Patents Represented by Attorney William E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6955451
    Abstract: An LED lamp and a method of making an LED lamp in which the lamp includes a heat conductive post with slots in an exterior of the post, and in which a separate LED assembly is inserted into each of the slots, where each of the LED assemblies has a substrate with an LED at a first end thereof, which is inserted into the slot first, and an electrical conductor that extends from the LED to a second end of the substrate. The electrical conductor is connected to a circuit board that is inside a hollow bottom of the post. A reflector and heat sink are attached to the bottom of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Coushaine, Paul R. Lyman
  • Patent number: 6955579
    Abstract: A method of producing a ceramic metal halide discharge lamp having a monolithic seal between a sapphire (single crystal alumina) arc tube and a polycrystalline alumina (PCA) end cap. The method includes the steps of providing an arc tube of fully dense sapphire and providing an end cap made of unsintered compressed polycrystalline alumina powder doped with magnesium oxide and yttrium oxide. The end cap is heated until it is presintered to remove organic binder material at a low temperature relative to the sintering temperature. The presintered end cap is placed on an end portion of the arc tube to form a close interface between the two. The presintered end cap and adjacent arc tube are then heated to until the end cap is fully sintered onto the arc tube and the sapphire tube grows into the end cap. A monolithic seal is formed along the interface between the end cap and the arc tube as the sapphire tube grows into the polycrystalline alumina end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Arlene Hecker, George C. Wei, Helmar G. Adler, Dieter Lang
  • Patent number: 6946797
    Abstract: A metal halide fill for forming an ionizable fill comprising at least one inert gas, mercury, and at least one halogen, the fill additionally comprising the following constituents: Mn halide and V halide. This fill may in particular be present in the discharge vessel of a metal halide lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventor: Hans Eisemann
  • Patent number: 6943486
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination unit having an electric lamp which has a lamp vessel having a sealed-off end in the form of a glass base, and having an envelope which at least partially surrounds the lamp vessel and rests on the lamp vessel such that the glass base protrudes from the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Nittke, Roland Stark
  • Patent number: 6926433
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp shield may be formed with a self-locating mount. The housing contains a mounting receptacle with three closed sides, an open side, a substantially solid bottom with a laterally extending slot and a top containing an opening. One sub-assembly has a planar surface with an aperture, a solid rear wall and a depending side wall. When assembled, the depending sidewall fits into the slot and protrudes therefrom. Another sub-assembly has an upper surface and four walls including a front wall, a back wall and two sides. A compressible planar latch is associated with the upper surface and a first spring is associated with a side and a second spring is associated with the back. The second sub-assembly is hollow and the springs and the compressible latch are formed from the upper surface and respective sides. The structure is light weight and easy to manipulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Burke
  • Patent number: 6924599
    Abstract: In order to improve the starting of a dielectric barrier discharge lamp it is proposed to provide elements for igniting an auxiliary discharge inside the exhaust tube (5) of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhaud-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Döll, Wolfgang Kumpf, Joseph-A. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6908219
    Abstract: An optical element for use in a high mounted stop lamp is formed with an LED light source mounted on a backing plate. The LED faces in a first direction to emit light towards a field to be illuminated. A light transmissive dome encloses the LED light source, the dome having refractive elements directing at least some light emitted by the LED in a second direction transverse to the first direction. At least one light guide is positioned adjacent the dome to receive light emitted by the LED that is refracted transversely by the refractive dome elements. The light guide includes light directing elements to redirect the transversely directed light towards the field to be illuminated. In this way the ineffectively directed light is recaptured and directed expand the lamp's area image to comply with legal requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania LLC
    Inventor: Benoit M. Reiss
  • Patent number: 6893146
    Abstract: A luminaire for installing in the cover cap of an exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles, has a luminaire housing and an electrical lamp arranged therein. The housing is entirely or partly of transparent design, such that in the installed state light exit surfaces of the housing are arranged both on the front side and on the rear side of the exterior rearview mirror. The lamp has a tubular, sealed lamp vessel, at least a portion of the lateral surface of the lamp vessel and an end face of the lamp vessel being of transparent design. Light directing elements for focusing the light emerging from the lateral surface and for deflecting the light emerging from the end face are provided such that the light emerging from the end face is directed toward a light exit surface arranged opposing the light emerging from the lateral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für Electrische Glühlampen mbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fiegler, Thomas Reiners
  • Patent number: 6880962
    Abstract: A solid-state light source (10) that is compatible with the existing sockets normally reserved for filamented lamps (100). The solid-state light source (10) includes a hollow base (12) formed to mechanically and electrically adapt to an existing socket normally reserved for lamps (100). A sub-assembly (14) is adapted to cooperate with and fit into the hollow base (12). The sub-assembly (14) includes a circuit board (16) with a plurality of solid-state light sources (18) mechanically and electrically connected to one side (20) of the circuit board. Two electrical contacts (22, 24) are positioned on the other side (26) of the circuit board for connection to an electrical circuit. A light pipe (28) covers the plurality of light sources (18) and extends away therefrom to a terminal end (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Coushaine, Steve C. Sidwell, Michael Tucker, Thomas Tessnow
  • Patent number: 6879102
    Abstract: The invention relates to an incandescent lamp for motor vehicle headlights, having at least one incandescent filament (2) arranged inside the lamp vessel, and a shading device (4). A coil exit (2a) of the incandescent filament (2) is joined to an edge section (41) of the shading device (4) running substantially parallel to the coil axis, in order to ensure an improved suspension of the incandescent filament (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Behr, Manfred Bühler, Christian Seichter, Klaus Wittmann
  • Patent number: 6877606
    Abstract: A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a height H equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a width W equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a length, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the height H and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said height H but less than the height H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Hardy
  • Patent number: 6873108
    Abstract: A ceramic metal halide discharge lamp may be made having a monolithic seal between a sapphire arc tube and a polycrystalline alumina cap. The lamp is made by providing an arc tube of fully dense sapphire and providing a cap made of unsintered compressed polycrystalline alumina doped with magnesium oxide and yttrium oxide. The cap is presintered to remove binder material at a low temperature. The presintered cap is placed on an end of the arc tube to form a close interface. The presintered cap and arc tube are then heated to until the cap is fully sintered onto the arc tube and the sapphire tube grows into the cap. A monolithic seal is formed along the interface as the sapphire grows into the polycrystalline alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Arlene Hecker, George C. Wei, Helmar G. Adler, Dieter Lang
  • Patent number: 6866409
    Abstract: A light bulb retention assembly for an automobile headlight includes an socket with an opening adapted to receive a light bulb, plural holes in the socket and around the opening that each have an end surface with an upper step and a lower step, plural pins that are each in a respective one of the holes, where each of the pins has a head with a first underside part that bears against the upper step and a second underside part that is separated from the lower step by a gap, and a lock ring having plural latching parts that each rotationally fit into a respective gap. The socket has a sealing edge and the plural latching parts mate with the sealing edge to hold a seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Brent Fields, Sanders R. Brott
  • Patent number: 6858976
    Abstract: An assembly (10) for a lamp. The assembly 10 includes a light source (12) having a center chamber (14) and opposite ends (16, 18), arrayed along a longitudinal axis (19). The ends (16, 18) are cylindrical in cross-section. A tubular shroud (20) surrounds the light source (12) and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (19). The light source (12) is mounted within the shroud (20) by spring clips (26) one of which is mounted at either end of the shroud. The spring clips each include a base (28) lying in a first plane and having an aperture (30), for example, a star-shaped aperture, centrally located in the base. The apertures (30) in the two spring clips frictionally engage one of the ends (16, 18) of the light source (12). Each of the spring clips (26) has a U-shaped projection (32) at and end (33) of the base (26). The U-shaped projection comprises first and second upstanding walls (34, 36) joined by a first lip (38) that extends in a second plane and is fitted over the wall of the shroud (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Ebon McCullough, David J. Lamprey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6851837
    Abstract: A solid-state lighting system (10) has a carrier (12 or 12a) having at least two electrically conductive traces (14, 16) thereon; and at least one module (18) carrying at least one solid-state light source (20) mounted with the carrier. The module (18) has electrical conductors (22, 24) in contact with the electrically conductive traces (14, 16) on the carrier. The carrier (12 or 12a) is elongated and the at least one module (18) has a horizontal aperture (26) therethrough with the electrical conductors (22, 24) extending at least into the aperture. The module (18) is slidably mounted upon the carrier (12 or 12a) with the carrier penetrating the horizontal aperture (26) and the electrical conductors (22, 24) in engagement with the electrical traces (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Tessnow, Kim M. Albright
  • Patent number: 6853140
    Abstract: A compact fused silica, electroded HID lamp for automotive forward lighting, which contains no mercury. The lamps voltage, approximately 40 volts, is developed in this lamp by vaporizing zinc iodide instead of mercury. A compromise between voltage and luminous flux is achieved through the choice of the sodium scandium (Na:Sc) molar ratio, between 4.5:1 and 6:1 and a zinc iodide (ZnI2) dose of 2 to 6 micrograms per cubic millimeter that permits the lamp to operate within the North America, European and Japanese automotive color specifications for white light. The voltage in the lamp can be controlled according to the zinc iodide doping level without seriously impacting the visible spectrum otherwise provided by the other known dopants in the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Walter P. Lapatovich, Sharon L. Ernest, Susan L. Callahan, Janice T. Karlotski, Robert J. Karlotski
  • Patent number: 6846101
    Abstract: LED lamp assembly particularly adapted for automotive applications that utilizes one or more standard replaceable LED bulbs with changeable optics to make multiple beam patterns. Preferably the optic is molded and easily replaced. An electric module is mounted directly under the LED to facilitate the electrical connection and provide good thermal contact. The LED light source(s) and interchangeable optic are positioned and sealed in the base of a main reflector or the vehicle hull by means well known to those skilled in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Coushaine
  • Patent number: D501262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kling, James E. Oetken
  • Patent number: D505738
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Buschmann, Kevin R. Davies
  • Patent number: D500374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventors: Benoit M. Reiss, David D. Egly, Eric Molsy, Matthew S. Colip, Kevin D. Koons, Robert King