Patent ID: 7320593

Claim:
An apparatus configured as a light emitting diode dental curing light source for curing composite materials, said apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of light emitting diodes being capable of emitting light when supplied with adequate electrical current, each of the plurality of light emitting diodes having a bottom surface configured as a heat transfer surface; b) a first substrate portion upon which the bottom surface of each of said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted, said first substrate portion being electrically conductive and thermally conductive; c) a second substrate portion thermally connected to the first substrate portion, said second substrate portion being thermally conductive and electrically insulating; d) a heat pipe capable of transferring heat from one location to another, said heat pipe having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion being thermally connected to the second substrate portion; e) a heat sink constructed of a material capable of dissipating heat into a heat dissipation environment, said heat sink being thermally coupled to the second end portion of the heat pipe; and f) control circuitry capable of controlling electrical current transmission to said plurality of light emitting diodes in order to control light production by said plurality of light emitting diodes; wherein heat generated by the plurality of light emitting diodes is transmitted to the heat sink via the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion and the heat pipe.