The application of a liquid thermal bridge for improving the thermal performance of fluorescence fixtures

The application of a liquid thermal-bridge system for spot cooling of a fluorescent lamps inside fixtures is described. A thermal bridging system facilitates the convection of heat away from a small area on the lamp to the fixture housing, where is it dissipated to the plenum or surrounding ambient space. This results in reduced minimum lamp wall temperatures with a corresponding increase in light output and system efficacy. Experimental performance data for a range of ambient temperatures is presented, and the overall feasibility and application of using liquid heat sinks in fixtures are discussed.<>