Patents by Inventor John W. Durkee
John W. Durkee 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).
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Patent number: 11940643Abstract: Generally, embodiment(s) disclosed herein may include modular luminaires and customizable luminaire combinations to produce desired overall illumination patterns, modular luminaires interchangeable between one or more lighting systems/luminaires having differing configurations, and/or luminaires with portions thereof formed primarily by optical waveguides, e.g., a wall sconce where primarily only waveguides extend from the wall. Further, contemplated throughout this disclosure is modification of panel-style and/or blade-style waveguide(s) for use with luminaire configurations having different sizes, shapes, and structural elements including as modular luminaires for use in creating further customizable lighting systems/luminaires.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Cree Lighting USA LLCInventors: Ethan Creasman, Randy Bernard, Dana Deskiewicz, Nathan Snell, John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Patent number: 11675120Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to light fixtures and luminaires configured to emit light. According to one aspect, an optical waveguide includes a first waveguide portion and a second waveguide portion adjacent to and separate from the first waveguide portion. The waveguide portions include light coupling portions that are at least partially aligned and adapted to receive light developed by a light source. The first waveguide portion further has a first major surface with light direction features and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The second waveguide portion further has a third major surface proximate the second major surface with an air gap disposed therebetween and a fourth major surface opposite the third major surface wherein the fourth major surface includes a cavity extending therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLCInventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Christopher D. Strom, Jin Hong Lim, Zongjie Yuan, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, John W. Durkee, Craig D. Raleigh, Joseph P. Chobot
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Publication number: 20220026620Abstract: Generally, embodiment(s) disclosed herein may include modular luminaires and customizable luminaire combinations to produce desired overall illumination patterns, modular luminaires interchangeable between one or more lighting systems/luminaires having differing configurations, and/or luminaires with portions thereof formed primarily by optical waveguides, e.g., a wall sconce where primarily only waveguides extend from the wall. Further, contemplated throughout this disclosure is modification of panel-style and/or blade-style waveguide(s) for use with luminaire configurations having different sizes, shapes, and structural elements including as modular luminaires for use in creating further customizable lighting systems/luminaires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Ethan Creasman, Randy Bernard, Dana Deskiewicz, Nathan Snell, John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Patent number: 11169313Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a coupling portion that comprises first and second coupling surfaces. The first and second coupling surfaces define, at least in part, an elongate coupling cavity along the entire length of the waveguide body and a surface located opposite the coupling cavity. The waveguide body further comprises first and second opposed sections extending along the length of the waveguide body. The first and second opposed sections further comprise respective first and second lower surfaces disposed at different first and second side section angles with respect to a first axis lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The first axis bisects the coupling portion. Among other things, such a waveguide may be included in a luminaire along with a light source.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting LLCInventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Publication number: 20210311246Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to light fixtures and luminaires configured to emit light. According to one aspect, an optical waveguide includes a first waveguide portion and a second waveguide portion adjacent to and separate from the first waveguide portion. The waveguide portions include light coupling portions that are at least partially aligned and adapted to receive light developed by a light source. The first waveguide portion further has a first major surface with light direction features and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The second waveguide portion further has a third major surface proximate the second major surface with an air gap disposed therebetween and a fourth major surface opposite the third major surface wherein the fourth major surface includes a cavity extending therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Christopher D. Strom, Jin Hong Lim, Zongjie Yuan, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, John W. Durkee, Craig D. Raleigh, Joseph P. Chobot
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Publication number: 20200333524Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a coupling portion that comprises first and second coupling surfaces. The first and second coupling surfaces define, at least in part, an elongate coupling cavity along the entire length of the waveguide body and a surface located opposite the coupling cavity. The waveguide body further comprises first and second opposed sections extending along the length of the waveguide body. The first and second opposed sections further comprise respective first and second lower surfaces disposed at different first and second side section angles with respect to a first axis lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The first axis bisects the coupling portion. Among other things, such a waveguide may be included in a luminaire along with a light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Patent number: 10739509Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a coupling portion that comprises first and second coupling surfaces. The first and second coupling surfaces define, at least in part, an elongate coupling cavity along the entire length of the waveguide body and a surface located opposite the coupling cavity. The waveguide body further comprises first and second opposed sections extending along the length of the waveguide body. The first and second opposed sections further comprise respective first and second lower surfaces disposed at different first and second side section angles with respect to a first axis lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The first axis bisects the coupling portion. Among other things, such a waveguide may be included in a luminaire along with a light source.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLCInventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Publication number: 20190346611Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a length from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a coupling portion that comprises first and second coupling surfaces. The first and second coupling surfaces define, at least in part, an elongate coupling cavity along the entire length of the waveguide body and a surface located opposite the coupling cavity. The waveguide body further comprises first and second opposed sections extending along the length of the waveguide body. The first and second opposed sections further comprise respective first and second lower surfaces disposed at different first and second side section angles with respect to a first axis lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis. The first axis bisects the coupling portion. Among other things, such a waveguide may be included in a luminaire along with a light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Patent number: 10459142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLCInventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Patent number: 10436970Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide body having a first surface that includes one or more tapered portions displaced between an input surface and an end surface or edge of the waveguide body. A second surface displaced from and opposite the first surface may also include one or more tapered portions between the input surface wherein the furthest tapered portions of the first and second surface forms and end surface or edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting LLCInventor: John W. Durkee
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Patent number: 10168467Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: CREE, INC.Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Hormoz Benjamin, John W. Durkee, Bernd P. Keller
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Patent number: 9753210Abstract: An optical waveguide body includes a first layer of optically transmissive material and a second layer of optically transmissive material in contact with the first layer. At least one of the first and second layers is tapered and the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Cree, Inc.Inventor: John W. Durkee
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Publication number: 20170219762Abstract: A waveguide body comprises a body of optically transmissive material further comprising an input surface for light to enter the body of optically transmissive material along a light path. The body of optically transmissive material is curved and has an inflection region that extends transverse to the light path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, Craig D. Raleigh, Joseph P. Chobot
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Publication number: 20170212291Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa
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Publication number: 20170205567Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: ERIC J. TARSA, HORMOZ BENJAMIN, JOHN W. DURKEE, BERND P. KELLER
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Publication number: 20170176666Abstract: An optical waveguide body includes a first layer of optically transmissive material and a second layer of optically transmissive material in contact with the first layer. At least one of the first and second layers is tapered and the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventor: John W. Durkee
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Patent number: 9651740Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Cree, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, John W. Durkee
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Patent number: 9645303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Cree, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Hormoz Benjamin, John W. Durkee, Bernd P. Keller
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Patent number: 9625638Abstract: An optical waveguide body includes a first layer of optically transmissive material and a second layer of optically transmissive material in contact with the first layer. At least one of the first and second layers is tapered and the first layer has a first index of refraction and the second layer has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction and the first and second indices of refraction are both greater than about 1.0.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Cree, Inc.Inventor: John W. Durkee
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Patent number: 9625636Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Cree, Inc.Inventors: John W. Durkee, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa