A novel automated heat-pipe cooling device for high-power LEDs. (25th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiao, Chengdi; Liao, Hailong; Wang, Yan; Li, Junhui; Zhu, Wenhui
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 111(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 1320
• Page End: 1329
• Publication Date: 2017-01-25
• Subjects: High-power LEDs -- Heat pipe -- Automatic cooling system -- Numerical simulation; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: An automatic cooling device was firstly integrated with microcontroller, heat pipe and fan. Substrate temperature of high-power LEDs can be controlled automatically and be protected safely. LED junction temperature can be maintained at a suitable range. Total power consumption is less than 1.58 W. It is a very promising tool for the heat dissipation of high-power LEDs. Abstract: In order to develop the thermal management of high-power LEDs, an automatic cooling device was firstly integrated with a microcontroller, heat pipes and fan. According to the experimental results, it was found that the substrate temperature of the high-power LEDs could be controlled automatically, and it could be kept in a relative low range to protect the LEDs, which contributes a better performance and longer lifetime of LED. A numerical model of the cooling system was established and its effectiveness was verified by experimental results. The simulation results show that the LED junction temperature can be maintained at a suitable range. Thus, the thermal resistances Rsa (from the heat sink to the ambient) and Rja (from the LED chip to the ambient) of the cooling system are 0.373 °C/W and 5.953 °C/W at 12 W, respectively. In addition, increasing the number of heat pipes & cooling fins is an effective method to improve heat transfer of the cooling system. The proposed cooling system, whose total power consumption is less than 1.58 W, is a very promising tool for the heat dissipation of high-power LEDs.