Water-cooled light source
AssigneeDentek Systems, Inc.
InventorDonald D. Sylvester
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for supplying a source of light, in a dental control unit, to an optical fiber for transmission of light from the source, along the fiber, into a patient's mouth. A heat sink is provided with a cavity for receiving a high intensity light. A duct leads from the light to the exterior of the heat sink to permit access of the fiber to the light. The block contains a fluid-conducting bore therethrough for conducting heat from the block to the fluid.
Claims5
Cooling apparatus for a light source which supplies light to an optical fiber, said apparatus comprising
- a heat-conductive heat sink body having means defining a cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body for receiving such a light source, means defining a duct extending into said body from another side of said body for permitting access of such a fiber to the source, and means defining a fluid coolant passage extending through said heat sink body;
- and
- a source of fluid coolant operatively connected to said passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from the heat sink body.
In dental apparatus, means for supplying light into a patient's mouth comprising:
- a heat-conductive heat sink body having a light source receiving cavity extending thereinto from a side of said body, a duct extending into said body from another side of said body joining with an inner portion of said cavity, and a coolant passage extending through said body out of communication with said cavity and duct,
- a high intensity light source mounted within said light source receiving cavity,
- an elongate optical fiber for transmitting light having one end mounted within said duct and exposed by said mounting to said light source, and
- a source of fluid coolant connected to said coolant passage for providing a flow of fluid coolant through said passage which operates to conduct heat away from said heat sink body.
A method of cooling a high intensity light source which supplies light for transmission along an optical fiber comprising the steps of
- surrounding such a light source with a heat conductor having a duct for permitting access of such a fiber to the source and means defining a fluid transmission conduit through said conductor, and
- activating said light source, and
- transmitting fluid through said defining means to conduct heat away from said conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.