MEMS wavelength converting lighting device and associated methods
View Patent ↗A lighting device is described for receiving source light within a predetermined source wavelength range, converting the source light into a converted light, and reflecting the converted light to a desired output direction. The lighting device may use a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) device to receive and redirect the source light to the desired output direction. A conversion coating may be applied to the operative surface of the MEMS device to convert the source light into a converted light.
1. A lighting device for directing source light within a predetermined source wavelength range in a desired output direction, the lighting device comprising:
a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) device that includes at least one operative surface to receive and redirect the source light towards the desired output direction;
a conversion coating, that includes a phosphorous wavelength coating material, applied to the at least one operative surface to convert the source light into a converted light within a predetermined at least one converted wavelength range;
wherein the MEMS device is a digital micromirror device (DMD) that includes an array of mirrors positionable between multiple angles to reflect the converted light; and
wherein the predetermined source wavelength ranges includes a plurality of wavelength ranges that are selectively enabled.
2. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the source light is a monochromatic light.
3. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the source light is a bichromatic light.
4. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the source light is a polychromatic light.
5. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined source wavelength range is within at least one of a blue spectrum and an ultraviolet spectrum.
6. A lighting device according to claim 5 wherein the predetermined source wavelength range of the source light within the ultraviolet spectrum is between 200 nanometers and 400 nanometers.
7. A lighting device according to claim 5 wherein the predetermined source wavelength range of the source light within the blue spectrum is between 400 nanometers and 500 nanometers.
8. A lighting device according to claim 1 further comprising a position detecting device; and wherein the desired output direction includes a projection surface.
9. A lighting device according to claim 8 wherein the position detecting device senses a location of the projection surface to define a location of a sensed projection surface.
10. A lighting device according to claim 9 further comprising a repositioning device that repositions the MEMS device to project the converted light to the location of the sensed projection surface.
11. A lighting device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one light source that generates the source light in the predetermined source wavelength range.