Patent · US Expired

Illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting using phosphorescent dye

US7264366B2 · kind B2 · utility

243Cited by
27References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 29, 2004
Grant dateSep 4, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 29, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An illumination device simulates neon lighting using a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue and a light-transmitting medium having a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye positioned adjacent to the light source. The phosphorescent dye will absorb light emitted by the light source and emit light of a second hue. An observer of the device perceives light that is of a hue that is different from the predetermined first hue. A means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by the light source creates color changing effects in the illumination device. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a suitable light source. A waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties is used to diffuse the combined light and simulate the uniform appearance of a neon tube. Alternatively, the waveguide itself can be doped with phosphorescent dye to emit light having the perceived hue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.