SOLID STATE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH OPTIC PROVIDING OCCLUDED REMOTE PHOSPHOR

• US 20100259918A1
• Filed: 12/02/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Renaissance Lighting Incorporated (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramer, David P., RAINS, Jack C. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/62 using mixing chambers, e.g. housings with reflective walls
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.

Claims

1. A lighting system, for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the lighting system comprising:

a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor chip for emitting electromagnetic energy and a package enclosing the semiconductor chip;

a macro optic outside and coupled to the package enclosing the semiconductor chip, the macro optic receiving the electromagnetic energy emitted from the semiconductor device;

at least one optical aperture for emission of light out of the optic to facilitate the visible light illumination application in the region or area to be inhabited by the person; and

at least one remote phosphor being occluded and extending over at least a portion of a surface of the macro optic at a location such that none of the remote phosphor extending over the macro optic is directly visible through the optical aperture by the person, wherein the at least one phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from the semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the at least one optical aperture.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein:

the macro optic comprises a macro reflector,

the at least one remote phosphor extends over a surface of the macro reflector,

a first wavelength of the electromagnetic energy from the semiconductor device excites the at least one remote phosphor to emit visible light, comprising visible light energy of at least one second wavelength different from the first wavelength,

at least some of visible light emitted by the at least one remote phosphor is reflected by the macro optic, and

the lighting system directs at least the visible light emitted by the at least one remote phosphor so that it can be perceived by the person when present in the region or area to be inhabited.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one remote phosphor comprises one or more quantum dot (Q-dot) phosphors or doped semiconductor nanophosphors.

4. The lighting system according to claim 3, wherein the Q-dot phosphors include one or more doped nano-crystal dot phosphors.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a diffuse macro reflector forming an optical integrating cavity for optically integrating visible light produced by excitation of the at least one remote phosphor extending over the surface of the macro optic

wherein the macro optic comprises a mask with a reflective surface with the at least one remote phosphor extending over at least a portion of the reflective surface of the mask, the mask disposed between a wall of the optical integrating cavity and the area or region to be illuminated by the visible light from the lighting system.

7. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of the diffuse macro reflector at a location such that none of the remote phosphor extending over the diffuse macro reflector is directly visible through the optical aperture by the person.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some blue light.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some white light.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising:

a deflector having a reflective inner surface for directing visible light into a narrow field of view; and

a plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein the plurality of semiconductor devices emit electromagnetic energy of the first wavelength, wherein each of the semiconductors is enclosed within its own package,

wherein the plurality of semiconductor devices are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

14. The lighting system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of semiconductor devices are selected from among white, blue, ultraviolet (UV) or near UV LEDs.

15. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein:

the macro optic comprises a macro reflector,

the at least one remote phosphor extends over an output of the semiconductor device, and

the semiconductor device is occluded such that the semiconductor device is not directly visible through the optical aperture by the person.

6. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

16. The lighting system according to claim 12, wherein:

the macro optic comprises a macro reflector,

the at least one remote phosphor extends over a surface of each of the plurality of the semiconductor devices, and

each semiconductor device is occluded such that none of the semiconductor devices are not directly visible through the optical aperture by the person.

13. (canceled)

17. A lighting system, for a visible light illumination application in a region or area to be inhabited by a person, the lighting system comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor devices, each semiconductor device including a semiconductor chip for emitting electromagnetic energy and a package enclosing each semiconductor chip;

a diffuse macro reflector outside and coupled to the packages enclosing the semiconductor chips, the diffuse macro reflector forming an optical cavity and configured to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from the plurality of semiconductor devices;

at least one optical aperture for emission of light out of the cavity to facilitate the visible light illumination application in the region or area to be inhabited by the person;

a mask with a reflective surface for occluding a portion of the at least one optical aperture; and

at least one remote phosphor being occluded by way of the mask and extending over at least a portion of the reflective surface of the mask at a location such that none of the remote phosphor extending over the mask is directly visible through the optical aperture by the person, the at least one phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from the semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the at least one optical aperture.

18. The lighting system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one remote phosphor comprises one or more quantum dot (Q-dot) phosphors or doped semiconductor nanophosphors.

19. The lighting system according to claim 18, wherein the Q-dot phosphors include one or more doped nano-crystal dot phosphors.

20. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein one or more of the semiconductor devices comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

21. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein one or more of the semiconductor devices comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some blue light.

22. The lighting system of claim 17, wherein one or more of the semiconductor devices comprises a semiconductor device for emitting at least some white light.

24. The lighting system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of semiconductor devices are light emitting diodes (LEDs) selected from among white, blue or ultraviolet (UV), or near UV LEDs.

23. (canceled)

25. (canceled)