1. An optical irradiation device comprising a radiation source including a plurality of LEDs thermally connected to a heat pipe and disposed at an end thereof, a unitary thermal connector directly connecting the plurality of LEDs and the heat pipe for conducting heat away from the plurality of LEDs and a power supply configured to provide power to the plurality of LEDs,
wherein the heat pipe includes an outer element, and an inner element having an inner wall configured to accommodate at least a portion of the power supply therewithin.
2. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1 further comprising a heat sink in thermal contact with the heat pipe.
3. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe provides a means for cooling the plurality of LEDs such that the plurality of LEDs are capable of being driven to produce more radiation than the plurality of LEDs would be capable of without the heat pipe.
4. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are formed into one or more clusters.
5. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are formed into one or more arrays.
6. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the optical irradiation device is sized and configured as a hand-held device.
7. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1 further comprising a fan or Peltier device proximate to the heat pipe.
8. The optical irradiation device according to claim 7, further comprising a heat sink in thermal contact with the heat pipe.
9. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a stored energy device, and wherein at least a portion of the stored energy device is located within the inner wall.
10. The optical irradiation device according to claim 9, wherein the power supply includes any of a battery, a capacitor and a supercapacitor located within the inner wall.
11. The optical irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the outer element and the inner element are tubular in shape and the outer element is located concentrically about the inner element.
12. The optical irradiation device according to claim 11, wherein the heat pipe includes a substance capable of a phase change as a result of heat absorption, and wherein the substance is located between the inner element and the outer element.
13. The optical irradiation device according to claim 11, wherein the heat pipe includes at least one wick located between the inner element and the outer element.
14. The optical irradiation device according to claim 11, wherein the heat pipe includes a folded heat conduction element located concentrically about the inner element radially inward of the outer element.
15. The optical irradiation device according to claim 14, wherein the folded heat conduction element in combination with the inner element and the outer element provides a plurality of channels.
16. The optical irradiation device according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of wicks are located in alternate channels, respectively, included in the plurality of channels.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A tool for surfacing an optical surface, said tool comprising:
a rigid support having a transverse end surface;
a return spring means connected to said support;
an elastically compressible interface that is pressed against and covers said end surface; and
a flexible buffer adapted to be pressed against the optical surface and which is pressed against and covers at least part of the interface on the side opposite to and in line with said end surface,
wherein the buffer has a central portion that is in line with said end surface and a peripheral portion that is transversely beyond said end surface, said tool being structured and arranged for surfacing substantially at the central portion,
said return spring means joining said peripheral portion to the support, said peripheral portion and said return spring means forming, in combination, a means for stabilizing the tool during surfacing.
2. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the buffer is of one-piece construction, the central portion and peripheral portion forming a single component.
3. Tool according to claim 2, wherein the buffer comprises a plurality of petals projecting transversely from the central portion.
4. Tool according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral portion takes the form of a ring around the central portion.
5. Tool according to claim 4, wherein the buffer is of one-piece construction and when unstressed assumes the shape of a disc.
6. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the interface has a central portion that is in line with said end surface and a peripheral portion that is transversely beyond said end surface and is between the peripheral portion of the buffer and the return means.
7. Tool according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral portion of the interface when unstressed assumes the shape of a ring around the central portion of the interface.
8. Tool according to claim 7, further comprising a deformable ring transversely around the support and between the peripheral portion of the interface and the return means.
9. Tool according to claim 8, wherein the ring has a circular longitudinal section.
10. Tool according to claim 6, wherein the interface is of one-piece construction and its central portion and peripheral portion form a single component.
11. Tool according to claim 10, wherein when unstressed the interface assumes the shape of a disc.
12. Tool according to claim 1, wherein said return means comprise a leaf spring projecting transversely from the support.
13. Tool according to claim 12, wherein said leaf spring is joined to the support at a first end and to the peripheral portion of the buffer at a second end.
14. Tool according to claim 13, wherein said leaf spring is rigidly anchored in the support at its first end.
15. Tool according to claim 12, wherein the return means comprise a star-shaped component fixed to the support and provided with branches each forming a leaf spring.
16. Tool according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises two jaws fixed together, the star-shaped part having a central portion that is clamped between the two jaws and from which its branches project.
17. Tool according to claim 15, wherein the buffer is of one-piece construction and comprises a plurality of petals projecting transversely from its central portion and each branch is in line with a petal.
18. Tool according to claim 17, comprising seven said petals and seven said branches.
19. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the end surface of the support is plane.
20. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the end surface of the support is convex.
21. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the end surface of the support is concave.
22. A tool for surfacing an optical surface, said tool comprising:
a rigid support having a transverse end surface and that is rotatable about a first axis;
a return spring connected to said rigid support;
an elastically compressible element that is pressed against and covers said end surface; and
a flexible buffer element adapted to be pressed against the optical surface and which contacts and covers at least part of the compressible element on a side opposite to and in line with said end surface,
wherein said buffer element has a central portion that is aligned with said end surface and a peripheral portion that extends transversely beyond said end surface, said return spring joining said peripheral portion to said rigid support, and
wherein said first axis is permanently colinear or substantially colinear with a normal to the optical surface.