Patents by Inventor Reuben Rettke
Reuben Rettke 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).
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Patent number: 9506608Abstract: LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: William J. Ray, Reuben Rettke, Mark D. Lowenthal, Alexander Ray
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Publication number: 20160218257Abstract: Various applications and customizations of a thin flexible LED light sheet are described. Microscopic LED dice are printed on a thin substrate, and the LEDs are sandwiched between two conductor layers to connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductor layer on the light emitting side is transparent. In one embodiment, small dots of printed blue LED dies with overlapping dots of a YAG (yellow) phosphor are formed on a substrate, with the areas between the dots being a neutral color or an anti-color (blue for a yellow phosphor). The LED dies are connected in parallel. When the LED dies are in their off state, the yellow phosphor dots will not be perceived by human eyesight at typical viewing distances, and the overall resulting color will be either a pleasing off-white color or a neutral color. The lamp will appear white when the LED dies are on.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: William J. Ray, Reuben Rettke, Mark D. Lowenthal, Jeffrey Baldridge
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Patent number: 9397265Abstract: In a method for forming a phosphor-converted LED, an array of vertical LEDs is printed over a conductive surface of a substrate such that a bottom electrode of the LEDs ohmically contacts the conductive surface. A dielectric layer then formed over the conductive surface. An electrically conductive phosphor layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the LEDs to ohmically contact the top surface of the LEDs and connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductive phosphor layer is formed by phosphor particles intermixed with a transparent conductor material. One or more metal contacts over the conductive phosphor layer conduct current through the conductive phosphor layer and the LEDs to illuminate the LEDs. A portion of light generated by the LED leaks through the conductive phosphor layer, and the combination of the LED light and phosphor light creates a composite light.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Bradley Steven Oraw, Reuben Rettke
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Patent number: 9324692Abstract: A flexible light sheet lamp includes a thin substrate and an array of printed microscopic vertical LEDs (VLEDs) sandwiched between a transparent first conductor layer and a transparent second conductor layer. The light sheet has a light exit surface. The VLEDs have one surface, facing the light exit surface of the light sheet, covered with a reflective metal. A phosphor layer is provided such that the semi-transparent VLED layer is between the phosphor layer and the light exit surface. A reflector layer is provided such that the phosphor layer is between the reflector layer and the VLED layer. The substrate may form the light exit surface or the light exit surface may be the opposite side of the light sheet. Some VLED light passing through the phosphor layer is reflected by the reflector layer and re-enters the phosphor layer. Therefore, less phosphor is needed to achieve the desired conversion ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, Jeffrey Baldridge, Reuben Rettke
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Publication number: 20150060907Abstract: Many thousands of micro-LEDs (e.g., 25 microns per side) are deposited on a substrate. Some of the LEDs are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 450 nm (blue), and some are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 490 nm (cyan). A YAG (yellow) phosphor is then deposited on the LEDs, or a remote YAG layer is used. YAG phosphor is most efficiently excited at 450 nm and has a very weak emission at 490 nm The two types of LEDs are GaN based and can be driven at the same current. The ratio of the two types of LEDs is controlled to achieve the desired overall color emission of the LED lamp. The blue LEDs optimally excite the YAG phosphor to produce white light having blue and yellow components, and the cyan LEDs broaden the emission spectrum to increase the CRI of the lamp while improving luminous efficiency. Other embodiments are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventor: Reuben Rettke
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Patent number: 8963168Abstract: Many thousands of micro-LEDs (e.g., 25 microns per side) are deposited on a substrate. Some of the LEDs are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 450 nm (blue), and some are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 490 nm (cyan). A YAG (yellow) phosphor is then deposited on the LEDs, or a remote YAG layer is used. YAG phosphor is most efficiently excited at 450 nm and has a very weak emission at 490 nm. The two types of LEDs are GaN based and can be driven at the same current. The ratio of the two types of LEDs is controlled to achieve the desired overall color emission of the LED lamp. The blue LEDs optimally excite the YAG phosphor to produce white light having blue and yellow components, and the cyan LEDs broaden the emission spectrum to increase the CRI of the lamp while improving luminous efficiency. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventor: Reuben Rettke
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Patent number: 8906713Abstract: Many thousands of micro-LEDs (e.g., 25 microns per side) are deposited on a substrate. Some of the LEDs are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 450 nm (blue), and some are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 490 nm (cyan). A YAG (yellow) phosphor is then deposited on the LEDs, or a remote YAG layer is used. YAG phosphor is most efficiently excited at 450 nm and has a very weak emission at 490 nm. The two types of LEDs are GaN based and can be driven at the same current. The ratio of the two types of LEDs is controlled to achieve the desired overall color emission of the LED lamp. The blue LEDs optimally excite the YAG phosphor to produce white light having blue and yellow components, and the cyan LEDs broaden the emission spectrum to increase the CRI of the lamp while improving luminous efficiency. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventor: Reuben Rettke
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Publication number: 20140306244Abstract: In a method for forming a phosphor-converted LED, an array of vertical LEDs is printed over a conductive surface of a substrate such that a bottom electrode of the LEDs ohmically contacts the conductive surface. A dielectric layer then formed over the conductive surface. An electrically conductive phosphor layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the LEDs to ohmically contact the top surface of the LEDs and connect the LEDs in parallel. The conductive phosphor layer is formed by phosphor particles intermixed with a transparent conductor material. One or more metal contacts over the conductive phosphor layer conduct current through the conductive phosphor layer and the LEDs to illuminate the LEDs. A portion of light generated by the LED leaks through the conductive phosphor layer, and the combination of the LED light and phosphor light creates a composite light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Bradley Steven Oraw, Reuben Rettke
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Publication number: 20140285995Abstract: LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: William J. Ray, Reuben Rettke, Mark D. Lowenthal, Alexander Ray
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Publication number: 20140231834Abstract: A flexible light sheet lamp includes a thin substrate and an array of printed microscopic vertical LEDs (VLEDs) sandwiched between a transparent first conductor layer and a transparent second conductor layer. The light sheet has a light exit surface. The VLEDs have one surface, facing the light exit surface of the light sheet, covered with a reflective metal. A phosphor layer is provided such that the semi-transparent VLED layer is between the phosphor layer and the light exit surface. A reflector layer is provided such that the phosphor layer is between the reflector layer and the VLED layer. The substrate may form the light exit surface or the light exit surface may be the opposite side of the light sheet. Some VLED light passing through the phosphor layer is reflected by the reflector layer and re-enters the phosphor layer. Therefore, less phosphor is needed to achieve the desired conversion ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, Jeffrey Baldridge, Reuben Rettke
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Patent number: 8772814Abstract: LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.Inventors: William J. Ray, Reuben Rettke, Mark D. Lowenthal, Alexander Ray
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Publication number: 20140117387Abstract: LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: William J. Ray, Reuben Rettke, Mark D. Lowenthal, Alexander Ray
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Publication number: 20130258636Abstract: Many thousands of micro-LEDs (e.g., 25 microns per side) are deposited on a substrate. Some of the LEDs are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 450 nm (blue), and some are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 490 nm (cyan). A YAG (yellow) phosphor is then deposited on the LEDs, or a remote YAG layer is used. YAG phosphor is most efficiently excited at 450 nm and has a very weak emission at 490 nm. The two types of LEDs are GaN based and can be driven at the same current. The ratio of the two types of LEDs is controlled to achieve the desired overall color emission of the LED lamp. The blue LEDs optimally excite the YAG phosphor to produce white light having blue and yellow components, and the cyan LEDs broaden the emission spectrum to increase the CRI of the lamp while improving luminous efficiency. Other embodiments are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.Inventor: Reuben Rettke