Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and an aircraft exterior light assembly including the same

A light assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source printed circuit board assembly disposed within the housing and having a plurality of light sources mounted thereon, each light source operable, upon being electrically energized, to emit light;
• and
• at least one microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device coupled to the light source printed circuit board, the at least one MEMS device comprising:
• a first arm having a first arm first end and a first arm second end;
• a second arm coupled to, and spaced apart from, the first arm, the second arm having a second arm first end and a second arm second end;
• at least one permanent magnet coupled to the first arm second end;
• a fan structure coupled to, and extending in cantilever manner from, the second arm second end, the fan structure comprising a connection end and a free end, the connection end coupled to the second arm second end, the free end spaced apart from the at least one permanent magnet;
• and
• a coil disposed on or within the fan structure at a location that is at least adjacent the free end,
• wherein, when the coil is electrically energized, a Lorentz force is generated that causes the fan structure to vibrate relative to the at least one permanent magnet and relative to the light source printed circuit board, to thereby cool the light source printed circuit board assembly.

A light assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source printed circuit board assembly disposed within the housing and having a plurality of light sources mounted thereon, each light source operable, upon being electrically energized, to emit light;
• a lens assembly mounted within the housing and disposed adjacent to the light source printed circuit board assembly, the lens assembly including a plurality of lenses, each lens associated with a different one of the light sources;
• an outer lens coupled to the housing and disposed adjacent to the lens assembly;
• and
• at least one microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device coupled to the light source printed circuit board assembly, the at least one MEMS device comprising:
• a first arm having a first arm first end and a first arm second end;
• a second arm coupled to, and spaced apart from, the first arm, the second arm having a second arm first end and a second arm second end;
• at least one permanent magnet coupled to the first arm second end;
• a fan structure coupled to, and extending in cantilever manner from, the second arm second end, the fan structure comprising a connection end and a free end, the connection end coupled to the second arm second end, the free end spaced apart from the at least one permanent magnet;
• and
• a coil disposed on or within the fan structure at a location that is at least adjacent the free end,
• wherein, when the coil is electrically energized, a Lorentz force is generated that causes the fan structure to vibrate relative to the at least one permanent magnet and relative to the light source printed circuit board, to thereby cool the light source printed circuit board assembly.