Patents by Inventor Paul Pickard

Paul Pickard 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: 20160230958
    Abstract: Lighting system including light source having semiconductor light-emitting device configured for emitting light having first spectral power distribution along central axis. System includes volumetric lumiphor located along central axis configured for converting some light emissions having first spectral power distribution into light emissions having second spectral power distribution. System may include visible light reflector having reflective surface and being spaced apart along central axis with volumetric lumiphor between semiconductor light-emitting device and visible light reflector. Reflective surface may be configured for causing portion of light emissions to be reflected by visible light reflector. Exterior surface of volumetric lumiphor may include concave exterior surface configured for receiving a mound-shaped reflective surface of visible light reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Raghuram L.V. Petluri
  • Patent number: 9255677
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-tiered lighting system that has a pole and at least two light sources. A first light source is mounted to the pole at a first height, and a second light source is mounted to the pole at a second height that is substantially different than the first height. The first light source is configured to project a first beam of light that primarily lights up a first portion of a target coverage area, and the second light source is configured to project a beam of light that primarily lights up a second portion of the target coverage area, which is different from the first target coverage area. The first beam of light may spill onto the second target area, and the second beam of light may spill onto the first target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, John Wesley Durkee
  • Patent number: 9220149
    Abstract: Lighting devices include a semiconductor light emitting device and first and second spaced-apart lumiphors. The first lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and radiation emitted by the luminescent materials in the first lumiphor. The first lumiphor is a leaky lumiphor in that the luminescent materials therein wavelength convert less than 90% of the radiation from the semiconductor light emitting device light that is incident on the first lumiphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Antony P. Van de Ven, Ronan P. LeToquin
  • Patent number: 9062830
    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 omnidirectional 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 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    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
  • 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: 9022601
    Abstract: A method for providing an optical element may include providing an optical feature in the optical element that spreads or distributes light passing through the optical element. The method may also include providing a texturing in at least a portion of the optical feature of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Jenna Lu, Mark Edmond, Mark Dixon, Paul Pickard
  • Patent number: 8944835
    Abstract: A connector for a light source comprises a first cam having a contact surface that is mounted such that the contact surface is extended and retracted relative to the housing. An electrical contact is provided and positioned to contact an electrical terminal in the socket. A conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical contact where the conductor is connected to a light source. An actuator rotates the cam to the retracted position. The connector may be inserted linearly into the socket and the actuator released to mount the light source in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Chobot, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20140362591
    Abstract: A connector for a light source comprises a first cam having a contact surface that is mounted such that the contact surface is extended and retracted relative to the housing. An electrical contact is provided and positioned to contact an electrical terminal in the socket. A conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical contact where the conductor is connected to a light source. An actuator rotates the cam to the retracted position. The connector may be inserted linearly into the socket and the actuator released to mount the light source in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Chobot, Paul Pickard
  • Patent number: 8851913
    Abstract: A connector for a light source comprises a first cam having a contact surface that is mounted such that the contact surface is extended and retracted relative to the housing. An electrical contact is provided and positioned to contact an electrical terminal in the socket. A conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical contact where the conductor is connected to a light source. An actuator rotates the cam to the retracted position. The connector may be inserted linearly into the socket and the actuator released to mount the light source in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Chobot, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20140268692
    Abstract: An indirect troffer. Embodiments of the present invention provide a troffer-style fixture that is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as LEDs. The troffer comprises light bars mounted proximate to a back reflector. A back reflector defines a reflective interior surface of the lighting troffer. To facilitate thermal dissipation, the light bar can act as a heat sink. A portion of the heat sink is exposed to the ambient room environment while another portion functions as a mount surface for the light sources that faces the back reflector. One or more light sources disposed along the light bar mount surface emit light into an interior cavity where it can be mixed and/or shaped prior to emission. In some embodiments, one or more lens plates extend from the light bar out to the back reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Edmond, Dong Lu, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20140268737
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture that has a light source housing that forms a mixing chamber with an opening for a lens assembly having a central area that is bound by a perimeter line. The lens assembly is mounted over the opening. The central area and the perimeter line need not be visible and are simply used to define how one or more LED arrays are mounted within the mixing chamber. The one or more LED arrays are mounted within the mixing chamber and adapted to emit light having a central axis, wherein the central axis passes through and along a portion of the perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Praneet Athalye, Paul Pickard
  • Patent number: 8777463
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The assembly includes a multilayer FR4 printed circuit board and a metal heat spreader assembled with the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The assembly is configured to mount a plurality of solid state light emitters. The multilayer FR4 printed circuit board defines an aperture and a least a portion of the metal heat spreader is positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The portion of the heat spreader positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board is in communication with heat dissipation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Curt Progl
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 8757840
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp may include reflector defining a geometric curve, a reflective surface that is separable from the reflector defining the geometric curve, and a solid state light emitter. The solid state light emitter is positioned to direct light rays towards the reflector defining the geometric curve and to direct light rays towards the reflective surface. The reflective surface is configured to direct light rays from the solid state light emitter into the geometric curve. The geometric curve is configured to reflect light rays received from the solid state light emitter away from the lamp and is configured to reflect light rays received form the reflective surface away from the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Dong Lu
  • Publication number: 20140071677
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-tiered lighting system that has a pole and at least two light sources. A first light source is mounted to the pole at a first height, and a second light source is mounted to the pole at a second height that is substantially different than the first height. The first light source is configured to project a first beam of light that primarily lights up a first portion of a target coverage area, and the second light source is configured to project a beam of light that primarily lights up a second portion of the target coverage area, which is different from the first target coverage area. The first beam of light may spill onto the second target area, and the second beam of light may spill onto the first target area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, John Wesley Durkee
  • Publication number: 20140001972
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modular lighting system that may include a driver module, an array of LEDs that are driven by the driver module, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the driver module, which in turn drives the LEDs of the array of LEDs in a desired fashion. The control module may communicate with one or more remote lighting control systems through wired or wireless communications and function to control the driver module accordingly. Notably, the driver module and the control module communicate with each other through a standard communication protocol, such that either of the driver module or the control module can be replaced without replacing the other of the driver module or control module. Further, power may be provided to the control module and the array of LEDs by the driver module via the standard communication interface or separate power interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Harris, Paul Pickard
  • 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: 8587185
    Abstract: A linear LED lamp is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention can provide an LED-based replacement lamp for a linear or “tube-type” bulb or a bulb with a linear filament or element. By filling the void within the lamp with an optically transmissive fluid to cool the LEDs without the use of a traditional heat sink, the light blocking effects of such a heat sink can be avoided. Thus, the LED replacement lamp can emit light in a substantially omnidirectional pattern. In some embodiments, the optically transmissive fluid medium is a liquid. In some embodiments, the optically transmissive fluid medium is a gel. An index matching medium can be used as the optically transmissive fluid medium. A color mixing treatment can optionally be included to eliminate color tints in cases where multiple LEDs of different colors are used to produce white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry Negley, Antony Paul van de Ven, Paul 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.
  • Patent number: D735902
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.