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 two surfaces upon which the light emitting diodes are mounted. The elongate member is thermally conductive and is utilized to cool the light emitting diodes. In the illustrative embodiment, the elongate member is a tubular member through which a heat transfer medium flows.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light source comprising:
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface;   at least one light emitting diodes carried on said elongate member outer surface;   one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said at least one light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto; and   said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said at least one light emitting diode to fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member.   
     
     
       2. A light source comprising:
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface;   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;   electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto; 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.   
     
     
       3. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of said light emitting diodes emits white light.   
     
     
       4. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 said fluid comprises air.   
     
     
       5. A light source in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises one or more heat dissipation protrusions.   
     
     
       6. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube.   
     
     
       7. A light source in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein:
 said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a polygon.   
     
     
       8. A light source in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein:
 said tube has a cross-section having flat portions.   
     
     
       9. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a channel.   
     
     
       10. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises an extrusion.   
     
     
       11. A light source in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein:
 said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion.   
     
     
       12. A light source in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular member.   
     
     
       13. A light source in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein:
 said tubular member has a polygon cross-section.   
     
     
       14. A light source in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein:
 said tubular member has a triangular cross-section.   
     
     
       15. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising:
 a flexible circuit carried on a surface of said elongate thermally conductive member, said flexible circuit comprising said electrical conductors.   
     
     
       16. A light source in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein:
 said flexible circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving said plurality of light emitting diodes.   
     
     
       17. A light source in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein:
 each of said light emitting diodes is disposed in a corresponding one of said apertures and affixed in thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive member.   
     
     
       18. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein:
 a thermal transfer media disposed therein.   
     
     
       19. A light source in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein:
 said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a flow channel for said thermal transfer media.   
     
     
       20. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least one clip for mounting said elongate thermally conductive member in a fixture.   
     
     
       21. A light source in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising:
 an electrically insulating layer disposed on said elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying said electrical conductors thereon.   
     
     
       22. A light source in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein:
 said electrically insulating layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture receiving one of said light emitting diodes; and   each light emitting diode of said plurality of light emitting diodes being mounted in a corresponding one of said apertures and in thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive member.   
     
     
       23. A light source in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein:
 each of said light emitting diodes emits white light.   
     
     
       24. A light source comprising:
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis, said elongate thermally conductive member comprising:
 a first exterior integral fin on said outer surface; 
 a second exterior integral fin on said outer surface, wherein a longitudinal axis of said first exterior integral fin and a longitudinal axis of said second exterior integral fin are both substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said elongate thermally conductive member; and 
 an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of said elongate thermally conductive member, the interior cavity having an opening at an end of said elongate thermally conductive member configured to enable heated fluid to exit said elongate thermally conductive member; 
   a plurality of light emitting diodes carried on said elongate member outer surface, wherein a back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes is in thermally conductive contact with a corresponding underlying portion of said elongate member outer surface; and   one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto;   said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said plurality of light emitting diodes to fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member in said interior cavity.   
     
     
       25. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said elongate thermally conductive member further comprises one or more apertures facilitating fluid flow through said elongate thermally conductive member. 
     
     
       26. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said the elongate thermally conductive member further comprises a third exterior integral fin. 
     
     
       27. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed in a single plane. 
     
     
       28. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted in orientations spanning a range of 180 degrees to 360 degrees. 
     
     
       29. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are evenly distributed along a length of said elongate thermally conductive member for efficient heat dissipation. 
     
     
       30. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein: each of said plurality of light emitting diodes emits white light. 
     
     
       31. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein: said fluid comprises air. 
     
     
       32. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular member. 
     
     
       33. A light source in accordance with claim 32, wherein a cross-section of said tubular member comprises flat portions. 
     
     
       34. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes maintains said thermally conductive contact with said elongate member outer surface through a printed circuit. 
     
     
       35. A light source in accordance with claim 34, further comprising: an electrically insulating layer disposed on said elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying said electrical conductors thereon. 
     
     
       36. A light source comprising:
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis, said elongate thermally conductive member comprising:
 a first exterior integral fin on said outer surface; 
 a second exterior integral fin on said outer surface, wherein a longitudinal axis of said first exterior integral fin and a longitudinal axis of said second exterior integral fin are both substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said elongate thermally conductive member; and 
 an interior cavity defined by an interior surface of said elongate thermally conductive member, the interior cavity having an opening at an end of said elongate thermally conductive member configured to enable heated fluid to exit said elongate thermally conductive member; 
   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, wherein a back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes is in thermally conductive contact with a corresponding underlying portion of said elongate member outer surface; and   electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto;   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 in said interior cavity and to provide convective heat dissipation and cooling.   
     
     
       37. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: each of said plurality of light emitting diodes emits white light. 
     
     
       38. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: said fluid comprises air. 
     
     
       39. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube. 
     
     
       40. A light source in accordance with claim 39, wherein: said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a polygon. 
     
     
       41. A light source in accordance with claim 39, wherein: said tube has a cross-section having flat portions. 
     
     
       42. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises an extrusion. 
     
     
       43. A light source in accordance with claim 42, wherein: said extrusion is an aluminum extrusion. 
     
     
       44. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular member. 
     
     
       45. A light source in accordance with claim 44, wherein: said tubular member has a polygon cross-section. 
     
     
       46. A light source in accordance with claim 44, wherein: said tubular member has a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
       47. A light source in accordance with claim 36, further comprising: a flexible circuit carried on a surface of said elongate thermally conductive member, said flexible circuit comprising said electrical conductors. 
     
     
       48. A light source in accordance with claim 47, wherein: said flexible circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving said plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       49. A light source in accordance with claim 48, wherein: each of said light emitting diodes is disposed in a corresponding one of said apertures and affixed in thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive member. 
     
     
       50. A light source in accordance with claim 36, further comprising: at least one clip for mounting said elongate thermally conductive member in a fixture. 
     
     
       51. A light source in accordance with claim 36, further comprising: an electrically insulating layer disposed on said elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying said electrical conductors thereon. 
     
     
       52. A light source in accordance with claim 51, wherein: said electrically insulating layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture receiving one of said light emitting diodes; and each light emitting diode of said plurality of light emitting diodes being mounted in a corresponding one of said apertures. 
     
     
       53. A light source in accordance with claim 52, wherein: each of said plurality of light emitting diodes emits white light. 
     
     
       54. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said elongate thermally conductive member further comprises one or more apertures for facilitating fluid flow through said elongate thermally conductive member. 
     
     
       55. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said the elongate thermally conductive member further comprises a third exterior integral fin. 
     
     
       56. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted in orientations spanning a range of 180 degrees to 360 degrees. 
     
     
       57. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are evenly distributed along a length of said elongate thermally conductive member for efficient heat dissipation. 
     
     
       58. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes maintains said thermally conductive contact with said elongate member outer surface through a printed circuit. 
     
     
       59. A light source comprising:
 an elongate thermally conductive member having an outer surface, a first end, and a longitudinal axis;   a plurality of light emitting diodes carried on said elongate member outer surface, wherein a back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes is in thermal contact with a corresponding underlying portion of said elongate member outer surface;   one or more electrical conductors carried by said elongate thermally conductive member and connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes to supply electrical power thereto; and   a plurality of exterior fins added to said elongate member outer surface to conduct heat to fluid surrounding said plurality of exterior fins thereby facilitating convective heat dissipation, a longitudinal axis of each of said plurality of exterior fins being substantially aligned the longitudinal axis of said elongate thermally conductive member;   said elongate thermally conductive member being configured to conduct heat away from said plurality of light emitting diodes to fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member;   wherein said elongate thermally conductive member comprises an opening at the first end that facilitates exit of heated fluid contained by said elongate thermally conductive member out of said elongate thermally conductive member.   
     
     
       60. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: each of said plurality of light emitting diodes emits white light. 
     
     
       61. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: said fluid comprises air. 
     
     
       62. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a tube. 
     
     
       63. A light source in accordance with claim 62, wherein: said tube has a cross-section in the shape of a polygon. 
     
     
       64. A light source in accordance with claim 62 wherein: said tube has a cross-section having flat portions. 
     
     
       65. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises a channel. 
     
     
       66. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member comprises an extrusion. 
     
     
       67. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein: said elongate thermally conductive member is a tubular member. 
     
     
       68. A light source in accordance with claim 67, wherein: said tubular member has a polygon cross-section. 
     
     
       69. A light source in accordance with claim 67, wherein: said tubular member has a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
       70. A light source in accordance with claim 59, further comprising: a printed circuit carried on a surface of said elongate thermally conductive member, said circuit comprising said electrical conductors. 
     
     
       71. A light source in accordance with claim 70, wherein: said printed circuit comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving said plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       72. A light source in accordance with claim 71, wherein: each of said light emitting diodes is disposed in a corresponding one of said apertures and affixed in thermally conductive contact with said elongate thermally conductive member. 
     
     
       73. A light source in accordance with claim 70, wherein said back of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes maintains said thermal contact with said elongate member outer surface through said printed circuit. 
     
     
       74. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein the elongate thermally conductive member defines an interior cavity, and wherein the elongate thermally conductive member further comprises a plurality of interior fins extending into the interior cavity. 
     
     
       75. The light source in accordance with claim 74, wherein the plurality of interior fins comprises integral fins. 
     
     
       76. A light source in accordance with claim 59, further comprising: an electrically insulating layer disposed on said elongate thermally conductive member outer surface and carrying said electrical conductors thereon. 
     
     
       77. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are evenly distributed along a length of said elongate thermally conductive member for efficient heat dissipation. 
     
     
       78. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted in orientations spanning a range of 180 degrees to 360 degrees. 
     
     
       79. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said elongate thermally conductive member is further configured to facilitate convective cooling of the elongate thermally conductive member by enabling flow of heated fluid out of said interior cavity through said opening. 
     
     
       80. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes emits colored light. 
     
     
       81. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said light source produces white light. 
     
     
       82. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said light source is configured for general illumination. 
     
     
       83. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said elongate thermally conductive member is a single integral piece. 
     
     
       84. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein the elongate thermally conductive member is further configured to facilitate convective cooling of the elongate thermally conductive member by enabling flow of heated fluid out of said interior cavity through said opening. 
     
     
       85. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes emits colored light. 
     
     
       86. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said light source produces white light. 
     
     
       87. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein said light source is configured for general illumination. 
     
     
       88. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes emits colored light. 
     
     
       89. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein said light source produces white light. 
     
     
       90. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein said light source is configured for general illumination. 
     
     
       91. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein the elongate thermally conductive member is configured to provide convective heat dissipation and cooling. 
     
     
       92. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein the first integral fin has a triangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       93. A light source in accordance with claim 24, wherein said light source is configured to replace compact fluorescent lighting in decorative applications. 
     
     
       94. A light source in accordance with claim 36, wherein the elongate thermally conductive member is a single integral piece. 
     
     
       95. A light source in accordance with claim 59, wherein the elongate thermally conductive member is a single integral piece.