Patents by Inventor Mark Youmans

Mark Youmans 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: 9057511
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Patent number: 8931933
    Abstract: Solid state lamp or bulb structures are disclosed that can provide an essentially omnidirectional emission pattern from directional emitting light sources, such as forward emitting light sources. The present invention is also directed to lamp structures using active elements to assist in thermal management of the lamp structures and in some embodiments to reduce the convective thermal resistance around certain of the lamp elements to increase the natural heat convection away from the lamp. Some embodiments include integral fans or other active elements such as diaphragm-pump type active cooling elements, that move air over the surfaces of a heat sink, while other embodiments comprise internal fans or other active elements that can draw air internal to the lamp. The movement of the air over these surfaces can agitate otherwise stagnant air to decrease the convective thermal resistance and increasing the ability of the lamp to dissipate heat generated during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Mark Youmans, Yejin He
  • Patent number: 8882284
    Abstract: An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and an optical cavity. The optical cavity comprises a phosphor carrier having a conversions material and arranged over an opening to the cavity. The phosphor carrier comprises a thermally conductive transparent material and is thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. An LED based light source is mounted in the optical cavity remote to the phosphor carrier with light from the light source passing through the phosphor carrier. A diffuser dome is included that is mounted over the optical cavity, with light from the optical cavity passing through the diffuser dome. The properties of the diffuser, such as geometry, scattering properties of the scattering layer, surface roughness or smoothness, and spatial distribution of the scattering layer properties may be used to control various lamp properties such as color uniformity and light intensity distribution as a function of viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Le Toquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20140268772
    Abstract: A LED lamp has a base and an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure connected to the base. A heat sink is partially disposed in the enclosure and supports a plurality of LEDs. The heat sink comprising a mounting portion positioned in the enclosure for supporting the LEDs and a heat dissipating portion exposed to the ambient environment where the interior of the enclosure is exposed to the ambient environment. The heat sink have a plurality of separate heat sink structures that are mounted to the lamp independently of one another. Each heat sink structure may have a thickness of approximately 1-5 mm. Each heat sink structure may in some embodiments weigh approximately 3.8 to 7.7 grams and in other embodiments weigh approximately 27 grams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Richards, Shawn Keeney, Mark Youmans, Michael Leung, Nicholas Desilva, Dante Nava, Robert Higley
  • Publication number: 20140003048
    Abstract: LED based lamps and bulbs are disclosed that comprise a pedestal having a plurality of LEDs, wherein the pedestal at least partially comprises a thermally conductive material. A heat sink structure is included with the pedestal thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. A remote phosphor is arranged in relation to the LEDs so that at least some light from the LEDs passes through the remote phosphor and is converted to a different wavelength of light. Some lamp or bulb embodiments can emit a white light combination of light from the LEDs and the remote phosphor. These can include LEDs emitting blue light with the remote phosphor having a material that absorbs blue light and emits yellow or green light. A diffuser can be included to diffuse the emitting light into the desired pattern, such as omnidirectional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan LeToquin, Bernd Keller, Theodore Lowes, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans
  • Patent number: 8562161
    Abstract: LED based lamps and bulbs are disclosed that comprise a pedestal having a plurality of LEDs, wherein the pedestal at least partially comprises a thermally conductive material. A heat sink structure is included with the pedestal thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. A remote phosphor is arranged in relation to the LEDs so that at least some light from the LEDs passes through the remote phosphor and is converted to a different wavelength of light. Some lamp or bulb embodiments can emit a white light combination of light from the LEDs and the remote phosphor. These can include LEDs emitting blue light with the remote phosphor having a material that absorbs blue light and emits yellow or green light. A diffuser can be included to diffuse the emitting light into the desired pattern, such as omnidirectional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Theodore Lowes, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans
  • Patent number: 8563339
    Abstract: One close loop system and method for electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of phosphor material on light emitting diodes (LEDs). The system comprises a deposition chamber sealed from ambient air. A mixture of phosphor material and solution is provided to the chamber with the mixture also being sealed from ambient air. A carrier holds a batch of LEDs in the chamber with the mixture contacting the areas of the LEDs for phosphor deposition. A voltage supply applies a voltage to the LEDs and the mixture to cause the phosphor material to deposit on the LEDs at the mixture contacting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Tarsa, Michael Leung, Bernd Keller, Robert Underwood, Mark Youmans
  • Publication number: 20120057327
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: LONG LARRY LE, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van de Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20110267801
    Abstract: An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and an optical cavity. The optical cavity comprises a phosphor carrier having a conversions material and arranged over an opening to the cavity. The phosphor carrier comprises a thermally conductive transparent material and is thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. An LED based light source is mounted in the optical cavity remote to the phosphor carrier with light from the light source passing through the phosphor carrier. A diffuser dome is included that is mounted over the optical cavity, with light from the optical cavity passing through the diffuser dome. The properties of the diffuser, such as geometry, scattering properties of the scattering layer, surface roughness or smoothness, and spatial distribution of the scattering layer properties may be used to control various lamp properties such as color uniformity and light intensity distribution as a function of viewing angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Le Toquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas Medendorp, JR., Antony van de Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20110267800
    Abstract: An LED lamp or bulb is disclosed that comprises a light source, a heat sink structure and an optical cavity. The optical cavity comprises a phosphor carrier having a conversions material and arranged over an opening to the cavity. The phosphor carrier comprises a thermally conductive transparent material and is thermally coupled to the heat sink structure. An LED based light source is mounted in the optical cavity remote to the phosphor carrier with light from the light source passing through the phosphor carrier. A diffuser dome is included that is mounted over the optical cavity, with light from the optical cavity passing through the diffuser dome. The diffuser dome can disperse the light passing through it into the desired emission pattern, such as omnidirection. In one embodiment, the light source can be blue emitting LED and the phosphor carrier can include a yellow phosphor, with the LED lamp or bulb emitting a white light combination of LED and phosphor light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Le Toquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van de Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20110215699
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20110215698
    Abstract: Solid state lamp or bulb structures are disclosed that can provide an essentially omnidirectional emission pattern from directional emitting light sources, such as forward emitting light sources. The present invention is also directed to lamp structures using active elements to assist in thermal management of the lamp structures and in some embodiments to reduce the convective thermal resistance around certain of the lamp elements to increase the natural heat convection away from the lamp. Some embodiments include integral fans or other active elements such as diaphragm-pump type active cooling elements, that move air over the surfaces of a heat sink, while other embodiments comprise internal fans or other active elements that can draw air internal to the lamp. The movement of the air over these surfaces can agitate otherwise stagnant air to decrease the convective thermal resistance and increasing the ability of the lamp to dissipate heat generated during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: TAO TONG, MARK YOUMANS, YEJIN HE
  • Publication number: 20110215697
    Abstract: Solid state lamp or bulb structures are disclosed that can provide an essentially omnidirectional emission pattern from directional emitting light sources, such as forward emitting light sources. The present invention is also directed to lamp structures using active elements to assist in thermal management of the lamp structures and in some embodiments to reduce the convective thermal resistance around certain of the lamp elements to increase the natural heat convection away from the lamp. Some embodiments include integral fans or other active elements that move air over the surfaces of a heat sink, while other embodiments comprise internal fans or other active elements that can draw air internal to the lamp. The fan's movement of the air over these surfaces can agitate otherwise stagnant air to decrease the convective thermal resistance and increasing the ability of the lamp to dissipate heat generated during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: TAO TONG, MARK YOUMANS, YEJIN HE
  • Publication number: 20110216523
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising a light source and a diffuser spaced from the light source. The lighting device further comprises a wavelength conversion material disposed between the light source and the diffuser and spaced from the light source and the diffuser, wherein the diffuser is shaped such that there are different distances between the diffuser and said conversion material at different emission angles. In other embodiments the diffuser includes areas with different diffusing characteristics. Some lamps are arranged to meet A19 and Energy Star lighting standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: TAO TONG, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley, Peter Guschl, Zongjie Yuan
  • Publication number: 20070158668
    Abstract: One close loop system and method for electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of phosphor material on light emitting diodes (LEDs). The system comprises a deposition chamber sealed from ambient air. A mixture of phosphor material and solution is provided to the chamber with the mixture also being sealed from ambient air. A carrier holds a batch of LEDs in the chamber with the mixture contacting the areas of the LEDs for phosphor deposition. A voltage supply applies a voltage to the LEDs and the mixture to cause the phosphor material to deposit on the LEDs at the mixture contacting areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Tarsa, Michael Leung, Bernd Keller, Robert Underwood, Mark Youmans
  • Patent number: D654193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cree. Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley, Zongjie Yuan