Patents by Inventor John Durkee

John Durkee 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).

  • Patent number: 10203103
    Abstract: In one aspect, luminaires are described herein enabling independent thermal management of driver and LED assemblies. For example, a luminaire comprises a driver assembly vertically integrated with a LED assembly, the driver assembly comprising a driver heatsink having an interior in which a circuit board assembly is positioned, and the LED assembly comprising an array of LEDs and LED heatsink, wherein a barrier is positioned between the driver heatsink and the LED heatsink, separating convective cooling of the driver assembly from convective cooling of the LED assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bendtsen, Kurt Wilcox, Boris Karpichev, John Durkee, John Roberts, David Goelz, Douglas E. Keiter, Randy Bernard
  • Publication number: 20170227208
    Abstract: In one aspect, luminaires are described herein enabling independent thermal management of driver and LED assemblies. For example, a luminaire comprises a driver assembly vertically integrated with a LED assembly, the driver assembly comprising a driver heatsink having an interior in which a circuit board assembly is positioned, and the LED assembly comprising an array of LEDs and LED heatsink, wherein a barrier is positioned between the driver heatsink and the LED heatsink, separating convective cooling of the driver assembly from convective cooling of the LED assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew BENDTSEN, Kurt WILCOX, Boris KARPICHEV, John DURKEE, John ROBERTS, David GOELZ, Douglas E. Keiter, Randy Bernard
  • Patent number: 9488329
    Abstract: A light fixture with a textured reflector surface is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide for a lighting system in which LEDs face, and the majority of light form the LED light source is incident on, a textured surface of a back reflector while producing minimal glare and minimal imaging of the light source. Such a reflector may be referred to as a retro-reflector. The reflector for the light fixture can be made from a relatively inexpensive material such as polycarbonate, which without texturing has a specular or semi-specular surface. This material can be used alone or with a metal substrate to form the reflector. The textured surface can be textured by way of an imprinted pattern or by roughening, and can be extruded. A prismatic texture may be used. The texturing can also be spatially varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Paul Kenneth Pickard, John Durkee
  • Patent number: 9482396
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to light engines for use in lighting fixtures, such as troffer-style lighting fixtures. Light engines according to the present disclosure have integrated features that eliminate the need for additional components such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a heat sink, a cover portion, a lens and/or a reflective element. Devices according to this disclosure can comprise a rigid body, conductive elements arranged into electrical pathways and light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Devices according to this disclosure can further comprise integrated cover, lens and/or reflective element features. Methods for the manufacture of such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Edward Dixon, John Durkee, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Paul Kenneth Pickard, Antony Van De Ven
  • Patent number: 9476566
    Abstract: A light fixture with a textured reflector is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide for a lighting system in which LEDs face, and the majority of light form the LED light source is incident on, a textured back reflector while producing minimal glare and minimal imaging of the light source. Such a reflector may be referred to as a retro-reflector. The reflector for the light fixture can be made from a relatively inexpensive material such as polycarbonate, which without texturing has a specular or semi-specular surface. Further, a diffuse white layer to provide color mixing or prevent glare and reflections is not needed. The textured reflector can be textured by way of an imprinted pattern or by roughening, and can be extruded. A prismatic texture may be used. The texturing can also be spatially varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Lu, Nick Hoang Nguyen, John Durkee
  • Patent number: 9423104
    Abstract: The fixture includes an elongated back reflector along the longitudinal direction of the fixture and at least one light source mounted to a heat sink structure and arranged to emit at least a portion of light toward the back reflector. The back reflector redirects at least a portion of the light toward an exit lens which interacts with the light as it is emitted from the fixture. Both the shape of the individual fixture elements (e.g., the back reflector and the exit lens) and the arrangement of these elements provide an asymmetrical light output distribution. Various mount mechanisms may be used to attach the fixture to a surface such as a ceiling or a wall, or the fixture may be suspended from a in a pendant configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John Durkee, Dong Lu, Paul Kenneth Pickard, William Laird Dungan, Gary David Trott
  • Patent number: 9291320
    Abstract: A dropped-ceiling lighting system having a reflector positioned in an opening in a grid used to suspend a dropped ceiling, a lighting device including a light source mounted adjacent to the reflector, a structural support securing the lighting device to the grid, and a power source for the lighting device. Also discloses is a dropped-ceiling lighting system comprised of a reflector attached to a plenum barrier positioned in an opening in a grid used to suspend a dropped ceiling, a power source extends from a first edge of the plenum barrier to a second edge of the plenum barrier, and a light source is mounted to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: John Durkee
  • Patent number: 9291316
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to light engines for use in lighting fixtures, such as troffer-style lighting fixtures. Light engines according to the present disclosure have integrated features that eliminate the need for additional components such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a heat sink, a cover portion, a lens and/or a reflective element. Devices according to this disclosure can comprise a rigid body, conductive elements arranged into electrical pathways and light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Devices according to this disclosure can further comprise integrated cover, lens and/or reflective element features. Methods for the manufacture of such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Edward Dixon, John Durkee, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Paul Kenneth Pickard, Antony Van De Ven
  • Patent number: 8905575
    Abstract: An indirect troffer-style lighting fixture that is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources. An elongated heat sink with a mount surface for light sources runs longitudinally along the fixture. To facilitate heat dissipation, a portion of the heat sink is exposed to the ambient room environment. An elongated specular reflector also runs along the device proximate to the heat sink. The heat sink and the specular reflector are mounted such that a spatial relationship is maintained. Some of the light from the sources impinges directly on the specular reflector and is redirected towards a back surface. The back surface defines a luminous surface that receives light directly from the sources and redirected light from the specular reflector. The back surface and the heat sink mechanically obscure any images of the light sources in the specular reflector such that they are not visible in a viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Durkee, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Publication number: 20140268721
    Abstract: A linear solid state lighting fixture with asymmetric distribution. The fixture comprises an elongated back reflector along the longitudinal direction of the fixture. At least one light source is arranged to emit toward the back reflector. The source(s) are mounted to a heat sink structure such that at least a portion of light emitted from the source(s) first impinges on the back reflector which redirects at least a portion of the light toward an exit lens. The exit lens interacts with the light as it is emitted from the fixture. Both the shape of the individual fixture elements (e.g., the back reflector and the exit lens) and the arrangement of these elements provide an asymmetrical light output distribution. Various mount mechanisms may be used to attach the fixture to a surface such as a ceiling or a wall, or the fixture may be suspended from a in a pendant configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: John Durkee, Dong Lu, Paul Kenneth Pickard, William Laird Dungan, Gary David Trott
  • Publication number: 20140211496
    Abstract: A dropped-ceiling lighting system having a reflector positioned in an opening in a grid used to suspend a dropped ceiling, a lighting device including a light source mounted adjacent to the reflector, a structural support securing the lighting device to the grid, and a power source for the lighting device. Also discloses is a dropped-ceiling lighting system comprised of a reflector attached to a plenum barrier positioned in an opening in a grid used to suspend a dropped ceiling, a power source extends from a first edge of the plenum barrier to a second edge of the plenum barrier, and a light source is mounted to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: John Durkee
  • Publication number: 20130208457
    Abstract: An indirect troffer-style lighting fixture that is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources. An elongated heat sink with a mount surface for light sources runs longitudinally along the fixture. To facilitate heat dissipation, a portion of the heat sink is exposed to the ambient room environment. An elongated specular reflector also runs along the device proximate to the heat sink. The heat sink and the specular reflector are mounted such that a spatial relationship is maintained. Some of the light from the sources impinges directly on the specular reflector and is redirected towards a back surface. The back surface defines a luminous surface that receives light directly from the sources and redirected light from the specular reflector. The back surface and the heat sink mechanically obscure any images of the light sources in the specular reflector such that they are not visible in a viewing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: John Durkee, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Publication number: 20130176721
    Abstract: A light fixture with a textured reflector is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide for a lighting system in which LEDs face, and the majority of light form the LED light source is incident on, a textured back reflector while producing minimal glare and minimal imaging of the light source. Such a reflector may be referred to as a retro-reflector. The reflector for the light fixture can be made from a relatively inexpensive material such as polycarbonate, which without texturing has a specular or semi-specular surface. Further, a diffuse white layer to provide color mixing or prevent glare and reflections is not needed. The textured reflector can be textured by way of an imprinted pattern or by roughening, and can be extruded. A prismatic texture may be used. The texturing can also be spatially varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Lu, Nick Hoang Nguyen, John Durkee