U.S. patent application number 15/078805 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-27 for optical system for a led luminaire.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robe Lighting s.r.o.. Invention is credited to Pavel JURIK, Josef VALCHAR.
Application Number | 20190195446 15/078805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58257147 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190195446 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
JURIK; Pavel ; et
al. |
June 27, 2019 |
OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR A LED LUMINAIRE
Abstract
Single multidie LED light homogenizer source for an automated
multiparmeter luminaire.
Inventors: |
JURIK; Pavel; (Prostredni
Becva, CZ) ; VALCHAR; Josef; (Prostredni Becva,
CZ) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robe Lighting s.r.o. |
Roznov pod Radhostem |
|
CZ |
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170074476 A1 |
March 16, 2017 |
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Family ID: |
58257147 |
Appl. No.: |
15/078805 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14682834 |
Apr 9, 2015 |
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15078805 |
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15024008 |
Mar 22, 2016 |
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PCT/US15/19748 |
Mar 10, 2015 |
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14682834 |
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61950403 |
Mar 10, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 19/02 20130101;
F21Y 2113/13 20160801; F21V 5/008 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
F21W 2131/406 20130101; F21V 7/041 20130101; F21V 13/04 20130101;
F21V 7/043 20130101; F21V 14/06 20130101; G02B 19/0066 20130101;
F21S 10/007 20130101; F21V 5/02 20130101; F21V 21/30 20130101; G02B
26/023 20130101; G02B 19/00 20130101; G02B 27/0994 20130101; F21V
7/0091 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21S 10/00 20060101
F21S010/00; F21V 7/00 20060101 F21V007/00; F21V 19/02 20060101
F21V019/02; F21V 5/02 20060101 F21V005/02; F21V 13/04 20060101
F21V013/04 |
Claims
1. An automated mulitparameter luminaire with a light engine
comprising: a single multiple LED light source mounted in a
collimator directing light to an elongated TIR homogenizer a light
condenser transforming the homogenized beam from the homogenizer
into a focused light beam gobo and prism, or gobo, or prism light
modulators; and a zoom lens system to alter the focus or beam angle
or zoom of the light beam.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This utility application claims priority of and through the
following: [0002] U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15/024,129
filed 23 Mar. 2016, [0003] PCT Application PCT/US15/19748 filed 10
Mar. 2015, and [0004] U.S. Provisional Application 61/950,403 filed
10 Mar. 2014; and [0005] U.S. Utility application Ser. No.
14/682,834 filed 9 Apr. 2015, and [0006] U.S. Provisional
62/133,956 filed 16 Mar. 2015
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention generally relates to an automated
luminaire, specifically to an optical system in an automated LED
luminaire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Luminaires with automated and remotely controllable
functionality are well known in the entertainment and architectural
lighting markets. Such products are commonly used in theatres,
television studios, concerts, theme parks, night clubs and other
venues. A typical product will commonly provide control over the
pan and tilt functions of the luminaire allowing the operator to
control the direction the luminaire is pointing and thus the
position of the light beam on the stage or in the studio. Typically
this position control is done via control of the luminaire's
position in two orthogonal rotational axes usually referred to as
pan and tilt. Many products provide control over other parameters
such as the intensity, color, focus, beam size, beam shape and beam
pattern. The beam pattern is often provided by a stencil or slide
called a gobo which may be a steel, aluminum or etched glass
pattern. The products manufactured by Robe Show Lighting such as
the Robin MMX Spot are typical of the art.
[0009] The optical systems of such automated luminaires may be
designed such that a very narrow output beam is produced so that
the units may be used with long throws or for almost parallel light
laser like effects. These optics are often called `Beam` optics. To
form this narrow beam with the large light sources in the prior art
the output lens either needed to be very large with a large
separation between the lens and the gobos or of a short focal
length and much closer to the gobos
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a multiparameter automated luminaire
system 10. These systems commonly include a plurality of
multiparameter automated luminaires 12 which typically each contain
on-board a light source (not shown), light modulation devices,
electric motors coupled to mechanical drives systems and control
electronics (not shown). In addition to being connected to mains
power either directly or through a power distribution system (not
shown), each luminaire is connected is series or in parallel to
data link 14 to one or more control desks 15. The luminaire system
10 is typically controlled by an operator through the control desk
15. Control of the automated luminaire 12 is effectuated by
electromechanical devices within the luminaire 12 and electronic
circuitry including firmware and software within the control desk
15 and/or the luminaire 12. In many of the figures herein,
important parts like electromechanical components such as motors
and electronic circuitry including software and firmware and some
hardware are not shown in order to simplify the drawings so as to
teach how to practice the inventions taught herein. Persons of
skill in the art will recognize the need for these parts and should
be able to readily fill in these parts.
[0011] In prior art luminaires lamps with extremely small light
sources have been developed. These often use a very short arc gap,
of the order of 1 mm, between two electrodes as the light producing
means. These lamps may be used for producing a very narrow beam as
their source etendue is low, and the size of the lenses and optical
systems to collimate the light from such a small source can be
substantially reduced. However, the short arc and small light
source coupled with the short focal length, and thus large light
beam angles, of the reflector also tend to produce substantial
amounts of unwanted and objectionable spill light which can escape
between gobos or around the dimming shutters. Further, arc lamps
require very high voltages in order to ignite the lamp, and can
produce dangerous amounts of heat and UV energy, which needs to be
filtered out. In recent times LED emitters have become available
that are small enough and powerful enough to be used in this kind
of luminaire. However, they need improvements to their design to
improve the homogenizing and collimation of their optical
systems.
[0012] There is an increased need for an improved automated
luminaire utilizing an LED light source capable of producing both
very narrow output beams and of projecting images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals indicate like features and
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical automated lighting system;
[0015] FIG. 2a illustrates an embodiment of an improved light
module for an automated luminaire;
[0016] FIG. 2b illustrates an alternative embodiment of an improved
light module for an automated luminaire;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the light engine optical
system employing an improved LED light module with narrow beam
angle;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3; and;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the gimbaled housing
for the light engine illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of portions of
the light source side of the light engine;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates the alternative embodiment portions of
the light engine illustrated in FIG. 6 in a different
configuration;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the
portions of the light engine illustrated in FIG. 5 & FIG. 6
with the addition of a image multiplier;
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a different configuration of the further
alternative embodiment of the portions of the light engine
illustrated in FIG. 8, and;
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates in more detail the articulation of the
image multiplier in the further alternative embodiment of FIG. 8
and FIG. 9;
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates the alternative embodiment of the light
engine components of FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 with the rest of
the light engine major components; and
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates a more detailed view of the light engine
illustrated in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in the FIGUREs, like numerals being used to refer to
like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
[0028] The present invention generally relates to an automated
luminaire, specifically to an optical system in an automated LED
luminaire.
[0029] FIG. 2a illustrates the light module of an embodiment of the
invention where an LED light source 24 is mounted to a support and
heat sink 22. LED light source 24 may be fitted with its own
optical element 20. Optical element 26 is an optional component in
the system and, although illustrated here as a reflector, may be a
reflector, TIR lens, lens, lens array, micro-lens array,
holographic grating, diffractive grating, diffuser, or other
optical device known in the art the purpose of which is to control
and direct the light from LED light source 24 towards the entry
port 40 of light integrator 30. LED light source element 24 may
contain a single LED die or an array of LED dies utilizing the same
optical element 20. Such arrays of LED dies within LED light source
24 may be of a single color and type or may be of multiple colors
such as a mix of Red, Green and Blue LEDs. Any number and mix of
colors of LED dies may be used within LED light source 24 without
departing from the spirit of the invention. In a particular
embodiment LED light source 24 may comprise a single multi-chip die
containing separate red, green, blue, and white LED dies with a
single primary optic 20.
[0030] Light integrator 30 is a device utilizing internal
reflection so as to homogenize and constrain the light from LED
light source 24. Light integrator 30 may be a hollow tube with a
reflective inner surface such that light impinging into the entry
port may be reflected multiple times along the tube before leaving
at the exit port. As the light is reflected down the tube in
different directions from LED light source 24 the light beams will
mix forming a composite beam where different colors of light are
homogenized and an evenly colored beam is emitted. Light integrator
30 may be a square tube, a hexagonal tube, a circular tube, an
octagonal tube or a tube of any cross section known in the art. In
a further embodiment light integrator 30 may be a solid rod
constructed of glass, transparent plastic or other optically
transparent material where the reflection of the incident light
beam within the rod is due to total internal reflection (TIR) from
the interface between the material of the rod and the surrounding
air. Such integrating rods are well known in the art from their use
in video projection illumination systems and may be circular or
other polygonal shape in cross section.
[0031] The homogenized light exits 42 from the light integrator 30
and may then be further controlled and directed by optical system
44 and 46. Optical system 44 and 46 may be condensing lenses
designed to produce an even illumination for downstream optics, or
may be lenses that are adjustable to control the beam of the
resultant light.
[0032] FIG. 2b illustrates an alternative light module of an
embodiment of the invention where an LED light source 24 is mounted
to a support and heat sink 22. LED light source 24 may be fitted
with its own optical element 20. LED light source element 24 may
contain a single LED die or an array of LED dies utilizing the same
optical element 20. Such arrays of LED dies within LED light source
24 may be of a single color and type or may be of multiple colors
such as a mix of Red, Green and Blue LEDs. Any number and mix of
colors of LED dies may be used within LED light source 24 without
departing from the spirit of the invention. In a particular
embodiment LED light source 24 may comprise a single multi-chip die
containing separate red, green, blue, and white LED dies with a
single primary optic 20.
[0033] Light integrator 32 is a device utilizing internal
reflection so as to homogenize and constrain the light from LED
light source 24. Light integrator 32 may be a hollow tube with a
reflective inner surface such that light impinging into the entry
port may be reflected multiple times along the tube before leaving
at the exit port. As the light is reflected down the tube in
different directions from LED light source 24 the light beams will
mix forming a composite beam where different colors of light are
homogenized and an evenly colored beam is emitted. Light integrator
32 may be a square tube, a hexagonal tube, a circular tube, an
octagonal tube or a tube of any cross section known in the art. In
a further embodiment light integrator 32 may be a solid rod
constructed of glass, transparent plastic or other optically
transparent material where the reflection of the incident light
beam within the rod is due to total internal reflection (TIR) from
the interface between the material of the rod and the surrounding
air. Such integrating rods are well known in the art from their use
in video projection illumination systems and may be circular or
other polygonal shape in cross section. Light integrator 32 may be
tapered as shown here or may have parallel sides. Entry port 41 of
light integrator 32 may be of a first cross section and exit port
43 may be of a second cross section. Entry cross section 41 and
exit cross section 43 may be different shapes. In one embodiment
entry cross section 41 is square and exit cross section 43 is
octagonal. However entry cross section 41 and exit cross section 43
may be of any shape.
[0034] The homogenized light exits from the light integrator 32 and
may then be further controlled and directed by optical system 44
and 46. Optical system 44 and 46 may be condensing lenses designed
to produce an even illumination for downstream optics, or may be
lenses that are adjustable to control the beam of the resultant
light.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an optical system 100 of an embodiment of
the invention. The automated luminaire contains a light source as
described in FIG. 2 that emits a collimated and homogenized light
beam through optical system 44 and 46. The light beam then passes
through multiple optical effects systems such as, for example,
static gobo system 50, rotating gobo system 48, and prism system
54. The light beam then continues through lenses 56, 58, and 60
which may each individually or cooperatively be capable of movement
along the optical axis of the luminaire so as to alter the focus
and beam angle or zoom of the light beam.
[0036] Static gobo system 50, rotating gobo system 48, and prism
system may be driven by motors 52 that may be stepper motors, servo
motors. Linear actuators, or other motor systems as well known in
the art. The luminaire may contain any number or combination of
these optical effect systems as well as others such as framing
systems, and diffusion systems.
[0037] Lenses 56, 58, and 60 may be chosen such that the output
light beam from the automated luminaire is adjustable for both zoom
and focus by moving any or all of lenses 56, 58, and 60 along the
optical axis of the luminaire. In one embodiment of the invention
the lenses and system are designed such that the beam is close to
parallel and variable from 1.degree. to 10.degree. in angle. In the
10.degree. position the luminaire will be suitable for gobo
projection, while in the 1.degree. position the luminaire will be
suitable to be a beam effect projector.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 that more clearly shows the
static gobo wheel 50 containing gobos 51, and rotating gobo wheel
48 containing gobos 49.
[0039] The optical system 100 in FIGS. 3 and 4 has been elongated
in illustration along the optical axis for ease of understanding.
In practice the optical system 100 may be short from front to back
allowing the production of a very compact automated luminaire.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an automated luminaire
of the invention. Automated luminaire 70 comprises a base, 75,
rotatably connected to a yoke assembly, 73, which in turn is
rotatably connected to a head 72. The rotation of yoke 73 relative
to the base 75 is often referred to as pan, and rotation of the
head 72 relative to yoke 73 is often known as tilt. By combined and
coordinated control of pan and tilt motions the head 72 may be
pointed in any desired direction relative to fixed base 75.
[0041] Head 72 is fitted with an optical system as described and
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of this document.
[0042] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate an alternative
embodiment of optical system 100 of the invention.
[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the operation of the optical system
in an alternative embodiment of the invention. A light-emitting
module of the system comprises an LED 142, which may include a
primary optic, mounted on substrate 143. LED 142 may contain a
single color die or may contain multiple dies, each of which may be
of differing colors. The light output from the dies in LED 142
enters light integrator optic 144 contained within protective
sleeve 140. Light integrator 144 may be a device utilizing internal
reflection so as to collect, homogenize and constrain and conduct
the light to exit port 146. Light integrator 144 may be a hollow
tube with a reflective inner surface such that light impinging into
the entry port may be reflected multiple times along the tube
before leaving at the exit port 146. Light integrator 144 may be a
square tube, a hexagonal tube, a heptagonal tube, an octagonal
tube, a circular tube, or a tube of any other cross section. In a
further embodiment light integrator 144 may be a solid rod
constructed of glass, transparent plastic or other optically
transparent material where the reflection of the incident light
beam within the rod is due to total internal reflection (TIR) from
the interface between the material of the rod and the surrounding
air. The integrating rod may a square rod, a hexagonal rod, a
heptagonal rod, an octagonal rod, a circular rod, or a rod of any
other cross section.
[0044] The light exiting integrator 144 will be well homogenized
with all the colors of LED 142 mixed together into a single colored
light beam. In various embodiments of the invention each LED
emitter 142 may comprise a single LED die of a single color or a
group of LED dies of the same or differing colors. For example in
one embodiment LED emitter 142 may comprise one each of a Red,
Green, Blue and White LED die. In further embodiments LED emitter
142 may comprise a single LED chip or package while in yet further
embodiments LED emitter 142 may comprise multiple LED chips or
packages either under a single primary optic or each package with
its own primary optic. In some embodiments these LED die(s) may be
paired with optical lens element(s) as part of the LED
light-emitting module. In a further embodiment LED emitter 142 may
comprise more than four colors of LEDs. For example seven colors
may be used, one each of a Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, Cyan,
and Deep Blue/UV LED die.
[0045] Integrator 144 may advantageously have an aspect ratio where
its length is much greater than its diameter. The greater the ratio
between length and diameter, the better the resultant mixing and
homogenization will be. The precise length is dependent on the
placement of LED color dies in the LED array served by the
Integrator 144 to get Homogenization. One configuration may require
a greater ratio of length to diameter to another and different
configurations may require different input cross-sectional areas.
and thus more length to get well mixed output. the shape of the
cross sections and changes in the cross section also effect the
length of integrator required. Integrator 144 may be enclosed in a
tube or sleeve 140 that provides mechanical protection against
damage, scratches, and dust.
[0046] In further embodiments the light integrator 144, whether
solid or hollow, and with any number of sides, may have entry ports
and exit ports that differ in shape. For example, a square entry
port and an octagonal exit port 146. Further light integrator 144
may have sides which are tapered so that the entrance aperture is
smaller than the exit aperture. The advantage of such a structure
is that the divergence angle of light exiting the integrator 144 at
exit port 146 will be smaller than the divergence angle for light
entering the integrator 144. The combination of a smaller
divergence angle from a larger aperture serves to conserve the
etendue of the system. Thus a tapered integrator 144 may provide
similar functionality to a condensing optical system.
[0047] Light exiting integrator 144 is directed towards and through
first lens 136 and second lens 138 that serve to further control
the angle of the emitted light beam. First lens 136 and second lens
138 may be moved as a pair towards and away from light integrator
144 as described above in the direction along the optical axis of
the system as shown by arrow 132. In the position shown in FIG. 6
where first lens 136 and second lens 138 are at their furthest
separation from the light-emitting module and the exit 146 of
integrator 144 the emitted light beam will have a narrow beam
angle. In the position shown in FIG. 7 where first lens 136 and
second lens 138 are at their closest distance to the light-emitting
module and the exit 146 of integrator 144 the emitted light beam
will have a wide beam angle. Intermediate positions of the lenses
136 and 138 with respect to exit 146 of integrator 144 will provide
intermediate beam angles. In one embodiment of the invention, the
range of beam angles from the system may be adjusted from 4.degree.
to 50.degree..
[0048] In further embodiments lenses 136 and 138 may move
separately and independently to provide varying beam angle or focus
adjustment of the light beam.
[0049] Lenses 136 and 138 may be meniscus lenses, plano convex
lenses, bi-convex lenses, holographic lenses, or other lenses as
well known in the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be manufactured from
glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or any other material known to be
used for optical lenses. Lenses 136 and 138 may be single elements
or may each be lenses comprising a plurality of elements. Such
elements may be cemented together or air spaced as is well known in
the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be constructed so as to form an
achromatic combination. Such a configuration may be desirable such
that the differing wavelengths of light from the associated LED
light emitting module do not diverge or converge from each other
and remain mixed. The design of such achromatic lenses or lens
assemblies is well known in the art.
[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the operation of the optical system
in an embodiment of the invention when fitted with effect 162. A
light-emitting module of the system comprises an LED 142, which may
include a primary optic, is mounted on substrate 143. LED 142 may
contain a single color die or may contain multiple dies, each of
which may be of differing colors. The light output from the dies in
LED 142 enters light integrator optic 144 contained within
protective sleeve 140. Light integrator 144 may be a device
utilizing internal reflection so as to collect, homogenize and
constrain and conduct the light to exit port 146. Light integrator
144 may be a hollow tube with a reflective inner surface such that
light impinging into the entry port may be reflected multiple times
along the tube before leaving at the exit port 146. Light
integrator 144 may be a square tube, a hexagonal tube, a heptagonal
tube, an octagonal tube, a circular tube, or a tube of any other
cross section. In a further embodiment light integrator 144 may be
a solid rod constructed of glass, transparent plastic or other
optically transparent material where the reflection of the incident
light beam within the rod is due to total internal reflection (TIR)
from the interface between the material of the rod and the
surrounding air. The integrating rod may a square rod, a hexagonal
rod, a heptagonal rod, an octagonal rod, a circular rod, or a rod
of any other cross section.
[0051] The light exiting integrator 144 will be well homogenized
with all the colors of LED 142 mixed together into a single colored
light beam. In various embodiments of the invention each LED
emitter 142 may comprise a single LED die of a single color or a
group of LED dies of the same or differing colors. For example in
one embodiment LED emitter 142 may comprise one each of a Red,
Green, Blue and White LED die or one each of a Red, Green, Blue and
Amber LED die. In further embodiments LED emitter 142 may comprise
a single LED chip or package while in yet further embodiments LED
emitter 142 may comprise multiple LED chips or packages either
under a single primary optic or each package with its own primary
optic. In some embodiments these LED die(s) may be paired with
optical lens element(s) as part of the LED light-emitting module.
In a further embodiment LED emitter 142 may comprise more than four
colors of LEDs. For example seven colors may be used, one each of a
Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, Cyan, and Deep Blue/UV LED die.
[0052] Integrator 144 may advantageously have an aspect ratio where
its length is much greater than its diameter. The greater the ratio
between length and diameter, the better the resultant mixing and
homogenization will be. Integrator 144 may be enclosed in a tube or
sleeve 140 that provides mechanical protection against damage,
scratches, and dust.
[0053] In further embodiments the light integrator 144, whether
solid or hollow, and with any number of sides, may have entry ports
and exit ports that differ in shape. For example, a square entry
port and an octagonal exit port 146. Further light integrator 144
may have sides which are tapered so that the entrance aperture is
smaller than the exit aperture. The advantage of such a structure
is that the divergence angle of light exiting the integrator 144 at
exit port 146 will be smaller than the divergence angle for light
entering the integrator 144. The combination of a smaller
divergence angle from a larger aperture serves to conserve the
etendue of the system. Thus a tapered integrator 144 may provide
similar functionality to a condensing optical system.
[0054] Light exiting integrator 144 is directed towards and through
effect 162 and then through first lens 136 and second lens 138 that
serve to further control the angle of the emitted light beam. First
lens 136 and second lens 138 may be moved as a pair towards and
away from light integrator 144 as described above in the direction
along the optical axis of the system as shown by arrow 132. In the
position shown in FIG. 8 where first lens 136 and second lens 138
are at their furthest separation from the light-emitting module and
the exit 146 of integrator 144 the emitted light beam will have a
narrow beam angle. In the position shown in FIG. 9 where first lens
136 and second lens 138 are at their closest distance to the
light-emitting module and the exit 146 of integrator 144 the
emitted light beam will have a wide beam angle. Intermediate
positions of the lenses 136 and 138 with respect to exit 146 of
integrator 144 will provide intermediate beam angles. In one
embodiment of the invention, the range of beam angles from the
system may be adjusted from 4.degree. to 50.degree..
[0055] The introduction of effect 162 may limit how close first
lens 136 and second lens 138 may move towards integrator 144. This,
in turn, may limit the maximum output angle of the optical system
when effect 162 is being utilized.
[0056] In further embodiments lenses 136 and 138 may move
separately and independently to provide varying beam angle or focus
adjustment of the light beam.
[0057] Lenses 136 and 138 may be meniscus lenses, plano convex
lenses, bi-convex lenses, holographic lenses, or other lenses as
well known in the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be manufactured from
glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or any other material known to be
used for optical lenses. Lenses 136 and 138 may be single elements
or may each be lenses comprising a plurality of elements. Such
elements may be cemented together or air spaced as is well known in
the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be constructed so as to form an
achromatic combination. Such a configuration may be desirable such
that the differing wavelengths of light from the associated LED
light emitting module do not diverge or converge from each other
and remain mixed. The design of such achromatic lenses or lens
assemblies is well known in the art.
[0058] FIG. 10 illustrates an effects system that may be fitted to
an embodiment of the invention. The light emitting module
comprises, as previously described, LED 142, light integrator 144
with exit 146 contained within tube 140. Associated with this light
emitting module are lenses 136 and 138. The light-emitting module
additionally has a lighting effects system. This lighting effects
system comprises optical effect 162 that is rotatably mounted in
effects carrier arm 160 such that it can rotate as shown by arrow
164. This rotation 164 is effected through motor 150 and pulley
system 158. Additionally, the effect carrier arm may be swung into
and out of position through motor 152, pulley 154, and belt 156.
Through operation of motor 152 optical effect 162 may either be
positioned across light exit aperture 146 or moved away from light
exit aperture 146 and out of the light beam so that it has no
effect. Once effect 162 is in position across the light beam,
lenses 136 and 138 may be moved in direction 132 as before to alter
the beam angle of the light beam, now further modified by effect
162. Motors 150, and 152 may be stepper motors, servo motors,
linear actuators, solenoids, DC motors, or other mechanisms as well
known in the art.
[0059] Effect 162 may be a prism, effects glass, gobo, gobo wheel,
color, frost, iris or any other optical effect as well known in the
art. Effect 162 may comprise a gobo wheel, all or any of which may
be individually or cooperatively controlled. In further embodiments
the gobo wheel may not be a complete circle, but may be a portion
of a disc, or a flag so as to save space and provide a more limited
number of gobo options. The gobo patterns may be of any shape and
may include colored images or transparencies. In yet further
embodiments individual gobo patterns may be further rotated about
their axes by supplementary motors in order to provide a moving
rotating image. Such rotating gobo wheels are well known in the
art.
[0060] In further embodiments lenses 136 and 138 may move
separately and independently to provide varying beam angle or focus
adjustment of the light beam.
[0061] Lenses 136 and 138 may be meniscus lenses, plano convex
lenses, bi-convex lenses, holographic lenses, or other lenses as
well known in the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be manufactured from
glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or any other material known to be
used for optical lenses. Lenses 136 and 138 may be single elements
or may each be lenses comprising a plurality of elements. Such
elements may be cemented together or air spaced as is well known in
the art. Lenses 136 and 138 may be constructed so as to form an
achromatic combination. Such a configuration may be desirable such
that the differing wavelengths of light from the associated LED
light emitting module do not diverge or converge from each other
and remain mixed. The design of such achromatic lenses or lens
assemblies is well known in the art.
[0062] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an optical system 200 of an
embodiment of the invention. The automated luminaire contains a
light source as described in FIGS. 6 and 7 that emits a collimated
and homogenized light beam from exit aperture 146. The light beam
then passes through multiple optical effects systems such as, for
example, static gobo system 50 containing gobos 51, rotating gobo
system 48 containing gobos 49, and prism system 54. The light beam
then continues through lenses 56, 58, and 60 which may each
individually or cooperatively be capable of movement along the
optical axis of the luminaire so as to alter the focus and beam
angle or zoom of the light beam.
[0063] Static gobo system 50, rotating gobo system 48, and prism
system may be driven by motors 52 that may be stepper motors, servo
motors. Linear actuators, or other motor systems as well known in
the art. The luminaire may contain any number or combination of
these optical effect systems as well as others such as framing
systems, and diffusion systems.
[0064] Lenses 56, 58, and 60 may be chosen such that the output
light beam from the automated luminaire is adjustable for both zoom
and focus by moving any or all of lenses 56, 58, and 60 along the
optical axis of the luminaire. Lenses 56, 58 and 60 may be
comprised of meniscus lenses, plano convex lenses, bi-convex
lenses, holographic lenses, or other lenses as well known in the
art. Lenses 56, 58 and 60 may be manufactured from glass, acrylic,
polycarbonate, or any other material known to be used for optical
lenses. Lenses 56, 58 and 60 may be single elements or may each be
lenses comprising a plurality of elements. Such elements may be
cemented together or air spaced as is well known in the art. Lenses
56, 58 and 60 may be constructed so as to form an achromatic
combination. Such a configuration may be desirable such that the
differing wavelengths of light from the associated LED light
emitting module do not diverge or converge from each other and
remain mixed. The design of such achromatic lenses or lens
assemblies is well known in the art.
[0065] In one embodiment of the invention the lenses and system are
designed such that the beam is close to parallel and variable from
1.degree. to 10.degree. in angle. In the 10.degree. position the
luminaire will be suitable for gobo projection, while in the
1.degree. position the luminaire will be suitable to be a beam
effect projector.
[0066] The optical system 200 in FIGS. 11 and 12 has been elongated
in illustration along the optical axis for ease of understanding.
In practice the optical system 200 may be short from front to back
allowing the production of a very compact automated luminaire.
[0067] While the disclosure has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure
as disclosed herein. The disclosure has been described in detail,
it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure.
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