Liquid cooled LED systems

摘要

Liquid cooled LED systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide an LED lighting system in which the LED devices are cooled by circulating liquid or fluid. In example embodiments, a flow return member provides a way for a fluid medium to enter and exit an envelope containing the LED devices. An additional cooling mechanism, such as a radiator or thermoelectric cooler can be provided. The optically transmissive fluid medium can be, for example, oil or a fluorinated or halogenated liquid or gel, and can optionally provide index matching. The fluid medium can optionally include a phase change material in order to enhance cooling. In some embodiments, a pump is used to circulate the fluid medium. However, the optical envelope and/or the flow return member could also be oriented so that the fluid medium circulates by gravity and/or temperature difference.

主权项

1. A lighting system comprising:
a tubular optical envelope; an array of LED devices without a submount or other carrier within the optically transmissive envelope to be operable to substantially emit omnidirectional light when energized; an optically transmissive fluid medium in thermal communication with the array of LED devices; and a flow return member in fluid communication with the tubular optical envelope so that the optically transmissive fluid medium can circulate through the optically transmissive envelope, the flow return member further comprising a plurality of metal coils through which the optically transmissive fluid passes, the plurality of metal coils being external to the tubular optical envelope.