Patent Publication Number: US-2016245499-A1

Title: Led strobe light with integrated magnet and heat sink chimney

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/864,121 filed on 16 Apr. 2013, now pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Strobe lights are well-known products. A number of technologies are possible for use in strobe lights. Gas discharge strobe lights find particular application for emergency vehicles, radio towers, photography, and entertainment venues. Such conventional strobe lights utilize incandescent or gas light sources. Incandescent and gas source strobe lights have relatively high energy consumption and short lifetimes, which result in higher maintenance costs. Gas discharge strobe lights may be more susceptible to breaking, may produce ozone due to high voltage requirements, and may produce ultraviolet light that breaks down many materials. Further, such strobe lights have complicated electronics used to maintain the flashing operation. 
     Another type of strobe light uses high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Light is produced by high intensity discharge lamps when an electric current arced between two closely spaced electrodes in a sealed quartz-glass or ceramic capsule, known as a discharge tube, arc tube, or burner, containing a vapor of metal and gas. Free electrons in the arc collide with the metal atoms in the vapor exciting electrons of the metal atoms to a higher energy state. When the excited electrons return to their original, lower energy level, electromagnetic radiation is emitted having a wavelength determined by the energy level of the electrons and the constituency of the vapor into the capsule. Compared to filament-type halogen lamps, HID lighting typically produces light more efficiently and with a color temperature more closely approximating that of sunlight. Unlike an incandescent lamp, an HID lamp does not immediately illuminate when power is supplied to the lamp. While initiating operation of an HID lamp takes considerable time, the time required to re-strike (restart) an extinguished lamp is typically longer, and commonly twice as long as the cold startup interval. For these and other reasons, strobe lights that use HID lamps are less desirable in many applications. 
     It is common for strobe lights to generate large amounts of heat due to the high levels of energy required generate the bright, flashing light outputs. Heat can have detrimental effects on many types of light generating devices. Since most strobe lights include a cover or lens within which the light generating devices are housed, the heat is trapped in proximity to the light generating members, which further increases the operating temperatures of the strobe light. 
     Opportunities exist for improving strobe light technologies that address these and other issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     As will be described in greater detail below, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a strobe light having a base, a mounting post, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lights, a lens, and a channel. The mounting post extends vertically from the base. The plurality of LED lights are mounted around a periphery of the mounting post. The lens is connected to the base and covers the mounting post and the plurality of LED lights. The channel extends through the base, mounting post and lens. Air flowing through the channel transfers heat generated by the plurality of LED lights out of the strobe light. 
     The channel may include a liquid-tight interface with the base, mounting post and lens. The strobe light may include a connector configured to connect the mounting post to the lens, and the channel may extend through the connector. The connector may extend through the lens and be threadably connected to the mounting post. The lens may include a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end is releasably connected to the base, and the channel extends through the top end. The strobe light may include a plurality of fins extending radially into the channel. The plurality of fins may extend along a length of the mounting post. The base may include a plurality of side openings to permit airflow into the channel along a bottom side of the base. The strobe light may be oriented with the mounting post extending vertically upward from the base, and the channel may be open along a top surface of the lens. The base may include a plurality of magnets embedded in the base. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a strobe light, which includes a base, a mounting post, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lights, and a lens. The base includes a first hole extending vertically there through and at least one lateral hole. The mounting post is secured to the base and includes a pass through bore aligned with the first hole. The plurality of LED lights are positioned on the mounting post. The lens is releasably mounted to the base to enclose at least the plurality of LED lights. The lens includes a second hole aligned with the pass through bore. The at least one lateral hole, the first and second holes, and the pass through bore are arranged in flow communication with each other to provide a path for heat to exit the strobe light. 
     The base may have a circular shape with top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge, wherein the first hole may extend through the base from the top surface to the bottom surface, and the at least one lateral hole may be positioned at the peripheral edge and in flow communication with the first hole along the bottom surface. The lens may be connected to the mounting post with a liquid-tight connection, and the mounting post may be connected to the base with a liquid-tight connection. The strobe light may include a plurality heat transfer fins extending into the pass through bore along a length of the pass through bore. The strobe light may include a connector extending through the second hole and into contact with the mounting post to connect the lens to the mounting post. The connector may include an opening providing a flow path from the pass through bore and out of the lens. The first hole may include a plurality of threads configured to threadably mount the base to a pipe mount. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of assembling a strobe light. The method includes providing a base, a lens, a mounting post, and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lights positioned on the mounting post, wherein the base includes a first hole, the lens includes a second hole, and the mounting posting includes a pass through bore. The method also includes securing the mounting post to the base, securing the lens to the base with the mounting post and plurality of LED lights enclosed in the lens, and aligning the first and second holes and the pass through bore with each other to create an airflow channel through the strobe light. 
     The base may include at least one lateral opening positioned at a periphery of the base and being arranged in flow communication with the first hole to create a flow path for air from outside the strobe light to the airflow channel. The method may include connecting the lens to the mounting post with a connector, wherein a portion of the connector may extend through the second hole and into releasable connection with the mounting post. The method may include embedding a plurality of magnets in the base. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of transferring heat from a strobe light. The method includes providing a base, a lens mounted to the base, a mounting post mounted to the base, and a plurality of light members positioned on the mounting post, wherein the lens encloses the mounting post and plurality of light members. The method also includes providing an airflow channel through the base, mounting post, and lens, transferring heat generated by the plurality of light members through the mounting post into air held in the airflow channel, and moving the heated air through the airflow channel and out of the strobe light. 
     The mounting post may include a pass through opening forming part of the airflow channel, and a plurality of heat transfer fins extending along a length of the pass through opening to increase a rate of heat transfer. The method may include providing a liquid-tight seal between the airflow channel and the plurality of light members. The plurality of light members may include a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lights. 
     Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an example LED strobe light in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the LED strobe light of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the LED strobe light of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the LED strobe light of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the LED strobe light of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the LED strobe light of  FIG. 4  taken along cross-section indicators  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mounting post assembly and control board of the LED strobe light shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the mounting post assembly and control board shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the mounting post assembly and control board of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the LED strobe light shown in  FIG. 6  mounted to a support pipe. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, one of skill in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As will be described in greater detail below, the present disclosure relates generally to strobe lights, and more particularly relates to strobe lights that include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light. The LED strobe light may be programmed to create different light patterns. Some example light patterns include a 360° rotating light, a 360° strobe light, a solid light, and various flashing sequences. 
     The strobe light may include a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs may be arranged circumferentially and face radially outward. Each LED may be individually controlled with the control system of the strobe light. Controlling the LEDs may include turning on and off the LEDs and varying an intensity of light emitted from the LEDs. Operating the LEDs generates heat. Some operations, such as rotational slower modes, produce large amounts of heat. The heat is typically trapped in the structure (e.g., mounting post) to which the LEDs are mounted and the enclosure defined between the lens and the base, which leads to higher operating temperatures for the LEDs. High operating temperatures are typically the most common reasons for failure and light loss in LEDs. The strobe light designs disclosed herein facilitate heat transfer away from the LEDs. Removing heat from the LEDs may permit the LED strobe light to be operated at higher power levels without sacrificing LED performance, useful life, and light output. 
     The heat transfer features of the example LED strobe lights disclosed herein may include an air channel, which passes through portions of the LED strobe light. The air channel may be referred to as a chimney, a heat sink chimney, or a heat transfer chimney. The air channel may extend through the base, control board (e.g., main printed circuit board), LED mounting post, and lens to permit air to flow through the LED strobe light. Heat generated by the LEDs may pass into the air channel to heat the air held in the air channel. The heated air may move under natural convection forces out of the LED strobe light. In one example, the base includes inflow openings around its peripheral edge that permit an inflow of air into the base. The inflow of air passes through a post opening positioned centrally on the base, into a pass through bore extending through the control board and mounting post, and out through a hole formed in a top surface of the lens. Since the air held in the air channel rises when heated, natural convention forces may move the heated air out of the LED strobe light and draw unheated air into the air channel. 
     The air channel may be sealed relative to the electrical components of the LED strobe light. A connector used to connect the lens directly to the mounting post may provide a liquid-tight connection between an outer surface of the lens and the mounting post. Further, the mounting post may have a liquid-tight connection with the control board and base, and the lens may be connected to the base with a liquid-tight connection. The electrical components of the LED probe light, which are enclosed between the base and the lens, may be sealed (e.g., waterproof) from the air channel. As such, the air channel may be exposed to environmental conditions, such as rain or snow, during use of the LED strobe light and the electrical components are protected from exposure to those environmental conditions. 
     The LED strobe light may include features that accelerate heat transfer from the LEDs to the air held in the air channel. For example, the mounting post may include a plurality of heat transfer fins extending into the pass through bore. The pass through bore may includes a plurality of grooves, protrusions or other surface features formed on surfaces thereof (e.g., on surfaces of the heat transfer fins). The heat transfer fins and surface features may increase the surface area of the pass through bore, thereby increasing the rate of heat transfer. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of magnets in the base of the LED strobe light. The magnets may assist in releasably mounting the LED strobe light to a support structure such as a hood or cab of a vehicle. The magnets may be embedded in the base. For example, the magnets may be embedded in the polymeric (e.g., plastic) materials from which the base is formed. The magnets may be positioned at spaced apart locations along a bottom surface of the base. The magnets, when spaced as close to the peripheral edge of the base as possible, may provide a stronger pulling force because of the wider magnetic footprint of the base. The embedding of the magnets may provide a non-scratch, waterproof arrangement for the magnets on the base. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9 , an example LED strobe light  10  is shown and described.  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6  show the LED strobe light  10  fully assembled. The LED strobe light is shown in  FIG. 3  in a partially exploded view. Portions of the LED strobe light  10  are shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . The LED strobe light  10  is shown in  FIG. 10  mounted to a support pipe to provide an alternative mounting for and airflow path through the LED strobe light  10 . 
     The LED strobe light  10  includes a base  12 , a mounting post assembly  14 , a plurality of LED lights  16 , a control board  18 , a lens  20 , and a lens connector  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The control board  18  is mounted to the mounting post assembly  14 . The mounting post assembly  14  is connected to the control board  18  and base  12 . The lens  20  is releasably connected to the base  12  along a bottom end of the lens  20 . The lens is also connected to the mounting post assembly  14  at a top end of the lens  20  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The lens  20  is connected to the mounting post assembly  14  with the lens connector  22 . An air channel may extend through the LED strobe light  10  from the top end of the lens  20  (e.g., at the lens connector  22 ) to the bottom side of the base  12  (see  FIG. 6 ). The air channel may also extend laterally from a peripheral edge of the base, along the bottom side of the base, and into a center mount aperture formed in the base. In another arrangement, the air channel extends through a mounting device, such as the pipe  26  shown in  FIG. 10 , rather than extending laterally to the lateral openings along the peripheral edge of the base. 
     The base  12  includes top and bottom sides  30 ,  32 , a peripheral edge  34 , a center mount aperture  36 , a plurality of lateral openings  38 , a plurality of embedded magnets  40 , a lens seat  42 , a plurality of lens fasteners  44 , a plurality of fastener openings  46 , and a mounting seat  48 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The lateral openings  38  are formed along the peripheral edge  34  to provide access to the bottom side  32  of the base  12 . The lateral openings  38  are in flow communication with the center mount aperture  36 . The center mount aperture  36  may be positioned centrally on the base  12  and may extend along a central axis of the base  12 . The center mount aperture  36  may include a plurality of threads. The threads of center mount aperture  36  may be configured for mounting the LED strobe light  10  to a mounting device such as the pipe  26  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The magnets  40  may be positioned at various spaced apart positions along the bottom side  32  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The magnets  40  may have any desired shape and size. For example, the magnets  40  may have a cubical or cylindrical shape. The magnets  40  may be positioned in pairs as shown in  FIG. 5  at spaced apart locations around the center mount aperture  36 . The magnets  40  may be spaced apart a distance D 1 , D 2  from magnets on an opposite side of the base, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The distances D 1 , D 2  may be maximized in order to maximize a pulling force and widen a pulling force footprint for the base  12 . The magnets  40  may be embedded in material from which the base  12  is formed. For example, the base  12  may comprise a polymeric material such as molded plastic. 
     The magnets  40  may be co-molded into the polymeric materials of base  12 . In other arrangements, the base  12  may include a plurality of recesses, grooves or chambers within which the magnets  40  are positioned and then secured in place using, for example, a fastener, adhesives, or a press-fit connection. A cover or film may be placed over the magnets  40  to protect the magnets  40  from corrosion and also provide a low abrasive or no scratch interface with the support structure to which the LED strobe light is mounted (e.g., a hood or cab of a vehicle). The magnets  40  may be define at least in part a lower most surface of the base  12  as shown in  FIG. 6  so that the magnets  40  (or at least the material within which the magnets  40  are embedded) contact the support surface. 
     The lens seat  42  of the base  12  is receptive of a bottom end of the lens  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 . The lens fasteners  44  extend through the lens  20  and into the fastener openings  46 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The lens fasteners  44  provide a releasable connection of the lens  20  to the base  12 . An interface between the lens  20  and the base  12  may provide a liquid-tight connection. In some examples, the LED strobe light  10  is maintained in a vertically upright position, such as the orientation shown in  FIG. 4 . When in an upright position, any liquid applied to the lens  20  runs vertically downward and off of the base  12  and is unable to pass through the interface between the lens  20  and the base  12  at the lens seat  42 . If the LED strobe light  10  were operated in a horizontal or upside down orientation, additional sealing features may be used between the lens  20  and base  12  to improve the liquid-tight connection there between. A sealing device such as an O-ring may be provided at an interface between the lens  20  and base  12  to improve the liquid-tight connection. 
     The mourning post assembly  14  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7-9  including a mounting post  50  having top and bottom ends  52 ,  54 , a plurality of secondary printed circuit boards (PCBs)  56 , PCB fasteners  58 , and a pass through bore  60 . The mounting post assembly  14  may also include a plurality of heat transfer fins  62  extending into the pass through bore  60 , a connector seat  64  positioned at the top end  52 , and a base mounting portion  66  at the bottom end  54 . The PCB fasteners  58  secure the secondary PCBs  56  to the mounting post  50  at spaced apart locations around an outer periphery of the mounting post  50 . The heat transfer fins  62  may extend along a length of the mounting post  50  and may be arranged at circumferentially spaced apart locations within the pass through bore  60 . 
     The pass through bore  60  may include a plurality of recesses, protrusions or other surface features along surfaces of the pass through bore  60 . The surface features may extend axially along the length of the pass through bore  60 . The surface features may be formed on the heat transfer fins  62 . The surface features may increase the surface area within the pass through bore  60  to promote increased heat transfer from the mounting post  50  to the air moving through the pass through bore  60 . Other heat transfer features of different sizes, shapes, and orientations may be positioned within pass through bore  60 . The heat transfer fins  62  may be arranged at different orientations such as in a helical orientation or may extend laterally across the width of the pass through bore  60  at spaced apart locations along the length of pass through bore  60 . 
     During use, the LED lights  16 , which are mounted to the secondary PCBs  56  as shown in at least  FIGS. 3 and 7-9 , generate heat that is directly passed through the secondary PCBs  56  and PCB fasteners  58 , and into the mounting post  50 . The heat then passes through the wall of the mounting post  50  and into the air positioned in the pass through bore  60 . The air circulating within the lens  20  in the space surrounding the mounting post assembly  14 , which has also been heated by the LED lights  16 , may further heat the mounting post  50 . 
     Generally, the mounting post assembly  14  may be designed to enhance heat transfer directly from the LED lights  16  and from the air captured within the lens  20 , through the wall of the mounting post  50  and into the air held in pass through bore  60 . The air in pass through bore  60  may then move out of the LED strobe light  10  as part of a heat transfer system that lowers the temperature conditions within the LED strobe light  10 , such as the temperature of the LED lights  16  themselves. As discussed above, lower temperatures within the LED strobe light  10  may have a number of advantages related to operation of the LED light  16 . 
     The connector seat  64  of the mounting post assembly  14  may include a plurality of threads or other connecting features for connection to the lens connector  22 . The base mounting portion  66  may extend through the control board  18  and into the center mount aperture  36  of the base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The base mounting portion  66  may have a liquid-tight connection with the control board  18  and a liquid-tight connection with the base  12  at the center mount aperture  36 . The base mounting portion  66  may include a sealing structure such as, for example, an O-ring, step feature, or other sealing structure, which enhances the liquid-tight interface between the mounting post assembly  14 , the control board  18 , and base  12 . 
     The control board  18  may include a plurality of PCB mounting apertures  90  and an opening  92 . The secondary PCBs  56  of the mounting post assembly  14  may include a plurality of PCB connectors  57 , which extend through the PCB mounting apertures  90 . The PCB connectors  57  may provide an electrical connection between circuitry of the mounting post assembly  14  and circuitry of the control board  18 . 
     The opening  92  may be sized to receive the base mounting portion  66 . When the mounting post assembly  14  is mounted to the base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the opening  92  and pass through bore  60  are aligned with the center mount aperture  36  of the base  12  to permit flow communication from the base  12  to the mounting post assembly  14  (e.g., vi an air channel  24  as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
     The lens  20  includes top and bottom ends  70 ,  72 , a plurality of fastener openings  74 , an airflow opening  76 , and an interior  78  (see  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). The airflow opening  76  is formed in a surface of the lens  20  along the top end  70 . The bottom end  72  fits within the lens seat  42  of the base  12 . The lens fasteners  44  extend through the fastener openings  74  and into the fastening openings  46  of the base  12  to provide a releasable connection of the lens  20  to the base  12 . The lens  20  encloses the mounting post assembly  14 , LED lights  16 , and control board  18  within the interior  78  between the lens  20  and base  12  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     During operation of the LED strobe light  10 , heat generated by the LED lights  16  is captured within the interior  78  of the lens  20 . The heated interior  78  creates an increased temperature environment for the LED lights  16 . Some of the heat collected in the interior  78  may increase the temperature of the lens  20 , the base  12 , the mounting post assembly  14 , and the control board  18 . The heat within base  12 , mounting post assembly  14 , and control board  18  and lens  20  may at least partially transferred into the air held within the air channel  24  and which passes out of the LED strobe light  10 . This transfer of heat away from the LED strobe light  10  may lower the temperature within interior  78 , which may have advantages in operation of the LED lights  16  as described above. 
     The lens connector  22  may include a flange  80 , a protrusion  82 , and an opening  84 . The flange  80  may extend along an outer surface of the lens  20  adjacent to the airflow opening  76 . The flange  80  and protrusion  82  may provide a liquid-tight seal between the lens connector  22  and the lens  20  at the airflow opening  76 . The protrusion  82  may include, for example, threads or other connection features to provide a releasable connection with the mounting post assembly  14 . The protrusion  82  may extend into and connect with the connector seat  64  of the mounting post assembly  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, a threaded connection may be formed between the protrusion  82  and the connector seat  64 . The lens connector  22  may also have a liquid-tight connection with the mounting post assembly  14 . The lens connector  22  may provide a liquid-tight connection between an outer surface of the lens  20  and the mounting post assembly  14 . The opening  84  may be aligned with the pass through bore  60  of the mounting post assembly  14  such that the air channel  24  extends continuously from the bottom side  32  of the base  12  to the top surface of the lens  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an airflow path A passing through the LED strobe light  10  (e.g., through the air channel  24 ). The airflow path A begins at the lateral openings  38  along the peripheral edge  34  of the base  12 . The airflow path A moves along the bottom side  32  of the base  12  and into the center mount aperture  36 . Airflow path A continues along the air channel  24 , which includes the opening  92  in the control board  18 , the pass through bore  60 , and the opening  84  in lens connector  22 , and out through the airflow opening  76  of lens  20 . The entire airflow path A is arranged with a liquid-tight seal relative to the electronics of the LED strobe light  10 , which are positioned within the interior  78  when the LED strobe light  10  is assembled, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The electronics of the LED strobe light  10  may be associated with the secondary PCBs  56 , the LED lights  16 , and the control board  18 . 
     Air in the airflow path A typically moves in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIG. 6  under natural convection forces. As the air held within the air channel  24  becomes heated upon transfer of heat through the wall of the mounting post  50 , the heated air naturally rises vertically out through the opening  84  in lens connector  22 . This movement of heated air in a vertical direction creates a low pressure environment that draws air through the lateral openings  38  and the center mount aperture  36  and into the air channel  24 . During operation of the LED strobe light  10 , air continually flows along the airflow path A to reduce the temperature of the mounting post  50  and thereby lower the temperature in the area of the LED lights  16 . As discussed above, lowering the temperature of the LED lights  16  and the area around the LED lights  16  may enable brighter modes of operation, including the rotational slower modes that produce large amounts of heat. Furthermore, lowering the temperature in LED lights  16  and the area around the LED lights  16  may increase an operating life of the LED light  16 , permit improved light output of the LED light  16 , and/or permit operation of the LEDs at higher power levels without sacrificing the LED performance as compared to other LED strobe lights in which no airflow or heat transfer features are included. 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternative arrangement for the airflow path A.  FIG. 10  shows the LED strobe light  10  mounted to a pipe  26 , which is a common mounting arrangement for elevating the LED strobe light  10 . The airflow path A begins at a bottom end of the pipe  26 , extends along the length of the pipe  26 , and passes into the air channel  24  via the center mount aperture  36 . 
     Other mounted arrangements for the LED strobe light  10  may take advantage of other airflow paths separate from those shown in  FIGS. 1-10  or in combination with the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . For example, a single lateral opening  38  may be formed in the base  12  along the peripheral edge  34 . In other arrangements, a plurality of center mount apertures  36  may be formed in the base  12  and arranged in flow communication with the pass through bore  60  of the mounting post assembly  14 . The LED strobe light may include a plurality of air channels extending therethrough via, for example, a plurality of mounting post assemblies  14 , or other channels, pass through bores, airflow paths, etc., which may extend through the individual parts of the LED strobe light (e.g., the base, mounting post assembly, and lens) or through multiple features of the LED strobe light. 
     Various methods may be associated with the LED strobe lights disclosed herein. One example method includes a method of assembling an LED strobe light. An example method of assembling an LED strobe light may include, for example, providing a lens, a base, a mounting post assembly, LED lights, and a control board. The method may also include forming a first hole in the base, a second hole in the lens, a third hole in the control board, and a pass through bore extending through the mounting post assembly. The method may include securing the control board and mounting post assembly to the base, securing the lens to the base and to the mounting post, mounting a plurality of LEDs to the mounting post assembly, and aligning the first, second and third holes with the pass through bore to create an airflow channel through the LED strobe light. 
     Another example relates to a method of transferring heat from a strobe light. The method may include providing a base, a lens mounted to the base, a mounting post assembly mounted to the base, and a plurality of LED lights positioned on the mounting post. The lens may enclose the mounting post and plurality of LED lights when the lens is mounted to the base. A control board may be interposed between the mounting post assembly and the base. The method may include providing an airflow channel through the base, mounting post, lens and control board. The method may further include transferring heat generated by the plurality of LED lights through a wall of the mounting post and into air held in the airflow channel. The heated air is moved through the airflow channel and out of the strobe light. 
     The mounting post may include a pass through opening forming part of the airflow channel. A plurality of heat transfer fins may extend along the length of the pass through opening to increase a rate of heat transfer from the mounting post to the air in the airflow channel. The method may also include providing a liquid-tight seal between the airflow channel and the plurality of LED lights and other electronics of the LED strobe light. The method may include providing a natural convection flow of heated air through the LED strobe light along the length of the airflow channel. 
     A further method relates to releasably mounting an LED strobe light to a support structure using a magnetic force. The LED strobe light may include a plurality of magnets positioned along a bottom side thereof. The magnets may be encapsulated or embedded within material from which the base is formed. For example, the magnets may be embedded within polymeric material from which the base is formed. The magnets may be spaced apart a maximum distance from each other and may be positioned as close to an outer periphery of the base as possible to maximize a pull force applied by the magnets to the support structure. 
     While the heat transfer features disclosed herein have been described with reference to an LED strobe light, an example of which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,867, filed on 12 Mar. 2013, and entitled “LED Strobe Light,” which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, the heat transfer features may be used with other types of light fixtures such as, for example, strobe lights that utilize different light sources in place of LEDs. 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present systems and methods and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present systems and methods and various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”