US5847507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluorescent dye added to epoxy of light emitting diode lens
Assignee: Signify North America Corp
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Filing: 1997-07-14
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2017-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus is described to produce efficient light emission over a broad portion of the visible spectrum. A lens containing a fluorescent dye is over molded to a short wavelength light emitter (e.g., a blue LED or laser diode) placed within a reflector cup. The fluorescent dye absorbs at least a portion of the light emitted by the diode and re-emits light of a second, longer wavelength. Concentration of the dye within the lens can be varied to control the extent of a region within the lens where most of the light is re-emitted so the remaining portion of the lens can focus the light. One can readily and consistently tailor the color of the light emitted from the lens through selection of the number and types of fluorescent dyes added to the lens, and through their relative concentrations. Inventory is reduced and there are no additional steps required when building varied color LEDs. One simply controls the color of the LED being made by selecting from one of several possible fluorescent dye-containing lens epoxies.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark M. Butterworth
- 👤 Rene P. Helbing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:09
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/85; H10H20/851; H10H20/8514; H10H20/855; H10H20/8511; H10H20/8512; H10H20/8513; H10H20/852; H10H20/853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A light source, comprising: a light emitter, to emit light of a first wavelength; and a lens to focus light emitted from the light source, the lens including a non-scattering fluorescent material to absorb light of the first wavelength and re-emit light of a second wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A light source, comprising: a light emitter, to emit light of a first wavelength; and a lens to focus light emitted from the light source, the lens including a non-scattering fluorescent material to absorb light of the first wavelength and re-emit light of a second wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, wherein concentration of the fluorescent material in the lens is such that a significant portion of light re-emission occurs in a particular region of the lens, thereby permitting the lens to focus the re-emitted light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluorescent material is an organic dye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, comprising a second fluorescent material that absorbs light of the first wavelength and re-emits light of a third wavelength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, comprising a second fluorescent material that absorbs light of the second wavelength and re-emits light of a third wavelength.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light source as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a laser diode.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of providing a light source, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light of a first wavelength from a light emitter; and using a lens to focus light emitted from the light source, the lens including a non-scattering fluorescent material to absorb light of the first wavelength and re-emit light of a second wavelength.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of providing a light source, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light of a first wavelength from a light emitter; and using a lens to focus light emitted from the light source, the lens including a non-scattering fluorescent material to absorb light of the first wavelength and re-emit light of a second wavelength.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, wherein concentration of the fluorescent material in the lens is such that a significant portion of light re-emission occurs in a particular region of the lens, thereby permitting the lens to focus the re-emitted light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the fluorescent material is an organic dye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, comprising the step wherein a second fluorescent material absorbs light of the first wavelength and re-emits light of a third wavelength.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, comprising the step wherein a second fluorescent material absorbs light of the second wavelength and re-emits light of a third wavelength.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the light emitter is a laser diode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A light source, comprising: a light emission means for emitting light of a first wavelength; and a focusing means for focusing light emitted from the light source, the focusing means including a non-scattering fluorescent means for absorbing light of the first wavelength and re-emitting light of a second wavelength.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A light source, comprising: a light emission means for emitting light of a first wavelength; and a focusing means for focusing light emitted from the light source, the focusing means including a non-scattering fluorescent means for absorbing light of the first wavelength and re-emitting light of a second wavelength.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, wherein concentration of the fluorescent means in the focusing means is such that a significant portion of light re-emission occurs in a particular region of the focusing means, thereby permitting the focusing means to focus the re-emitted light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, wherein the fluorescent means is an organic dye.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, comprising a second fluorescent means for absorbing light of the first wavelength and re-emitting light of a third wavelength.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, comprising a second fluorescent means for absorbing light of the second wavelength and re-emitting light of a third wavelength.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, wherein the light emission means is a light emitting diode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light source as set forth in claim 15, wherein the light emission means is a laser diode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3875456A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |