Liquid cooled led systems

Abstract

Liquid cooled LED systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide an LED lighting system in which the LED devices are cooled by circulating liquid or fluid. In example embodiments, a flow return member provides a way for a fluid medium to enter and exit an envelope containing the LED devices. An additional cooling mechanism, such as a radiator or thermoelectric cooler can be provided. The optically transmissive fluid medium can be, for example, oil or a fluorinated or halogenated liquid or gel, and can optionally provide index matching. The fluid medium can optionally include a phase change material in order to enhance cooling. In some embodiments, a pump is used to circulate the fluid medium. However, the optical envelope and/or the flow return member could also be oriented so that the fluid medium circulates by gravity and/or temperature difference.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.