Remote light wavelength conversion device and associated methods

• US 8,408,725 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Bartine, David E., Maxik, Fredric S., Bretschneider, Eric, Soler, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US13/234,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20130070472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362551-582
• US Class Current: 362/84
• 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 2200/13 the light being emitted at the end of the guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40

Abstract

A remote light wavelength conversion device is provided for converting a source light emitted from a light source within a source wavelength range into a converted light within a converted wavelength range. The remote light wavelength conversion device may include a waveguide and a color conversion optic. The waveguide may include a first end and a second end and the color conversion optic may be adjacently located at the second end of the waveguide. The color conversion optic may convert the source light transmitted through the waveguide to the converted light.

Claims

1. A remote light wavelength conversion device for converting a source light emitted from a light source within a source wavelength range into a converted light within a converted wavelength range, the remote wavelength conversion device comprising:

a waveguide including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and

a color conversion optic to convert the source light transmitted through the waveguide from the first end to the converted light at the second end;

wherein the source light is transmitted from the first end of the waveguide to the second end of the waveguide; and

wherein the color conversion optic comprises a plurality of interchangeable color conversion optics.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the waveguide is an optical fiber.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the optical fiber is a single mode fiber.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the color conversion optic includes a conversion material selected from a group consisting of phosphors, quantum dots, luminescent materials, and fluorescent materials.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the color conversion optic is located adjacent to the second end of the waveguide.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the converted wavelength range affects melatonin production.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of interchangeable color conversion optics corresponds to a desired output color;

and wherein the plurality of interchangeable color conversion optics is selectable to convert the source light into the converted light with the desired output color being defined by the converted wavelength range.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of interchangeable color conversion optics corresponds to a desired output color;

and wherein the plurality of interchangeable color conversion optics is selectable to convert the source light into the converted light with the desired output color being defined by a chromaticity.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein the source light is monochromatic.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the source light includes high energy light defined within the source wavelength range between 200 and 500 nanometers.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein at least part of the high energy light included in the source light is converted to low energy light to be included in the converted light.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the source light includes low energy light defined within the source wavelength range between 500 and 1300 nanometers.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein at least part of the low energy light included in the source light is converted to high energy light to be included in the converted light.

14. A device according to claim 12 wherein the source light further includes high energy light defined within the source wavelength range between 200 and 500 nanometers.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein an optical fixture is adjacently located to the second end of the waveguide to provide a light distribution pattern.

16. A device according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor.