Michael Alton Ernst

US Patent:

7540628, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Oct 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/550213

Inventors:

George K. Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael D. Ernst - Alamo CA, US

Assignee:

Novicomm, Inc. - Alamo CA

International Classification:

F21V 5/00

US Classification:

362227, 362612, 362800, 362613

Abstract:

A system for illuminating panels such as advertising display panels is provided. Such illuminated panels include at least one row of point light sources located substantially within the at least one illuminated frame member, a diffusion layer have a diffusion edge facing the at least one row of point light sources, a backscattering layer coupled to a back surface of the diffusion layer, and a dispersion layer coupled to a front surface of the diffusion layer. The diffusion layer has an edge with a surface roughness configured to diffuse light emitted by the at least one row of point light sources. In some embodiments, the light sources are dimmable Luxeon LEDs and can be activated by an infrared sensor. It is also possible to use ultraviolet to blue light sources for the panel and to include a phosphor in the dispersion layer of the panel for converting the ultraviolet to blue light into visible light.

US Patent:

20070245607, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/379967

Inventors:

George Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael Ernst - Alamo CA, US

International Classification:

G09F 13/18

US Classification:

040546000

Abstract:

A system for illuminating panels such as advertising display panels is provided. Such illuminated panels can be operated very efficiently, cost-effectively and with minimal maintenance once installed in the field. In one embodiment, the illuminated panel includes a panel frame with one or more illuminated frame member. Additional illuminated frame member(s) may be needed depending on the overall dimensions of the illuminated panel. The inside surface of the illuminated frame member should be reflective to increase the light transmission efficiency of the panel. A row of point light sources, e.g., a row of light emitting diodes, is located within the illuminated frame member. The panel frame encloses a light diffusion layer, e.g., an acrylic sheet, with a diffusion edge facing the row of point light sources. The diffusion edge has a surface roughness configured to diffuse light emitted by the row of point light sources. Suitable surface roughness can be accomplished by saw cuts or sanding the light diffusion layer with a suitable grit. In some embodiments, the illuminated frame member has an internal profile to better focus the light emitted by the light sources towards the diffusion edge. Suitable internal profiles include rounded profiles such as parabolic and elliptical shapes. Further, because the point light sources are discrete components, the panel frame members can take on a variety of shapes including curved shapes.

US Patent:

20080186695, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/693597

Inventors:

George K. Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael D. Ernst - Alamo CA, US
Alain S. Corcos - Northridge CA, US

International Classification:

F25D 27/00

US Classification:

362 92

Abstract:

An LED assembly for illuminating a refrigerated area includes a plurality of LED modules and a reflector base configured to reflect light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area. The reflector base is further configured to conduct heat away from the plurality of LED modules and also includes a base cooling channel. Both the reflector base and the plurality of LED modules are located substantially within the refrigerated area. The LED assembly also includes an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the reflector base, wherein the external heat sink is further configured to be mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area. The LED assembly can include a doom lens that forms a doom cooling channel substantially enclosing the reflector base. This internal heat sink includes an internal sink cooling channel.

US Patent:

20080186696, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Mar 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/693605

Inventors:

George K. Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael D. Ernst - Alamo CA, US
Alain S. Corcos - Northridge CA, US

International Classification:

F25D 27/00

US Classification:

362 92

Abstract:

An LED assembly for illuminating a refrigerated area includes a conductive base, a plurality of LED modules coupled to the conductive base, and a waveguide configured to direct light generated by the plurality of LED modules into the refrigerated area by reflecting and refracting light generated by the plurality of LED modules. The waveguide is located substantially within the refrigerated area. The LED assembly also includes an external heat sink coupled to the reflector base, and configured to conduct heat away from the conductive base. The external heat sink is mounted substantially outside the refrigerated area. The external heat sink can include an integral cooling channel. The LED assembly can also include an external cooling doom configured to provide cooling for the external heat sink.

US Patent:

20080186732, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Feb 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/670981

Inventors:

George K. Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael D. Ernst - Alamo CA, US
Alain S. Corcos - Northridge CA, US

International Classification:

F21V 7/04

US Classification:

362609

Abstract:

LED modules are provided for efficiently illuminating edge illuminated panels. Each LED module includes a base, an LED located substantially within the base, an inner beam director, and an outer beam director. An interface between the inner beam director and the outer beam director is shaped to refract and/or reflect the light beam along the interface, thereby narrowing a substantial portion of the light beam generated by the LED. For light output efficiency, each LED can have a geometrically coated phosphor layer which produces a whiter light beam. The interface between the inner and outer beam directors can be curved and/or substantially flat. The N value of the inner beam director is generally lower than the N value of the outer beam director thereby enabling the LED module to generate a substantially narrow beam of light. In some embodiments, the interface between the inner beam director and the outer beam director includes an intermediate beam director configured to further refract and/or reflect the light beam generated by the LED.

US Patent:

20080186737, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Feb 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/670982

Inventors:

George K. Awai - Danville CA, US
Michael D. Ernst - Alamo CA, US
Alain S. Corcos - Northridge CA, US

International Classification:

F21V 8/00

US Classification:

362617

Abstract:

An edge-illuminated panel with a shaped edge diffuser is provided. The panel includes a panel frame having at least one illuminated frame member coupled to the shaped edged diffuser. The diffuser includes a diffusion layer having a shaped illuminated edge. The panel frame includes at least one wide-angled light source located substantially within the at least one illuminated frame member. The wide-angled light source, e.g., a light emitting diode, illuminates the shaped illuminated edge of the diffusion layer with a substantially wide-angled beam of light. The shaped illuminated edge then transforms the substantially wide-angled beam of light into a substantially narrow beam of light capable of penetrating the diffusion layer. In some embodiments, the shaped illuminated edge of the diffusion layer includes a curved portion. In other embodiments, the shaped illuminated edge includes two or more curved and/or substantially flat portions