LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LAMP AND METHOD OF MAKING
An apparatus includes a light-emitting device. A diffuser is disposed over the light-emitting device. A heat sink is disposed below, and thermally coupled to, the light-emitting device. The heat sink includes a body and a plurality of fins that radially protrude from the body of the heat sink. The fins define a plurality of ducts. A cover plate circumferentially surrounds the heat sink. The cover plate includes a plurality of openings that are disposed over the plurality of ducts, respectively.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a light-emitting device;
a diffuser disposed over the light-emitting device;
a heat sink disposed below, and thermally coupled to, the light-emitting device, wherein the heat sink includes a body and a plurality of fins that radially protrude from the body of the heat sink, and wherein the fins define a plurality of ducts; and
a cover plate that circumferentially surrounds the heat sink, wherein the cover plate includes a plurality of openings that are disposed over the plurality of ducts, respectively.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the openings includes a subset of first openings and a plurality of second openings;
the first openings are aligned with the second openings, respectively, along the ducts;
the first openings are each disposed near a first end of each of the ducts; and
the second openings are each disposed near a second end of each of the ducts opposite the first end.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fins each have a curved cross-sectional profile.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fins each include a hole therein.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body of the heat sink and the fins constitute a single seamless structure.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is thermally insulating.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body of the heat sink includes one or more openings therein.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting device, the diffuser, the heat sink, and the cover plate are parts of a light bulb.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body of the heat sink includes a cavity therein.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a power supply disposed inside the cavity of the body of the heat sink, wherein the power supply is configured to supply electrical power to the light-emitting device.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode (LED).
12 . A lighting structure, comprising:
a light-emitting diode (LED);
a diffuser disposed over the LED and providing a partial enclosure for the LED;
a heat sink thermal conductively coupled to the LED, wherein the heat sink includes a body and a plurality of outwardly-protruding fins that define a plurality of airflow channels; and
a thermally insulating cover plate that circumferentially surrounds the heat sink, wherein the thermally insulating cover plate includes a plurality of top openings and a plurality of bottom openings aligned with the top openings, respectively, wherein each pair of top and bottom openings are in fluid communication with a respective one of the airflow channels.
13 . The lighting structure of claim 12 , wherein an outline of the fins conform to an outline of a light bulb.
14 . The lighting structure of claim 12 , wherein:
the fins each include an opening therein; and
the body of the heat sink includes one or more openings therein.
15 . The lighting structure of claim 12 , wherein the body of the heat sink and the fins constitute a single seamless structure.
16 . The lighting structure of claim 12 , wherein the body of the heat sink includes a cavity therein, the cavity defining a power supply enclosure configured to house therein a power supply for the LED.
17 . The lighting structure of claim 12 , wherein the LED, the diffuser, the heat sink, and the thermally insulating cover plate are components of a lamp.
18 . A lamp, comprising:
a light-emitting diode (LED);
a diffuser disposed over the LED and forming a partial enclosure for the LED;
a heat sink thermal conductively coupled to the LED, wherein the heat sink includes a body that contains a cavity therein and a plurality of elongate fins protruding from the body, wherein each pair of adjacent fins defines a different airflow duct, and wherein the fins each have a cross-sectional profile that resembles a cross-sectional profile of a light bulb;
a thermally insulating structure that circumferentially covers the heat sink, wherein the thermally insulating structure includes a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings, wherein each first opening is aligned with a respective one of the second openings in a direction parallel to a direction in which the airflow ducts extend, and wherein each pair of aligned first and second openings is aligned with a respective one of the airflow ducts; and
a power supply disposed inside the cavity of the body of the heat sink, wherein the power supply supplies electrical power for the LED.
19 . The lamp of claim 18 , wherein the fins each include an opening therein.
20 . The lighting structure of claim 18 , wherein the body of the heat sink and the fins constitute a single seamless structure.