Light bulb having wide angle light dispersion and method of making same

• US 20050242734A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Sciences, Inc. (Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Maxik, Fredric
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/634
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/90 Methods of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/20 on convex supports or substrates, e.g. on the outer surface of spheres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The present light bulb includes a wide angle dispersed light which uses, as a source of light dispersion, crystalline particulate material incorporated into the molded or formed material of the light bulb. The crystalline particulate material can be incorporated into the light bulb material prior to the molding or forming process or it can be later applied to the surfaces of the light bulb. The crystalline particulate material are chosen to provide high reflectivity and dispersion qualities for the parts of the light bulb and are further chosen and incorporated according to the function of the particular piece or part therein incorporated. A light tuning element may also be used to further enhance the light dispersion qualities of the light bulb. Methods for making the present light bulb are also provided.

Claims

1. A light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range to produce a widely dispersed light, comprising:

a housing having a base and an optical opening for emitting said widely dispersed light from said housing;

an optical tuning element positioned substantially over said optical opening;

a source of lighting located within said housing; and

electrical leads connecting said base with said source of lighting, wherein a portion of said housing and said optical tuning element are comprised of a mixture of moldable material and transparent particulate crystalline material.

2. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said optical tuning element is composed of a substaritially translucent material.

3. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said transparent particulate crystalline material is substantially symmetrical.

4. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said transparent particulate crystalline material is selected from the group consisting of quartz crystals, diamond crystals, sapphire crystals, and zirconia crystals.

5. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said transparent particulate crystalline material is present in said mixture from about 1 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total mixture composition.

6. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein the said planes of said transparent particulate crystalline material is oriented in substantially the same direction.

7. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially conically-shaped

8. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said moldable material is selected from the group consisting of polymers, copolymers, epoxies, acrylics, polyester resins, and resins.

9. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said optical tuning element comprises a colored material.

10. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said source of lighting is at least one light emitting diode.

11. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 wherein said source of lighting further comprises a substrate for accepting at least one light emitting diode.

12. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 11 wherein said substrate is a flexible substrate capable of forming substantially to the inside surface of said housing.

13. The light bulb having widely dispersed light of claim 1 further comprising:

a source of light emitting electromagnetic light in the non-visible wavelength range.

14. A light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light, comprising:

means for housing a plurality of light emitting elements;

means for dispersing light emitted from said light emitting elements;

means for tuning said light emitting elements disposed substantially over said housing means; and

means for energizing said plurality of light emitting elements.

15. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 14 wherein said tuning means is composed of a substantially translucent material.

16. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 14 wherein said dispersing means is a transparent particulate crystalline material.

17. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 16 wherein said transparent particulate crystalline material is selected from the group consisting of quartz crystals, diamond crystals, sapphire crystals, and zirconia crystals.

18. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 16 wherein said transparent particulate crystalline material is present in said mixture from about 1 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total mixture composition.

19. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 14 wherein housing means is substantially conically-shaped.

20. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 14 wherein said tuning means comprises a colored material.

21. The light bulb generating an output comprising electromagnetic emissions in the visible wavelength range having a widely dispersed light of claim 14 wherein said plurality of light emitting elements are light emitting diodes.