Phase Change Radiators for LED Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat management systems for LEDs, such as passive heat sinks and active cooling devices, are either bulky, inefficient, or require additional power, failing to effectively manage heat and maintain LED longevity and efficiency in lighting applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of phase change heat radiators that incorporate a radiator body with coolant loops and a phase change material, which absorbs heat from LEDs and radiates it into the ambient through latent heat energy conversion, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and reduced operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional passive heat sinks are used to manage LED heat, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and exceeds desired geometric form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase change material (PCM) that transitions from solid to liquid state when absorbing heat from LEDs, and from liquid to solid state when releasing heat to ambient. This phase transition mechanism enables compact heat storage and dissipation without requiring large heat sink volumes, directly resolving the contradiction between effective heat management and compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a coolant circulation system with pump, reservoir, and coolant channels that actively circulates coolant through the LED assembly. This hydraulic system enables efficient heat transfer in a compact configuration by continuously moving coolant through thermal contact points, achieving effective heat dissipation without bulky passive heat sinks
2Temperature
If active cooling devices are used to manage LED heat, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but additional power consumption is required
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material automatically absorbs and releases heat through phase transitions without requiring external power input. The PCM melts when absorbing heat from LEDs and freezes when releasing heat to ambient, providing passive thermal regulation that improves heat dissipation efficiency without additional power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material serves itself by automatically transitioning between solid and liquid states based on temperature conditions, requiring no external control systems or power input. The coolant system also utilizes natural convection and phase change-driven circulation to minimize pump power requirements, enabling the system to manage heat efficiently while consuming minimal energy
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs operate at elevated temperatures to achieve high luminous flux, then light output is increased, but LED lifespan and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material maintains LED operating temperature within optimal ranges by absorbing excess heat through phase transitions during high-luminous flux operation. This thermal regulation allows LEDs to operate at high output levels without excessive temperature rise, preserving LED lifespan and reliability while achieving high illumination intensity
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system continuously removes heat from LED junctions, maintaining lower operating temperatures even during high-luminous flux operation. By actively cooling the LEDs, the system enables sustained high output without the reliability degradation that would normally occur at elevated temperatures
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 solution enables LEDs to operate at lower temperatures, increasing their lifespan and efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor, offering improved thermal management and scalability without the need for additional power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
phase change heat radiators that incorporate a radiator body with coolant loops and a phase change material, which absorbs heat from LEDs and radiates it into the ambient through latent heat energy conversion
Implementation Method 2
Heat from the light emitters causes the radiator fluid to move through the radiator body and coolant loops to radiate heat from the solid state light emitters into the ambient
Data Source
AI summary
Heat management devices and structures are disclosed that can be used in lamps having solid state light sources such as one or more LEDs. Some lamp embodiments comprise one or more phase change radiators that utilize the latent heat of fluids to circulate and draw heat away from the LEDs and radiate the heat into the ambient, allowing for the LEDs to operate at a lower temperature. Some phase change radiators according to the present invention can comprise a main radiator body and multiple radiator coolant loops mounted to the body. The present invention relies on the circulation of heated fluid through the radiator body to radiate heat from the LEDs. The heated liquid moves away from the LEDs and is circulated back to thermal contact with the LEDs thought the coolant loops.