Abstract
Described are an improved automated luminaire 12 and luminaire systems 10 employing an improved output Fresnel lens 46 with an optically planar surface 34 combined with an articulable stippling plate 47. The stippling plate 47 may be inserted and removed immediately behind and adjacent to the planar rear surface of the lens 46 in order to transform the optical system from beam optics to wash optics or immediately adjacent to another articulable lens system 29 directly the light beam toward the previously described Fresnel lens. Further embodiment may include an articulable beam spreader.
Claims
1. An automated luminaire generating a modulated light beam along a light beam axis comprising: a Fresnel lens with a planar rear surface a stipple plate with a planar front surface and a stippled rear surface mounted adjacent to the Fresnel lens so that the planar surface of the Fresnel lens is adjacent to the planar surface of the stippled plate; the stipple plate is articulated to be selectively removed from the light beam and inserted in the light beam adjacent to the Fresnel lens; the stipple lens is partitioned into a plurality of separate sections and the stipple lens partitions articulations incorporate a pivot about which the partitions are rotated from out of the light beam to a position in the light beam immediately adjacent to the Fresnel lens.
2. The automated luminaire of claim 1 wherein the Fresnel lens and stipple plate are selectively articulated to variable positions along a range along the light beam axis.
3. The automated luminaire of claim 1 wherein the pivots are positioned so that the potion rotational plane of the stipple lens partitions is in a plane perpendicular to the light beam axis.
4. An automated luminaire generating a modulated light beam along a light beam axis comprising: a Fresnel lens with a planar surface; a stipple plate with a planar surface facing the planar surface of the Fresnel lens and a stippled surface opposite the planar surface of the stippled plate; the planar surface of the Fresnel lens faces the light beam; wherein the Fresnel lens and stipple plate are selectively articulated to variable positions along a range along the light beam axis and the stipple lens partitions articulations incorporate a pivot about which the partitions are rotated from out of the light beam to a position in the light beam immediately adjacent to the Fresnel lens.
5. The automated luminaire of claim 1 where the stipple plate is articulated to be selectively removed from the light beam and inserted in the light beam adjacent to the Fresnel lens.
6. The automated luminaire of claim 1 wherein the stipple lens is partitioned into a plurality of separate sections.
7. The automated luminaire of claim 6 wherein the pivots are positioned so that the potion rotational plane of the stipple lens partitions is in a plane perpendicular to the light beam axis.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) 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:
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a typical automated lighting system;
(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art automated luminaire;
(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in beamlight mode;
(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in wash light mode;
(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a Fresnel lens for an improved luminaire;
(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the stippling lens plate from FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view stippling lens plate illustrated in FIG. 6;
(9) FIGS. 8 & 9 illustrate the movement of an embodiment of a partitioned stippling lens plate;
(10) FIGS. 10 & 11 illustrate the movement of an alternative embodiment of a partitioned stippling plate lens in an embodiment of the invention;
(11) FIGS. 12 &13 illustrate the movement of another alternative embodiment of a partitioned stippling lens plate;
(12) FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in beamlight mode;
(13) FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in wash light mode;
(14) FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in wash light mode;
(15) FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in wash light mode;
(16) FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire in wash light mode;
(17) FIG. 19 illustrates in greater detail an embodiment of the beam shaper plate from FIG. 18, and,
(18) FIGS. 20 & 21 illustrate the movement of an alternative embodiment of a partitioned stippling lens plate in an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(19) 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.
(20) The present invention generally relates to an automated luminaire, specifically to the configuration of the optical systems within such a luminaire to provide the user selectable option of either a narrow beam output with sharply focused images or a wash light distribution with a large effective source and true blending output distribution.
(21) FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an improved Fresnel output lens luminaire when in beam light mode. Automated luminaire 12 may contain a lamp 21 and reflector 20 where the lamp and reflector may be moved relative to each other for beam hot-spot control, color control components 26 which may include, but are not limited to, color mixing flags or wheels, color wheels and other dichroic color control components, an aperture 24, imaging optical components 27 which may include but are not limited to gobos, rotating gobos, shutters, beam shapers, variable frost filters, prisms and iris. The light beam from these images is focused by optical assembly 28 and Fresnel output lens 46. Optical assembly 28 may comprise one or more optical elements all or some of which may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to direct light towards output lens 46. Optical assembly 28 may further homogenize and constrain the light beam and ensure that the light beam entirely fills output lens 46. Output lens 46 may be the improved Fresnel lens 46 illustrated in FIG. 5. Lens 46 may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to provide focus adjustment of the projected images of optical elements 27. The combination of optical assembly 28 and output lens 46 provides an output beam which is emitted from the entire surface of output lens 46, is capable of very narrow angle, almost parallel, output, and avoids an external secondary focus point in the beam.
(22) FIG. 5 illustrates Fresnel lens 38 used in the prior art and embodiments of improved Fresnel lens used in the embodiments of the described improved luminaire. Output lens may be a conventional Fresnel lens 42 or may be a Fresnel lens 46 with a greatly increased number of circumferential facets 48 compared to the faceted surface 41 of the Fresnel lens 38 illustrated in FIG. 5. The front surface 41 of the lenses 38 and 42 is typical of a prior art Fresnel lens for a luminaire application and may typically comprise 10-15 circumferential facets 44 in a 150 mm diameter lens whereas in an embodiment of the invention the improved Fresnel lens 46 may comprise twice or more the number of circumferential facets 48. In one embodiment the Fresnel lens comprises approximately 100 circumferential facets 48. This substantial increase in the number of circumferential facets serves to significantly improve the optical resolution of the lens and thus provide a sharper output image. Although not required by the invention, further improvement may be provided by the lens material and manufacture. A typical prior art Fresnel lens is manufactured of glass and suffers from surface tension effects during molding such that the tips of each facet, which should be sharply pointed, are rounded to a large radius 45. This radius causes unwanted scattering of the transmitted light and thus softens the projected image. An improved lens of the invention may be manufactured of a plastic or polymer through a molding process that provides significantly reduced radius of curvature on the pointed tips of the facets 49. This smaller radius of curvature significantly reduces light scattering from these tips and thus provides enhanced sharpness in the projected image. The choice of material as a polymer or plastic further serves to reduce the weight of lens 46.
(23) A further improvement may be provided by altering the rear surface of the Fresnel lens. Prior art Fresnel lenses 38 also commonly have a break-up or stippling pattern 39 molded into the rear surface. This stippling serves to diffuse the image and thereby disguise defects of the lensin particular the distortion effects caused by the facet tips 45. The stippling further softens the image and gives it a wash light like output with diffused shadows and soft imagesin contrast to a beam light with more defined images. As further described below, the Fresnel lens in the improved luminaire does not include such stippling or break-up pattern(s)the rear surface 34 of Fresnel lens 42 and Fresnel lens 46 are optically planar. This planar rear surface allows the luminaire to provide sharply focused output images and tight, narrow beams when desired. It is possible in further embodiments of the invention with less stringent requirements for image quality to use a more conventional glass Fresnel lens 42 with a smaller number of circumferential facets; however the rear surface 34 of such a Fresnel lens must be optically planar, such that it does not include stippling or break-up pattern(s).
(24) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the improved luminaire 12 in wash light mode. In this mode a stippling lens plate(s) 47 has been added (moved into position) immediately behind and adjacent to the Fresnel lens 46.
(25) An embodiment of a stippling lens plate 47 is further illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In the embodiment shown the stippling lens is a flat, thin optical plate constructed either of glass, or suitable transparent polymer such as acrylic or polycarbonate. FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the stippling lens plate down the optical axis 30 of the luminaire. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of stippling lens plate 47 along section 147 indicated in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown, The stippling lens plate 47 has one planar surface 36 and one stippled or break-up surface 37 containing a pattern of lenslets 43 or other break-up pattern as well known in the art. The lenslets 43 are illustrated here as circular but the invention is not so limited and lenslets 43 may be any shape or configuration so as to break-up or stipple the image. In operation the stippling lens plate 47 is placed adjacent to the planar surface 34 of Fresnel lens 46. In this configuration, with the stippling lens plate 47 and Fresnel lens 46 close to each other, the combination behaves substantially as if it were a single optical element. The combination optical element Fresnel lens 46 and stippling lens 47 will produce a soft-edged beam with the true blending light distribution required by a wash light.
(26) The combination has the further advantage over prior art systems that the combination is optically efficientthe two elements 46 and 47 are very close to each other so the majority of the light that is distributed by the stippling lens plate 47 enters the Fresnel lens 46 and there is very little light loss.
(27) A yet further advantage is that the stippling system provides identical results at all beam angles and the system will continue to work as the optical system is zoomed by moving the combination of lens 46 and stippling lens plate 47 backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30. As in the spot configuration optical assembly 28 may comprise one or more optical elements some of which may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to direct light towards output lens 46. The combination of optical assembly 28 and output lens 46 provides an output beam which is emitted from the entire surface of output lens 46, is capable of very narrow angle, almost parallel, output, and avoids an external secondary focus point in the beam.
(28) In some embodiments the optically planar surface 36 of the stippling lens plate(s) 37 face the optically planar surface 34 of the Fresnel lens 46. In other embodiment the stippled lenslets 43 surface of the stippling lens plate 37 faces the optically planar surface 34 of the Fresnel lens 46.
(29) Various means for inserting and removing the stippling lens plate 37 behind and adjacent to the Fresnel lens are illustrated in various embodiments in FIGS. 8&9, 10&11, 12&13, and/or 20&21. The invention is not limited to these means and any means of inserting and removing the stippling lens plate as well known in the art should be considered. The stippling lens plate may be inserted and removed in a single piece or may be divided into multiple pieces without affecting its optical properties to aid its insertion and removal, and to minimize the space taken up by the stippling lens plate when it is removed from the beam.
(30) FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the movement of the stippling lens plate 47 in an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8 the stippling lens plate 47 has been divided into four quarters, 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d. Each of these four quarters may be moved radially out of the light path 41 and away from behind Fresnel lens 46 in the directions shown by the arrows 61.
(31) FIG. 9 shows the four quarters, 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d, of the stippling lens plate 47 after they have been moved out of the light path 41, fully exposing the rear of Fresnel lens 46. The movement of the stippling lens plate quarters 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d may be through mechanical linkages (not shown) driven by stepper motors (not shown) or other means as well known in the art.
(32) FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further example of the movement of the stippling lens plate 47 in an embodiment of the improved luminaire. In FIG. 10 the stippling lens plate 47 has been divided into four flags, 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d. Each of these four flags 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d may be rotated about four rotating axes 51 (one for each flag 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d) out of the light path 41 and away from behind Fresnel lens 46 in the directions shown by the arrows 53.
(33) FIG. 11 shows the four flags, 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d, of the stippling lens plate 47 after they have been rotated out of the light path 41, fully exposing the rear of Fresnel lens 46. The movement of the stippling lens plate flags may be through mechanical linkages (not shown) driven by stepper motors (not shown) or other means as well known in the art.
(34) FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate both plan (front) and elevation (side) views of a further example of the movement of the stippling lens plate in an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 12 the stippling lens plate 47 has been divided into two halves, 54a, and 54b. Each of these two halves may be rotated about pivots 55 out of the plane of the light path 41 and away from behind Fresnel lens 46 in the direction shown by the arrows 57. This movement is like lifting and opening the pages of a book. FIG. 12 shows the two halves, 54a, and 54b, of the stippling lens plate 47 after they have been lifted and rotated out of the light path, fully exposing the rear of Fresnel lens 46. The movement of the stippling lens plate halves may be through mechanical linkages driven by stepper motors or other means as well known in the art.
(35) FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the movement of the stippling lens plate(s) 47 in an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 20 the stippling lens plate 47 has been divided into two halves, 72a and 72b. Each of these two halves may be swung out of the light path 41 and away from behind Fresnel lens 46 in the directions shown by the arrows 71 through the contra rotation of shafts 73 and connecting arms 74. Shafts 73 may be driven by a stepper motor (not shown). Such mechanisms are well known in the art.
(36) FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention when in beam light mode. Automated luminaire 12 may contain a lamp 21 and reflector 20 where the lamp and reflector may be moved relative to each other for beam hot-spot control, color control components 26 which may include but are not limited to color mixing flags or wheels, color wheels and other dichroic color control components, an aperture 24, imaging optical components 27 which may include but are not limited to gobos, rotating gobos, shutters, beam shapers, variable frost filters, prisms and iris. The light beam from these images is focused by first optical assembly 28, second optical assembly 29, and output lens 46. First optical assembly 28 and second optical assembly 29 may each comprise one or more optical elements and some of which may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to direct light towards output lens 46. First optical assembly 28 and second optical assembly 29 may further homogenize and constrain the light beam and ensure that the light beam substantially fills output lens 46. Output lens 46 may be the improved Fresnel lens 46 illustrated in FIG. 5. First optical assembly 28, second optical assembly 29 and lens 46 may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to provide focus and beam angle adjustment of the projected images of optical elements 27. The combination of first optical assembly 28, second optical assembly 29, and output lens 46 provides an output beam which is emitted from substantially the entire surface of output lens 46, is capable of very narrow angle, almost parallel, output, and avoids an external secondary focus point in the beam.
(37) FIG. 15 illustrates the further embodiment of the improved luminaire 12 in wash light mode. In this mode a stippling lens plate 47 has been added (moved into position) immediately behind and adjacent to the Fresnel lens 46. The combination optical element Fresnel lens 46 and stippling lens 47 will produce a soft-edged beam with the true blending light distribution required by a wash light. As in the spot configuration illustrated in FIG. 14 (stippling lens not in the beam path) first optical assembly 28 and second optical assembly 29 may each comprise one or more optical elements some of which may be moved backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 so as to direct light towards output lens 46. The combination of first optical assembly 28, second optical assembly 29, and output lens 46 provides an output beam which is emitted from the entire surface of output lens 46, is capable of very narrow angle, almost parallel, output, and avoids an external secondary focus point in the beam.
(38) In some embodiments the optically planar surface 36 of the stippling lens plate(s) 37 face the optically planar surface 34 of the Fresnel lens 46. In other embodiment the stippled lenslet 43 surface of the stippling lens plate 37 faces the optically planar surface 34 of the Fresnel lens 46.
(39) FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved luminaire 12 shown in FIG. 15 in wash light mode. In this embodiment the removable stippling lens plate(s) 47 has been added after second optical assembly 29, between that assembly and Fresnel lens 46. This configuration offers the same advantages as those discussed for FIG. 15 with the further advantage that stippling lens plate lens 47 may be smaller than Fresnel lens 46, a diameter closer to the size of the second optical assembly 29. Stippling lens plate 47 may be part of the same mechanical assembly as second optical assembly 29 and may move with it backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 as the focus and beam angle of the luminaire are adjusted. Various means for inserting and removing the stippling lens plate after second optical assembly 29 are similar to those illustrated in various embodiments in FIGS. 8&9, 10&11, 12&13, and/or 20&21. The invention is not limited to these means and any means of inserting and removing the stippling lens plate as well known in the art should be considered. The stippling lens plate may be inserted and removed as a single piece or may be divided into multiple pieces without affecting its optical properties to aid its insertion and removal, and to minimize the space taken up by the stippling lens plate when it is removed from the beam.
(40) In some embodiments the optically planar surface 36 of the stippling lens plate(s) 37 face lens set 29. In other embodiment the stippled lenslet 43 surface of the stippling lens plate 37 away from lens set 29.
(41) FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved luminaire 12 shown in FIG. 15 in wash light mode. In this embodiment a further removable diffusing plate 50 has been added after second optical assembly 29, between that assembly and Fresnel lens 46. Diffusing plate 50 may have a micro lens structure or be manufactured of a frosted or diffusing material, either glass or a polymer. Diffusing plate 50 may spread light through a greater angle than stippling lens plate 47 and may allow the luminaire to produce a wider output angle. Diffusing plate 50 may be added to the optical assembly instead of stippling lens plate 47 or in addition to stippling lens plate 47 to provide further combinational options on beam angle. Diffusing plate 50 may be part of the same mechanical assembly as second optical assembly 29 and may move with it backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 as the focus and beam angle of the luminaire are adjusted. Various means for inserting and removing the diffusing plate 50 after second optical assembly 29 are similar to those illustrated in various embodiments in FIGS. 8&9, 10&11, 12&13, and/or 20&21. The invention is not limited to these means and any means of inserting and removing the diffusing plate as well known in the art should be considered. The diffusing plate may be inserted and removed as a single piece or may be divided into multiple pieces without affecting its optical properties to aid its insertion and removal, and to minimize the space taken up by the diffusing plate when it is removed from the beam.
(42) In some embodiments the optically planar surface 36 of the stippling lens plate(s) 37 face lens set 29. In other embodiment the stippled lenslet 43 surface of the stippling lens plate 47 away from lens set 29. In further embodiments rather than the stippling lens plate 47 being between the second lens set 29 and the diffusing plate 50, the diffusing plate 50 can be between the second lens set 29 and the stippling lens plate 47. In preferred embodiments these components, lens set 29, stippling lens plate 47 and diffusion plate 50 are tightly configured.
(43) FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved luminaire 12 shown in FIG. 15 in wash light mode. In this embodiment a further removable beam spreader plate 56 has been added after second optical assembly 29, between that assembly and Fresnel lens 46. Beam spreader plate 56 may have an asymmetrical optical structure such that it spreads light in one axis more than in another. This may impart an oval shape to the resultant light beam with the asymmetry of the beam spreader plate affecting the eccentricity of the ellipse. Beam spreader plate 56 may have a lenticular or micro lens structure or be manufactured of a rippled, frosted or diffusing material, either glass or a polymer. Beam spreader plate 56 may be added to the optical assembly instead of stippling lens plate 47 and diffusing plate 50 or may be used in any combination with stippling lens plate 47 and diffusing plate 50 to provide further combinational options on beam angle and beam shape. Beam spreader plate 56 may be part of the same mechanical assembly as second optical assembly 29 and may move with it backwards and forwards along the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12 as the focus and beam angle of the luminaire are adjusted. Various means for inserting and removing the beam spreader plate 56 after second optical assembly 29 are similar to those illustrated in various embodiments in FIGS. 8 & 9, 10 & 11, 12 & 13, and/or 20 & 21. The invention is not limited to these means and any means of inserting and removing the beam spreader plate as well known in the art should be considered. The beam spreader plate may be inserted and removed as a single piece or may be divided into multiple pieces without affecting its optical properties to aid its insertion and removal, and to minimize the space taken up by the beam spreader plate when it is removed from the beam. Beam spreader plate 56 may also be configures such that it may be rotated around the optical axis 30 of the luminaire 12. This rotation allows the resultant oval beam to be rotated as the user desires.
(44) In some embodiments the optically planar surface 36 of the stippling lens plate(s) 37 face lens set 29. In other embodiment the stippled lenslet 43 surface of the stippling lens plate 47 away from lens set 29. In further embodiments the stippling lens plate 47, diffusion plate 50 and beam spreader 56 can appear in different order(s) after a lens set 29. In preferred embodiments these components, lens set 29, stippling lens plate 47, diffusion plate 50 and beam spreader 56 are tightly configured.
(45) FIG. 19 illustrates in greater detail an embodiment of a beam shaper plate 56 from FIG. 18. Beam shaper plate 57 may comprise a plurality of lenticular lens elements 58. Each lenticular lens element 58 will spread the light passing through the plate by a greater angle in a first direction, perpendicular to the lenticular axis, than in a second direction, parallel to the lenticular axis. This imparts an elliptical or oval shape to the resultant beam. Beam shaper plate 56 may be rotated 57 around the optical axis 30 so as to rotate this ellipse or oval as desired. As first optical element 28, second optical element 29, coupled beam shaping plate 56 and Fresnel lens 46 are moved backwards and forwards along optical axis 30, the elliptical or oval shaped beam may be reduced or increased in size. Means for actuating the movement of the beam shaper plate 56 are known in the art.
(46) 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.
