Light emitting diode light source

Abstract

A light source that utilizes light emitting diodes that emit white light is disclosed. The diodes are mounted on an elongate member having at least thermally conductive portions coupled together. At least one light emitting diode is mounted on an outer surface of the elongate member. The elongate member is thermally conductive and is utilized to cool the light emitting diode by transferring heat to fluid contained by said elongate member.

1 . A light source comprising: 
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface, said elongate thermally conductive member comprising at least two thermally conductive portions coupled together;    a plurality of light emitting diodes carried on said elongate member outer surface at least some of said light emitting diodes being disposed in a first plane and others of said light emitting diodes being disposed in a second plane not coextensive with said first plane; and    said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said light emitting diodes to fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member.    
   
   
       2 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said outer surface extends over said at least two thermally conductive portions.    
   
   
       3 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or more surface discontinuities to enhance heat dissipation    
   
   
       4 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member is a cooling medium other than air.    
   
   
       5 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube.    
   
   
       6 . A light source in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a polygon.    
   
   
       7 . A light source in accordance with  claim 5 ,wherein: 
 said tube has a cross-section having flat portions.    
   
   
       8 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a channel.    
   
   
       9 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each of at least two thermally conductive portions comprises an extrusion.    
   
   
       10 . A light source in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein: 
 each said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.    
   
   
       11 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each of said light emitting diodes emits white light.    
   
   
       12 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least some of said light emitting diodes emit colored light.    
   
   
       13 . A light source in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising: 
 one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto.    
   
   
       14 . A light source comprising: 
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface, said elongate thermally conductive member comprising at least two thermally conductive portions coupled together;    at least one light emitting diode carried on said elongate member outer surface;    said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said at least one light emitting diode.    
   
   
       15 . A light source in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said outer surface extends over said at least two thermally conductive portions.    
   
   
       16 . A light source in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or more surface discontinuities to enhance heat dissipation    
   
   
       17 . A light source in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member is a cooling medium other than air.    
   
   
       18 . A light source in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 each of at least two thermally conductive portions comprises an extrusion.    
   
   
       19 . A light source in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein: 
 each said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.    
   
   
       20 . A light source in accordance with  claim 14 , comprising: 
 one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said at least one light emitting diode to supply electrical power thereto.