Patents by Inventor Michael Lay

Michael Lay 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: 9494294
    Abstract: A modular troffer-style lighting fixture. The fixture is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as LEDs. Embodiments comprise a pan structure designed to house one or more modular light engine units within a central opening. Each light engine unit includes a reflective cup that can house several light sources on an interior mount surface. The cup is positioned proximate to a back reflector such that its open end faces a portion of the back reflector. The back reflector is shaped to define an interior chamber where light can be mixed and redirected. At least one elongated leg extends away from the reflective cup toward an edge of said back reflector. The leg(s) are used to mount the reflective cup relative to the back reflector and may also be used as a heat sink and/or an additional mount surface for light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Edmond, Paul Kenneth Pickard, Larry T. Scearce, Jr., James Michael Lay, Praneet Athalye
  • Patent number: 9488359
    Abstract: Heat management devices and structures are disclosed that can be used in lamps having solid state light sources such as one or more LEDs. Some lamp embodiments comprise one or more phase change radiators that utilize the latent heat of fluids to circulate and draw heat away from the LEDs and radiate the heat into the ambient, allowing for the LEDs to operate at a lower temperature. Some phase change radiators according to the present invention can comprise a main radiator body and multiple radiator coolant loops mounted to the body. The present invention relies on the circulation of heated fluid through the radiator body to radiate heat from the LEDs. The heated liquid moves away from the LEDs and is circulated back to thermal contact with the LEDs thought the coolant loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Curtis Progl, James Michael Lay, Hattie Blackwell, Malcolm D. James, Sr., Michael D. Poncheri, Jason Taylor
  • 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: 9464801
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising at least a first light source and at least one heat sink element that is removable, that comprises an first inner region and an first outer region, that is identical in shape to another heat sink element, that is in thermal contact with a trim element, that is stacked, that is in thermal contact with at least a first portion of a first surface of the trim element, that has a cross-sectional area at a first distance from an axis of a trim element that is larger than at a shorter distance, and/or that maintains a junction temperature of a lighting device at or below a recommended junction temperature. Also, a lighting device comprising at least a first light source, a trim element, a driver sub-assembly and a spacer element positioned between the trim element and the driver sub-assembly. Also, methods of dissipating heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Paul Kenneth Pickard, James Michael Lay, Wai Kwan Chan
  • Publication number: 20160286619
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes an outer frame, a solid-state light source, a lens, and a sensor module connector. Driver circuitry is coupled to the outer frame and provides one or more drive signals for powering the light source. The lens is supported by and attached to the outer frame. The solid-state light source is mounted to the outer frame and at least partially surrounded by the lens, such that at least a portion of the light provided by the solid-state light source is transmitted through the lens towards an area of interest. The sensor module connector is mounted to the outer frame and configured to accept a connector from a sensor module such that when the sensor module is installed in the lighting fixture, a surface of the sensor module faces the area of interest towards which light from the solid-state light source is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: John Roberts, James Michael Lay, Michael James Harris, Randy Bernard, Nathan R. Snell, Ethan Creasman
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9383088
    Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of light emitters and a heat spreader plate thermally coupled to the plurality of light emitters, wherein the plurality of solid state emitters provides a thermal load upon application of an operating current and voltage, the heat spreader plate dissipating substantially all of the thermal load to an ambient air environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Michael James Harris, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 9366799
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a luminaire comprises a waveguide body including a central section and first and second separate side sections extending away from the central section along first and second opposed directions, respectively. The central section includes a coupling portion and the waveguide body has a length and includes a plurality of light extraction features that extract light out of the side sections. At least one LED is disposed adjacent the coupling portion and is operated by a power circuit to produce light that is directed into the waveguide body by the coupling portion. At least one structural member extends along the length of the waveguide body for supporting the waveguide body and encloses at least one of the power circuit and the at least one LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay, Shawn Heeter, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., James McBryde
  • Patent number: 9353937
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lamp comprises an optically transmissive enclosure. An LED array is disposed in the optically transmissive enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical connection. A gas is contained in the enclosure to provide thermal coupling to the LED array. The gas may include oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 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
  • Publication number: 20160141914
    Abstract: Methods and systems for emergency lighting are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a solid-state lighting system, light fixture or a collection of light fixtures, with a control input that is used to cause the system to dim to a specific level during an outage in order to conserve power in a building where power is backed up by an emergency inverter or a back-up generator. With embodiments of the invention, there is no need to run a separate power feed, as might otherwise be required for keeping distributed batteries charged or for running specified emergency-only fixtures from back-up power. In some embodiments the solid-state lighting system includes an occupancy sensor wherein the specified light output level is determined at least in part based on the occupancy of a room. In some embodiments, the system can be selectively configured for the specified output level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: James McBryde, James Michael Lay, Chris Simonsen
  • Publication number: 20160116118
    Abstract: An edge lit fixture. A light engine comprises a compartment and at least one elongated lens that are attachable to a mount plate. The mount plate, an exterior surface of the compartment, and the lens define an internal optical cavity. A light strip is mounted to the mount plate within the optical cavity. One or more legs can be used to attach the fixture to an external surface, such as a ceiling T-grid. The light engine can be used with legs of varying size such that it can fit within ceiling openings having different dimensions. The assembled fixture defines an open area. One or more light engines are arranged around or through the open area such that light is emitted into the open area. The open area of the fixture allows for existing materials, such as a ceiling tile, for example, to function as a back side reflector panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Randy Bernard, Nathan Snell, James Michael Lay, S. Scott Pratt
  • Patent number: 9325134
    Abstract: A pivot connector comprising a body element and a retention element that comprises a body element interface structure (comprising at least a first pivot alignment structure), the body element comprising a retention element interface region that comprises a pivot alignment structure-receiving region. A power input assembly comprising a pivot connector, an electrical connector region and an electrical conductor that extends through an internal space defined by the retention element and that is electrically connected to the electrical connector region. An electrical connector apparatus comprising a power input assembly, a second electrical connector region and a power input assembly engagement region. A method comprising pivoting a retention element relative to a body element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Lopez, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 9310065
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lamp comprises an optically transmissive enclosure. An LED array is disposed in the optically transmissive enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical connection. A gas is contained in the enclosure to provide thermal coupling to the LED array. A board supports lamp electronics for the lamp and is located in the enclosure. The LED array is mounted to the board and LEDs are mounted on a submount formed to have a three dimensional shape. The board is electrically coupled to the LED array and the submount may be thermally coupled to the gas for dissipating heat from the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 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
  • Patent number: 9310028
    Abstract: A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base defining a longitudinal axis of the lamp that extends from the base to the free end of the enclosure. An LED assembly is positioned in the optically transmissive enclosure. The LED assembly includes LEDs operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The LED assembly is arranged such that the plurality of LEDs face perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the lamp. The emission profile of the LEDs being at least 120 degrees FWHM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 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: 9279543
    Abstract: A light emitting diode package mounting apparatus comprises a heatsink defining a surface comprising one of a male or female connector. An LED package has a base where a portion of the base defines the other of the female or male connector. The connectors engage one another such that a force is exerted on the base that presses the LED package against the surface. To assemble the LED package in the heat sink, the LED package is located on the surface. The LED package and heatsink are moved relative to one another such that the male connector is inserted into the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Long Larry Le, Paul Kenneth Pickard, Antony Paul van de Ven, James Christopher Wellborn
  • Patent number: 9234638
    Abstract: A lamp having an enclosure with a reflector and a lens where the reflector is made of thermally conductive material. A base is coupled to the enclosure. An LED is located in the enclosure and emits light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A heat sink having a heat dissipating portion that may be at least partially exposed to the ambient environment and heat conducting portion that is thermally coupled to the LED. The reflector is thermally coupled to the heat sink and is exposed to the exterior of the lamp such that heat from the heat sink may be dissipated to the ambient environment at least partially through the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 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: D749776
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: D757348
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: D757349
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay