US 7,828,465 B2 · LED-based fixtures and related methods for thermal management

Abstract

LED-based lighting fixtures suitable for general illumination in surface-mount or suspended installations, in which heat dissipation properties of the fixtures are significantly improved by decreasing thermal resistance between LED junctions and the ambient air. In various examples, improved heat dissipation is accomplished by increasing a surface area of one or more heat-dissipating elements proximate a trajectory of air flow through the fixture. In one aspect, various structural components of the fixtures are particularly configured to create and maintain a “chimney effect” within the fixture, resulting in a high air-flow rate, natural convection cooling system capable of efficiently dissipating the waste heat from the fixture without active cooling.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A lighting apparatus, comprising:

at least one LED light source;
a heat sink thermally coupled to the at least one LED light source;
a first housing portion mechanically coupled to the heat sink;
and
a second housing portion mechanically coupled to the heat sink,
wherein:
the first housing portion is disposed with respect to the heat sink so as to form (i) a first air gap, (ii) a second air gap and (iii) an air channel through the lighting apparatus such that, when the heat sink transfers heat from the at least one LED light source during operation of the at least one LED light source so as to create heated air surrounding the heat sink, ambient air is drawn through the first air gap and the heated air is exhausted through the second air gap so as to create an air flow trajectory in the air channel from the first air gap to the second air gap.

4 more elements

A lighting fixture, comprising:

a bezel plate including an opening through which light passes, when generated by the fixture;
an LED module including at least one LED for generating the light;
and
a heat dissipating frame mechanically coupled to the bezel plate and including a mounting portion positioned within the opening of the bezel plate, the LED module being disposed on the mounting portion of the heat dissipating frame,
wherein the bezel plate and the heat dissipating frame are positioned with respect to each other so as to form an air channel through the fixture, such that an air flow is created in the air channel via a chimney effect in response to heat generated by the LED module;
and
wherein the LED module comprises:
a printed circuit board;
a plurality of LEDs coupled to the printed circuit board;
a thermal gap pad for providing a thermal connection and electrical isolation between the printed circuit board and the mounting portion of the heat dissipating frame;
and
an optical assembly coupled to the printed circuit board for collimating the light generated by the LED module.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

LED-based fixtures and related methods for thermal management

Life of this patent

LED-based fixtures and related methods for thermal management

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23