistency of light output from solid state light emitters while reducing the size, weight, and cost of lighting devices.
Implementation Method 1
The fan and the nozzle are oriented relative to one another such that when power is supplied to the fan, the fan blows air through the exit orifice
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting diode chip, a bullet-shaped transparent housing to cover the light emitting diode chip
Implementation Method 3
a phosphor is a luminescent material that emits a responsive radiation (e.g., visible light) when excited by a source of exciting radiation. In many instances, the responsive radiation has a wavelength which is different from the wavelength of the exciting radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and a fan, the fan blowing fluid toward the emitter. A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and a baffle, the solid state light emitter being movable. A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter, a substrate and a diaphragm, the diaphragm defining a chamber having a valve and being movable. A lighting device comprising a housing and a solid state light emitter within the housing, the solid state light emitter being movable. Also, methods of cooling a lighting device.