Advanced Synjet Cooler Design for LED Light Modules

Abstract

A light source ( 101 ) is provided which includes an LED module ( 103 ), a heat sink ( 107 ) and a synthetic jet ejector ( 105 ). The LED module includes a housing and an LED ( 113 ) disposed within the housing. The housing has first, second and third external surfaces, and the second external surface includes a light-emitting region ( 113 ). The heat sink is disposed on the third surface of the LED module and includes a plurality of heat fins and having a plurality of channels formed therein. Each of the plurality of channels is formed by a pair of adjacent heat fins from the plurality of heat fins. The synthetic jet ejector is disposed upon, or adjacent to, the first surface of the LED module and is equipped with a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures directs a synthetic jet into one of the plurality of channels in the heat sink.

1 . A light source, comprising:
 an LED module which includes (a) a housing having first, second and third external surfaces, said second external surface including a light-emitting region, and (b) an LED disposed within said housing;   a first heat sink disposed on said third surface of said LED module, said first heat sink comprising a first plurality of heat fins and having a first plurality of channels formed therein, and wherein each of said first plurality of channels is formed by a pair of adjacent heat fins from said first plurality of heat fins; and   a synthetic jet ejector disposed upon, or adjacent to, said first surface of said LED module, wherein said synthetic jet ejector is equipped with a first plurality of apertures, and wherein each of said first plurality of apertures directs a synthetic jet into one of said first plurality of channels in said first heat sink.   
     
     
         2 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first plurality of apertures is disposed over one of said first plurality of channels. 
     
     
         3 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is spaced apart from said first external surface. 
     
     
         4 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is disposed on said first external surface. 
     
     
         5 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said first and third external surfaces are essentially planar, and wherein the planes of said first and third external surfaces intersect at an angle within the range of about 75° to about 105°. 
     
     
         6 . The light source of  claim 2 , wherein said first and third external surfaces are essentially planar, and wherein the planes of said first and third external surfaces are essentially orthogonal. 
     
     
         7 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said LED module is essentially polyhedral in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The LED light source of  claim 1 , wherein said LED module is essentially prismatic in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said first synthetic jet ejector is essentially tabular in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is equipped with a first arcuate section, and wherein said first plurality of apertures is disposed in said first arcuate section. 
     
     
         11 . The light source of  claim 10 , wherein said first arcuate section extends over said first heat sink such that each of said first plurality of apertures is positioned over one of said first plurality of channels in said first heat sink. 
     
     
         12 . The light source of  claim 10 , wherein said housing is equipped with a fourth external surface, and wherein said light source further comprises a second heat sink disposed on said fourth external surface of said housing. 
     
     
         13 . The light source of  claim 12 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is equipped with a second arcuate section, wherein said second heat sink comprises a second plurality of heat fins and has a second plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each of said second plurality of channels in said second heat sink is formed by a pair of adjacent heat fins from said second plurality of heat fins, and wherein said second arcuate section extends over said second heat sink such that each of said second plurality of apertures in said second arcuate section is positioned over one of said second plurality of channels in said second heat sink. 
     
     
         14 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector comprises lower and upper essentially polyhedral portions, wherein said upper portion has a larger major surface than said lower portion, and wherein said lower portion extends into the center of said first heat sink. 
     
     
         15 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector comprises first and second synthetic jet actuators arranged in parallel. 
     
     
         16 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second external surfaces of said housing are major opposing surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The light source of  claim 14 , wherein said third and fourth external surfaces of said housing are opposing surfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The light source of  claim 16 , wherein said light emitting region emits light in a direction away from said external first surface. 
     
     
         19 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector emits a plurality of synthetic jets in a direction parallel to said third surface and perpendicular to said second external surface. 
     
     
         20 . The light source of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second external surfaces are rectangular.