Patents by Inventor Don May

Don May 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: 20070138978
    Abstract: A light fixture converts source light from one or more solid state light emitting elements to a virtual light source output. An optical element receives and diffuses light from the solid state emitters to form a processed light for the virtual source output. The optical element forms light that is relatively uniform, for example having a substantially Lambertian distribution and/or having a maximum-to-minimum intensity ratio of 2 to 1 or less over the optical area of the virtual source. In the examples, the diffuse optical processing element comprises a cavity having at least one diffusely reflective surface, and the emitting elements supply light into the cavity at locations that result in reflection and diffusion before emission through an aperture of the cavity. The aperture or a downstream processing element appears as the virtual source of the processed light from the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Jack Rains, Don May, David Ramer
  • Publication number: 20070051883
    Abstract: A light fixture, using one or more solid state light emitting elements, provides an unpixelated light output. An optical element receives and diffuses light from the solid state emitters to form a processed light for output via an optical output area of the fixture. The optical element forms light that is relatively uniform, for example having a substantially Lambertian distribution and/or having a maximum-to-minimum intensity ratio of 2 to 1 or less over the optical output area. In the examples, the optical element comprises a cavity having at least one diffusely reflective surface, and the emitting elements supply light into the cavity at locations not visible through an aperture of the cavity that forms the optical output area. Hence, light from the emitting element(s) is diffusely reflected one or more times within the cavity before emission as part of the uniform light output through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jack Rains, Don May, David Ramer
  • Publication number: 20070045524
    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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Jack Rains, Don May, David Ramer
  • Publication number: 20060081773
    Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the cavity. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the radiant energy output through the aperture. A variety of different elements may optically process the combined light output, such a deflector, a variable iris, a lens, a variable focusing lens system, a collimator, a holographic diffuser and combinations thereof. Such systems are useful in various luminous applications as well as various illumination applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Optical Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Rains, Don May, David Ramer
  • Publication number: 20050161586
    Abstract: A system to provide radiant energy of selectable spectral characteristic (e.g. a selectable color combination of light) uses an optical integrating cavity to combine energy of different wavelengths from different sources. Sources of radiant energy of different wavelengths, typically different-color LEDs, supply radiant energy into the interior of the cavity. The cavity has a diffusely reflective interior surface and an aperture for allowing emission of combined radiant energy. Control of the intensity of emission of the sources sets the amount of each wavelength of energy in the combined output and thus determines a spectral characteristic of the radiant energy output through the aperture. A variety of different elements may optically process the combined light output, such a deflector, a variable iris, a lens, a variable focusing lens system, a collimator, a holographic diffuser and combinations thereof. Such systems are useful in various luminous applications as well as various illumination applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Jack Rains, Don May, David Ramer
  • Patent number: 6206406
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that will adequately and efficiently dispense a substance, such as fertilizer, repellent, which is removably secured to a conventional tractor to allow for adequate traveling thereof. The present invention includes a frame member and a trailer. The frame member includes a first portion or first boom and a second portion or second boom that are pivotally mounted to the trailer via a pivoting mechanism. Each portion or boom operates is designed and configured to operate independently and travels transversely from the conventional tractor to enable utilization and includes a truss configuration. These booms can be raised or lowered by way of a height adjusting mechanism. In addition, the portions or booms can also be relocated centrally and rearwardly with respect to the tractor for rendering a more compact unit which will provide an easy method for transporting the apparatus from field to field, from field to barn, barn to field, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Brad May, Don May, Jr., Fount May, Jr., Fred B. May, John Lawson Taylor, II