IP Library Granted Patent US 8,596,845
Granted Patent B2
US 8,596,845 · App. 12/568,343 · Granted Dec 3, 2013

Apparatus for using heat pipes in controlling temperature of an LED light unit

Inventors: Thomas R. Burton (Germantown, TN); John W. Curran (Lebanon, NJ); John Patrick Peck (Manasquan, NJ); Kenneth J. Zimmer (Freehold, NJ); Gregory K. Balczarek (Tinton Falls, NJ)
Assignee: Dialight Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,596,845
App. No.
12/568,343
Granted
Dec 3, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) light unit is disclosed. For example, the LED light unit includes at least one support plate having one or more inner openings. At least one LED array may be coupled to an LED board. The LED light unit also includes at least one heat pipe coupled to the LED board, wherein said LED board is coupled to the at least one support plate.

Claims (13)

1. A light emitting diode (LED) light unit, comprising:

at least one support plate;

a controller coupled to at least one thermoelectric cooler and at least one temperature sensor, wherein said at least one support plate is coupled approximately 90 degrees to said at least one thermoelectric cooler;

at least one heat pipe coupled to said at least one thermoelectric cooler on an opposite side of said at least one thermoelectric cooler that is coupled to said at least one support plate, wherein said at least one heat pipe comprises an interior volume filled with a working fluid;

at least one LED coupled to said at least one support plate and the at least one thermoelectric cooler;

wherein the at least one temperature sensor is coupled to said at least one LED; and

a housing coupled to said at least one heat pipe, wherein said at least one heat pipe dissipates heat away from said at least one LED and to said housing.

2. The LED light unit of claim 1 , wherein said LED light unit comprises a headlight for a vehicle.

3. The LED light unit of claim 2 , wherein said at least one heat pipe is coupled to a part of said vehicle.

4. The LED light unit of claim 3 , wherein said part comprises at least one of: a bumper or a chassis.

5. The LED light unit of claim 1 , wherein said controller, said at least one thermoelectric cooler and said at least one temperature sensor form a feedback control loop for controlling a temperature of said at least one LED.

6. The LED light unit of claim 1 , wherein said controller is located remotely on a display console of a vehicle.

7. The LED light unit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one thermoelectric cooler comprises a Peltier device.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2026
From: HSBC UK BANK PLC
To: DIALIGHT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 075458/0034 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2022
From: DIALIGHT CORPORATION
To: HSBC UK BANK PLC, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 060803/0351 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2010
From: BURTON, THOMAS R.; CURRAN, JOHN W.; PECK, JOHN PATRICK; ZIMMER, KENNETH J.; BALCZAREK, GREGORY K.
To: DIALIGHT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024119/0832 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 11770538 · Jun 28, 2007
Provisional Application 60817880 · Jun 30, 2006
Related Publication 20100084979A1 · Apr 8, 2010