Heat transfer bracket for lighting fixture
AssigneeCree, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Rowlette, Jr., Long Larry Le
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a heat transfer bracket that is configured to mount to a lighting fixture, which includes a heat spreading structure that is formed from a material that efficiently conducts heat and a light source and control electronics that are thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure. The heat transfer bracket includes a base that is thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure of the lighting fixture and multiple petals that extend from the base, wherein heat generated from the light source and control electronics is transferred to the heat spreading structure and from the heat spreading structure to the base of the heat transfer bracket. The heat is then further transferred along the plurality of petals.
Claims36
A lighting apparatus comprising:
- a heat spreading structure;
- a light source and associated control electronics that are thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure and configured to emit light such that heat generated by the light source and the associated control electronics during operation is transferred to the heat spreading structure;
- and
- a heat transfer bracket comprising a base that is thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure and a plurality of petals that extend from the base, such that the heat transferred to the heat spreading structure is further transferred along the plurality of petals, wherein the heat spreading structure, the light source, and the heat transfer bracket form at least a portion of a lighting fixture configured to mount within a recessed can assembly providing an opening that leads to an interior cavity that has an interior surface, wherein the plurality of petals are configured to spring radially inward and press against the interior surface of the recessed can assembly when the lighting fixture is placed in the interior cavity, such that the heat transferred along the plurality of petals is further transferred to the recessed can assembly.
A heat transfer bracket for a lighting fixture, which comprises a heat spreading structure as well as a light source and associated control electronics that are thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure and configured to emit light in a forward direction such that heat generated by the light source and the associated control electronics during operation is transferred to the heat spreading structure, wherein the forward direction is substantially aligned with a direction of a primary light beam generated by the lighting apparatus, the heat transfer bracket comprising:
- a base that is configured to be thermally coupled to the heat spreading structure;
- and
- a plurality of petals that extend from the base such that the heat transferred to the heat spreading structure is further transferred to the base and then along the plurality of petals, wherein when the heat transfer bracket is attached to the lighting fixture and thermally coupled to the light source and the associated control electronics, the lighting fixture is configured to mount within a recessed can assembly providing an opening that leads to an interior cavity that has an interior surface wherein the plurality of petals are configured to spring radially inward and press against the interior surface of the recessed can assembly when the lighting fixture is placed in the interior cavity, such that the heat transferred along the plurality of petals is further transferred to the recessed can assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.