Heat Dissipation in a Lighting System and Method Thereof

Abstract

A lighting system is provided that includes at least one lighting device, at least one connector, and a plurality of external power sources. The at least one lighting device includes at least one lighting source, and an internal power source applying a first electrical current to illuminate the at least one lighting element, wherein the internal power source supplies the first electrical current. The at least one connector electrically connects to the at least one lighting device. The plurality of external power sources include at least first and second external power sources that are adapted to be electrically connected to the at least one lighting device by the at least one connector. The first external power source supplies a second electrical current to the at least one lighting device to illuminate the at least one lighting source and the second external power source supplies a third electrical current to illuminate the at least one lighting source, such that the internal power source and one of the plurality of external power sources each supply electrical current to illuminate the at least one lighting source at different times.

1 . A lighting device comprising:
 at least one circuit board;   at least one lighting source electronically connected to said at least one circuit board;   a housing enclosing said at least one lighting source and said at least one circuit board, and in thermal communication with said at least one lighting source to dissipate heat generated by said at least one lighting source;   a thermistor in thermal communication with one of said at least one circuit board and said housing to monitor a temperature thereof; and   a controller in communication with said thermistor, wherein said controller performs the steps of:
 determining a temperature of the other of said at least one circuit board and said housing not in thermal communication with said thermistor based upon said monitored temperature; and 
 altering an electrical power supplied to said at least one lighting source based upon said monitored temperature and said determined temperature to maintain at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature below a temperature value associated with said at least one circuit board and said housing, respectively. 
   
   
   
       2 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermistor is a single thermistor, such that said controller determines said determined temperature based upon a single monitored temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermistor is in thermal communication with said circuit board, such that said thermistor directly monitors thermal radiation emitted from said circuit board. 
   
   
       4 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermistor is in thermal communication with said housing, such that said thermistor directly monitors thermal radiation emitted from said housing. 
   
   
       5 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said step of altering said electrical power comprises altering an electrical current supplied to said at least one lighting source. 
   
   
       6 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a plurality of thermally conductive heat sink fins that dissipate thermal radiation communicated to said housing. 
   
   
       7 . The lighting device of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of said plurality of thermally conductive heat sink fins extends vertically with respect to a normal operating position of said lighting device. 
   
   
       8 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises an emissivity material that covers at least a portion of said housing. 
   
   
       9 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said controller increases said electrical power supplied to said at least one lighting source when at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature are below a second temperature value associated with said at least one circuit board and said housing, respectively. 
   
   
       10 . The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said monitored temperature is a monitored temperature rate of change. 
   
   
       11 . A lighting device comprising:
 a plurality of lighting sources;   at least one circuit board are electrically connected to said at least one circuit board electrically connected to said plurality of lighting sources;   a housing enclosing said plurality of lighting sources and said at least one circuit board, and in thermal communication with said plurality of lighting sources to dissipate heat generated by said plurality of lighting sources;   a single thermistor in thermal communication with one of said at least one circuit board and said housing to monitor a temperature thereof; and   a controller in communication with said thermistor, wherein said controller performs the steps of:
 determining a temperature of one of said at least one circuit board and said housing not in thermal communication with said thermistor based upon said monitored temperature obtained by said single thermistor; and 
 altering an electrical current supplied to at least a portion of said plurality of lighting sources based upon said monitored temperature and said determined temperature to maintain at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature below a temperature value associated with said at least one circuit board and said housing, respectively. 
   
   
   
       12 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein said thermistor is in thermal communication with said circuit board, such that said thermistor directly monitors thermal radiation emitted from said circuit board. 
   
   
       13 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein said monitored temperature is a monitored temperature rate of change. 
   
   
       14 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein said housing comprises a plurality of thermally conductive heat sink fins that dissipate thermal radiation communicated to said housing. 
   
   
       15 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein said housing comprises an emissivity material that covers at least a portion of said housing. 
   
   
       16 . The lighting device of  claim 11 , wherein said controller increases said electrical current supplied to at least a portion of said plurality of lighting sources when at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature are below a second temperature value associated with said at least one circuit board and said housing, respectively. 
   
   
       17 . A method of controlling thermal radiation emitted by a lighting device, said method comprising the steps of:
 supplying an electrical power to at least one lighting source;   emitting thermal radiation by said at least one lighting source when receiving said electrical power;   monitoring directly a temperature of said emitted thermal radiation of said at least one lighting source;   determining a temperature of a second component based upon said monitored temperature; and   decreasing said electrical power supplied to said at least one lighting source when at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature are above a temperature value associated therewith, respectively.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of increasing said electrical power supplied to said at least one lighting source when at least one of said monitored temperature and said determined temperature are below a second temperature value associated therewith, respectively. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said monitored temperature is a monitored temperature rate of change. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of altering said electrical power comprises altering an electrical current supplied to said at least one lighting source.