Method and apparatus for using light emitting diodes

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using light emitting diodes for curing in various applications. The method includes a novel method for cooling the light emitting diodes and mounting the same on heat pipe in a manner which delivers ultra high power in UV, visible and IR regions. Furthermore, the unique LED packaging technology of the present invention that utilizes heat pipes performs far more efficiently in much more compact space. This allows much more closely spaced LEDs operating at higher power and brightness.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device for providing light in a predetermined direction, the device comprising:
 a heat pipe having a first and second end;   a light emitting device mounted adjacent to the first end of the heat pipe and electrically connected to the heat pipe; and   a sleeve around the light emitting device and the heat pipe;   wherein said sleeve is electrically insulated from said heat pipe and said light emitting device is electrically coupled to said sleeve.   
     
     
         3 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A light emitting apparatus comprising:
 a heat pipe having an evaporating a condensing end;   a light emitting device mounted on the evaporating end of the heat pipe; and   a color mixing totally internally reflecting concentrator in optical communication with the light emitting device.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least two light emitting devices emitting at substantially different wavelengths.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 individually addressable light emitting devices.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 pulse width modulation of the light emitting devices.   
     
     
         9 . A light emitting device, the device comprising:
 a substrate having at least one heat pipe;   at least two light emitting devices mounted on the substrate; and   a wavelength mixing substrate, each light emitting device a different wavelength;   wherein each light emitting device is in optical communication with said wavelength mixing substrate.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the wavelength mixing substrate is refractive micro lens array.