Lamp thermal management system
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a thermal management system for a lamp. The system comprises a lamp socket that comprises a socket body. The thermal assembly is in thermal communication with the socket body to form a thermal circuit between the lamp and the thermal assembly for dissipating heat generated by the lamp.
1. A lighting assembly for use with a lamp having an engagement end, comprising:
a lamp socket, the lamp socket comprising:
a socket body defining an interior cavity;
a socket sleeve substantially disposed within a portion of the interior cavity of the socket body, wherein a portion of an interior surface of the socket sleeve is shaped for complementary engagement with at least a portion of the engagement end of the lamp; and
a heat pipe, wherein at least a portion of the heat pipe is embedded within the socket body and wherein the heat pipe is in thermal communication with the socket body to form a thermal circuit between the lamp and the heat pipe; and
a lamp housing, wherein a portion of the socket body is connected to a portion of the lamp housing.
2. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the heat pipe is in thermal communication with a portion of the lamp housing.
3. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lamp housing is comprised of a thermally conductive material.
4. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the external surface of the lamp housing comprises a plurality of fins.
5. The lighting assembly of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the heat pipe is embedded within at least a portion of the fins.
6. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the socket body comprises a circumferential wall, and wherein at least a portion of the heat pipe is embedded within the circumferential wall of the socket body.
7. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary lighting assembly, the auxiliary lighting assembly comprising:
an auxiliary lamp socket configured for engagement with an auxiliary lamp; and
a bracket assembly having a first end and a spaced second end, wherein the first end is connected to a portion of the lamp housing and the second end is connected to a portion of the auxiliary lamp socket.
8. The lighting assembly of claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary lighting assembly further comprises an auxiliary heat pipe, wherein a portion of the auxiliary heat pipe is in thermal communication with the auxiliary lamp socket to form a thermal circuit between the auxiliary lamp and the auxiliary heat pipe.
9. The lighting assembly of claim 8 , wherein a portion of the auxiliary heat pipe is in thermal communication with a portion of the housing.