Patents by Inventor Gerald H. Negley

Gerald H. Negley 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: 20170194298
    Abstract: A light emitter, comprising a monolithic n-type layer (comprising at least first and second n-type regions), a monolithic p-type layer (comprising at least first and second p-type regions), at least a first isolation region and at least a first electrically conductive via that extends through at least part of the first isolation region. At least part of the first isolation region is between the first n-type region and the second n-type region, and/or least part of the first isolation region is between the first p-type region and the second p-type region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald H. NEGLEY, Antony Paul VAN DE VEN
  • Patent number: 9651239
    Abstract: A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. At least one LED is located in the enclosure and are operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A heat sink comprises a heat dissipating portion having a first part that is located inside of the enclosure and that is thermally coupled to the LED and a second part that is exposed to the ambient environment. The second part comprises a plurality of stems connected to the first part where each stem supports a first overhang that extends over a portion of the enclosure and a second overhang that extends over a portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Bart P. Reier, Curt Progl, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9648673
    Abstract: A lighting device includes at least one first electrically activated emitter, at least one lumiphor support element comprising a lumiphoric material spatially segregated from the first electrically activated emitter and arranged to receive at least a portion of emissions from the first electrically activated emitter, and at least one second electrically activated emitter disposed on or adjacent to the at least one lumiphor support element. First and second electrically activated emitters having different peak wavelengths may be in conductive with first and second device-scale heat sinks, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9576511
    Abstract: A sign comprising a surface having a display, and a plurality of sources of visible light. The sources of visible light are oriented to illuminate at least a portion of the display, and include solid state light emitters and/or luminescent materials. Line segments drawn on a Chromaticity Diagram connecting coordinates of some of the illumination color hues define a shape which encompasses coordinates of the display color hue(s). Also, a sign comprising a surface having a display having a surface area of at least 4 square meters, and at least 100 sources of visible light including solid state light emitters and/or luminescent materials. Also, a sign comprising a white light source and at least one additional source of light. Also, methods of illuminating signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9562677
    Abstract: A lamp comprises an interior space and a base. An enclosure may be connected to the base to enclose the interior space. At least one LED board divides the interior space into a plurality of sectors. An LED is located in each sector in the enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. Light from the LED is reflected by a wall of the sector to create a reflected light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Matthew C. Reynolds, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20170028215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for phototherapeutic modulation of nitric oxide in mammalian tissue include use of a first wavelength and first radiant flux of light to stimulate enzymatic generation of nitric oxide, and use of a second wavelength and second radiant flux of light to stimulate release of nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide. Pulsed light and/or partially non-overlapping light impingement windows may be used. Non-coherent light impinged on tissue may include a peak wavelength in a range of from 410 nm to 440 nm in the absence of light emissions having a peak wavelength of from 600 nm to 900 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Katelyn P. Reighard, Gerald H. Negley, Nathan Stasko
  • Publication number: 20170028214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for phototherapeutic modulation of nitric oxide in mammalian tissue include use of a first wavelength and first radiant flux of light to stimulate enzymatic generation of nitric oxide, and use of a second wavelength and second radiant flux of light to stimulate release of nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide. Pulsed light and/or partially non-overlapping light impingement windows may be used. Non-coherent light impinged on tissue may include a peak wavelength in a range of from 410 nm to 440 nm in the absence of light emissions having a peak wavelength of from 600 nm to 900 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan Stasko, Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Gerald H. Negley, Katelyn P. Reighard
  • Publication number: 20170028216
    Abstract: Modulated light therapy devices for treatment of dermatological disorders of the scalp are provided. An exemplary device includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) supporting at least one light emitting device having an emitter height. The FPCB includes multiple interconnected panels and bending regions defined in and between at least some of the interconnected panels as to allow the FPCB to be configured in a concave shape to cover at least a portion of a cranial vertex of the patient. At least one light-transmissive layer proximate to the FPCB is configured to transmit (e.g., incoherent) light emissions generated by at least one light emitting device. At least one standoff is configured to be arranged between the FPCB and the scalp of the patient, wherein the at least one standoff includes a standoff height that exceeds the emitter height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Gerald H. Negley, Matthew Carl Reynolds, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20170016583
    Abstract: An LED lamp with a high color rendering index (CRI) is disclosed. Example embodiments of the invention provide an LED lamp with a relatively high color rendering index (CRI). In some embodiments, the lamp has other advantageous characteristics, such as good angular uniformity. In some embodiments, the LED lamp is sized and shaped as a replacement for a standard incandescent bulb, and includes an LED assembly with at least first and second LEDs operable to emit light of two different colors. In some embodiments, the lamp can emit light with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 90 without remote wavelength conversion. In some embodiments, the LED lamp conforms some, most, or all of the product requirements for a 60-watt incandescent replacement for the L prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Antony Paul van de Ven, Gerald H. Negley, Dong Lu
  • Publication number: 20160363269
    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: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    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: 9491828
    Abstract: Lighting devices comprising first, second and third strings of solid state lighting devices. One aspect further comprises means for supplying first fixed current through the first string, means for supplying second fixed current through the second string, and means for supplying current through the third string. In a second aspect, the first and second strings emit light within a specific area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram, and the third string emits light of dominant wavelength 600-640 nm. A third aspect further comprises a power line and a power supply configured to supply a first and second fixed currents through the first and second strings, respectively, and supply a current to the third string. A method of making a lighting device, comprising measuring color output, adjusting current to first, second and/or third strings, and permanently setting currents to the first and second strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Antony Paul Van De Ven, Kenneth R. Byrd, Peter J. Myers, Michael Harris
  • Patent number: 9482421
    Abstract: A lamp with an LED array is disclosed. The centralized nature of the LEDs allows the LEDs to be configured in a filament-like way using a supporting power structure, near the central portion of the optical envelope of the lamp. In example embodiments, the LEDs are cooled by a fluid medium to enable the LEDs to maintain appropriate mechanical stability and operating temperature. In some embodiments, the lamp operates at a power of at least 5 watts. Since the LED array can be centralized to form a filament-like structure, the light pattern from the lamp is not adversely affected by the presence of a heat sink or mechanical supporting parts. In some embodiments, phosphor is used provide wavelength conversion. The phosphor can be suspended within the optically transmissive fluid medium, placed remotely in the lamp structure, or applied to un-encapsulated LED die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Praneet Athalye, Thomas G. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9458971
    Abstract: An LED lamp with a high color rendering index (CRI) is disclosed. Example embodiments of the invention provide an LED lamp with a relatively high color rendering index (CRI). In some embodiments, the lamp has other advantageous characteristics, such as good angular uniformity. In some embodiments, the LED lamp is sized and shaped as a replacement for a standard incandescent bulb, and includes an LED assembly with at least first and second LEDs operable to emit light of two different colors. In some embodiments, the lamp can emit light with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 90 without remote wavelength conversion. In some embodiments, the LED lamp conforms some, most, or all of the product requirements for a 60-watt incandescent replacement for the L prize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul van de Ven, Gerald H. Negley, Dong Lu
  • Patent number: 9441793
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device that comprises at least one 600-630 nm solid state light emitter and at least one light source emitting light within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram defined by a first set of points having x, y coordinates of (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), (0.36, 0.38), or a second set of points having x, y coordinates of (0.29, 0.36), (0.32, 0.35), (0.41, 0.43), (0.44, 0.49), (0.38, 0.53). Some embodiments further comprise at least a first power line. Also provided are methods that comprise illuminating at least one light source to emit light within one of the areas defined above, and illuminating at least one 600-630 nm emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9417478
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising first and second groups of solid state light emitters, which emit light having peak wavelength in ranges of from 430 nm to 480 nm and from 600 nm to 630 nm, respectively, and a first group of lumiphors which emit light having dominant wavelength in the range of from 555 nm to 585 nm. In some embodiments, if current is supplied to a power line, a combination of (1) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of emitters, and (2) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of lumiphors would, in an absence of any additional light, produce a sub-mixture of light having x, y color coordinates within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram defined by points having coordinates (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.48), (0.43, 0.45), (0.42, 0.42), (0.36, 0.38). Also provided is a method of lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 9410687
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9406850
    Abstract: A substrate including phosphor is remotely illuminated by an LED. Optical radiation that emerges through the substrate is measured. Portions of the substrate, such as raised features on the substrate, are then selectively removed responsive to the measuring, so as to obtain a desired optical radiation. In removing portions of the substrate, holes may be drilled through the substrate to provide a separate path for light from the LED that does not pass through the phosphor. Alternatively, a separate LED may be provided outside the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald H. Negley
  • Publication number: 20160208989
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising first and second groups of solid state light emitters, which emit light having peak wavelength in ranges of from 430 nm to 480 nm, and first and second groups of lumiphors which emit light having dominant wavelength in the range of from 555 nm to 585 nm. In some embodiments, if current is supplied to a power line, a combination of (1) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of emitters, and (2) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of lumiphors would have a correlated color temperature which differs by at least 50 K from a correlated color temperature which would be emitted by a combination of (3) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the second group of emitters, and (4) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the second group of lumiphors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Antony Paul VAN DE VEN, Gerald H. NEGLEY
  • Patent number: 9398654
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a first substrate including a switching circuit, the switching circuit including a first port, a second port and a current control circuit configured to generate a current at the second port of the current control circuit responsive to a varying voltage at the first port. The apparatus further includes a second substrate mounted on the first substrate and including at least two LEDs electrically coupled to the second port of the current control circuit of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony P. van de Ven, Gerald H. Negley, Terry Given
  • Patent number: 9395074
    Abstract: A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base defining a longitudinal axis of the lamp extending from the base to the free end of the enclosure. A heat sink is at least partially located in the enclosure and includes a tower that extends along the longitudinal axis of the lamp. An LED assembly is positioned in the optically transmissive enclosure. The LED assembly comprises a lead frame circuit or a flex circuit where LEDs are attached to the circuits. The lead frame and flex circuit are formed into a three-dimensional shape and are thermally coupled to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: 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, Ed Adams