Abstract: Environmentally sealed optical systems, and methods for sealing them, are disclosed. Such optical systems include area lighting panels and other optical systems. For example, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, a sealed optical system includes a substrate having first and second light sources disposed thereon, and a light-shaping panel with first and second optics formed therein that are positioned (e.g., aligned) to receive light from the first and second light sources, respectively. A sealing membrane is disposed between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, with a first adhesive surface contacting the substrate and a second adhesive surface contacting the light-shaping panel. The sealing membrane has first and second openings formed therein that allow light to pass from the first and second light sources to the first and second optics, respectively, while allowing the sealing membrane to independently seal the light sources from one another and from the external environment.

Abstract: A portable indirect lighting apparatus includes first and second support structures. Each support structure includes a respective longitudinal light source having a linear array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A respective longitudinal lens is positioned proximate to each linear array of LEDs to receive and redirect the light emitted by the LEDs. A flexible reflector extends between the first and second support structure. The reflector has at least one diffusedly reflective surface. The reflector is configurable to an operational configuration with the diffusedly reflective surface positioned to receive the light redirected by the first and second longitudinal lenses. The reflector is configurable to a transportable configuration with at least a portion of the reflector wrapped around at least one of the first and second support structures.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light source located on a centerline, a light redirecting lens positioned to receive light from the light source, and an outer reflector that receives light redirected by the redirecting lens. The redirecting lens includes an inner reflecting portion that includes a total internal reflection (TIR) surface that reflects light outward to an outer refracting portion. The outer refracting portion of the redirecting lens refracts the light outward and away from the position of the light source. The outer reflector receives the refracted light and reflects the inward toward the centerline and farther away from the light source. The lighting apparatus further includes a diffuser that diffuses the light from the outer reflector. The lighting apparatus may be configured longitudinally or may be configured to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the centerline.

Abstract: A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes primary refractive surface, total internal reflection surfaces, and a secondary refractive surface associated with the total internal refection surfaces. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. The primary refractive surface, the total internal reflection surfaces and the secondary refractive surface direct a substantial portion of the light from the emitter to the desired illumination region.

Abstract: A low-profile lighting system includes an asymmetric area lens having a “batwing” configuration that receives light from at least one light-emitting diode (LED) that emits light having a Lambertian light distribution pattern. The asymmetric lens refracts the light to generate a modified light distribution pattern having light distributed in a selected range of angles. A first portion of the output surface of the asymmetric lens refracts light angularly away from a reference plane. A second portion of the output surface of the symmetric lens refracts light angularly toward the reference plane. The refracted light from the asymmetric lens is provided to a dispersion lens. The dispersion lens produces a dispersed light distribution pattern that illuminates an illumination area. In certain embodiments, the lens has a profile formed by an outer curve having the general shape of an Archimedean spiral or an involute curve.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a substrate and a light source electrically connected to the substrate. A lens is positioned over the light source, the lens at least partially defining a space about the light source. A frame is connected to the substrate, the frame including a vent hole communicated with an exterior of the apparatus. A vent channel is at least partially defined between the lens and the substrate, the vent channel communicating the space about the light source with the vent hole. The vent channel and vent hole ventilate gases present in the space about the light source. An encapsulant at least partially covers the substrate and the lens. The frame can include an opening, the frame connected to a peripheral edge of the substrate with the substrate at least partially covering the opening. A heat sink can be contacted with the substrate.

Abstract: A linear wide area lighting system includes an elongated substrate having a linear light emitter array disposed on the substrate. The array includes a plurality of light emitters such as light emitting diodes or lamps. An elongated refractive lens is positioned over the substrate and linear light emitter array such that light emitted from the emitters is incident on the refractive lens and is refracted through the lens into a wide illumination area. The lens is extruded in some embodiments providing the lens with a substantially uniform extruded cross-sectional profile in some embodiments. The substrate is housed either between a base and the lens in some embodiments, or in an integrally formed bore in the lens body in other embodiments. One or more end caps are located on the longitudinal ends of the lens and base to fully enclose and seal the substrate and linear light emitter array.

Abstract: An edge-lit lighting apparatus includes a light source and a light guide body. The light guide body includes an input edge, the light source positioned to project light through the input edge in a primary emission direction, the light guide extending from the input edge. The light guide body includes a mean elongation plane which is angularly offset from the primary emission direction. The light guide body includes a reflective side adjacent the input edge and configured to redirect light from the light source. The light guide includes an output side configured to disperse redirected light from the reflected side. The light guide body can extend curvilinearly from the input edge. The lighting apparatus can be configured as an indirect lighting system, and can help increase efficiency for edge-lit lighting systems.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a light source. A primary optical surface is configured to receive and redirect light from the light source. A secondary optical surface is configured to receive redirected light from the primary optical surface and further redirect the light in a primary emission direction. The apparatus includes a central opening through the apparatus, the central opening defining a convective path through the apparatus. A thermally conductive cover is placed over the central opening and is positioned in the convective path. The primary optical surface is positioned such that a direct view of the light source is obstructed when the apparatus is viewed from the primary emission direction. The primary and secondary optical surfaces are substantially symmetric about the central opening.

Abstract: A lighting fixture apparatus includes a light source oriented toward a illumination area. A primary reflector is disposed between the light source and the illumination area. The primary reflector includes a primary concave surface substantially facing away from the illumination area. A secondary reflector is positioned opposite the primary concave surface and includes a secondary concave surface substantially facing toward the illumination area. The primary concave surface is substantially specularly reflective, and the secondary concave surface is substantially diffusely reflective. In some embodiments, only reflected light is visible from the illumination area, and no direct light from the light source is incident on the illumination area.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-mixing optic is disclosed for use with one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, an exemplary optic can include an optical body disposed about an optical axis and having an input and an output surface and a peripheral surface extending between the two. The input surface can form a central cavity for receiving light from the light sources, if not the light sources themselves. Further, the input surface can be shaped to refract substantially all of the light, received from the one or more light sources away front the optical axis to the peripheral surface of the optic, where that light (e.g., substantially all of it) can be redirected (e.g., via total internal reflection or specular reflection) to the output surface. An array of micro-lenses or other surface features can be formed, on the output surface. Further embodiments, as well as exemplary design methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes a major total internal reflection surface and a refractive surface. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. In some embodiments, the total internal reflection surface is entirely positioned on the second side of the reference plane. In additional embodiments, the total internal reflection surface includes a plurality of substantially planar adjacent longitudinal faces.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light-mixing optic is disclosed for use with one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, an exemplary optic can include an optical body disposed about an optical axis and having an input and an output surface and a peripheral surface extending between the two. The input surface can form a central cavity for receiving light from the light sources, if not the light sources themselves. Further, the input surface can be shaped to refract substantially all of the light received from the one or more light sources away from the optical axis to the peripheral surface of the optic, where that light (e.g., substantially all of it) can be redirected (e.g., via total internal reflection or specular reflection) to the output surface. An array of micro-lenses or other surface features can be formed on the output surface. Further embodiments, as well as exemplary design methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Environmentally sealed optical systems, and methods for sealing them, are disclosed. Such optical systems include area lighting panels and other optical systems. For example, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, a sealed optical system includes a substrate having first and second light sources disposed thereon, and a light-shaping panel with first and second optics formed therein that are positioned (e.g., aligned) to receive light from the first and second light sources, respectively. A sealing membrane is disposed between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, with a first adhesive surface contacting the substrate and a second adhesive surface contacting the light-shaping panel. The sealing membrane has first and second openings formed therein that allow light to pass from the first and second light sources to the first and second optics, respectively, while allowing the sealing membrane to independently seal the light sources from one another and from the external environment.

Abstract: In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The inner and outer reflectors are coupled for axial movement relative to one another to change the flood spread of the light exiting the lighting system.

Abstract: A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes a major total internal reflection surface and a refractive surface. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. In some embodiments, the total internal reflection surface is entirely positioned on the second side of the reference plane. In additional embodiments, the total internal reflection surface includes a plurality of substantially planar adjacent longitudinal faces.

Abstract: Environmentally sealed optical systems, and methods for sealing them, are disclosed. Such optical systems include area lighting panels and other optical systems. For example, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, a sealed optical system includes a substrate having first and second light sources disposed thereon, and a light-shaping panel with first and second optics formed therein that are positioned (e.g., aligned) to receive light from the first and second light sources, respectively. A sealing membrane is disposed between the substrate and the light-shaping panel, with a first adhesive surface contacting the substrate and a second adhesive surface contacting the light-shaping panel. The sealing membrane has first and second openings formed therein that allow light to pass from the first and second light sources to the first and second optics, respectively, while allowing the sealing membrane to independently seal the light sources from one another and from the external environment.

Abstract: Improved lighting devices and methods are provided. In many embodiments, the devices and methods provide the capability to change a spot of light projected onto a target surface. In other embodiments, the devices and methods are fixed-focus. In one embodiment a lens can have a lens body with anterior and posterior surfaces. The anterior surface can be adapted to receive light from a light source. The posterior surface can have a central portion and a peripheral portion. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the central portion of the posterior surface via refraction. Some of the light from the light source can pass through the lens body and exit the peripheral portion of the posterior surface via both refraction and reflection at various surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The inner and outer reflectors are coupled for axial movement relative to one another to change the flood spread of the light exiting the lighting system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The outer reflector extends from a proximal end adapted to receive light from the light source to a distal end that provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The inner and outer reflectors are axially movable relative to one another and are configured such that, beginning in a position with the inner reflector nested within the outer reflector, distal movement of the outer reflector (that is, a movement away from the inner reflector) along the axis about which the reflectors are disposed progressively reduces a flood spread produced by the lighting system.