Lighting apparatus with annular segmented reflector

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for providing a light reflector, light fixture, light fixture retrofit apparatus, lamp reflector, lamp retrofit apparatus or luminaire reflector retrofit. According to an example embodiment of the disclosed invention, a light reflector is provided that includes annular segments nested as cone-shaped layers configured for reflecting light from a light source placed in proximity to the inner cone portion. The two or more nested cone-shaped annular segments include a reflective surface. The cone-shaped annular segments are configured such that the segment layer having the smallest aperture is located farthest from the light source.

Claims

1. A reflector assembly comprising (a) a support assembly, (b) a support base and (c) two or more annular reflector segments secured to the support assembly, each of said two or more annular reflector segments defining an interior portion with an interior circumference and an exterior portion with an exterior circumference, wherein the interior circumference is greater than the exterior circumference; wherein the two or more annular reflector segments are configured for reflecting light from a light emitting element placed in proximity to the reflector assembly; and wherein the two or more annular reflector segments form an inner cone portion and an outer cone portion.

2. A reflector assembly comprising (a) a support assembly having at least one support arm and a support base, and (b) two or more annular reflector segments secured to the support assembly, each of said two or more annular reflector segments forming a successive annular reflector segment aperture and defining an interior portion with an interior circumference and an exterior portion with an exterior circumference, wherein the interior circumference is greater than the exterior circumference; wherein the two or more annular reflector segments are configured for reflecting light from a light emitting element placed in proximity to the reflector assembly and wherein a first annular reflector segment is closest to the support base and each successive annular reflector segment has an aperture that is less than the aperture of the preceding reflector segment.

3. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one annular reflector segment comprises a reflective surface.

4. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is an encapsulation material.

5. The reflector assembly of claim 3 wherein the reflective surface is disposed toward the inner cone portion of the reflector assembly.

6. The reflector assembly of claim 3 wherein the reflective surface is disposed toward the outer cone portion of the reflector assembly.

7. A lighting apparatus comprising: (a) a lighting assembly component having a light emitting element that is separably connected to a light socket, (b) a power supply component connected to the lighting assembly component, (c) a support assembly connected to a support base that houses a reflector assembly, and (d) the reflector assembly comprising two or more nested annular reflector segments fixedly secured to support arms of the support assembly, each of the two or more nested annular reflector segments defining an interior portion with an interior circumference and an exterior portion with an exterior circumference, wherein the interior circumference is greater than the exterior circumference; and the reflector assembly having an inner cone portion and an outer cone portion; wherein a first annular reflector segment is closest to the support base and each successive annular reflector segment has an aperture that is smaller than the aperture of the preceding annular reflector segment.

8. A lighting apparatus comprising: (a) a lighting assembly component having a light emitting element that is separably connected to a light socket, (b) a power supply component connected to the lighting assembly component, (c) a support assembly having a support base and at least one support arm protruding from the support base, and (d) a reflector assembly comprising two or more nested annular reflector segments fixedly secured to the at least one support arm of the support assembly, each of said two or more nested annular reflector segments defining an interior portion with an interior circumference and an exterior portion with an exterior circumference wherein the interior circumference is greater than the exterior circumference; and the reflector assembly having an inner cone portion and an outer cone portion; wherein a first annular reflector segment is closest to the support base and each successive annular reflector segment has an aperture that is smaller than the aperture of the preceding annular reflector segment.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a control panel on the lighting apparatus.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a remote control.

11. The lighting apparatus of the claim 7 further comprising a color filter or colored light source.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) The invention herein will be more fully understood in conjunction and reference to the following drawings. Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the segmented annular ring reflector apparatus of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of radial reflector support arms of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of reflector and light source preferred embodiment showing the typical principal light ray reflection path.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred annular ring reflector system embodiment from the classic parabolic reflector.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a Fresnel spotlight exterior housing with mounting yoke and support clamp.

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a Fresnel spotlight housing but having interior parts of the segmented annular ring reflector system of the invention from FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a one quarter detail view of FIG. 2 limited by horizontal and vertical reference lines as shown in FIG. 2 and portions of three segmented annular rings of the invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the support assembly and support arms of the apparatus of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a section view of a prior art lamp housing rear panel showing a circular rear reflector lamp and alternative color filters associated with a remote control actuator in conjunction with the segmented annular reflector of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) The term “light emitting element” as used herein, means any light source, lamp, light bulb, such as, but not limited to incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, light emitting diodes (LED), arc lamps, fluorescent bulbs, gas discharge lamps, light emitting material or other element that provides light. Most theatrical lamps are tungsten-halogen (or quartz-halogen), an improvement on the original incandescent design that used halogen gas instead of an inert gas. Fluorescent lights are rarely used other than as work lights. Although they are more efficient, they cannot be dimmed without using specialized dimmers, cannot dim to very low levels, do not produce light from a single point or easily concentrated area, and have a warm-up period during which they emit no light or do so intermittently. High-intensity discharge lamps (HID lamps) are common where a very bright light output is required, for example in large followspots, HMI (hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide) floods, and modern automated fixtures. LEDs are ideal where an intense but unfocused light source is required, such as for lighting a cyclorama. The light source of the invention will be limited only by choice in the desired light intensity or effect, or practically by the size of the reflector. The lighting element can be various colors and, in the case of LED's, can be the color of any available LED's. In some embodiments, a phosphorescent coating over the LED results in light having wavelengths other than those output by the LED. Light fixtures have a lighting element assembly that contains a housing with a light socket to hold the light bulb to allow for replacement of the light bulb when necessary. The electrical connection typically leads to a permanent power supply source though certain fixtures may contain battery powers of supply or solar cells. Permanent lighting may be directly wired, whereas moveable lamps will have a plug leading to the power source. Light fixtures may also include either a manual or an electrical panel for controlling the operation of the light.

(12) In light reflectors used for stage lighting, certain variable factors are designed in order to direct the light onto the object. Such variable factors typically include the aperture of the reflector (with or without a lens), the depth of the reflector and the size of the outer shell, shade or reflector used for light alignment and protection. As used herein, the term “reflector” or “reflector apparatus” means the shell that is typically made a part of a light fixture that surrounds or is placed in close proximity to the light source and in some manner, shades, directs, reflects, converts, disperses or in any other way controls the light being emitted from the light source. The apparatus of the invention contains a reflector made of annular segments and is based on the concept that each annular segment is a frustum of a paraboloid with its focus at the light source. By defining a family of nested parabolas with appropriate bounds, the annular reflector segments can then be defined as surfaces of rotation about the central axis of the reflector assembly.

(13) Light fixtures have a fixture body and a lighting element assembly that contains a housing with a light socket or electrical contacts to hold the light bulb and to allow removal and replacement of the light bulb when necessary. The electrical connection to the lamp socket or lamp support typically leads to a power supply source, which may be wired to a permanent power supply source or the light source may be energized by radio frequency energy.

(14) Movable lighting luminaries may have disconnectable connections leading to the power source. Luminaries may also include a battery, solar cell or other source of power for operation of the light source and may include a switching panel or control panel for control and operation of various aspects of the apparatus. In light reflectors used for stage lighting, certain variable factors are designed in order to direct the light onto the object. Such variable factors typically include the aperture of the reflector (with or without a lens), the depth of the reflector and the size of the outer shell, shade or reflector used for light alignment and protection. In lighting instruments used for stage lighting, adjustable reflectors and lenses, gobos and shutters are used in order to direct modified light towards the object to be illuminated. Such adjustable factors include the variable position of the light source relative to the reflector lens or diffuser, adjustability of the reflector contour, and distance between several lenses and light source, or reflectors.

(15) The apparatus of the invention contains a reflector made of annular segments and is based on the concept that each annular segment is a frustum of an elliptical paraboloid with its focus at the light source. By defining a family of nested parabolas with appropriate bounds, the annular reflector segments can then be defined as surfaces of rotation about the central axis of the reflector assembly.

(16) The reflector of the invention has at least two annular segments of conical shape positioned around a light source. By conical is meant parabolic, ellipsoid, spherical, cone or other like shape or combination thereof. Particularly in the preferred embodiment of the reflector of this invention, segments of frustums or rings of a conical shape are positioned about a centerline which includes the position of the light source. Further, a family of reflectively surfaced annular nested frustums is arranged circularly about a light source so as to direct the Gaussian radiation of an approximate point source into adjustably, essentially parallel, rays. This allows the reflector to be positioned at significant distances from the object to be lit. [Distances as far as 20 times the diameter of the luminaire or more are possible.]

(17) According to one embodiment, reflective segments of the annular rings may be manually adjustable of angle for deflecting the beam. According to another embodiment, the adjustability of the annular rings is motor actuated. The multiple annular rings of the reflector system of the present invention have the advantage of more completely surrounding and redirecting the luminous output of the light source than has been achievable with prior parabolic and semi-conical faceted reflectors.

(18) Referring now to FIG. 1, the lighting apparatus 10 is shown. The lighting apparatus has a segmented reflector assembly 20 comprised of annular reflector segments 30.

(19) Referring to FIG. 2 the reflector segments 30 are attached to one another by support unit 40 which has support arms 42, positioned as spokes that radiate from a support base 50. Each conical reflector segment 30 is connected to each support arm 42 by mechanical hinging means 59. Further support arms 42 collectively connect the annular reflective segments 30, to one another and collectively connect the reflector assembly to center tube 50, and exterior housing 60.

(20) The distance between consecutive annular reflective segments 30 create respective openings 22 positioned within the reflector assembly 20. Each reflector segment has an interior portion or edge 34 and an exterior portion or edge 36. As illustrated in FIG. 2, both interior and exterior edges of each reflector segment are attached by the hinging means 59 to the support arms 42. Each reflector segment has an exterior edge 36 which is larger in circumference than its interior edge 34. As can be seen from the drawings, the reflector assembly forms a nested cone like structure. This unique and unexpected arrangement of reflector segments allows more complete surrounding of the light source for efficient control of redirected light rays. Any desired number of segments is operable according to the invention and the size of the reflector is limited only by practical considerations; such as the desired adjustability of the beam spread from wider to narrower, the overall size of the lighting instrument, the distance between the lighting instrument, the object to be illuminated and the size of the area to be illuminated.

(21) The arms 42 can be fabricated from a durable material such as aluminum and steel or other metal, or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, eight support arms 42 are provided as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, support arms 42 have hinging means 59 which attach to the interior and exterior portions of 34, 36 of each annular reflector segment 30.

(22) The interior surface 31 of annular segments 30 are lined with a reflective surface. The annular reflector segments 30 also have an exterior surface 33. Typical reflective surfaces include mirror, glass sheet, aluminum, polished metal, metallic coatings, and high gloss paints though the invention is not limited to these reflective surfaces and any reflective surface is operable within the scope of the invention.

(23) Referring now to FIG. 3, the lighting apparatus of the invention comprises a lighting element assembly 70 for emitting light from a light source 72 that is positioned anywhere within reflector assembly 20 or outside and aligned in connection with the reflector assembly 20. Lighting element assembly 70 has a light socket 74 for connecting to light source 72. An electrical connection 80 leads the lighting element assembly socket 74 to a power supply 82, which is typically connected to an electrical outlet. In alternate embodiments, the power supply 82 can be in the form of a battery unit or a solar cell. A typical light beam/ray 26 is emitted from light source 72 is then reflected off of reflective surface 31, of annular ring reflector 30, through openings 22 in the reflector assembly 20 and onto the object to be illuminated.

(24) One or both of the interior and exterior surfaces, 31 and 33 of the annular segments may be colored, textured, or treated to enhance its focusing, filtering or diffusing properties or to achieve a particularly desired lighting effect. For example, in one embodiment, the surfaces of some selected or all of the annular segments are partially abraded or partially covered by diffusing material to slightly soften or flood the direct radiation. In addition to reflective surfaces, the reflector assembly 20 can incorporate materials which will allow the partial or complete transmission of light through it in order to create a further desired lighting effect for example selectively separating radiated heat from radiated light. Such materials may include various types of glass plastic, mineral water, ceramic or dichroicly coated material, paper, nylon, or fabric. The material can further incorporate a waterproof or water-resistant element. Further, the reflector of the invention can be colored, textured, printed or embossed with a graphic design or otherwise treated. In one embodiment, the annular segments of the luminaire shade of the apparatus of the invention are made from a transparent or translucent material or wavelength selective reflective material or coated material.

(25) FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the lighting apparatus in cross-section view. As set forth above, the lighting apparatus 10 includes: the reflector assembly 20 annular segments 30, which have an interior surface 32 and a reflective exterior surface 33, an interior portion 34 and an exterior portion 36; interspersed between annular segments 30 are openings 22; the annular segments being mounted onto the support assembly 40 by being attached by way of hinging means 59 on the radial support arms 42 by attachment to the interior portion 34 and exterior portion 36 or annular segments 30. The reflector apparatus 20 houses a lighting element assembly 70 that contains a light source 72 that is connected by a light socket 74 through an electrical connection 80 to a power supply 82.

(26) FIG. 4 graphically illustrates how the preferred reflector system of FIG. 1 redirects light beams in a way similar to the classic parabolic reflector shown, but with an output light beam having a smaller included angle and therefore desired, tighter narrower beam with a light source of the same size. The apparatus herein provides three additional advantages: [1] the entire reflector size may be smaller in diameter for given physical size of light source and narrowness of output light beam desired; [2] the reflector system can be designed to surround more of the light source and therefore increase efficiency of utilization over a classic parabolic reflector; and [3] the increased physical space around the area of the lamp allows for the physical positioning of the preferred color changing mechanism of FIG. 8 to be introduced without significantly sacrificing reflective surface area and thereby efficiency of the system.

(27) FIG. 4 demonstrates further that the apparatus of the invention provides two opportunities for improving the narrow beam performance of a classic parabola like reflector system of the prior art. The reflector of the invention enables placement of the reflective surface farther from the light source than possible by current reflectors so that a narrower included angle for the reflection is achieved. In addition, the present invention allows increase of the effective depth of the reflector system so as to surround more of the light source and direct that radiation towards the object to be illuminated.

(28) The additional advantage in breaking the classic reflector into annular reflective rings is that the rings may be positioned further behind as well as in front of the light source so as to surround it more completely thereby providing improved efficiency. Another advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that all reflecting surfaces are further from the light source than traditional light sources which also give off considerable heat. Therefore less damage will occur to the reflective surfaces from heat degradation.

(29) In another embodiment of FIG. 1, utilizing the same improvements pointed out above over traditional parabolic reflectors, it would clear to those experienced in optical work that a totally encapsulated solution typically encompassing an LED, or solid-state laser source could have the improved reflector system described encapsulated into the same enclosure structure as the solid-state light source. Therefore, the “support assembly” of the reflector system will not require any support “arm” as described mechanically above because the encapsulation material supports both light source and the reflector system in a rigid relationship. This procedure is not unlike existing LEDs potted within traditional parabolic reflectors; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,280 to Yaw and Hwang, (incorporated herein by reference). Use of the improved reflector system of FIG. 1 in an encapsulated embodiment of the apparatus, does not preclude also using a lens or lens like contouring of the encapsulation material as additional means of beam control. Depending on the beam shaping desired and mechanical circumstances, some portions of the reflector system of this embodiment can be within the encapsulated enclosure along with the LED lights and that simultaneously other portions of the reflector system can be exterior to the encapsulated structure and positioned to be coordinated optically therewith.

(30) According to another embodiment of the invention, the annular segments of the invention can be further comprised of facets or panels that are connected to one another. Referring again to FIG. 2, the horizontal and vertical indicating/dividing lines 62 divide the apparatus of FIG. 2 into four quadrants. One of these quadrants is enlarged in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates each annular reflector segment 30, divided into two, three, four or more segments or panels about the circumference of each annular segment 30. Introduction of panels permits adjustable angling of some portion or all of the annular segments 30 with respect to one another and the light source 72, as well as centerline 28. Conversely one continuous 360 degree circumference of the cone frustum of the annular segment or ring cannot change the angle with respect to the centerline of the cone without distortion of the cone shape. Segmenting or dividing the reflective annular rings 30, allows each quadrant of the reflector to be angled separately with respect to the light source 72, permitting angling of the light beams 26, exiting from light source 72 and reflecting off the interior surface 31 of the each annular segment 30. Although four equal sized panels are preferred in the faceted embodiment of the invention, any number of panels or facets are possible within the scope of the invention and the number is limited only by mechanical and manufacturing considerations.

(31) FIG. 7 shows the faceted preferred embodiment illustrating the overlapping mechanism for annular segments 30 at the junction of the quadrants delineated by quadrant indicating lines 62. Three adjacent segments are shown from the top elevational view as facets 30A, 30B and 30G.

(32) In an adjacent second quadrant of the reflector, annular segments of the same radius are labeled as facets 30D, 30E and 30F. Facets 30A, 30B, and 30C are configured to show their exterior edges 36 angled away from centerline 28 of the apparatus 20. Likewise, when facets 30D, 30E and 30F are also angled away from centerline 28, a gap is created between them where no reflective material is present. This is indicated on FIG. 7 at the location 65. One preferred embodiment of the reflector apparatus of the invention is structured so that each facet extends below its adjacent facet so as to provide an overlapping area in the location of 65 preventing gaps of non-reflective area being created when the annular rings or facets are tilted or angled from one another.

(33) Further according to the invention, the adjustability and configuration of facets and annular segments of the reflector allow for adjustment of the shape of the light beams. The width of the beam both vertically and horizontally can variously be adjusted by moving the segments using manual control at the instrument or with motorized remote control actuators. This feature has long been desired in theaters. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,599 to Kliegl. The implementation in this preferred embodiment provides adjustability both horizontally and vertically and achieves desired result without a lens which typically causes 6% to 7% loss of light through transmission loss.

(34) FIG. 8 provides a detailed illustration of support arms 42. Two support arms 42A and 42B are shown with respect to one another, and the motion of the segmented rings 30. In the preferred embodiment, support arm 42 is fixedly connected to the outer perimeter frame of the lighting element assembly 60 of radial support 40. As one example, support arm 42 can slide via a slotted hole 66 on and is supported by a pin 67 protruding from the adjacent support arm that is also fixedly attached to lighting element assembly 60. The motion of support arm 42A with respect to support arm 42B will cause reflective surfaces 30 to tilt via joints 55 with respect to overall centerline 28. The sliding motion can be achieved via threaded rod 68 and crank for local control or remotely through use of an actuator 69.

(35) FIG. 9 illustrates a manual or remotely controlled subtractive color mixing apparatus for use with the reflector system of FIG. 1. A prior art circular reflector 95, positioned so that it's radius point or focal point is near the midpoint of the light source 72 when viewed in cross-section, and the included circular angle of the reflective surface approximately matches that light remaining after all the light captured and redirected by the annular ring reflector system of FIG. 1 is directed towards the area to be illuminated. Reflector 95 is then able to capture light not sent forward directly by the reflector assembly 20 and redirect it through light source 72, after which it is be captured by the annular reflector system 20 and sent forward towards the area to be illuminated.

(36) The apparatus of the invention can also employ color filters. Depending on the cone of light captured by the annular reflective system of the invention, and the cone of light blocked by the light socket mechanism 74 from the light source 72, a version of this reflector 95 with a hole in the center may also be deployable in one embodiment of the invention simultaneously in conjunction with several, three for example, or more tubular or polygonal color filters 88A and 88B. A circular or polygonal tube composed of dichroic color filter panels mounted in a matrix frame of other material or dichroic filter vacuum deposited directly on transparent substrate is typically used. Likewise, concentric filters 88A and 88B similarly constructed can also move horizontally independently of filter tube 88, allowing for varying amounts of any of the several colors to be used separately and simultaneously. The filters can be of varying diameters. Any color filters can be utilized with the system of the invention. Secondary colors of light [cyan, magenta, yellow] may be particularly useful so as to provide variable subtractive color mixing as employed in the three scroller color changer [See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,886 to Morpheus]. The deposition of dichroic color filter, often chosen because of its heat resistance, on the concentric colored tube 88, may be all of one density or fading in density down the length of the tube or around the tube perimeter to provide various color and pattern effects adjustably applied by variously sliding the filter tubes along centerline 28 of the reflector system or rotating the filter tubes. In one embodiment, the sliding mechanisms for the concentric filter tubes or polygons supporting or containing the color filter mediums can be mechanically supported from the rear panel 84 of the enclosure 86.

(37) Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is a Fresnel light 90 of the prior art. The can-shaped enclosure captures the light bounced from the reflector, lamp, or lens and limits the light from escaping from the enclosure interior. Baffled labyrinth openings 92 in the prior art metal enclosure allow heat to escape, but allow only minimal light to escape. To permit attachment of color media in front of the lighting instrument, a short trough ‘U’ shaped section holder 93 is positioned in three or four locations at the front of the instrument around the lens or output aperture. These holders can support glass, plastic or gelatin color filters. The entire lighting instrument is supported by conventional “lighting C clamp” 94. To allow panning in the horizontal plane [pivot at top center], and tilting of the light, in the vertical plane [pivot at the lower ends] a “U” shaped yoke mechanism 95 is provided for adjustment. For safety reasons, an additional support cable 96 is provided. To power the lamp inside, an electrical mains cable 97 is required. The back of the can housing 98, is often perforated using labyrinth holes 92 in its surface to relieve interior heat built-up. All of these elements may also be incorporated into the lighting apparatus of the invention.

(38) A cooling fan or other cooling mechanism can be used together with the apparatus of the invention and/or be incorporated into the apparatus of the invention. The degree and nature of cooling required will be determined by the type of lamp employed in its wattage or heat dissipation.

(39) It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein as such embodiments may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting in scope and that limitations are only provided by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.