Patents by Inventor Curt Progl

Curt Progl 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).

  • Publication number: 20250075868
    Abstract: In one aspect, optical elements and luminaires employing optical elements are described herein. In some embodiments, an optical element comprises a planar light transmissive body comprising a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the input surface, and light redirection features arranged over the light input surface and the light output surface, the light redirection features comprising refractive facets, reflective facets, facets supporting total internal reflection within the planar light transmissive body, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Publication number: 20250006491
    Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) materials including SiC wafers and SiC boules and related methods are disclosed that provide large dimension SiC wafers with reduced crystallographic stress. Growth conditions for SiC materials include maintaining a generally convex growth surface of SiC crystals, adjusting differences in front-side to back-side thermal profiles of growing SiC crystals, supplying sufficient source flux to allow commercially viable growth rates for SiC crystals, and reducing the inclusion of contaminants or non-SiC particles in SiC source materials and corresponding SiC crystals. By forming larger dimension SiC crystals that exhibit lower crystallographic stress, overall dislocation densities that are associated with missing or additional planes of atoms may be reduced, thereby improving crystal quality and usable SiC crystal growth heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Yuri Khlebnikov, Varad R. Sakhalkar, Caleb A. Kent, Valeri F. Tsvetkov, Michael J. Paisley, Oleksandr Kramarenko, Matthew David Conrad, Eugene Deyneka, Steven Griffiths, Simon Bubel, Adrian R. Powell, Robert Tyler Leonard, Elif Balkas, Curt Progl, Michael Fusco, Alexander Shveyd, Kathy Doverspike, Lukas Nattermann
  • Patent number: 12152756
    Abstract: Lighting devices having optical waveguides for controlled light distribution are provided. A lighting device includes a housing, a light emitter disposed in the housing, and a waveguide at least partially disposed in an opening of the housing. The waveguide includes a light input surface defining coupling features, wherein the light emitter is disposed adjacent the light input surface and emits light into the coupling features. The waveguide further includes a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and a light extraction portion, wherein light from the light emitter received at the light input surface propagates through the light transmission portion toward the light extraction portion. The waveguide further includes the light extraction portion, which comprises at least one light redirection feature and at least one light extraction feature that cooperate to generate a controlled light pattern exiting the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: CREE LIGHTING USA LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: 12125701
    Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) materials including SiC wafers and SiC boules and related methods are disclosed that provide large dimension SiC wafers with reduced crystallographic stress. Growth conditions for SiC materials include maintaining a generally convex growth surface of SiC crystals, adjusting differences in front-side to back-side thermal profiles of growing SiC crystals, supplying sufficient source flux to allow commercially viable growth rates for SiC crystals, and reducing the inclusion of contaminants or non-SiC particles in SiC source materials and corresponding SiC crystals. By forming larger dimension SiC crystals that exhibit lower crystallographic stress, overall dislocation densities that are associated with missing or additional planes of atoms may be reduced, thereby improving crystal quality and usable SiC crystal growth heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Wolfspeed, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Khlebnikov, Varad R. Sakhalkar, Caleb A. Kent, Valeri F. Tsvetkov, Michael J. Paisley, Oleksandr Kramarenko, Matthew David Conrad, Eugene Deyneka, Steven Griffiths, Simon Bubel, Adrian R. Powell, Robert Tyler Leonard, Elif Balkas, Curt Progl, Michael Fusco, Alexander Shveyd, Kathy Doverspike, Lukas Nattermann
  • Publication number: 20230417382
    Abstract: Lighting devices having optical waveguides for controlled light distribution are provided. A lighting device includes a housing, a light emitter disposed in the housing, and a waveguide at least partially disposed in an opening of the housing. The waveguide includes a light input surface defining coupling features, wherein the light emitter is disposed adjacent the light input surface and emits light into the coupling features. The waveguide further includes a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and a light extraction portion, wherein light from the light emitter received at the light input surface propagates through the light transmission portion toward the light extraction portion. The waveguide further includes the light extraction portion, which comprises at least one light redirection feature and at least one light extraction feature that cooperate to generate a controlled light pattern exiting the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: 11655950
    Abstract: Lighting devices having optical waveguides for controlled light distribution are provided. A lighting device includes a housing, a light emitter disposed in the housing, and a waveguide at least partially disposed in an opening of the housing. The waveguide includes a light input surface defining coupling features, wherein the light emitter is disposed adjacent the light input surface and emits light into the coupling features. The waveguide further includes a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and a light extraction portion, wherein light from the light emitter received at the light input surface propagates through the light transmission portion toward the light extraction portion. The waveguide further includes the light extraction portion, which comprises at least one light redirection feature and at least one light extraction feature that cooperate to generate a controlled light pattern exiting the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: 11408572
    Abstract: A lighting device comprises a body of optically transmissive material exhibiting a total internal reflection characteristic, the body further comprising a light input surface for receiving light, a light extraction portion spaced from the light input surface, a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and the light extraction portion, and at least one light deflection surface for deflecting light toward the light extraction portion. Further in accordance with this aspect the light extraction portion comprises a first extraction surface for extracting light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body and a second extraction surface for extracting light other than light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING LLC
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Kurt Wilcox, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Publication number: 20220189768
    Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) materials including SiC wafers and SiC boules and related methods are disclosed that provide large dimension SiC wafers with reduced crystallographic stress. Growth conditions for SiC materials include maintaining a generally convex growth surface of SiC crystals, adjusting differences in front-side to back-side thermal profiles of growing SiC crystals, supplying sufficient source flux to allow commercially viable growth rates for SiC crystals, and reducing the inclusion of contaminants or non-SiC particles in SiC source materials and corresponding SiC crystals. By forming larger dimension SiC crystals that exhibit lower crystallographic stress, overall dislocation densities that are associated with missing or additional planes of atoms may be reduced, thereby improving crystal quality and usable SiC crystal growth heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Yuri Khlebnikov, Varad R. Sakhalkar, Caleb A. Kent, Valeri F. Tsvetkov, Michael J. Paisley, Oleksandr Kramarenko, Matthew David Conrad, Eugene Deyneka, Steven Griffiths, Simon Bubel, Adrian R. Powell, Robert Tyler Leonard, Elif Balkas, Curt Progl, Michael Fusco, Alexander Shveyd, Kathy Doverspike, Lukas Nattermann
  • Publication number: 20220170603
    Abstract: Lighting devices having optical waveguides for controlled light distribution are provided. A lighting device includes a housing, a light emitter disposed in the housing, and a waveguide at least partially disposed in an opening of the housing. The waveguide includes a light input surface defining coupling features, wherein the light emitter is disposed adjacent the light input surface and emits light into the coupling features. The waveguide further includes a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and a light extraction portion, wherein light from the light emitter received at the light input surface propagates through the light transmission portion toward the light extraction portion. The waveguide further includes the light extraction portion, which comprises at least one light redirection feature and at least one light extraction feature that cooperate to generate a controlled light pattern exiting the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Rick Rothenberger, Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: 11079079
    Abstract: A light fixture with a troffer design. The light fixture includes a housing, LED assembly, and lens assembly. An inner lens can be positioned over the LED assembly to control the distribution of light. A reflector can be positioned over the LED assembly instead of the inner lens to control the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, Kurt Wilcox, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20200408368
    Abstract: A light fixture with a troffer design. The light fixture includes a housing, LED assembly, and lens assembly. An inner lens can be positioned over the LED assembly to control the distribution of light. A reflector can be positioned over the LED assembly instead of the inner lens to control the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, Kurt Wilcox, Curt Progl
  • Patent number: 10794572
    Abstract: A troffer light fixture has a housing with a LED assembly positioned in the housing. The LED assembly includes at least one LED array comprising LEDs of at least two different colors. The LED assembly includes a first LED array having a first LED on a first string and a second LED on a second string and a second LED array having a third LED on a third string and fourth LED on a fourth string. A wide lens covers the LED array. A reflector assembly has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface reflecting light from the at least one LED array laterally across the width of the wide lens. Alternatively, the LED array may be approximately one-half the width of the wide lens and the reflector may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Kurt Wilcox, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20200088387
    Abstract: A troffer light fixture has a housing with a LED assembly positioned in the housing. The LED assembly includes at least one LED array comprising LEDs of at least two different colors. The LED assembly includes a first LED array having a first LED on a first string and a second LED on a second string and a second LED array having a third LED on a third string and fourth LED on a fourth string. A wide lens covers the LED array. A reflector assembly has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface reflecting light from the at least one LED array laterally across the width of the wide lens. Alternatively, the LED array may be approximately one-half the width of the wide lens and the reflector may be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Kurt Wilcox, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, Curt Progl
  • Patent number: 10508794
    Abstract: A troffer light fixture has a housing with a LED assembly positioned in the housing. The LED assembly includes at least one LED array comprising LEDs of at least two different colors. The LED assembly includes a first LED array having a first LED on a first string and a second LED on a second string and a second LED array having a third LED on a third string and fourth LED on a fourth string. A wide lens covers the LED array. A reflector assembly has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface reflecting light from the at least one LED array laterally across the width of the wide lens. Alternatively, the LED array may be approximately one-half the width of the wide lens and the reflector may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Kurt Wilcox, Mark Boomgaarden, Randall Levy Bernard, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20190250324
    Abstract: A lighting device comprises a body of optically transmissive material exhibiting a total internal reflection characteristic, the body further comprising a light input surface for receiving light, a light extraction portion spaced from the light input surface, a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and the light extraction portion, and at least one light deflection surface for deflecting light toward the light extraction portion. Further in accordance with this aspect the light extraction portion comprises a first extraction surface for extracting light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body and a second extraction surface for extracting light other than light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Kurt Wilcox, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: 10378749
    Abstract: A lighting device, comprising a shield element and at least a first light source, the first light source within a space defined by portions of the shield element, the shield element comprising at least one vent, the shield element blocking the first light source from direct view from locations outside the shield element. Also, a lighting device, comprising a shield element and at least a first light source, the shield element comprising regions that define an opening, the first light source within a space defined by portions of the shield element and the opening. Also, a shield element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventor: Curt Progl
  • Patent number: 10317608
    Abstract: A lighting device comprises a body of optically transmissive material exhibiting a total internal reflection characteristic, the body further comprising a light input surface for receiving light, a light extraction portion spaced from the light input surface, a light transmission portion disposed between the light input surface and the light extraction portion, and at least one light deflection surface for deflecting light toward the light extraction portion. Further in accordance with this aspect the light extraction portion comprises a first extraction surface for extracting light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body and a second extraction surface for extracting light other than light deflected by the at least one light deflection surface out of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Curt Progl, Kurt Wilcox, Steve Wilcenski, Zongjie Yuan
  • Patent number: RE48489
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lamp comprises an optically transmissive enclosure. An LED array is disposed in the optically transmissive enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical connection. A gas is contained in the enclosure to provide thermal coupling to the LED array. The gas may include oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, John Adam Edmond, Gerald H. Negley, Curt Progl, Mark Edmond, Praneet Athalye, Charles M. Swoboda, Antony Paul van de Ven, Paul Kenneth Pickard, Bart P. Reier, James Michael Lay, Peter E. Lopez
  • Patent number: D927027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Donald Walker, Curt Progl, Randall Levy Bernard
  • Patent number: D1013243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Donald Walker, Curt Progl, Randall Levy Bernard