Optic Chamber Cooling via Internal Coolant Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active cooling systems for optics in light sources are ineffective in reducing the high ambient temperatures within the chamber, as they do not circulate coolant directly inside the chamber, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential damage to the optic or prolonged restrike times of light sources.
Innovation Solution
A light engine design that incorporates tubes or channels connecting adjacent optics, allowing coolant to circulate directly within the chamber of each optic, effectively transferring thermal energy away from the light source and reducing ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coolant is circulated outside the optic only, then the cooling system is simple to implement, but the temperature inside the chamber remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing coolant circulation tubes inside the optic chamber, effectively nesting the cooling system within the existing optic structure. This allows the coolant to directly contact and cool the light source and surrounding chamber components, reducing chamber temperature without requiring a completely separate external cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses coolant as an intermediary substance that transfers heat from the light source and chamber components to the circulation system. By introducing this thermal intermediary directly into the chamber environment, heat is efficiently removed from the ambient conditions without requiring direct thermal contact between the light source and external heat sinks.
2Volume of moving object
If the optic is positioned closer to the light source, then the system size is reduced, but the chamber temperature increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic cooling by circulating liquid coolant through tubes positioned within the chamber. This fluid-based cooling system efficiently removes heat from the light source and chamber components, allowing the optic to be positioned close to the light source without excessive temperature rise, thus reducing overall system size while maintaining thermal control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heat sinks are used with long thermal paths, then the design flexibility is improved, but the thermal transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional conduction-based heat sinks with a hydraulic cooling system that uses circulating coolant. This approach decouples the thermal transfer efficiency from the physical distance between the light source and heat dissipation components, as the moving coolant actively transports heat along the thermal path rather than relying on passive conduction through stationary materials.
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 design enhances thermal transfer efficiency by circulating coolant within the chamber, reducing temperatures and minimizing the risk of optic damage, while eliminating the need for large, expensive heat sinks, thus improving the operational stability of light sources.
Implementation Method 1
an active cooling system uses a moving coolant (whether liquid or gas) as the carrier between the light source and the heat sink
Implementation Method 2
heat sinks are often finned structures that use simple conduction to remove heat
Data Source
AI summary
Light engines that include a plurality of light sources each covered with an optic The optic includes a chamber that receives the light source. In one embodiment, tubes connect adjacent light sources. Coolant is introduced into the tubes and circulates into the chamber of each optic, thus removing thermal energy from the chamber. In other embodiments, the light engines include a heat sink provided with channels. Coolant may be introduced into one of the channels, and may then circulate into the chamber of each optic to remove heat generated by the light source from the chamber. The channels provide a fluid path for the coolant to move between the different optics.