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: 20130271987
    Abstract: A gas cooled LED lamp and submount is disclosed. The centralized nature of the LEDs allows the LEDs to be configured near the central portion of the optical envelope of the lamp. In example embodiments, the LEDs can be cooled and/or cushioned by a gas in thermal communication with the LED array to enable the LEDs to maintain an appropriate operating temperature for efficient operation and long life. In some embodiments, the LED assembly is mounted on a glass stem. In some embodiments a thermal resistant path is created that prevents overtemperature of the LED array during the making of the lamp. In some embodiments the LED assembly comprises a lead frame and/or metal core board that is bent into a three-dimensional shape to create a desired light pattern in the enclosure or an extruded submount formed into a three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, John Adam Edmond, Gerald H. Negley, Curt Progl, Mark Edmond, Praneet Athalye
  • Publication number: 20130271991
    Abstract: A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. A tower extends from the base into the enclosure and supports an LED assembly in the enclosure. The LED assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The tower and the LED assembly are arranged such that the plurality of LEDs are disposed about the periphery of the tower in a band and face outwardly toward the enclosure to create a source of the light that appears as a glowing filament. The tower forms part of a heat sink that transmits heat from the LED assembly to the ambient environment. The LED assembly has a three-dimensional shape. An electrical interconnect connects a conductor to the heat sink where the conductor is in the electrical path between the LED assembly and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    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
  • Publication number: 20130271981
    Abstract: A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. A tower extends from the base into the enclosure and supports an LED assembly in the enclosure. The LED assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The tower and the LED assembly are arranged such that the plurality of LEDs are disposed about the periphery of the tower in a band and face outwardly toward the enclosure to create a source of the light that appears as a glowing filament. The tower forms part of a heat sink that transmits heat from the LED assembly to the ambient environment. The LED assembly has a three-dimensional shape. An electrical interconnect connects a conductor to the heat sink where the conductor is in the electrical path between the LED assembly and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    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
  • Publication number: 20130265750
    Abstract: A lighting device configured to be held relative to a space extending from an opening in a first surface. A distance between first and second emitters and/or a dimension of a lens is/are larger than a largest dimension of the opening and/or a largest dimension of a power supply. Also, a bracket comprising a body member and at least two mounting clips, the body member configured to be attached to a lighting device, each mounting clip pivotable about respective pivot axes at least from a first position, where a first end region of the clip does not extend farther from an axis of the body member than all portions of the body member, to a second position, where the first end region of the clip extends farther from the axis of the body member than all portions of the body member. Also, a lighting device comprising a removable bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Mark D. Edmond, Dong Lu, Curt Progl, Mark Dixon, Spencer Scott Pratt, Nathan R. Snell, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20130201679
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising a junction box, a trim element and a solid state light emitter, at least a portion of a space defined by regions of the trim element within a space defined by regions of the junction box, the light emitter within the trim element space. A lighting device comprising a trim element (with at least two regions) and a solid state light emitter, in which at least a first part of the first region can be positioned in a first space with the second region outside the first space, the light emitter within the first part. A lighting device, comprising a trim element (which comprises at least two regions), part of an exterior of which defines a first space, at least a first part of the first region within the first space, a solid state light emitter within the first part. Methods of installing a light emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth PICKARD, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Mark D. Edmond, Dong Lu, Curt Progl, Mark Dixon
  • Publication number: 20130194796
    Abstract: LED based lamps and bulbs are disclosed that comprise an elevating element to arrange LEDs above the lamp or bulb base. The elevating element can at least partially comprise a thermally conductive material. A heat sink structure is included, with the elevating element thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. A diffuser can be arranged in relation to the LEDs so that at least some light from the LEDs passes through the diffuser and is dispersed into the desired emission pattern. In some lamps and bulbs utilize a heat pipe for the elevating elements, with heat from the LEDs conducting through the heat pipe to the heat sink structure where it can dissipate in the ambient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: CURT PROGL
  • Publication number: 20130193850
    Abstract: A thermal compensating circuit board (TCB) assembly comprising a substrate, the substrate comprising at least one thermal compensating circuit deposited thereon, the substrate devoid of a solid state emitter, and at least one electrical connector coupled to the at least one thermal compensating circuit, the connector configured to couple with a solid state emitter assembly and/or power supply. Lighting devices comprising the TCB assembly are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: RANDY DEMUYNCK, CURT PROGL
  • Publication number: 20130113358
    Abstract: LED based lamps and bulbs are disclosed that comprise an elevating element to arrange. LEDs above the lamp or bulb base. The elevating element can at least partially comprise a thermally conductive material. A heat sink structure is included, with the elevating element thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. A diffuser can be arranged in relation to the LEDs so at least some light from the LEDs passes through the diffuser and is dispersed into the desired emission pattern. Some lamps and bulbs utilize a heat pipe for the elevating elements, with heat from the LEDs conducting through the heat pipe to the heat sink structure where it can dissipate in the ambient. The LED lamps can include other features to aid in thermal management and to produce the desired emission pattern, such as internal optically transmissive and thermally conductive materials, and heat sinks with different heat fin arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: CURT PROGL, Praneet Athalye, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20130016508
    Abstract: A variable thickness globe for a lighting device comprises a wall including a curved outer surface and an inner surface. A thickness of the wall between the curved outer surface and the inner surface varies over a predetermined extent of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: CURT PROGL, MARK DIXON
  • Publication number: 20120327670
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The assembly includes a multilayer FR4 printed circuit board and a metal heat spreader assembled with the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The assembly is configured to mount a plurality of solid state light emitters. The multilayer FR4 printed circuit board defines an aperture and a least a portion of the metal heat spreader is positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The portion of the heat spreader positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board is in communication with heat dissipation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20120268936
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a lighting element comprising at least first and second solid state light emitters, a first heat sink structure with a fold region between first and second heat sink regions, and at least one light emitter on each of the heat sink regions, and methods of making. In some embodiments, a lighting element, comprising plural heat sink regions on respective regions of a flexible circuit board, and plural light emitters on respective regions of the flexible circuit board, and methods of making. In some embodiments, heat sink structures comprising plural heat sink regions and a circuit board with plural regions, and lighting elements comprising them. In some embodiments, a heat sink structure, comprising plural heat sink regions and an internal flow guide structure, and lighting elements comprising same. Also, other lighting elements, lamps and heat sink structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Curt Progl, Joshua N. Gray
  • Publication number: 20120075833
    Abstract: A thermal isolation arrangement for an LED lamp is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide thermal isolation between the power supply and the LED assembly of an LED lamp, in most cases allowing the power supply to operate in a lower temperature range than would otherwise be possible. At least one contact feature is provided between the power supply and the LED assembly to maintain a thermal transfer gap between the power supply and the LED assembly. A contact feature can be, for example, a triangular ridge or a conical protrusion. In some embodiments, a thermal isolation device provides the contact feature or contact features. An LED lamp according to example embodiments of the invention can have a modular design and/or can include an Edison base and/or an optical element or optical elements disposed to emit light from the LED lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Curt Progl
  • Patent number: D647222
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Curt Progl, William L. Dungan
  • Patent number: D676159
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Curt Progl, William L. Dungan
  • Patent number: D687579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Lu, Curt Progl, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: D688391
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaote Huang, Curt Progl
  • Patent number: D687580
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart P. Reier, Curt Progl, Nick Hoang Nguyen, Paul Kenneth Pickard