Abstract
The invention relates to a light emitting device, comprising at least one light source (101) and a closed container, the container comprising a first area (105) and a second area (107) that is arranged opposite to the first area (105), the closed container being filled with a heat conducting fluid (111) that is thermally coupled to an inside surface of the closed container, wherein the at least one light source (101) is arranged on an outside surface (115) of the first area of the closed container and thermally coupled to the inside surface (113) of the closed container.
Claims
1. A light emitting device, comprising at least one light source and a closed container, the closed container comprising a first area and a second area that is arranged opposite to the first area, the closed container being filled with a heat conducting fluid that is thermally coupled to an inside surface of the closed container, wherein the at least one light source is arranged on an outside surface of the first area of the closed container and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the closed container, characterized in that: the container comprises a first tubular vessel as the first area and a second tubular vessel as the second area, the second tubular vessel surrounding the first tubular vessel at a distance larger than zero mm, and wherein the space between the first tubular vessel and the second tubular vessel is filled with the heat conducting fluid, or in that: the container comprises a first spherical vessel as the first area and a second spherical vessel as the second area, the second spherical vessel surrounding the first spherical vessel at a distance larger than zero mm, and wherein the space between the first spherical vessel and the second spherical vessel is filled with the heat conducting fluid.
2. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting fluid is light transmissive, and wherein at least a part of the first area and the second area are light transmissive.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the distance is in the range of 1-10 mm, more preferably in the range of 1-7 mm, even more preferably in the range of 2-7 mm, even more preferably in the range between 2-4 mm.
7. A light emitting device according to, claim 1, wherein the heat conducting and optically transparent fluid has a Grashof number in the range between 5.Math.10.sup.8-3.Math.10.sup.10, more preferably in the range between 6×10.sup.9-3.Math.10.sup.10, even more preferably in the range between 1×10.sup.10-3×10.sup.10.
8. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the wherein the heat conducting fluid and/or at least a part of the container comprises particles selected from the group comprising scattering particles and inorganic luminescent particles, or a combination thereof.
9. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the container is made of one or more materials selected from the group comprising a light transmissive organic material, a glass material, a light transmissive ceramic material and a silicone material.
10. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises one or more optical elements for directing the light emitted during operation of the device in a predetermined direction.
11. A light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one array of light emitting diodes positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first tubular vessel and wherein the distance between two neighboring light emitting diodes is in the range of 5-15 mm, preferable in the range of 7-13 mm, more preferably in the range of 8-12 mm.
12. A light emitting device according to claim 11, comprising at least three arrays of light emitting diodes positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first tubular vessel, and wherein the three arrays are positioned in a non-symmetrical distribution along the radius of the first tubular vessel.
13. A heat sink for a light emitting device according to claim 1, comprising a closed container, the closed container comprising a first area and a second area that is arranged opposite to the first area, the closed container being filled with a heat conducting and optically transparent fluid that is thermally coupled to an inside surface of the closed container, characterized in that: the container comprises a first tubular vessel as the first area and a second tubular vessel as the second area, the second tubular vessel surrounding the first tubular vessel at a distance larger than zero mm, and wherein the space between the first tubular vessel and the second tubular vessel is filled with the heat conducting fluid, or in that: the container comprises a first spherical vessel as the first area and a second spherical vessel as the second area, the second spherical vessel surrounding the first spherical vessel at a distance larger than zero mm, and wherein the space between the first spherical vessel and the second spherical vessel is filled with the heat conducting fluid.
14. A lamp comprising at least one light emitting device according to claim 1.
15. A luminaire comprising at least one light emitting device according to claim 1.
Description
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0042] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E show a first, second, third and fourth embodiment of a light emitting device according to the invention.
[0043] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E show a fifth, sixth, seventh and eight embodiment of a light emitting device according to the invention.
[0044] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a ninth and tenth embodiment of a light emitting device according to the invention.
[0045] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C and 4D show an eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth embodiment of a light emitting device according to the invention.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a lamp according to the invention.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows a luminaire according to the invention.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows experimental results on the thermal behavior of a light emitting device according to FIGS. 2A and 2C.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0049] FIG. 1A shows a light emitting device 100, and in FIG. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E cross sectional views of the light emitting device 100 along the line A-A′ (FIG. 1A) are shown. Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E, the light emitting device 100 comprises a closed cylindrical vessel 103. The cylindrical vessel 103 is formed by a first circular plate 105 and a second circular plate 107 that are connected via a wall 109. The cylindrical vessel 103 is filled with a heat conducting and a light transmissive fluid 111 that is in thermal contact with the inner surface 113 of the first circular plate 105 as well as the second circular plate 107. A plurality of LEDs 101 is positioned on the outer surface 115 of the first circular plate 105 and thermally coupled to the inner surface 113 via the wall of the first circular plate 105. The LEDs 101 are electrically connected to an electrical connector 121. During operation of the light emitting device 100, the LEDs 101 are powered via the electrical connector 121 and generate light 117. Referring to FIG. 1B, in a first embodiment of the light emitting device 100, downstream of the LEDs 101, the light 117 passes through the first circular plate 105 and the fluid 111, and exits the light emitting device 100 via the outer surface 121 of the second circular plate 107 as light 119 that is generated by the light emitting device 100. Referring to FIG. 1C, in a second embodiment of the light emitting device 100, downstream of the LEDs 101, the light 117 exits the light emitting device as light that is generated by the light emitting device 100. For this embodiment the fluid 111, the first circular plate 105 and the second circular plate 107 are not light transmissive, or only partially light transmissive. A reflective coating 123 may be present on the outer surface 115 of the first circular plate 105 in order to reflect light generated by the LEDs away from the first circular plate 105. Referring again to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the heat that is generated locally by the LEDs 101 is conducted to the fluid 111 via the first circular plate 105. The fluid 111 will transfer the heat further to the second circular plate 107 and the wall 109, via conduction as well as via convection within the fluid 111. Said convection is caused by the buoyancy forces resulting from the temperature differences within the fluid 111 between the relative hot spots in the fluid 111 close to the LEDs 101 and the relative cold spots in the fluid 111 close to the second circular plate 107 and the walls 109. Finally, the second circular plate 107 and the walls 109 will the transfer the heat further to the surroundings of the light emitting device 100. The thermally conductive fluid 111 is used in this way to spread the heat that is generated by the LEDs 101 over a relatively large area that is formed by the second circular plate 107 and the wall 109. As the fluid 111 is also optically transmissive, the light 117 that is generated by the LEDs 101 can be transmitted via the fluid 111 to the second circular plate 107 and exit the light emitting device 100 as light 119 (referring to FIG. 1B). The LEDs 101 are not in direct contact with the fluid 111 which makes the light emitting device 100 less complicated as otherwise dedicated measures have to be taken to prevent short-circuiting and/or degradation of materials used in the LEDs 101. The distance d.sub.1 between the first circular plate and the second circular plate is 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.1 of 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm can be chosen. The LEDs 101 are arranged in a matrix in rows and columns. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 101 is 10 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.2 of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 mm can be chosen. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 101 is identical, however in alternative embodiments varying distances between two neighbouring LEDs 101 can be applied. In alternative embodiments, the LEDs 101 can be arranged in other patterns than a matrix in rows and columns, e.g. in a honeycomb structure.
[0050] FIG. 2A shows a light emitting device 200 and in FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E cross sectional views of the light emitting device 100 along the line B-B′ (FIG. 2A) are shown. Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, the light emitting device 200 comprises a cylindrical vessel 203. The cylindrical vessel 203 is formed by a first cylindrical vessel 205 and a second cylindrical vessel 207 that are connected via a wall 209. The cylindrical vessel 203 is filled with a heat conducting and light transmissive fluid 211 that is in thermal contact with the inner surface 213 of the first cylindrical vessel 205 as well as the second cylindrical vessel 207. A plurality of LEDs 201 is positioned on the outer surface 215 of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and thermally coupled to the inner surface 213 via the wall of the first cylindrical vessel 205. The LEDs 201 are electrically connected to an electrical connector 221. During operation of the light emitting device 200, the LEDs 201 are powered via the electrical connector 221 and generate light 217. Referring to FIG. 2B, in a first embodiment of the light emitting device 200, the LEDs 201 emit the light 217 towards an outer surface area 215 of the first cylindrical vessel 205 where the LEDs are positioned. The light 217 passes through the fluid 211 and exits the light emitting device 200 via the second cylindrical vessel 207 as light 219 that is genererated by the light emitting device 200. Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, in a second and third embodiment of the light emitting device 200, respectively, the LEDs 201 emit the light 217 towards an outer surface area 215 of the first cylindrical vessel 205 facing away from the outer surface 215 where the LEDs 201 are positioned. The light 217 passes through the first cylindrical vessel 205 and the fluid 211, and exits the light emitting device 200 via the second cylindrical vessel 207 as light 219 that is genererated by the light emitting device 200. Referring again to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, the heat that is generated locally by the LEDs 201 is conducted to the fluid 211 via the first cylindrical vessel 205. The fluid 211 will transfer the heat further to the second cylindrical vessel 207 and the wall 209 via conduction as well as via convection within the fluid 211. Said convection or movement of the fluid 211 is caused by buoyancy forces in the fluid resulting from the temperature differences within the fluid 211 between the relative hot spots in the fluid 211 close to the LEDs 201 and the relative cold spots in the fluid 211 close to the second cylindrical vessel 207 and the walls 209. Finally, the second cylindrical vessel 207 and the walls 209 will the transfer the heat further to the surroundings of the light emitting device 200. The thermally conductive fluid 211 is used in this way to spread the heat that is generared by the LEDs 101 over a relatively large area that is formed by the second cylindrical vessel 207 and the wall 209. As the fluid 211 is also optically transmissive, the light 217 that is generated by the LEDs 201 can be transmitted via the fluid 211 to the second cylindrical vessel 207 and exit the light emitting device 200 as light 219. The LEDs 201 are not in direct contact with the fluid 211 which makes the light emitting device 200 less complicated as otherwise dedicated measures have to be taken to prevent short-circuiting. The distance d.sub.1 between the first cylindrical vessel 205 and the second cylindrical vessel 207 is 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.1 of 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm can be chosen. The LEDs 201 are arranged in a one linear array. The distance d.sub.2 (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2E) between two neighbouring LEDs 201 in the array is 10 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.2 of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 mm can be chosen. In another alternative embodiment, the LEDs 201 comprises multiple linear arrays of LEDs. The distance d.sub.2 (not shown in FIG. 2A-2E) between two neighbouring LEDs in one array 201 is identical, however in alternative embodiments non-identical distances between two neighbouring LEDs 201 can be applied.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, the heat generated by the LEDs 201 is transferred to the liquid 211 via the first cylindrical vessel 205 and as a result the temperature of the liquid 211 near the inside surface 213 of the first cylindrical vessel 205 increases at these location(s). Due to the buoyancy forces, the locally heated liquid 211 starts to move. Finally, this results in a global circulation of the liquid 211 inside the cylindrical vessel 203, as indicated with the arrow 223, without the use of mechanical actuation (so-called thermosyphon effect). As the LEDs 201 are not positioned inside the cylindrical vessel 203, the movement of the liquid 211 is not hampered by the LEDs 201. The heated liquid 211 comes into contact with the wall of the second cylindrical vessel 207 where the heat is transferred, via the wall of the second cylindrical vessel 207, to the surroundings of the light emitting device 200. Due to this thermosyphon effect, the heat removal to the surrounding of the light emitting device 200 is further improved.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2B, 2C and 2E, the lighting emitting device 200 comprises one array of LEDs 201 that are positioned in parallel to the longitudinal axis C-C′ of the first cylindrical vessel 205. Referring to FIG. 2D the light emitting device comprises three arrays of LEDs 201 that are positioned in parallel to the longitudinal axis C-C′ of the first cylindrical vessel. The three arrays of LEDs are positioned in a non-symmetrical orientation along the radius of the first tubular vessel 205, i.e. in this embodiment the distances d.sub.3 and d.sub.4 along the radius are smaller than the distance d.sub.5. This non-symmetrical orientation will further intensity the buoyancy forces in the liquid 211 and hence improve the heat transfer to the surroundings of the light emitting device 200.
[0053] FIG. 3A shows a light emitting device 300, FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of the light emitting device 300 along the line D-D′ (FIG. 3A) and FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the light emitting device 300 along the line E-E′ (FIG. 3A). Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the light emitting device 300 comprises a spherical vessel 303. The spherical vessel 303 is formed by a first spherical vessel 305 and a second spherical vessel 307 that are connected via a wall 309. The spherical vessel 303 is filled with a heat conducting and a light transmissive fluid 311 that is in thermal contact with the inner surface 313 of the first spherical vessel 305 as well as the second spherical vessel 307. A plurality of LEDs 301 is positioned on the outer surface 315 of the first spherical vessel 305 and thermally coupled to the inner surface 313 via the wall of the first spherical vessel 305. The LEDs 301 are electrically connected to an electrical connector 321. During operation of the light emitting device 300, the LEDs 301 are powered via the electrical connector 321 and generate light 317. Downstream of the LEDs 301, the light 317 passes through the first spherical vessel 305, the fluid 311, and exits the light emitting device 300 via the second spherical vessel 307 as light 319 that is generated by the light emitting device 300. The heat that is generated locally by the LEDs 301 is conducted to the fluid 311 via the first spherical vessel 305. The fluid 311 will transfer the heat further to the second spherical vessel 307 and the wall 309, via conduction as well as via convection within the fluid 311. Said convection is caused by the buoyancy forces resulting from the temperature differences within the fluid 311 between the relative hot spots in the fluid 311 close to the LEDs 301 and the relative cold spots in the fluid 311 close to the second spherical vessel 307 and the walls 309. Finally, the second spherical vessel 307 and the walls 309 will the transfer the heat further to the surroundings of the light emitting device 300. The thermally conductive fluid 311 is used in this way to spread the heat that is generated by the LEDs 301 over a relatively large area that is formed by the second spherical vessel 307 and the wall 309. As the fluid 311 is also optically transmissive, the light 317 that is generated by the LEDs 301 can be transmitted via the fluid 311 to the second spherical vessel 307 and exit the light emitting device 300 as light 119. The LEDs 301 are not in direct contact with the fluid 311 which makes the light emitting device 300 less complicated as otherwise dedicated measures have to be taken to prevent short-circuiting and/or degradation of materials used in the LEDs 301. The distance d.sub.1 between the first spherical vessel 305 and the second spherical 307 vessel is 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.1 of 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm can be chosen. The LEDs 301 are arranged in a matrix at various positions along different radii of the first spherical vessel 305. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 301 is 10 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.2 of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 mm can be chosen. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 301 is identical, however in alternative embodiments varying distances between two neighbouring LEDs 301 can be applied. In alternative embodiments, the LEDs 301 can be arranged in alternative patterns.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 3C, in an alternative embodiment of the light emitting device 300, the LEDs 301 are positioned along a part of the radius of the spherical vessel 303. The LEDs are positioned in a non-symmetrical orientation, i.e. in this embodiment the distances d.sub.6, d.sub.7 and d.sub.8 along the radius are smaller than the distance d.sub.9. The distances d.sub.6, d.sub.7 and d.sub.8 may be substantially identical, or may be different in alternative embodiments. This non-symmetrical orientation will further intensity the buoyancy forces in the liquid 311 and hence improve the heat transfer to the surroundings of the light emitting device 300. The heat generated by the LEDs 301 is transferred to the liquid 211 via the first cylindrical vessel 205 and as a result the temperature of the liquid 311 near the inside surface 313 of the first spherical vessel 305 increases at these location(s). Particularly in case the light emitting device 300 is positioned horizontally along the axis D-D′ (FIG. 3A), due to the buoyancy forces, the locally heated liquid 311 starts to move. Finally, this results in a global circulation of the liquid 311 inside the spherical vessel 303, as indicated with the arrow 323, without the use of mechanical actuation (so-called thermosyphon effect). The heated liquid 311 comes into contact with the wall of the second cylindrical vessel 307 where the heat is transferred, via the wall of the second cylindrical vessel 307, to the surroundings of the light emitting device 300. Due to this thermosyphon effect, the heat removal to the surrounding of the light emitting device 300 is further improved. As the LEDs 301 are not positioned inside the spherical vessel 303, the movement of the liquid 311 is not hampered by the LEDs 301.
[0055] FIG. 4A shows a light emitting device 400A and FIG. 4B shows a light emitting device 400B. FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D show a cross sectional view of the light emitting device 400A, 400B along the line F-F′. Referring to FIG. 4A, 4C and 4D, the light emitting device 400A comprises a half-cylindrical vessel 403A. Referring to FIG. 4B, 4C and 4D, the light emitting device 400B comprises a half-spherical vessel 403B. Referring to FIGS. 4C, the vessels 403A and 403B are formed by a first vessel 405 and a second vessel 407 that are connected via a wall 409. The vessel 403A, 403B is filled with a heat conducting fluid 411 that is in thermal contact with the inner surface 413 of the first vessel 405 as well as the second vessel 407. A plurality of LEDs 401 is positioned on the outer surface 415 of the first vessel 405 and thermally coupled to the inner surface 413 via the wall of the first vessel 405. The LEDs 401 are electrically connected to an electrical connector 421 (FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B). On the outer surface 415 of the first vessel 405 a reflective coating 423 is present. The reflective coating 423 is a specular reflective coating. Alternatively, the reflective coating 423 may be diffusive reflective. During operation of the light emitting device 400A, 400B, the LEDs 401 are powered via the electrical connector 421 and generate light 417. The light 417 may directly exit the light emitting device 400A, 400B, or it may be reflected by the reflective coating 423, generating a light beam 419. The heat that is generated locally by the LEDs 401 is conducted to the fluid 411 via the wall of the first vessel 405. The fluid 411 will transfer the heat further to the second vessel 407 and the wall 409, via conduction as well as via convection within the fluid 411. Said convection is caused by the buoyancy forces resulting from the temperature differences within the fluid 411 between the relative hot spots in the fluid 411 close to the LEDs 401 and the relative cold spots in the fluid 411 close to the second vessel 407 and the walls 409. Finally, the second vessel 407 and the walls 409 will the transfer heat further to the surroundings of the light emitting device 400A, 400B. The thermally conductive fluid 411 is used in this way to spread the heat that is generated by the LEDs 401 over a relatively large area that is formed by the second vessel 407 and the wall 409. The LEDs 401 are not in direct contact with the fluid 411 which makes the light emitting device 400A, 400B less complicated as otherwise dedicated measures have to be taken to prevent short-circuiting and/or degradation of materials used in the LEDs 401. The distance d.sub.1 between the first vessel 405 and the second vessel 307 is 3 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.1 of 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm can be chosen. The LEDs 401 are arranged in a matrix at various positions along different radii of the first vessel 405. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 401 is 10 mm. In alternative embodiments, a distance d.sub.2 of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 mm can be chosen. The distance d.sub.2 between two neighbouring LEDs 401 is identical, however in alternative embodiments varying distances between two neighbouring LEDs 401 can be applied. In alternative embodiments, the LEDs 401 can be arranged in alternative patterns.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4D, alternative embodiments of the light emitting device 400A, 400B are identical to that shown in FIGS. 4A and FIG. 4C, and in FIGS. 4B and 4C, respectively, except that instead of the LEDs 401 a so-called Chip-On-Board (COB) LED source 425 is present as a light source. A COB LED source typically comprises multiple
[0057] LED chips that are packaged together as one light source.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 4B water is used as the heat conducting fluid. In other embodiments the fluid may comprise silicon oil, methanol, ethanol, acetone, water, a fluorinated aliphatic organic compound, an aromatic organic compound and silicone, or mixtures thereof.
[0059] In an alternative embodiments, halogen lamps or high-intensity discharge lamps are used as light sources 101, 201, 301 or 401.
[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the heat conductive and light transmissive fluid comprises particles. The particles are selected from the group comprising scattering particles and inorganic luminescent particles, or a combination thereof. Referring to FIGS. 1B, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3B and 3B the light 117, 217 and 317 that is generated by the LEDs 101, 201 and 301 passes through the fluid 111, 211 and 311, respectively, and will be scattered by the scattering particles (not shown in these Figures) that are present in the fluid. As a result, scattered light 119, 219 and 319 exits the light emitting device 100, 200 and 300. In an alternative embodiment, the light 117, 217 and 317 will at least be partly converted to light of another color by inorganic luminescent particles. In a further alternative embodiment, the walls of the first circular plate 105 and/or second circular plate 107 (referring to FIG. 1B), the walls of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and/or the second cylindrical vessel 207 (referring to FIG. 2B, 2C and 2D), and the walls of the first spherical vessel 305 and/or the second spherical vessel 307 (referring to FIG. 3B and 3C), comprise particles (not shown in these Figures) selected from the group comprising scattering particles and inorganic luminescent particles, or a combination thereof. Light 117, 217 and 317 that is generated by the LEDs 101, 201 and 301 passes through these wall(s) and will be scattered by the scattering particles that are present in the wall(s). As a result, scattered light 119, 219 and 319 exits the light emitting device 100, 200 and 300. In an alternative embodiment, the light 117, 217 and 317 will at least be partly converted to light of another color by inorganic luminescent particles. The scattering particles have a particle size in the range of 1-100 μm preferably in the range of 1-10 μm. The scattering particles comprises one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising polymer materials (e.g. Teflon or PMMA) and hollow spherical particles of a ceramic material (e.g. silica or alumina). In an embodiment, the LEDs 101, 201 and 301 comprise blue light emitting LEDs, and the inorganic luminescent particles comprise a Al.sub.3A.sub.5O.sub.12:Ce.sup.3+ material and optionally an additional CaAlN.sub.3:Eu.sup.2+ material. A part of the blue light is converted to light of a yellow, or green or yellow/green color that mixes with the non-converted blue light to white light. Optionally red light is added by another luminescent material to generate warm-white light.
[0061] In a further alternative embodiment, the optical refractive index of the heat conductive and light transmissive fluid 111, 211 and 311, and the optical refractive index of at least a part of the container 103, 203 and 303 are tuned to each other. The refractive index of the heat conductive fluid (n.sub.fluid) is in the range of 1-5. The refractive index of the walls of the first circular plate 105 and/or second circular plate 107 (referring to FIG. 1B), the walls of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and/or the second cylindrical vessel 207 (referring to FIG. 2B, 2C and 2D), and the walls of the first spherical vessel 305 and/or the second spherical vessel 307 (referring to FIG. 3B and 3C), (n.sub.container) respectively, are in the range of 1-5.
[0062] By tuning the values of n.sub.fluid and n.sub.container to each other, a desired optical effect may be achieved. The optical refractive index of the fluid 111, 211, 311 (n.sub.fluid) is comparable to the optical refractive index of the material (n.sub.container) of at least a part of the container 103, 203, 303 (n.sub.fluid≈n.sub.container). In case the light 117, 217, 317 propagates through the fluid 111, 211, 311, subsequently through the second area 107, 207, 307 of the container 103, 203, 303 and then exits the light emitting device 100, 200, 300, the light 117, 217, 317 will not be substantially refracted by the material of the second area 107, 207, 307 of the container 103, 203, 303 and the light emitting device 100, 200, 300 may generate diffuse light. In an alternative embodiment, the optical refractive index of the fluid is larger than the optical refractive index of at least a part of the container (n.sub.fluid>n.sub.container). In case the light propagates through the fluid 111, 211, 311, subsequently through the second area of the container 103, 203, 303 and then exits the light emitting device 100, 200, 300, the light 117, 217, 317 will be substantially refracted by the material of the second area 107, 207, 307 of the container 117, 217, 317 and the light emitting device 100, 200, 300 may generate beam shaped light. The amount of beamshaping is determined by the ratio of n.sub.fluid to n.sub.container; at increasing ratio, for n.sub.fluid>n.sub.container, the amount of beamshaping increases. In another alternative embodiment the optical refractive index of the fluid is smaller than the optical refractive index of at least a part of the container (n.sub.fluid<n.sub.container). In case the light propagates through the fluid 111, 211, 311, subsequently through the second area 107, 207, 307 of the container 103, 203, 303 and then exits the light emitting device 100, 200, 300, a substantial part of the light 117, 217, 317 will be reflected back by the second area 107, 207, 307 of the container 103, 203, 303 and may exit the light emitting device 100, 200, 300 via the first area 105, 205, 305 of the container 103, 203, 303. The amount of reflected light is determined by the ratio of n.sub.fluid to n.sub.container; at decreasing ratio, for n.sub.fluid<n.sub.container, the amount of reflected light increases.
[0063] In a further alternative embodiment, the walls of the first circular plate 105 and/or second circular plate 107 (referring to FIG. 1B), the walls of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and/or the second cylindrical vessel 207 (referring to FIG. 2B, 2C and 2D), and the walls of the first spherical vessel 305 and/or the second spherical vessel 307 (referring to FIG. 3B and 3C), comprise one or more optical elements. Referring to FIG. 2E, optical elements 225 are made on the outer surface area 215 of the first cylindrical vessel 205. The optical elements are microlenses for collimation of light. The LEDs 201 emit the light 217 towards an outer surface area 215 of the first cylindrical vessel 205. Subsequently, the light is collimated by the microlenses 225 and collimated light 227 exits the light emitting device 200 via the second cylindrical vessel 207. Alternatively, the optical elements 225 may comprise one or more elements that comprise a material with a refractive index that is different from the refractive index of the material of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and/or of the fluid 211.
[0064] In a further alternative embodiment, the walls of the first circular plate 105 and/or second circular plate 107 (referring to FIG. 1B), the walls of the first cylindrical vessel 205 and/or the second cylindrical vessel 207 (referring to FIG. 2B, 2C and 2D), and the walls of the first spherical vessel 305 and/or the second spherical vessel 307 (referring to FIG. 3B and 3C), comprise one or more elements for increasing the mechanical strength of the walls. In case of light emitting devices having a relatively high output power, for example in the range of 150-600 W, the cooling area (e.g. the area of the inner surface 113 when referring to FIG. 1B) has to be relatively large, for example in the range of 0.5-1 m.sup.2. As a result, a relatively large hydrostatic pressure is created on the first circular plate 105 and/or second circular plate 107 (referring to FIG. 1B) and hence also on the cylindrical vessel 103. Referring to FIG. 1D, the first circular plate 105 and the second circular plate 107 comprise elements 125 that are connected to both the first circular plate 105 and the second circular plate 107. The elements 125 have a cylindrical shape with a diameter d.sub.11 in the range of 2 mm-30 mm. Alternatively, the elements may have different shapes, e.g. triangular or square. The elements 125 may comprise a light transmitting material or alternatively they may comprise a metal that is optionally coated with a reflective coating, such as TiO.sub.2. The elements 125 improve the mechanical strength of the light emitting device 100 and by keeping the size (e.g. diameter in case of cylindrical shaped elements 125) relatively small the convection of the fluid 111 during operation of the light emitting device 100 will only be disturbed to a minor extent. Referring to FIG. 1E, in an alternative embodiment, the first circular plate 105 and the second circular plate 107 comprise elongated elements 127 for improving the mechanical strength of the light emitting device 100. The elongated elements 127 are positioned at the (i) inner surface 113 of the first circular plate 105, (ii) the inner surface 113 of the second circular plate 107, (iii) the outer surface 115 of the first circular plate 105 and (iv) the outer surface 121 of the second circular plate 107. Alternatively, the elongated elements 127 are positioned according to one, two or three selection(s) made from the group of (i)-(iv) as indicated in the previous sentence. The elongated elements 127 may extend along the surfaces 113, 115 and 121, or only a part thereof. The elongated elements are preferably made from a light transmitting material, such as for example polycarbonate or another polymer material.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows a lamp 500 comprising one or more light emitting devices according to FIGS. 1A-1C, FIGS. 2A-2D, FIGS. 3A-3C or FIGS. 4A-4D. The lamp 500 may be used for different applications, such as indoor lighting, outdoor lighting, disinfection purposes, amongst others.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows a luminaire 600 comprising one or more light emitting devices according to according to FIGS. 1A-1C, FIGS. 2A-2D, FIGS. 3A-3C, or FIGS. 4A-4D, or one or more lamps according to FIG. 5. The luminaire 600 may be used for different applications, such as indoor lighting, outdoor lighting, disinfection purposes, amongst others.
[0067] FIG. 7 shows the results of thermal experiments that were performed for a light emitting device according to FIGS. 2A and 2C. In FIG. 7 the temperature of the LED footprint in ° C. [T.sub.s] is shown versus the electrical power in Watt [P]. The length of the first and second cylindrical vessel 205 and 207, respectively, was 300 mm. One LED array of 240 mm length and comprising 24 LEDs was used. The diameter of the second cylindrical vessel 207 was 20 mm. The diameter of the first cylindrical vessel 205 was varied: 14 mm (referred to as B in FIG. 5, corresponding to a distance d.sub.1 of 3 mm), 16 mm (referred to as C in FIG. 6, corresponding to a distance d.sub.1 of 2 mm) and 18 mm (referred to as D in FIG. 6, corresponding to a distance d.sub.1 of 1 mm). The liquid 211 consists of water. A configuration where a single cylindrical vessel is used with one LED array without using a container with a cooling liquid is referred to as A in FIG. 6. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the light emitting devices according to the invention have a lower value of T.sub.s at comparable electrical power P, compared to the light emitting device without a container with cooling liquid, e.g. about 50° C. versus 70° C. at an electrical power of 5 W. As a result the light emitting devices according to the invention can be driven at a higher electrical power for a given maximum value of T.sub.s, e.g. at 13 W versus 7 W for a value of T.sub.s equal to 96° C.
