Waveguide Having Unidrectional Illuminance
AssigneeCree, Inc.
InventorsEric J. Tarsa, David R. Stone, Jean-Claude David Ramey de Sugny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A luminaire includes an optical waveguide having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a light source associated with the optical waveguide. At least about 80% of light produced by the light source is directed by the waveguide into an illumination distribution emitted from the first surface of the optical waveguide.
Claims20
A display lighting element of a display case for viewing of an object disposed therein, comprising:
- a luminaire comprising:
- a transparent optical waveguide comprising a primary light-emitting surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary light-emitting surface;
- a light source coupled to the transparent optical waveguide;
- and
- a plurality of light extraction features disposed on the primary light-emitting surface;
- wherein the plurality of light extraction features comprises a first portion adjacent to the primary light-emitting surface and a second portion distal from the primary light-emitting surface, wherein the first portion comprises a truncated hemispherical shape in cross section and the second portion comprises one of a truncated conical shape and a cylindrical shape in cross section such that the plurality of light extraction features develop a directional illumination distribution through the primary light-emitting surface in a direction away from the secondary surface onto the object displayed, and wherein the object is viewable through the secondary surface and the primary light-emitting surface in line with a direct line-of-sight.
A luminaire providing general illumination, comprising:
- a transparent optical waveguide comprising a primary light-emitting surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary light-emitting surface;
- a light source coupled to the transparent optical waveguide;
- and
- a plurality of light extraction features disposed on the primary light-emitting surface;
- wherein the plurality of light extraction features comprises a first portion adjacent to the primary light-emitting surface and a second portion distal from the primary light-emitting surface, and wherein the first portion comprises a truncated hemispherical shape in cross section and the second portion comprises one of a truncated conical shape and a cylindrical shape in cross section such that light is directionally extracted from the primary light-emitting surface in a direction away from the secondary surface to illuminate a surrounding that is viewable through the transparent optical waveguide.
A method of illumination using an optical waveguide comprising a primary light-emitting surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary light-emitting surface, the method comprising:
- providing the optical waveguide;
- and
- injecting light into the optical waveguide;
- wherein the waveguide comprises a plurality of light extraction features that produce an illumination characteristic resulting from the plurality of extraction features directing light out of the optical waveguide away from the primary light-emitting surface and onto an object that is viewable through the secondary surface and the primary light-emitting surface.
A method of illumination using an optical waveguide comprising a primary light-emitting surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary light-emitting surface, the method comprising:
- providing the optical waveguide;
- disposing a plurality of light extraction features onto the primary light-emitting surface;
- injecting light into the optical waveguide;
- and
- directing at least 95% of the injected light out of the optical waveguide away from the primary light-emitting surface through the plurality of light extraction features and onto an object that is viewable through the secondary surface and the primary light-emitting surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.