Patents by Inventor Eric J. Tarsa

Eric J. Tarsa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9869432
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a luminaire includes a waveguide body having an interior coupling cavity extending into a portion of the waveguide body remote from an edge thereof. The luminaire further includes an LED element extending into the interior coupling cavity having first and second sets of LEDs wherein each LED of the first set comprises a blue-shifted yellow LED and each LED of the second set comprises a red LED wherein the red LEDs are disposed between the blue-shifted yellow LEDs and wherein the blue-shifted yellow LEDs have a first height and the red LEDs have a second height less than the first height. The LED element further includes a lens disposed over the first and second sets of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd P. Keller, Eric J. Tarsa, Zongjie Yuan
  • Publication number: 20170336563
    Abstract: Luminaires are described herein employing waveguides and associated architectures for dynamic alteration of illuminance distribution patterns. In one aspect, a luminaire described herein comprises a waveguide body and light sources having differing angular positions relative to the waveguide body for altering illuminance distribution patterns of the luminaire according to one or more activation patterns of the light sources. The differing angular positions can be located at the perimeter of the waveguide body and/or at one or more internal locations of the waveguide body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Jean-Claude David Ramey DeSugny, David Stone, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Shawn Patrick Keeney
  • Publication number: 20170336554
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof and including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a central bore extending between the first and second sides and adapted to receive a light emitting diode, and extraction features on the second side. A light diverter extends into the central bore for diverting light into and generally along the width of the body of material. The extraction features direct light out of the first side and wherein at least one extraction feature has an extraction surface dimension transverse to the thickness that is between about 5% and about 75% the overall thickness of the body of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller
  • Patent number: 9823408
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9818919
    Abstract: LED packages are disclosed that are compact and efficiently emit light, and can comprise encapsulants with planar surfaces that refract and/or reflect light within the package encapsulant. The packages can comprise a submount with a plurality of LEDs, which emit different colors of light, and a blanket conversion material layer on the LEDs and the submount. The encapsulant can be on the submount, over the LEDs, and light reflected within the encapsulant will reach the conversion material to be absorbed and emitted omnidirectionally. Reflected light can now escape the encapsulant, allowing for efficient emission and a broader emission profile, when compared to conventional packages with hemispheric encapsulants or lenses. The LED package can have a higher chip area to LED package area ratio. By using an encapsulant with planar surfaces, the LED package provides unique dimensional relationships between the features and LED package ratios, enabling more flexibility with different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin
  • Patent number: 9773760
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an LED package comprises a plurality of LEDs and a primary optic disposed adjacent the LEDs wherein the primary optic includes protrusions for mixing light developed by the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd P. Keller, Eric J. Tarsa, Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20170212291
    Abstract: A luminaire comprises an optical element. The optical element comprises a coupling portion that comprises a coupling cavity that extends along a length of the optical element. The coupling cavity is configured to receive at least one light emitting diode. The optical element further comprises first and second sections extending away from the coupling portion of the optical element along the length of the coupling cavity. The first section comprises a first thickness closer to the coupling portion and a second thickness further from the coupling portion. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The second section comprises a third thickness closer to the coupling portion and a fourth thickness further from the coupling portion. The third thickness is greater than the fourth thickness. Light is extracted out of extraction features of opposing sides of at least one section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Publication number: 20170205567
    Abstract: A luminaire includes at least first and second waveguides. The first waveguide has a first coupling surface extending between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the second waveguide has a second coupling surface extending between a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The first and second coupling surfaces define a coupling cavity. The luminaire further includes at least one light source within the coupling cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: ERIC J. TARSA, HORMOZ BENJAMIN, JOHN W. DURKEE, BERND P. KELLER
  • Patent number: 9690029
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a waveguide comprises a waveguide body further comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face and a coupling cavity comprising an extent between the first and second faces and defined by at least one light coupling feature that extends between the first and second faces. The coupling cavity is adapted to receive a light emitting diode and the coupling cavity is noncircular and nonrectangular in a cross-section perpendicular to the extent of the coupling cavity. Further, the at least one light coupling feature comprises at least one protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd P. Keller, Eric J. Tarsa, Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9651740
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a waveguide body and a film disposed on a surface of the waveguide body. The film includes a base and a plurality of undercut light extraction elements disposed between the base and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, John W. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20170131452
    Abstract: A luminaire includes an optical waveguide having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a light source associated with the optical waveguide. At least about 80% of light produced by the light source is directed by the waveguide into an illumination distribution emitted from the first surface of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, David R. Stone, Jean-Claude David Ramey de Sugny
  • Patent number: 9645303
    Abstract: A luminaire includes at least first and second waveguides. The first waveguide has a first coupling surface extending between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the second waveguide has a second coupling surface extending between a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The first and second coupling surfaces define a coupling cavity. The luminaire further includes at least one light source within the coupling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Hormoz Benjamin, John W. Durkee, Bernd P. Keller
  • Patent number: 9625636
    Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end. The waveguide body further comprises a central section extending along the entire length of the waveguide body and comprising a first thickness. First and second opposed side sections extend away from the central section along the length of the waveguide body and comprise second and third thicknesses, respectively, less than the first thickness. A coupling portion is located in the central section, wherein the coupling portion comprises first and second coupling surfaces defining at least in part an elongate coupling cavity extending along the length of the waveguide body. The coupling portion further comprises first and second control surfaces, and the first and second coupling surfaces are configured to direct light onto the first and second control surfaces. The first and second control surfaces are configured to direct light into at least one of the first and second side sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Patent number: 9581751
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof and including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a central bore extending between the first and second sides and adapted to receive a light emitting diode, and extraction features on the second side. A light diverter extends into the central bore for diverting light into and generally along the width of the body of material. The extraction features direct light out of the first side and wherein at least one extraction feature has an extraction surface dimension transverse to the thickness that is between about 5% and about 75% the overall thickness of the body of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller
  • Patent number: 9442243
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a waveguide includes a body exhibiting a total internal reflectance characteristic and having a first face and a second face opposite the first face wherein the first and second faces extend along a lateral direction and a coupling cavity adapted to receive a light emitting diode (LED) that is configured to direct light into the body. The body additionally includes an extraction feature disposed on one of the first and second faces and configured to direct light traveling through the body out of at least one of the first and second faces. The body further includes a redirection feature disposed at least in part between the first and second faces and disposed between the coupling cavity and the extraction feature along the lateral direction, and configured to redirect light traveling through the body laterally within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Tarsa
  • Patent number: 9389367
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9366396
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material defined by outer edges and having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of optically transmissive material includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. An interior coupling cavity is defined by a surface intersecting the second side and extends from the second side toward the first side. The interior coupling cavity is disposed remote from edges of the body and is configured to receive an LED element. The body of optically transmissive material further includes a first array of light mixing cavities surrounding the interior coupling cavity and an extraction feature disposed on one of the first and second sides. The light extraction feature at least partially surrounds the interior coupling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Jiayin Ma, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Publication number: 20160124135
    Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end. The waveguide body further comprises a central section extending along the entire length of the waveguide body and comprising a first thickness. First and second opposed side sections extend away from the central section along the length of the waveguide body and comprise second and third thicknesses, respectively, less than the first thickness. A coupling portion is located in the central section, wherein the coupling portion comprises first and second coupling surfaces defining at least in part an elongate coupling cavity extending along the length of the waveguide body. The coupling portion further comprises first and second control surfaces, and the first and second coupling surfaces are configured to direct light onto the first and second control surfaces. The first and second control surfaces are configured to direct light into at least one of the first and second side sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Patent number: 9263636
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) for achieving an asymmetric light output includes a multilayered structure comprising a p-n junction, where at least one layer of the multilayered structure comprises a surface configured to provide a peak emission in a direction away from a normal to a mounting surface, the surface being a top or bottom surface of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Theodore D. Lowes, Bernd P. Keller
  • Publication number: 20160018584
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.