Patents by Inventor David P. Ramer

David P. Ramer 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: 20120313130
    Abstract: A solid state white light emitting device includes a semiconductor chip producing near ultraviolet (UV) energy. The device may include a reflector forming and optical integrating cavity. Phosphors, such as doped semiconductor nanophosphors, within the chip packaging of the semiconductor device itself, are excitable by the near UV energy. However the re-emitted light from the phosphors have different spectral characteristics outside the absorption ranges of the phosphors, which reduces or eliminates re-absorption. The emitter produces output light that is at least substantially white and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 75 or higher. The white light output of the emitter may exhibit color temperature in a range along the black body curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Patent number: 8330373
    Abstract: Lighting systems and devices offer dynamic control or tuning of a color characteristic, e.g. color temperature, of white light. The exemplary lighting systems and devices are used for general lighting applications that utilize solid state sources to pump remotely deployed phosphors. Two or more phosphors emit visible light of different visible spectra, and these spectra are somewhat broad, e.g. pastel, so that combinations thereof can approach white light temperatures including points along the black body curve. Independent adjustment of the intensities of electromagnetic energy emitted by the solid state sources adjusts levels of excitations of the phosphors, in order to control a color characteristic of the visible white light output of the lighting system or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8322884
    Abstract: Where a lighting device uses solid state emitters and an optic processes light from the emitters, it may improve efficiency in light extraction from the emitters to have an index of refraction matching material in between emitter output and a surface of solid of the optic that receives emitted light. However, such improved out-coupling or extraction efficiency may cause an overall color shift in the output of the overall lighting device, for example, if improved emitter output reduces internal reflection and associated internal phosphor excitation. To reduce the color shift in the output of the lighting device, the device may have index matching material used in association with one or some of the solid state light emitters but not all of the emitters, so that the combined light output of the device exhibits a desired spectral characteristics, e.g. remains a desirable color of white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8282241
    Abstract: An exemplary general lighting fixture includes an assembly forming an optical integrating volume for receiving and optically integrating light from one or more solid state light emitters and for emitting integrated light. The assembly includes a reflector having a diffusely reflective interior surface defining a substantial portion of a perimeter of the integrating volume. A light transmissive solid fills at least a substantial portion of the optical integrating volume. A light emitter interface region of the solid, for each solid state light emitter, closely conforms to the light emitting region of the respective emitter. A surface of the transmissive solid conforms closely to and is in proximity with the interior surface of the reflector. The transmissive solid also provides a light emission surface, at least a portion of which forms a transmissive optical passage for emission of integrated light, from the volume, in a direction facilitating a general lighting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120241800
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, JR., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8262251
    Abstract: A light fixture, for example a white light fixture for a general lighting application, uses a solid state source and one or more semiconductor nanophosphors dispersed in a gas contained in the fixture. Exemplary sources use one or more LEDs rated for emission of a wavelength in the range of 460 nm and below. Nanophosphors used in the specific examples are doped semiconductor nanophosphors. The gas and semiconductor nanophosphor(s) are remotely deployed, for example, at a remote location in or around a macro optical element (optic) such as a window, a reflector, a diffuser, an optical integrating cavity, etc. of the light fixture. The gas with the doped semiconductor nanophosphor(s) dispersed therein may appear at least substantially clear when the solid state source is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8222584
    Abstract: A light fixture, using one or more solid state light emitting elements utilizes a diffusely reflect chamber to provide a virtual source of uniform output light, at an aperture or at a downstream optical processing element of the system. Systems disclosed herein also include a detector, which detects electromagnetic energy from the area intended to be illuminated by the system, of a wavelength absent from a spectrum of the combined light system output. A system controller is responsive to the signal from the detector. The controller typically may control one or more aspects of operation of the solid state light emitter(s), such as system ON-OFF state or system output intensity or color. Examples are also discussed that use the detection signal for other purposes, e.g. to capture data that may be carried on electromagnetic energy of the wavelength sensed by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., Don F. May, David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8215798
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8217406
    Abstract: A solid state white light emitting device includes a semiconductor chip producing near ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic energy in a range of 380-420 nm, e.g. 405 nm. The device may include a reflector forming and optical integrating cavity. Phosphors, such as doped semiconductor nanophosphors, within the chip packaging of the semiconductor device itself, are excitable by the near UV energy. However the re-emitted light from the phosphors have different spectral characteristics outside the absorption ranges of the phosphors, which reduces or eliminates re-absorption. The emitter produces output light that is at least substantially white and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 75 or higher. The white light output of the emitter may exhibit color temperature in one of the following specific ranges along the black body curve: 2,725±145° Kelvin; 3,045±175° Kelvin; 3,465±245° Kelvin; 3,985±275° Kelvin; 4,503±243° Kelvin; 5,028±283° Kelvin; 5,665±355° Kelvin; and 6,530±510° Kelvin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8212469
    Abstract: A lamp uses a solid state source to pump one or more doped semiconductor nanophosphors to produce a light output of a desired characteristic. The nanophosphor(s) is dispersed in a material, examples of which include liquids and gases. Various nanophosphors are discussed. In the examples, the material with the doped semiconductor nanophosphor(s) dispersed therein appears at least substantially clear when the lamp is off. The exemplary lamp also includes circuitry for driving the solid state source and a housing that at least encloses the drive circuitry. The lamp has a lighting industry standard lamp base mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected to provide electricity to the circuitry for driving the solid state source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8205998
    Abstract: Lighting systems and devices offer dynamic control or tuning of a color characteristic of light. The lighting devices or systems utilize separately controlled sources to pump phosphors. The lighting systems and devices are configured to enable adjustment of intensities of electromagnetic energy emitted by the sources to independently adjust levels of excitations of the phosphors, in order to control a color characteristic of the visible light output of the lighting system or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120155082
    Abstract: The present application relates to a lighting applications. In particular, the present application describes examples of lighting fixtures and light bulbs containing a light transmissive optic. The orientation of the solid state emitters together with the contoured output surface of the light transmissive optic produce a tailored light output distribution over a designated planar surface. The light generated by the solid state light emitters is of a sufficient intensity to illuminate the designated planar surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Patent number: 8201967
    Abstract: For general lighting applications, a semiconductor chip produces near ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic energy in a range of 380-420 nm, e.g. 405 nm. Semiconductor nanophosphors, typically doped semiconductor nanophosphors, are remotely positioned in an optic of a light fixture. Each phosphor is of a type or configuration that when excited by energy in the 380-420 nm range, emits light of a different spectral characteristic. The nanophosphors together produce light in the fixture output that is at least substantially white and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 75 or higher. In some examples, the fixture optic includes an optical integrating cavity. In the examples using doped semiconductor nanophosphors, the visible white light output exhibits a color temperature in one of the following ranges along the black body curve: 2,725±145° Kelvin; 3,045±175° Kelvin; 3,465±245° Kelvin; and 3,985±275° Kelvin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8172424
    Abstract: Disclosed exemplary solid state light fixtures use optical cavities to combine or integrate light from LEDs or the like. In such a fixture, the cavity is formed by a light transmissive structure having a volume, and a diffuse reflector that covers a contoured portion of the structure. A circuit board has flexible tabs mounting the light emitters. A heat sink member supports the circuit board and is contoured relative to the shape of the light transmissive structure so that the tabs bend and the emitters press against a sufficiently rigid periphery of the light transmissive structure. TIM may be compressed between the heat sink member and the opposite surface of each tab. Various contours/angles of the periphery of the light transmissive structure and the mating portion of the heat sink member may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Michael Phipps, Robert M. Becker, Roger T. Hanley, Steven S. Lyons, David P. Ramer, Chad N. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8162498
    Abstract: A solid state lighting device, such as a lamp or light fixture, includes a solid state source and one or more semiconductor nanophosphors dispersed in a light transmissive material in the element. The material is of a type and the nanophosphor(s) are dispersed therein in such a manner that the material bearing the semiconductor nanophosphor(s) is at least substantially color-neutral to the human observer, when the solid state lighting device is off. In some examples, the material appears relatively clear or transparent when the device is off. In other examples, the material appears translucent, e.g. white, when the device is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8128262
    Abstract: The present application relates to a lighting applications. In particular, the present application describes examples of lighting fixtures and light bulbs containing a light transmissive optic. The orientation of the solid state emitters together with the contoured output surface of the light transmissive optic produce a tailored light output distribution over a designated planar surface. The light generated by the solid state light emitters is of a sufficient intensity to illuminate the designated planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8118454
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Publication number: 20120007125
    Abstract: Solid state light emitting devices and/or solid state lighting devices use three or more phosphors excited by energy from a solid state source. The phosphors are selected and included in proportions such that the visible light output of such a device exhibits a radiation spectrum that approximates a black body radiation spectrum for the rated color temperature for the device, over at least a predetermined portion of the visible light spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120008305
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, JR., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8089207
    Abstract: Solid state light emitting devices and/or solid state lighting devices use three or more phosphors excited by energy from a solid state source. The phosphors are selected and included in proportions such that the visible light output of such a device exhibits a radiation spectrum that approximates a black body radiation spectrum for the rated color temperature for the device, over at least a predetermined portion of the visible light spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.