Patents by Inventor Thomas Alexander Knapp

Thomas Alexander Knapp 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: 9080763
    Abstract: A luminaire is provided that is configured as a window having a light guide with one or more light sources coupled to one or more edges of the light guide. Light emitted from the light guide can be used e.g., to supplement natural light passing through the window or to provide illumination when natural light is not available. Because the light source (or light sources) is incorporated into the window along one or more edges of the light guide, the light source can be either partially or totally concealed from view so as to create an appearance that can have aesthetic advantages. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can have an appearance that is the same or similar to a conventional window/skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Yoder, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Publication number: 20150117021
    Abstract: Provided is an omnidirectional lens, having a housing having a closed end and an open end, a series of facets circumferentially arranged on the housing; and a series of concentric facets disposed on the closed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose CHINNIAH, Thomas CLYNNE, Thomas Alexander KNAPP, Benjamin Lee YODER
  • Patent number: 8936690
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hermetically encapsulating one or more optoelectronic device, such as a light emitting device or a photovoltaic device. The apparatus comprises a base and a carriage movable along the base. The carriage comprises a roller. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum platen coupled with the base and a tensioner coupled with the base. The tensioner comprises a support member that projects orthogonally above a plane of the vacuum platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward James Balaschak, James Michael Kostka, Thomas Alexander Knapp, Keith Raymond Woerner
  • Patent number: 8884502
    Abstract: An OLED assembly comprises a base and a planar OLED device mounted on the base. A planar light diffuser sheet is removably attached relative to the base and OLED device. A releasable attachment mechanism is operably configured between the light diffuser sheet and the base. The light diffuser sheet is oriented relative to the OLED device so as to provide a selected diffusive property to light emitted from the OLED device. The light diffuser sheet is removable from the base upon release of the attachment mechanism and can be substituted with a different light diffuser sheet. A luminaire may incorporate the OLED assembly, wherein the luminaire has fixture in which the OLED assembly is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Deeder Aurongzeb, Thomas Alexander Knapp, Olivia Boyle
  • Patent number: 8864339
    Abstract: A lighting device that uses one or more LEDs, an optical element (e.g., diffuser), and a heat sink to provide thermal management is provided. The overall shape of the lighting device, particularly the heat sink, can be configured to imitate the appearance of a traditional incandescent candelabra lamp. One or more features are also provided to assist with the conduction of heat away from the LED(s) and to the heat sink. The lighting device can provide improved lumen output and light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Rotella, Gary Robert Allen, Benjamin Lee Yoder, David C. Dudik, Charles Leigh Huddleston, II, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: 8865487
    Abstract: Apparatus for accurately picking and placing one or more optoelectronic devices for vacuum lamination of materials in a way that minimizes stress to the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Michael Kostka, Edward James Balaschak, Thomas Alexander Knapp, John Allie Charny
  • Patent number: 8764264
    Abstract: An edge lit luminaire includes a light source. A housing has an interior cavity for receiving the light source. The housing includes a heat sink for directing heat away from the light source. At least one optional end cap is secured to an end of the housing that covers the cavity. A lightguide is secured inside the housing and has an edge located in proximity to the light source. At least one of a reflector and a lens (e.g., lens optic) directs light from the light source to the edge of the lightguide. The lightguide includes a light extraction surface enabling light to be transmitted from the lightguide. The housing can also feature a channel and slot for mounting the luminaire to a support surface. The lens optic can be designed to have specific dimensions that facilitate efficient design and operation of the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Knapp, Rick Dureiko
  • Publication number: 20140063798
    Abstract: A lighting device that uses one or more LEDs, an optical element (e.g, diffuser), and a heat sink to provide thermal management is provided. The overall shape of the lighting device, particularly the heat sink, can be configured to imitate the appearance of a traditional incandescent candelabra lamp. One or more features are also provided to assist with the conduction of heat away from the LED(s) and to the heat sink. The lighting device can provide improved lumen output and light distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Rotella, Gary Robert Allen, Benjamin Lee Yoder, David C. Dudik, Charles Leigh Huddleston, II, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: 8624483
    Abstract: A fixture and socket assembly is provided for replaceable and flexible panel lighting device. Preferably, perimeter edges of the flexible light source devices which may be arranged into a matrix or panel are mechanically and electrically connected to socket contacts provided at desired locations on the first surface of the fixture, which makes mechanical and electrical engagement with associated conductive portions or surface contacts on rear surfaces of the flexible light source devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Knapp, Deeder Aurongzeb
  • Publication number: 20130307420
    Abstract: A luminaire is provided that is configured as a window having a light guide with one or more light sources coupled to one or more edges of the light guide. Light emitted from the light guide can be used e.g., to supplement natural light passing through the window or to provide illumination when natural light is not available. Because the light source (or light sources) is incorporated into the window along one or more edges of the light guide, the light source can be either partially or totally concealed from view so as to create an appearance that can have aesthetic advantages. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can have an appearance that is the same or similar to a conventional window/skylight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee YODER, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: 8430530
    Abstract: A luminaire, such as a lamp assembly or a floor lamp, umbrella, or planar or sheet-like like light emitting surface includes a conforming mechanism for selectively curving the light emitting surface. A convex profile will diffuse light while a concave profile will concentrate light, it being intended that the surface can be conformable up to a five inch (5?) radius of curvature in either direction. The light panel portions may be of the same color, or may be different colors that will result in different mixing of the light when made from different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Deeder Aurongzeb, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Publication number: 20130088890
    Abstract: An edge lit luminaire includes a light source. A housing has an interior cavity for receiving the light source. The housing includes a heat sink for directing heat away from the light source. At least one optional end cap is secured to an end of the housing that covers the cavity. A lightguide is secured inside the housing and has an edge located in proximity to the light source. At least one of a reflector and a lens (e.g., lens optic) directs light from the light source to the edge of the lightguide. The lightguide includes a light extraction surface enabling light to be transmitted from the lightguide. The housing can also feature a channel and slot for mounting the luminaire to a support surface. The lens optic can be designed to have specific dimensions that facilitate efficient design and operation of the luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Knapp, Rick Dureiko
  • Publication number: 20130071961
    Abstract: Apparatus for accurately picking and placing one or more optoelectronic devices for vacuum lamination of materials in a way that minimizes stress to the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: James Michael KOSTKA, Edward James Balaschak, Thomas Alexander Knapp, John Allie Charny
  • Publication number: 20130068374
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hermetically encapsulating one or more optoelectronic device, such as a light emitting device or a photovoltaic device. The apparatus comprises a base and a carriage movable along the base. The carriage comprises a roller. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum platen coupled with the base and a tensioner coupled with the base. The tensioner comprises a support member that projects orthogonally above a plane of the vacuum platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Edward James Balaschak, James Michael Kostka, Thomas Alexander Knapp, Keith Raymond Woerner
  • Publication number: 20130026513
    Abstract: An OLED assembly comprises a base and a planar OLED device mounted on the base. A planar light diffuser sheet is removably attached relative to the base and OLED device. A releasable attachment mechanism is operably configured between the light diffuser sheet and the base. The light diffuser sheet is oriented relative to the OLED device so as to provide a selected diffusive property to light emitted from the OLED device. The light diffuser sheet is removable from the base upon release of the attachment mechanism and can be substituted with a different light diffuser sheet. A luminaire may incorporate the OLED assembly, wherein the luminaire has fixture in which the OLED assembly is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Deeder Aurongzeb, Thomas Alexander Knapp, Olivia Boyle
  • Publication number: 20120262929
    Abstract: A fixture and socket assembly is provided for replaceable and flexible panel lighting device. Preferably, perimeter edges of the flexible light source devices which may be arranged into a matrix or panel are mechanically and electrically connected to socket contacts provided at desired locations on the first surface of the fixture, which makes mechanical and electrical engagement with associated conductive portions or surface contacts on rear surfaces of the flexible light source devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Knapp, Deeder Aurongzeb
  • Publication number: 20110249425
    Abstract: A luminaire, such as a lamp assembly or a floor lamp, umbrella, or planar or sheet-like like light emitting surface includes a conforming mechanism for selectively curving the light emitting surface. A convex profile will diffuse light while a concave profile will concentrate light, it being intended that the surface can be conformable up to a five inch (5?) radius of curvature in either direction. The light panel portions may be of the same color, or may be different colors that will result in different mixing of the light when made from different colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Deeder Aurongzeb, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: D715462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Thomas Alexander Knapp