Patents Assigned to Quarkstar LLC
  • Publication number: 20140160724
    Abstract: Light-emitting devices that include a scattering element of arbitrary shape and processes for fabrication thereof are described. In one aspect a method for forming a light-emitting device includes providing a light-emitting element (LEE) on a base surface of a base substrate; coupling a first optical element with the base surface of the base substrate, where the first optical element has a first surface facing the LEE and a second surface opposing the first surface; disposing the first optical element in a curable or settable fluid so that the fluid conforms to the second surface; and curing or setting the fluid to form a second optical element including a molded transparent layer adjacent the second surface of the first optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: QUARKSTAR LLC
    Inventor: Louis Lerman
  • Publication number: 20140146541
    Abstract: A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, a light-emitting device includes one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs) disposed on a base surface that are configured to emit light, a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the LEEs and positioned to receive light from the LEEs, a transparent second optical coupled to the first optical element, and a reflector element adjacent the second optical element arranged to reflect a portion of light output from the second optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: John J. Uebbing, Roland H. Haitz
  • Publication number: 20140126235
    Abstract: A luminaire module includes at least one light-emitting element (LEE); a light guide (LG) extending in a first direction from a first end of LG to a second end of LG to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEE and configured to guide the light to the second end; and an optical extractor (OE) optically coupled to LG at the second end to receive light from the LEE guided from the first end to the second end of LG. OE includes a first interface configured to reflect a first portion of the light exiting the LG and transmit a second portion of the light exiting the LG so that the second portion of the light exits OE to an ambient environment in the first direction, and a second interface configured to transmit light incident thereon to the ambient environment in a direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Publication number: 20140104868
    Abstract: An illumination system is described including a plurality of illumination devices, each device including (i) light-emitting elements (LEEs) arranged along a corresponding first axis; (ii) an optical extractor extending along a corresponding longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis; and (iii) a light guide positioned to receive at a first end of the light guide light emitted by the LEEs and guide it to a second end of the light guide. The optical extractor is optically coupled to the light guide at the second end and is shaped to redirect the light guided by the light guide into a range of angles on either side of the light guide. The illumination devices are connected to each other to form a polygon such that the longitudinal axes of the connected illumination devices lie in a common plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Publication number: 20140071672
    Abstract: A solid state lamp, such as one that can replace an incandescent light bulb, has a base portion having an electrical connector for connection to a source of power, such as an Edison-type connector for connection to the mains voltage. An AC/DC converter in the base converts the mains voltage to a suitable light emitting diode (LED) drive voltage. A plurality of receptacles on the base connects to electrodes of plug-in modules. Each plug-in module supports a plurality of low power LEDs connected in series. The strings of LEDs on different modules are connected in parallel when connected to the receptacles. The modules and base are configured to allow a user to operate the lamp with different combinations of modules to generate a desired light output from the lamp. For example, the user can recreate the lumens equivalent of a 20 W, 40 W, or 60 W bulb by using one, two, or three modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: QuarkStar LLC
    Inventor: QuarkStar LLC
  • Publication number: 20140003041
    Abstract: A solid state, bidirectional light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. An array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) is sandwiched between at least two transparent substrates having conductors bonded to the electrodes without wires. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with various embodiments. The light sheets are formed to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet to create a bidirectional light sheet. The light sheet may be suspended from a ceiling to be perpendicular to the ceiling, or the angles of the light sheet may be adjusted. The suspended light sheet may form a cylinder for uniform illumination of the floor and ceiling. Lenses may be formed in the light sheet to emit light at any peak intensity angle to achieve any light emission pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventor: Quarkstar LLC
  • Patent number: 8602586
    Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: 8598778
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode (LED) supported by the base; a layer spaced apart from the LED and including a light emitting material of refraction index n1. An enclosure formed by the layer and the base encloses the LED. A medium inside the enclosure between the LED and the layer has a refraction index n0<n1; and an optic in contact with the layer and having a refraction index n2?n1. The layer is positioned between the optic and the LED. The optic has, at a surface of contact with the layer, a radius r measured along a ray originating from the LED, and, at an output surface of the optic, another radius R measured along the same ray, such that R?r·(n1/nm), where nm is a refraction index of a medium adjacent the output surface of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Patent number: 8573823
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a solid-state luminaire has a strip of high power LEDs, where each LED emits light into an optical coupler. Light from the optical coupler is then coupled into a light guide. Light coupled into the light guide is mixed and guided to an exit aperture of the light guide. An optical extractor proximate the exit aperture of the light guide redirects light outward, which is optionally redirected generally downward by a secondary reflector that extends outwardly along the length of the light guide. The secondary reflector may be configured to create a variety of light-emission patterns. The luminaire may be hung from a ceiling, in track lighting, used as a pendant or pedestal fixture, or in other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Chris Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Publication number: 20130214300
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: QUARKSTAR LLC
    Inventor: Quarkstar LLC
  • Publication number: 20130214677
    Abstract: A light emitting device is described. The light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode supported by the base; a first layer spaced apart from the light emitting diode and including a light emitting material, the first layer having a refractive index nfirst—layer; a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic that is greater than or equal to nfirst—layer, the transparent optic having a convex surface facing away from the light emitting diode and the first layer being positioned between the transparent optic and the light emitting diode. A gap between the light emitting diode and the first layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nfirst—layer, and the convex surface has a radius of curvature sufficiently large relative to a dimension of the first layer to eliminate total internal reflection of light entering the transparent optic from the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: Quarkstar LLC, University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Quarkstar LLC
  • Publication number: 20130208495
    Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventor: Quarkstar LLC
  • Patent number: 8506112
    Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Publication number: 20130201715
    Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: 8461602
    Abstract: A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate having conductors is then laminated over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. The light sheets may be formed to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet, enabling it to be used in a hanging fixture to illuminate the ceiling as well as the floor. The light sheet provides a practical substitute for a standard 2×4 foot fluorescent ceiling fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York, Michael David Henry, Robert Steele, Brian D. Ogonowsky
  • Patent number: 8414154
    Abstract: An array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) is sandwiched between at least two transparent substrates having conductors bonded to the electrodes without wires, forming light sheets to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet to create a bidirectional light sheet. The light sheet may be suspended from a ceiling to be perpendicular to the ceiling, or the angles of the light sheet may be adjusted. The suspended light sheet may form a cylinder for uniform illumination of the floor and ceiling. Lenses may be formed in the light sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: D695442
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau
  • Patent number: D695447
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Andrew Tien-Man Ng
  • Patent number: D697663
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau
  • Patent number: D704372
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Andrew Tien-Man Ng