Laser-driven white lighting system for high-brightness applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9927076-B2
Application number	US-201715412289-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2017
Priority date	Aug 30, 2012
Publication date	Mar 27, 2018
Grant date	Mar 27, 2018

Abstract

A high-power, high-brightness lighting system for large venue lighting, which includes a laser diode as the excitation source and one or more phosphor materials placed at a remote distance from the laser source. The invention offers a lighting system with the advantages of high brightness, high efficiency, high luminous efficacy, long lifetimes, quick turn-on times, suitable color properties, environmental sustainability, and easy maintenance, which may allow for smart and flexible control over large area lighting systems with resulting savings in operating and maintenance costs.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for illuminating a venue, the device comprising:
a laser diode for emitting a first light that is placed at ground level of a venue;
one or more phosphor materials, optically coupled to the laser diode, for emitting a second light when excited by the first light; and
a structure, having an optically transparent window, for housing the phosphor materials, wherein:
the structure completely encloses the phosphor materials to protect them from harsh conditions;
the structure comprises a substrate upon which the phosphor materials are deposited, and the substrate is made of a thermally conductive material to transport heat generated away from the phosphor materials;
the first light emitted from the laser diode enters the structure to interact with the phosphor materials and the second light emitted from the phosphor materials exits the structure through the optically transparent window; and
the structure is placed at a remote distance from the laser diode at a point of illumination above the ground level of the venue with the second light emitted from the phosphor materials being directed towards an area to be lighted.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first light emitted by the laser diode is transferred to the point of illumination via direct emission.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the structure has a square, rectangular, circular or oval shape.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the structure is connected to a post with or without a hinge that allows for tilting.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the structure has an outer covering that directs the second light emitted from the phosphor materials in a specific direction.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent window further comprises a long-pass filter that filters out laser light.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a reflective surface to reflect the second light emitted from the phosphor materials onto the area to be lighted.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor materials are deposited on the substrate using an optically transparent matrix.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor materials are a combination of one or more phosphors of different compositions that emit light at different wavelengths.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein a layer containing the phosphor materials is deposited on a surface of the substrate and a surface of the layer is textured to promote light extraction and to mix light components to create a homogeneous white light.

Assignees

• Univ California

Inventors

• Denault Kristin A
• Denbaars Steven P
• Seshadri Ram Seshadri

Classifications

• G02B6/00

  Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings · CPC title

• F21V9/08

  for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light (with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40) · CPC title

• F21V9/45

  by adjustment of photoluminescent elements · CPC title

• F21V29/70

  characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks · CPC title

• F21Y2115/30

  Semiconductor lasers · CPC title