ATS Helps LED Manufacturer Achieve 33% Added Heat Sink Performance

Norwood, MA, December 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- A globally located LED manufacturer approached Advanced Thermal Solutions, Inc., (ATS), for help with a thermal management problem they were having with a high heat LED. Their current heat sink, designed for a 6W LED in a vertical orientation, had a thermal resistance (RHs) of 9 K/W and a maximum heat sink resistance (dThs) of 54°C at ambient temperature. ATS analyzed the cooling design, factoring in the position of the light and how they might optimize the design to bring greater improvements and add headroom.

The ATS thermal resolution included physical testing of the LED’s heat sink in the ATS thermal lab. ATS engineers created CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) models to determine the optimal physical design of the heat sink position. They developed sample solutions that tested successfully in the ATS thermal lab and were then provided to the LED manufacturer. The result was a 33% improvement in the heat sink’s performance. The heat sink’s thermal resistance was lowered from 9 to 6.2 K/W and its maximum thermal resistance was lowered from 64.0 to 37.1 dThs.

“Excess heat directly affects both short-term and long-term LED performance.” said Michael Haskell, Product Realization Manager at ATS. “The short-term effects are color shift and reduced light output, while the long-term effect is accelerated lumen depreciation and thus diminished lifespan. A heat sink will usually provide effective cooling of an LED, but it should be tested thoroughly within the LED’s application. Different factors, such as the light’s position, insufficient surrounding air, or environmental conditions can impact the heat sink’s performance and thus over time affect the LED’s performance.”

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