Patents by Inventor Nicholas W. Medendorp

Nicholas W. Medendorp 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: 20140218941
    Abstract: An LED light fixture including a housing and an LED assembly secured with respect to the housing. The LED assembly includes a heat sink and an LED illuminator secured with respect to an LED-supporting region of the heat sink with heat-dissipating surfaces extending therefrom. The heat sink having front, rear and lateral sides and being open to ambient-fluid flow to and from the heat-dissipating surfaces along each of the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Brian Kinnune, Nathan Snell, Jeremy Sorenson, Corey Goldstein, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140211508
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: ZONGJIE YUAN, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Patent number: 8791491
    Abstract: A submount for a light emitting device package includes a substrate. A first bond pad and a second bond pad are on a first surface of the substrate. The first bond pad includes a die attach region offset toward a first end of the substrate and configured to receive a light emitting diode thereon. The second bond pad includes a bonding region between the first bond pad and the second end of the substrate and a second bond pad extension that extends from the bonding region along a side of the substrate toward a corner of the substrate at the first end of the substrate. First and second solder pads are a the second surface of the substrate. The first solder pad is adjacent the first end of the substrate and contacts the second bond pad. The second solder pad is adjacent the second end of the substrate and contacts the first bond pad. Related LED packages and methods of forming LED packages are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ban P. Loh, Nathaniel O. Cannon, Norbert Hiller, John Edmond, Mitch Jackson, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8777455
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp includes a housing and a solid state light emitter. The housing defines an interior region and an air passageway, the air passageway passing through the housing and the interior region. The solid state light emitter is positioned adjacent to a perimeter of the air passageway. The air passageway is configured to provide cooling to the lamp when the sold state light emitter is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140153233
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Michael James Harris, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20140126199
    Abstract: Retrofit systems and methods are disclosed for lighting installations, and in particular, to retrofit systems and methods used to retrofit troffer-style lighting installations with LED light sources. Retrofit systems can be used with different light fixtures, but those described are particularly adapted for use with troffer-style fixtures. These retrofit systems can provide the same amount of light as traditional light fixtures already do, for example 1600-4000 lumens or more. The retrofit systems can be used with many different light sources but are particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources or light engines, such as those utilizing LEDs. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a mechanical mounting system for installing an LED light engine within an existing lighting system housing or pan, such as a troffer pan, without penetrating the ceiling plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: SHAWN HEETER, Vasavi Mandavilli, Mitchell Huang, Mark Edward Dixon, Kurt W. Wilcox, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140091332
    Abstract: A LED lighting device includes at least one waveguide element and multiple light-emitting sources such as LEDs or LED packages, which may be optically coupled though different light entry regions to the at least one waveguide. Multiple light solid state sources may be arranged in strips. A waveguide system includes first and second body structures each positioned to illuminate at least a portion of a target surface. One or more waveguides may be arranged to illuminate a LCD panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Norbert Hiller, Russell G. Villard
  • Patent number: 8678613
    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: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Michael James Harris, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20140078727
    Abstract: Light fixtures having light bar elements therein. In order to mimic the size and appearance of fluorescent bulbs in existing troffer-style and surface-mount fixtures, LEDs are may be arranged on light bars with integrated lenses to both diffuse the light and shape the output beam. One or more LEDs can be mounted, sometimes in clusters, along the length of a base of the light bar which can then be inserted into a fixture. An elongated lens is mounted to the base over the LEDs so that light emitted from the LEDs interacts with the lens before it escapes the fixture. These elongated lenses may be extruded from a diffusive material, for example, and can be shaped in various ways. For example, the lenses may be shaped to disperse more light to the sides, i.e., in a direction away from a normal axis that is perpendicular to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Lu, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Randy Bernard, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: 8669573
    Abstract: Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device include providing a substrate having the semiconductor light emitting device on a front face thereof. A first optical element is formed from a first material on the front face proximate the semiconductor light emitting device but not covering the semiconductor light emitting device and a second optical element is formed from a second material, different from the first material, over the semiconductor light emitting device and the first optical element. Packaged semiconductor light emitting devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8616724
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp comprises a reflector and a plurality of solid state light emitters directing light rays towards the reflector. For each solid state light emitter of the plurality of solid state light emitters, the reflector defines a segmented parabola and a mirrored wall associated with the light emitter. Each solid state light emitter is positioned in the lamp at a focal point of the segmented parabola associated with the solid state light emitter. For each solid state light, the mirrored wall associated with the solid state light emitter directs light rays from the solid state light emitter into the segmented parabola associated with the same solid state light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8564742
    Abstract: A LCD system including multiple light sources optically coupled through different light entry regions to at least one waveguide element positioned to backlight a LCD panel. A LCD system including multiple light sources coupled to light entry regions of two or more waveguides comprising a waveguide system positioned to backlight a LCD panel. Waveguides of various configurations and promoting even lighting of associated LCD panels are provided. Resulting LCD systems enable uniformly lit panels having diagonal measurements in excess of 12 to 14 inches, but the invention is not limited to panels of any particular size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Norbert Hiller, Russell G. Villard
  • Patent number: 8564739
    Abstract: A LCD system including multiple light sources optically coupled through different light entry regions to at least one waveguide element positioned to backlight a LCD panel. A LCD system including multiple light sources coupled to light entry regions of two or more waveguides comprising a waveguide system positioned to backlight a LCD panel. Waveguides of various configurations and promoting even lighting of associated LCD panels are provided. Resulting LCD systems enable uniformly lit panels having diagonal measurements in excess of 12 to 14 inches, but the invention is not limited to panels of any particular size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Norbert Hiller, Russell G. Villard
  • Patent number: 8564737
    Abstract: A LCD system including multiple light sources optically coupled through different light entry regions to at least one waveguide element positioned to backlight a LCD panel. A LCD system including multiple light sources coupled to light entry regions of two or more waveguides comprising a waveguide system positioned to backlight a LCD panel. Waveguides of various configurations and promoting even lighting of associated LCD panels are provided. Resulting LCD systems enable uniformly lit panels having diagonal measurements in excess of 12 to 14 inches, but the invention is not limited to panels of any particular size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Norbert Hiller, Russell G. Villard
  • Publication number: 20130265750
    Abstract: A lighting device configured to be held relative to a space extending from an opening in a first surface. A distance between first and second emitters and/or a dimension of a lens is/are larger than a largest dimension of the opening and/or a largest dimension of a power supply. Also, a bracket comprising a body member and at least two mounting clips, the body member configured to be attached to a lighting device, each mounting clip pivotable about respective pivot axes at least from a first position, where a first end region of the clip does not extend farther from an axis of the body member than all portions of the body member, to a second position, where the first end region of the clip extends farther from the axis of the body member than all portions of the body member. Also, a lighting device comprising a removable bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Mark D. Edmond, Dong Lu, Curt Progl, Mark Dixon, Spencer Scott Pratt, Nathan R. Snell, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20130249434
    Abstract: A multi-chip lighting emitting device (LED) lamp for providing white light includes a submount including first and second die mounting regions thereon. A first LED chip is mounted on the first die mounting region, and a second LED chip is mounted on the second die mounting region. The LED lamp is configured to emit light having a spectral distribution including at least four different color peaks to provide the white light. For example, a first conversion material may at least partially cover the first LED chip, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first color and re-emit light of a third color. In addition, a second conversion material may at least partially cover the first and/or second LED chips, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first and/or second colors and re-emit light of a fourth color. Related light fixtures and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Mark Terrence McClear, Bernd P. Keller, George R. Brandes, Ronan P. LeToquin
  • Publication number: 20130229786
    Abstract: A lighting device includes an electrically activated emitter, a lumiphoric material spatially segregated from the emitter, and an optical element arranged between the emitter and the lumiphoric material, wherein at least a portion of the optical element is curved or includes a non-planar shape. The optical element may include a reflective material disposed proximate to at least one peripheral edge and/or may include at least one peripheral edge that is non-perpendicular to a face of the optical element and arranged to reflect light in a direction toward the lumiphoric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130201679
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising a junction box, a trim element and a solid state light emitter, at least a portion of a space defined by regions of the trim element within a space defined by regions of the junction box, the light emitter within the trim element space. A lighting device comprising a trim element (with at least two regions) and a solid state light emitter, in which at least a first part of the first region can be positioned in a first space with the second region outside the first space, the light emitter within the first part. A lighting device, comprising a trim element (which comprises at least two regions), part of an exterior of which defines a first space, at least a first part of the first region within the first space, a solid state light emitter within the first part. Methods of installing a light emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth PICKARD, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Mark D. Edmond, Dong Lu, Curt Progl, Mark Dixon
  • Patent number: 8500305
    Abstract: A thermal management apparatus includes a lighting assembly and a cooling module that is removably coupled to the lighting assembly. A recessed downlight fixture includes a housing having an open end, an electrical power access port, a cooling module in the housing that is removably coupled to the electrical power access port, and a light source in the housing that is removably coupled to the electrical power access port. The light source is operable to project light through the open end of the housing. A cooling device is provided that includes a male Edison or GU24 port interface and a female Edison or GU 24 port interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. O'Sullivan, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Patent number: D696436
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.