STRUCTURES SUBJECTED TO THERMAL ENERGY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT METHODS THEREFOR

摘要

Thermal management approaches and methods for structures requiring certain optical and thermal properties, for example, components of LED-based lighting units. Such a structure is in thermal communication with a source of visible light and thermal energy, and visible light emitted by the source passes through the structure. The structure includes a portion formed of a composite material containing a polymeric matrix material and a fiber material that contributes an optical scattering effect to the visible light passing through the composite material. The fiber material is made up of individual fibers that each comprise a core material and an opaque diffusive white coating on an external surface thereof. The fiber material and its coating contribute to the thermal conductivity and an optical scattering effect of the composite material.

主权项

1. A structure in thermal communication with a source of visible light and thermal energy and through which the visible light passes, the structure comprising:
a portion formed of a composite material comprising a polymeric matrix material and a fiber material that contributes an optical scattering effect to the visible light passing through the composite material, the polymeric matrix material being transparent or translucent to the visible light of the source and having a thermal conductivity, the fiber material causing the composite material to have a thermal conductivity greater than the thermal conductivity of the polymeric matrix material, the fiber material comprising individual fibers that each comprise a core material and an opaque diffusive white coating on an external surface thereof, the coating causing external surfaces of the individual fibers to have higher optical reflectivities than the core material, and the fiber material contributing to an optical scattering effect of the composite material and the portion of the structure formed thereof.