Wavelength converting lighting device and associated methods
View Patent ↗A lighting device is described for receiving source light within a 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;
a conversion coating applied to the at least one operative surface; wherein the at least one operative surface receives the source light, converts the source light within a source wavelength range into a converted light within an at least one converted wavelength range that differs from the source wavelength range and redirects the source light towards the desired output direction;
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.
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 source wavelength ranges includes a plurality of wavelength ranges that are selectively enabled.
6. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the source wavelength range is within at least one of a blue spectrum and an ultraviolet spectrum.
7. A lighting device according to claim 6 wherein the source wavelength range of the source light within the ultraviolet spectrum has is between 200 nanometers and 400 nanometers.
8. A lighting device according to claim 6 wherein the source wavelength range of the source light within the blue spectrum is between 400 nanometers and 500 nanometers.
9. A lighting device according to claim 1 further comprising a position detecting device; and wherein the desired output direction includes a projection surface.
10. A lighting device according to claim 9 wherein the position detecting device senses a location of the projection surface to define a location of a sensed projection surface.
11. A lighting device according to claim 10 further comprising a repositioning device that repositions the MEMS device to project the converted light to the location of the sensed projection surface.
12. A lighting device according to claim 1 wherein the conversion coating includes a phosphorous wavelength converting material.
13. A method of using a lighting device comprising a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) device having at least one operative surface and a conversion coating applied to the at least one operative surface, the method comprising:
receiving a source light within a source wavelength range on the at least one operative surface;
converting the source light received on the at least one operative surface into a converted light within an at least one converted wavelength range that differs from the source wavelength range; and
reflecting the converted light towards a desired output direction;
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 to the desired output direction.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the source light is a monochromatic light.
15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the source light is a bichromatic light.
16. A method according to claim 13 wherein the source light is a polychromatic light.
17. A method according to claim 13 wherein the source light includes a source wavelength range that is within at least one of a blue spectrum and an ultraviolet spectrum.
18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the source wavelength range of the source light within the ultraviolet spectrum is between 200 nanometers and 400 nanometers.
19. A method according to claim 16 wherein the source wavelength range of the source light within the blue spectrum is between 400 nanometers and 500 nanometers.
20. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of sensing a location of the projection surface using a position detecting device to define a location of a sensed projection surface, and repositioning the MEMS device to project the converted light to the location of the sensed projection surface using a repositioning device.
21. A method according to claim 13 wherein the conversion coating includes a phosphorous wavelength converting material.
22. A method according to claim 13 further comprising generating the source light from at least one light source in a source wavelength range.