Patents by Inventor Bernd Keller

Bernd Keller 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: 8941134
    Abstract: A modular package for a light emitting device includes a leadframe including a first region having a top surface, a bottom surface and a first thickness and a second region having a top surface, a bottom surface and a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. The leadframe further includes an electrical lead extending laterally away from the second region, and the package further includes a thermoset package body on the leadframe and surrounding the first region. The thermoset package body may be on both the top and bottom surfaces of the second region. A leak barrier may be on the leadframe, and the package body may be on the leak barrier. Methods of forming modular packages including thermoset package bodies on leadframes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ban P. Loh, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Eric Tarsa, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: 8931929
    Abstract: LED components are described having primary optics provide improved LED component emission characteristics. Light fixtures are also described that utilize the LED components to provide improved light fixture emissions. One LED component according to the present invention comprises an LED chip emitting an LED chip emission pattern. A primary optic is included directly on the LED chip with LED light from the LED chip passing through the primary optic. The primary optic shapes the LED emission pattern into an LED component emission pattern with the LED component emission pattern being broader than the LED chip emission pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Tarsa, Monica Hansen, Bernd Keller
  • Publication number: 20150008457
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating light emitting diode (LED) chips one of which comprises flip-chip mounting a plurality of LEDs on a surface of a submount wafer and forming a coating over said LEDs. The coating comprising a conversion material at least partially covering the LEDs. The coating is planarized to the desired thickness with the coating being continuous and unobstructed on the top surface of the LEDs. The LEDs chips are then singulated from the submount wafer. An LED chip comprising a lateral geometry LED having first and second contacts, with the LED flip-chip mounted to a submount by a conductive bonding material. A phosphor loaded binder coats and at least partially covers the LED. The binder provides a substantially continuous and unobstructed coating over the LED. The phosphor within the coating absorbs and converts the wavelength of at least some of the LED light with the coating planarized to achieve the desired emission color point of the LED chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Ashay Chitnis, James Ibbetson, Bernd Keller
  • Publication number: 20140367713
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes are disclosed that utilize multiple conversion materials in the conversion process in order to achieve the desired emission color point. Different embodiments of the present invention can comprise different phosphor types in separate layers on, above or around one or a plurality of LED chips to achieve the desired light conversion. The LEDs can then emit a desired combination of light from the LED chips and conversion material. In some embodiments, conversion materials can be applied as layers of different phosphor types in order of longest emission wavelength phosphor first, followed by shorter emission phosphors in sequence as opposed to applying in a homogeneously mixed phosphor converter. The conversion material layers can be applied as a blanket over the LED chips and the area surrounding the chip, such as the surface of a submount holding the LED chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: FAN ZHANG, James IBBETSON, Bernd KELLER, Theodore LOWES, Antony VAN DE VEN, Deborah KIRCHER, Tao GILBERT
  • Patent number: 8901585
    Abstract: A white light emitting lamp is disclosed comprising a solid state ultra violet (UV) emitter that emits light in the UV wavelength spectrum. A conversion material is arranged to absorb at least some of the light emitting from the UV emitter and re-emit light at one or more different wavelengths of light. One or more complimentary solid state emitters are included that emit at different wavelengths of light than the UV emitter and the conversion material. The lamp emits a white light combination of light emitted from the complimentary emitters and from the conversion material, with the white light having high efficacy and good color rendering. Other embodiments of white light emitting lamp according to the present invention comprises a solid state laser instead of a UV emitter. A high flux white emitting lamp embodiment according to the invention comprises a large area light emitting diode (LED) that emits light at a first wavelength spectrum and includes a conversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Joseph Tarsa, Michael Dunn, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: 8882284
    Abstract: An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and an optical cavity. The optical cavity comprises a phosphor carrier having a conversions material and arranged over an opening to the cavity. The phosphor carrier comprises a thermally conductive transparent material and is thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. An LED based light source is mounted in the optical cavity remote to the phosphor carrier with light from the light source passing through the phosphor carrier. A diffuser dome is included that is mounted over the optical cavity, with light from the optical cavity passing through the diffuser dome. The properties of the diffuser, such as geometry, scattering properties of the scattering layer, surface roughness or smoothness, and spatial distribution of the scattering layer properties may be used to control various lamp properties such as color uniformity and light intensity distribution as a function of viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Le Toquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Patent number: 8878219
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating light emitting diode (LED) chips one of which comprises flip-chip mounting a plurality of LEDs on a surface of a submount wafer and forming a coating over said LEDs. The coating comprising a conversion material at least partially covering the LEDs. The coating is planarized to the desired thickness with the coating being continuous and unobstructed on the top surface of the LEDs. The LEDs chips are then singulated from the submount wafer. An LED chip comprising a lateral geometry LED having first and second contacts, with the LED flip-chip mounted to a submount by a conductive bonding material. A phosphor loaded binder coats and at least partially covers the LED. The binder provides a substantially continuous and unobstructed coating over the LED. The phosphor within the coating absorbs and converts the wavelength of at least some of the LED light with the coating planarized to achieve the desired emission color point of the LED chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashay Chitnis, James Ibbetson, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: 8866169
    Abstract: A light emitter package having increased feature sizes for improved luminous flux and efficacy. An emitter chip is disposed on a submount with a lens that covers the emitter chip. In some cases, the ratio of the width of the light emitter chip to the width of said lens in a given direction is 0.5 or greater. Increased feature sizes allow the package to emit light more efficiently. Some packages include submounts having square dimensions greater than 3.5 mm used in conjunction with larger emitter chips. Materials having higher thermal conductivities are used to fabricate the submounts, providing the package with better thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Emerson, Brian Collins, Michael Bergmann, John Edmond, Eric Tarsa, Peter Andrews, Bernd Keller, Christopher Hussell, Amber Salter
  • Patent number: 8847257
    Abstract: A submount for a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cavity therein configured to receive the light emitting device. A first bond pad is positioned in the cavity to couple to a first node of a light emitting device received in the cavity. A second bond pad is positioned in the cavity to couple to a second node of a light emitting device positioned therein. Light emitting devices including a solid wavelength conversion member and methods for forming the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Peter Andrews, Gerald H. Negley, Norbert Hiller
  • Patent number: 8829546
    Abstract: A solid state light emitting device comprising an emitter structure having an active region of semiconductor material and a pair of oppositely doped layers of semiconductor material on opposite sides of the active region. The active region emits light at a predetermined wavelength in response to an electrical bias across the doped layers. An absorption layer of semiconductor material is included that is integral to said emitter structure and doped with at least one rare earth or transition element. The absorption layer absorbs at least some of the light emitted from the active region and re-emits at least one different wavelength of light. A substrate is included with the emitter structure and absorption layer disposed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. DenBaars, Eric J. Tarsa, Michael Mack, Bernd Keller, Brian Thibeault, Adam W. Saxler
  • Publication number: 20140183584
    Abstract: LED lamps or bulbs are disclosed that comprise a light source, a heat sink structure and a remote phosphor carrier having at least one conversion material. The phosphor carrier can be remote to the light sources and mounted to the heat sink. The phosphor carrier can have a three-dimensional shape and comprise a thermally conductive transparent material and a phosphor layer, with an LED based light source mounted to the heat sink such that light passes through the phosphor carrier. The phosphor carrier converts at least some of the LED light, with some embodiments emitting a white light combination of LED and phosphor light. The phosphors in the phosphor carriers can operate at a lower temperature to have greater phosphor conversion efficiency and reduced heat related damage. The lamps or bulbs can also comprise a diffuser over the phosphor carrier to distribute light and conceal the phosphor carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Le Toquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa
  • Patent number: 8735920
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) package comprising a substrate with an LED chip mounted to the substrate and in electrical contact with it. An inner material covers the LED chip, and a lens covers the inner material with the lens material being harder than the inner material. An adhesive is arranged between the substrate and the lens to hold the lens to the substrate and to compensate for different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the lens and the remainder of the package. A method for forming an LED package comprises providing a substrate with a first meniscus ring on a surface of the substrate. An LED chip is mounted to the substrate, within the meniscus ring. An inner material is deposited over the LED chip, and a lens material in liquid form is deposited over the inner material. The lens material held in a hemispheric shape by the first meniscus feature and the lens material is cured making it harder than the inner material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ibbetson, Eric Tarsa, Michael Leung, Maryanne Becerra, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: 8698171
    Abstract: An LED component comprising an array of LED chips mounted on a planar surface of a submount with the LED chips capable of emitting light in response to an electrical signal. The LED chips comprise respective groups emitting at different colors of light, with each of the groups interconnected in a series circuit. A lens is included over the LED chips. Other embodiments can comprise thermal spreading structures included integral to the submount and arranged to dissipate heat from the LED chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Yuan, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Eric Tarsa, Gerald Negley
  • Patent number: 8692277
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes include a diode region comprising a gallium nitride-based n-type layer, an active region and a gallium nitride-based p-type layer. A substrate is provided on the gallium nitride-based n-type layer and optically matched to the diode region. The substrate has a first face remote from the gallium nitride-based n-type layer, a second face adjacent the gallium nitride-based n-type layer and a sidewall therebetween. At least a portion of the sidewall is beveled, so as to extend oblique to the first and second faces. A reflector may be provided on the gallium nitride-based p-type layer opposite the substrate. Moreover, the diode region may be wider than the second face of the substrate and may include a mesa remote from the first face that is narrower than the first face and the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Robert C. Glass, Charles M. Swoboda, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Brian Thibeault, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Patent number: 8684436
    Abstract: Intermediate product combinations for internal trim parts of a vehicle are provided herein. In one example, an intermediate product combination comprises a base part having an installation point in which a through-opening is formed for receiving an installation means with which an attachment part can be clamped to the base part on a surface of the base part (30). The edge region of the through-opening in the base part is provided with a shoulder, which surrounds the through-opening and projects from the surface on which the base part can be installed at the edge region of the through-opening, so that the attachment part can be supported by the shoulder when the attachment part is installed on the base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH, Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Bernd Keller, Dominique Desgranges
  • Patent number: 8680556
    Abstract: A high efficiency light emitting diode with a composite high reflectivity layer integral to said LED or package to improve emission efficiency. One embodiment of a light emitting diode (LED) chip comprises a LED and a composite high reflectivity layer integral to the LED to reflect light emitted from the active region. One embodiment of a LED package comprises a LED mounted on a substrate with an encapsulant over said LED and a composite high reflectivity layer arranged to reflect emitted light. The composite layer comprises a plurality of layers such that at least one of said plurality of layers has an index of refraction lower than the encapsulant and a reflective layer on a side of said plurality of layers opposite the LED. In some embodiments, conductive vias are included through the composite layer to allow an electrical signal to pass through the layer to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ibbetson, Ting Li, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: D700584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandan Bhat, Theodore Douglas Lowes, Bernd Keller
  • Patent number: D711840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin
  • Patent number: D718258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin, Christopher P. Hussell
  • Patent number: D725613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin