Patents by Inventor Kurt S. Wilcox

Kurt S. Wilcox 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).

  • LED Packages and Luminaires Incorporating Same
    Publication number: 20160005920
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an LED package comprises a plurality of LEDs and a primary optic disposed adjacent the LEDs wherein the primary optic includes protrusions for mixing light developed by the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Bernd P. Keller, Eric J. Tarsa, Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox
  • Optical Element and Method of Forming an Optical Element
    Publication number: 20150370000
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an optical waveguide comprises a waveguide body exhibiting total internal reflection, a substrate, and a plurality of light extraction features disposed on a surface of the substrate. The light extraction features are non-adhesively bonded to the waveguide body or may be disposed on opposing sides of the substrate. A method of forming an optical element is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Wilcenski, Kurt S. Wilcox, Theodore Lowes
  • Lens with controlled light refraction
    Patent number: 9217854
    Abstract: A lens for distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis and defining an emitter plane. The lens including an emitter-adjacent base end forming an opening to an inner cavity surrounding the emitter. An inner-cavity surface includes an axis-adjacent first inner region configured for refracting emitter light rays away from the axis, a second inner region spaced from the first inner region and configured for refracting emitter light rays toward the axis, and a middle inner region joining and substantially cross-sectionally asymptotical to the first and second inner regions. The middle inner region is positioned with respect to the emitter to refract light away from the axis by progressively lesser amounts at positions progressively closer to the second inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt S. Wilcox
  • LED Luminaire and Components Therefor
    Publication number: 20150345715
    Abstract: An optical member includes a curved portion comprising an optically transmissive material. The enclosure has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. At least one light redirection feature protrudes from the inner surface. At least one indentation defined on the outer surface is configured to refract light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Mario A. Castillo, Kurt S. Wilcox, Andrew Dan Bendtsen, Brian Kinnune, Sandeep Pawar, David P. Goelz
  • Thermal Protection Device
    Publication number: 20150340857
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a thermal protection device is provided having an electrical input for receiving input DC power and an electrical output for connection to a load. A heating circuit is coupled to the electrical input for developing one of first and second different heat magnitudes depending upon a temperature magnitude in the housing. An additional circuit is in thermal communication with the heating circuit for providing output DC power to the electrical output when the first heat magnitude is developed and for interrupting the output DC power when the second heat magnitude is developed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew K. Murhpy, Kurt S. Wilcox, Pierre Deschenes, Craig D. Raleigh
  • Multi-chip light emitter packages and related methods
    Patent number: 9172012
    Abstract: Light emitter packages having multiple light emitter chips, such as light emitting diode (LED) chips, and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a light emitter package can include a ceramic submount. An array of light emitter chips can be disposed over a portion of the submount, and each light emitter chip can include a horizontal chip structure having positive and negative electrical contacts disposed on a same side. The positive and negative electrical contacts can be adapted to electrically communicate to conductive portions of the submount. Light emitter packages can further include a lens overmolded on the submount and covering a portion of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter S. Andrews, Kurt S. Wilcox, Theodore Lowes, Bernd P. Keller
  • LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH REFLECTOR AND OUTER LENS
    Publication number: 20150292714
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided with a first housing assembly formed from a thermally conductive material and a second housing assembly formed of a thermally conductive material. At least one electrical component is positioned within the first housing assembly and the at least one electrical component is in thermally conductive contact with the first housing assembly. At least one light source is in thermally conductive contact with the second housing assembly. The second housing assembly is not in thermally conductive contact with the first housing assembly, such that thermal energy from the first housing assembly does not directly transfer to the second housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Mario A. Castillo, Kurt S. Wilcox, William L. Dungan, Russell S. Schultz, Brian Kinnune
  • Lens with Controlled Backlight Management
    Publication number: 20150285466
    Abstract: A lens for distribution of light predominantly toward a preferential side from a light emitter having an emitter axis. The lens includes an outer surface, a reflecting inner surface and a reflecting back surface. The reflecting inner surface is positioned and configured for total internal reflection (TIR) of received light toward the lens outer surface. The reflecting back surface is positioned and configured for total internal reflection (TIR) of received light toward the preferential side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Christopher Strom
  • MULTIPLE VOLTAGE LIGHT EMITTER PACKAGES, SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20150267906
    Abstract: Light emitter packages, systems, and methods having multiple light emitter chips and operable at multiple voltages are provided. In some aspects, light emitter packages described herein include a submount having a plurality of contact pads and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips disposed over one or more surfaces thereof. The plurality of contact pads are configured to pass electrical current into the plurality of LED chips for allowing the package to be operable in at least two different voltages. The package can be operable at approximately 3 volts (V) or more, approximately 6V or more, approximately 9 V or more, approximately 12V or more, approximately 18 V or more, or approximately 36 V or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Kurt S. Wilcox
  • LED downlight
    Patent number: 9140441
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a substrate, a light emitting diode (LED) array mounted on a first surface of the substrate, and circuit components mounted on the first surface of the substrate and coupled to the LED array wherein the circuit components are adapted to control electrical power applied to the LED array. A heat exchanger is mounted on a second surface of the substrate and a reflector is disposed about the LED array wherein the reflector has a reflection surface that is convex on a first side of an inflection locus and concave on a second side of the inflection locus, and wherein the first side of the inflection locus is proximate the LED array. A diffuser is adjacent the second side of the inflection locus of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Goelz, Bernd R. Sieberth, Kurt S. Wilcox, Mario A. Castillo, Craig D. Raleigh
  • Multi-Stage Optical Waveguide for a Luminaire
    Publication number: 20150260905
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an optical waveguide includes a first waveguide portion and a second waveguide portion adjacent to and separate from the first waveguide portion. The waveguide portions include light coupling portions that are at least partially aligned and adapted to receive light developed by a light source. The first waveguide portion further has a first major surface with light direction features and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The second waveguide portion further has a third major surface proximate the second major surface with an air gap disposed therebetween and a fourth major surface opposite the third major surface wherein the fourth major surface includes a cavity extending therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Christopher D. Strom
  • LUMINAIRE UTILIZING WAVEGUIDE
    Publication number: 20150253488
    Abstract: An optical waveguide having orthogonal x- and y-dimensions includes at least one coupling feature for directing light into the waveguide, at least one light redirection feature extending in the x- and y-dimensions for redirecting light in the waveguide, at least one first light extraction feature extending in the x-dimension for extracting light out of the waveguide, and at least one second light extraction feature extending in the y-dimension for extracting light out of the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Zongjie Yuan, Andrew Dan Bendtsen, Nathan Snell, Jeremy Sorenson, Brian Kinnune, Craig D. Raleigh
  • Light-directing apparatus with protected reflector-shield and lighting fixture utilizing same
    Patent number: 9127819
    Abstract: A light-directing apparatus for predominantly forward distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis. The light-directing apparatus includes a forward-reflective surface entirely within a lens member positioned over the light emitter. The lens member has an outer surface and an inner cavity including an emitter-light-receiving void and a light-reflecting void which is contiguous with the emitter-light-receiving void and is different in configuration than the emitter-light-receiving void. The forward-reflective surface is in the light-reflecting void in position in the path of light emitted rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt S. Wilcox
  • LED light fixture with inter-fin air-flow interrupters
    Patent number: 9121582
    Abstract: An LED light fixture including a plurality of upwardly-protruding elongate fins extending therealong from distal fin-ends to proximal fin-ends adjacent to upward-flow openings through the fixture, the fins defining horizontal between-fin channels open at the distal fin-ends, and a plurality of flow-interrupters between adjacent fins changing air flow along the channels. The flow-interrupters may be less than half the heights of their respective between-fin channels and may be mounting bosses to serve the further purpose of facilitating assembly of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, David P. Goelz, Kurt S. Wilcox, Craig Raleigh
  • LED Light Fixture
    Publication number: 20150241050
    Abstract: An LED lighting fixture comprising a housing portion and a light-emitting portion supporting at least one illuminator, the housing portion and the light-emitting portion defining an open space therebetween permitting air/water-flow therethrough. In some embodiments, at least one wall extends within the open space and open for air/water-flow along at least two sides thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Brian Kinnune, Nathan Snell, Jeremy Sorenson, Corey Goldstein, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • LED Lighting Fixture
    Publication number: 20150241051
    Abstract: A light fixture comprising a chamber, at least one power-circuitry driver within the chamber, at least one LED module outside the chamber, and at least one air gap between the chamber and the at least one LED module, the air gap permitting air/water-flow therethrough. The chamber is defined by a housing. The at least one LED module is on an LED heat sink outside the chamber. The housing defines the air gap permitting air/water-flow to and from the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Alan J. Ruud, Kurt S. Wilcox, Steven R. Walczak, Wayne Guillien
  • Light emitting device component
    Patent number: D736725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Christopher P. Hussell, Jesse Colin Reiherzer
  • Lighting apparatus
    Patent number: D738033
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay
  • Lighting apparatus
    Patent number: D738034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay
  • Lighting apparatus
    Patent number: D743090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay