US 8,710,526 B2 · Thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism including optical element to be cooled by heat transfer of the mechanism

Abstract

A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism incorporates an active optical element. Examples of active optical elements include various phosphor materials for emitting light, various electrically driven light emitters and various devices that generate electrical current or an electrical signal in response to light. The thermal conductivity and phase transition between evaporation and condensation, of the thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism, cools the active optical element during operation. At least a portion of the active optical element is exposed to a working fluid within a vapor tight chamber of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism includes a member that is at least partially optically transmissive to allow passage of light to or from the active optical element and to seal the chamber of the heat transfer mechanism with respect to vapor contained within the chamber.

Claims43

Dependent claims

A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism, comprising:

a housing having a section that is thermally conductive and a member, that is at least partially optically transmissive, connected to the thermally conductive section to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber enclosed by the housing;
a working fluid within the chamber;
and
an active optical element to be cooled by phase transition of the heat transfer mechanism, wherein:
the active optical element is configured to be driven to emit light and/or driven by light to produce an electrical current, through the optically transmissive member,
at least a portion of the active optical element is at least partially exposed within the chamber so as to be incorporated in or in contact with the working fluid, and
pressure within the chamber configures the working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the active optical element, to vaporize at a relatively hot location of the mechanism as it absorbs heat from the operation of the active optical element, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location of the mechanism, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location of the mechanism.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism including optical element to be cooled by heat transfer of the mechanism

Life of this patent

Thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism including optical element to be cooled by heat transfer of the mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims43