Solid state light with optical guide and integrated thermal guide

Abstract

A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, and optical guide, and a thermal guide. The optical guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, and the thermal guide is integrated with the optical guide for providing thermal conduction from the solid state light source and dissipating heat through convection for cooling the light.

1 . A light with integrated light and thermal guides, comprising:
 a light source;   a light guide coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, wherein the light is transported within the light guide until the light exits from a surface of the light guide; and   a thermal guide integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the light source for cooling the light, wherein the thermal guide comprises a solid material capable of conducting heat from the light source and dissipating the heat,   wherein the light guide comprises a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and an edge between the first and second surfaces, the light exits from the first or second surface, and the light with the integrated light and thermal guides provides for air flow proximate the first and second surfaces,   wherein the light source is located at the edge of the light guide in order to optically couple the light into the light guide at the edge,   wherein the light includes a light frequency shifting material.   
     
     
         2 . The light of  claim 1 , wherein the light frequency shifting material comprises a dye. 
     
     
         3 . A light with integrated light and thermal guides, comprising:
 a light source;   a light guide coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, wherein the light is transported within the light guide until the light exits from a surface of the light guide; and   a thermal guide integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the light source for cooling the light, wherein the thermal guide comprises a solid material capable of conducting heat from the light source and dissipating the heat,   wherein the light guide comprises a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and an edge between the first and second surfaces, the light exits from the first or second surface, and the light with the integrated light and thermal guides provides for air flow proximate the first and second surfaces,   wherein the light source is located at the edge of the light guide in order to optically couple the light into the light guide at the edge,   wherein the light guide comprises a sheet of material having a non-planar shape.   
     
     
         4 . The light of  claim 3 , wherein the first or second surface of the light guide includes light extraction features. 
     
     
         5 . The light of  claim 4 , wherein the light extraction features comprise a pattern of dots. 
     
     
         6 . The light of  claim 4 , wherein the light extraction features comprise prisms. 
     
     
         7 . The light of  claim 4 , wherein the light extraction features comprise lenslets. 
     
     
         8 . The light of  claim 3 , further comprising a reflective layer on one side of the light guide. 
     
     
         9 . A light with integrated light and thermal guides, comprising:
 a light source;   a light guide comprising a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and an edge between the first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface forms an interior volume, the light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source through the first or second surface, and the light is transported within the light guide until the light exits from the first or second surface of the light guide, wherein the light source is located at the edge of the light guide in order to optically couple the light into the light guide at the edge; and   a thermal guide at least partially contained within the interior volume and integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the light source for cooling the light, wherein the thermal guide comprises a solid material capable of conducting heat from the light source and dissipating the heat,   wherein the light includes a light frequency shifting material.   
     
     
         10 . The light of  claim 9 , wherein the light frequency shifting material comprises a dye. 
     
     
         11 . A light with integrated light and thermal guides, comprising:
 a light source;   a light guide comprising a material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and an edge between the first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface forms an interior volume, the light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source through the first or second surface, and the light is transported within the light guide until the light exits from the first or second surface of the light guide, wherein the light source is located at the edge of the light guide in order to optically couple the light into the light guide at the edge; and   a thermal guide at least partially contained within the interior volume and integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the light source for cooling the light, wherein the thermal guide comprises a solid material capable of conducting heat from the light source and dissipating the heat,   wherein the light guide comprises a spherical shape.   
     
     
         12 . The light of  claim 11 , wherein the first or second surface of the light guide includes light extraction features. 
     
     
         13 . The light of  claim 12 , wherein the light extraction features comprise a pattern of dots. 
     
     
         14 . The light of  claim 12 , wherein the light extraction features comprise prisms. 
     
     
         15 . The light of  claim 12 , wherein the light extraction features comprise lenslets. 
     
     
         16 . The light of  claim 11 , wherein the light guide includes a plurality of apertures.