Patents by Inventor Wengang Gao

Wengang Gao 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: 11320127
    Abstract: Systems and methods that permit initial selection of a lighting fixture output characteristic and inhibit later change of the lighting fixture output characteristic are disclosed. Embodiments include one or more devices that inhibit a lighting fixture control switch from being moved between two different positions. In some embodiments the control switch extends through an aperture in the a housing of the lighting fixture and the one or more devices are inserted into the aperture and embrace the control switch in one of the control switch's operational positions. In some embodiments the configuration of the apertures and the devices permits the devices to be inserted into the apertures in a single orientation. Some embodiments include devices with an outer surface that defines the switch embracing portion, and some embodiments include devices that are difficult to remove by hand after insertion into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Cecil Thomas, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: 11209590
    Abstract: A luminaire includes a first plurality of lighting elements, a housing, and a first lightguide. The housing includes a body and first and second edge frames coupled with the body. The first and second edge frames are positioned on opposing sides of the body and are separated by a first distance. The first plurality of lighting elements is further positioned on the first edge frame. The first lightguide is positioned along the first edge frame in proximity to the first plurality of lighting elements and is configured to receive light from the first plurality of lighting elements. Further, the first lightguide extends a second distance along a plane toward the second edge frame, with the second distance being less than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Wang-Munson, Wengang Gao, Cecil Thomas, Mario A. Turchi, Steven Madsen
  • Patent number: 11181261
    Abstract: An illustrative light fixture provides an emitter housing and a driver housing in a single fixture with an airflow channel defined between the emitter and driver housings. The airflow channel minimizes thermal conduction between the emitter and driver housings, and maximizes thermal convective cooling for at least one of the emitter housing and driver housing. The emitter housing includes vertical fins extending into the airflow chamber. The left and right sides of the emitter and driver housings define top and bottom edges that are respectively coplanar with the top and bottom edges of the vertical fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Jiang Hu, Wengang Gao
  • Publication number: 20210262649
    Abstract: Systems and methods that permit initial selection of a lighting fixture output characteristic and inhibit later change of the lighting fixture output characteristic are disclosed. Embodiments include one or more devices that inhibit a lighting fixture control switch from being moved between two different positions. In some embodiments the control switch extends through an aperture in the a housing of the lighting fixture and the one or more devices are inserted into the aperture and embrace the control switch in one of the control switch's operational positions. In some embodiments the configuration of the apertures and the devices permits the devices to be inserted into the apertures in a single orientation. Some embodiments include devices with an outer surface that defines the switch embracing portion, and some embodiments include devices that are difficult to remove by hand after insertion into the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Cecil Thomas, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: 10739513
    Abstract: Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kim, Nicholas Calaceto, Wengang Gao, Stanley Mayer
  • Patent number: 10704768
    Abstract: A lighting fixture adapter, methods for manufacturing a lighting fixture adapter, and methods for attaching a lighting accessory to a lighting fixture are disclosed. Embodiments include an adapter that connects to a lighting accessory and allows a user to connect the lighting accessory to a lighting fixture using less twisting than would normally be required when attaching the accessory to the fixture. Embodiments allow a lighting accessory that normally requires multiple rotations to operatively and/or fully engage with a lighting fixture to operatively and/or fully engage with the fixture using a maximum 360 degrees rotation, 180 degrees of rotation, 90 degrees of rotation, or no rotation. Some embodiments include a kit with one or more of: an adapter (which may include a flange), a replacement component for the lighting fixture (which may include a flange for engaging the adapter flange), wires, wiring connectors, an anti-rotation component, and a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Publication number: 20200073046
    Abstract: Luminaires that simultaneously illuminate a support surface (for example, a floor) and the surface to which the luminaires are mounted (for example, a ceiling) and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. Embodiments include luminaires that divide the light from a single light emitter (which may include one or more light sources such as LEDs) into a portion directed toward the luminaire's mounting surface and a portion directed toward the support surface. Some embodiments utilize a planar light guide with the light emitter mounted adjacent one edge, which in some embodiments is the internal edge of an aperture formed in the planar light guide. In some embodiments, one surface of the light guide includes grooves that internally reflect light toward the support surface while allowing a smaller amount of light to exit the light guide toward the mounting surface, and may be grouped according to the distance separating adjacent grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Brian KIM, Nicholas CALACETO, Wengang GAO, Stanley MAYER
  • Patent number: 10539314
    Abstract: An illustrative light fixture provides an emitter housing and a driver housing in a single fixture with an airflow channel defined between the emitter and driver housings. The airflow channel minimizes thermal conduction between the emitter and driver housings, and maximizes thermal convective cooling for at least one of the emitter housing and driver housing. The emitter housing includes vertical fins extending into the airflow chamber. The left and right sides of the emitter and driver housings define top and bottom edges that are respectively coplanar with the top and bottom edges of the vertical fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Jiang Hu, Wengang Gao
  • Publication number: 20180259162
    Abstract: A lighting fixture adapter, methods for manufacturing a lighting fixture adapter, and methods for attaching a lighting accessory to a lighting fixture are disclosed. Embodiments include an adapter that connects to a lighting accessory and allows a user to connect the lighting accessory to a lighting fixture using less twisting than would normally be required when attaching the accessory to the fixture. Embodiments allow a lighting accessory that normally requires multiple rotations to operatively and/or fully engage with a lighting fixture to operatively and/or fully engage with the fixture using a maximum 360 degrees rotation, 180 degrees of rotation, 90 degrees of rotation, or no rotation. Some embodiments include a kit with one or more of: an adapter (which may include a flange), a replacement component for the lighting fixture (which may include a flange for engaging the adapter flange), wires, wiring connectors, an anti-rotation component, and a plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Vincenzo GUERCIO, Wengang GAO
  • Patent number: 10054293
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a housing enclosing a light source. The housing defines an opening therethrough. A plug, which is receivable within the opening, includes a face having a central knockout portion. A perimeter of the knockout portion defines an opening size smaller than an opening size of the opening. According to alternative configurations, the plug may be removed from the opening or only the knockout portion may be removed from the plug while leaving a remainder of the plug in the opening. As such, different sized openings through the light fixture housing may be provided for installation of various light fixture accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Publication number: 20180080643
    Abstract: An illustrative light fixture provides an emitter housing and a driver housing in a single fixture with an airflow channel defined between the emitter and driver housings. The airflow channel minimizes thermal conduction between the emitter and driver housings, and maximizes thermal convective cooling for at least one of the emitter housing and driver housing. The emitter housing includes vertical fins extending into the airflow chamber. The left and right sides of the emitter and driver housings define top and bottom edges that are respectively coplanar with the top and bottom edges of the vertical fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Jiang Hu, Wengang Gao
  • Publication number: 20170370571
    Abstract: An illustrative light fixture provides an emitter housing and a driver housing in a single fixture with an airflow channel defined between the emitter and driver housings. The airflow channel minimizes thermal conduction between the emitter and driver housings, and maximizes thermal convective cooling for at least one of the emitter housing and driver housing. The emitter housing includes vertical fins extending into the airflow chamber. The left and right sides of the emitter and driver housings define top and bottom edges that are respectively coplanar with the top and bottom edges of the vertical fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Jiang Hu, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: 9732951
    Abstract: A modular light fixture includes an elongate light fixture base having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of light fixture modules. Each light fixture module includes a housing having an open face, and a light emitting device positioned inside the housing. The modular light fixture also includes a light emitting device driver configured for driving the light emitting devices. The light fixture modules are independently mounted to the light fixture base and extend perpendicularly from opposing sides of the light fixture base with the open faces facing a common direction to produce an initial light distribution pattern. Each light fixture module has a housing adjustment feature for independently pivoting the light fixture module about a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis to modify the initial light distribution pattern. The modular light fixture includes a planar configuration in which the light fixture module housings are oriented along a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao, Dan Wang-Munson
  • Publication number: 20160312983
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a housing enclosing a light source. The housing defines an opening therethrough. A plug, which is receivable within the opening, includes a face having a central knockout portion. A perimeter of the knockout portion defines an opening size smaller than an opening size of the opening. According to alternative configurations, the plug may be removed from the opening or only the knockout portion may be removed from the plug while leaving a remainder of the plug in the opening. As such, different sized openings through the light fixture housing may be provided for installation of various light fixture accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Vincenzo GUERCIO, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: D800938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: D823520
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: D835320
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: D851808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guercio, Wengang Gao
  • Patent number: D934488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Wang-Munson, Wengang Gao, Cecil Thomas, Mario A. Turchi, Steven Madsen
  • Patent number: D977172
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: RAB Lighting Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Oross, Nicholas Calaceto, Wengang Gao, Mark Novak