Vari-lite, Inc.

Richard W Hutton

James M Bornhorst

Timothy D Stacy

Richard K Steele

Bradley D Ellis

A high intensity light projector for stage, architectural and similar applications includes a controllable image quality projection gate providing advanced visual effects. The projection gate, capable of selectively scattering or transmitting incident light, may be constructed of an array of scattering liquid crystal material in combination with infrared and ultraviolet reduction means which provide in the high intensity beam, a stable thermal environment by minimizing the absorption of light by the projection gate. Additional thermal efficiency is provided by supplemental cooling means. Color control is also provided in the form of dichroic filter wheels forming cooperating adjustable low, high and band width filters including saturation control. A color measuring feedback sensor is also provided. An intensity measuring feedback sensor controls a spatially-modulated, variable-density, reflectively-coated dimming wheel. A programmable gobo system has provisions for gobo selection, orientation, and rotation.

High intensity lighting projectors

A color filter plate includes a continuously-variable dichroic filter coating constituting a variable band-pass or variable band-reject filter having a spatially-modulated variable-density pattern formed in the coating, and provides continuously-variable hue and saturation characteristics along separate gradient axes. A color filter mechanism includes a sequential arrangement of rectangular or circular color filters, having continuously-variable band-pass or band-reject filter coatings, mounted in motorized carriages. One mechanism provides two-axis translation of the rectangular color filters while another mechanism provides translation and rotation of the circular color filters. A light projection system comprising a lamp with a reflector and a lens includes a color filter mechanism having sequential, continuously-variable band-pass and band-reject filters supported by motorized carriages mounted in a region where the beam diameter is small.

Sequential cross-fading color filters and system

A light pattern generator includes a reflective layer absorptive to infra-red radiation from which a desired pattern has been removed to allow passage of a light beam in the shape of the pattern. A method for making a light pattern generator includes forming a layer of reflective material on a transparent substrate and ablating a portion of the layer with a laser to create a desired pattern.

Light pattern generator formed on a transparent substrate

An optical system for an image projector luminaire includes a variable-focus lens having a depth-of-field adjustable as to location along an optical axis, and two carriages each supporting at least one image pattern generator at separate locations along the optical axis, at least one of those carriages being adjustable as to location along the optical axis. The system is operable to bring either or both image pattern generators into focus. Each carriage may support pattern generator exchanger mechanisms for selecting one of a plurality of available patterns, and may also rotate the selected pattern. The movable carriage, the lens, and the pattern exchanger mechanisms may all be motorized and operable by remote or computer control.

Projection gate apparatus having an axially-translatable mount

A color filter plate includes a continuously-variable dichroic filter coating constituting a variable band-pass or variable band-reject filter having a spatially-modulated variable-density pattern formed in the coating, and provides continuously-variable hue and saturation characteristics along separate gradient axes. A color filter assembly includes a variable band-pass and a variable band-reject filter mounted in a co-planar arrangement, providing a continuous range of color filtration for spectral and non-spectral colors. A color filter mechanism includes a color filter assembly having either a rectangular arrangement or a circular arrangement of co-planar, continuously-variable band-pass and band-reject filters mounted in a motorized carriage. One mechanism provides two-axis translation of the rectangular color filter assembly while another mechanism provides translation and rotation of the circular color filter assembly. A light projection system comprising a lamp with a reflector and a lens includes a color filter mechanism having co-planar, continuously-variable band-pass and band-reject filters supported by a motorized carriage mounted in a region where the beam diameter is small.

Cross-fading color filter and system

A high intensity light projector for stage, architectural and similar applications includes a controllable image quality projection gate providing advanced visual effects. The projection gate, capable of selectively scattering or transmitting incident light, may be constructed of any array of scattering liquid crystal material in combination with infrared and ultraviolet reduction means which provide in the high intensity beam, a stable thermal environment by minimizing the absorption of light by the projection gate. Additional thermal efficiency is provided by supplemental cooling means. Color control is also provided in the form of dichroic filter wheels forming cooperating adjustable low, high and band width filters including saturation control. A color measuring feedback sensor is also provided. An intensity measuring feedback sensor controls a spatially-modulated, variable-density, reflectively-coated dimming wheel. A programmable gobo system has provisions for gobo selection, orientation, and rotation.

Laser ablation method for making a light pattern generator on a

A variable light modifier provides rapid beam deflection and flipping with a minimum of noise, power consumption and heat generation. In one embodiment of the invention, a dual-sided reflector is pivotable along orthogonal axes by pan and tilt mechanisms. The pan and tilt mechanisms are driven by pan and tilt motors, one or both of which remain stationary with respect to the yoke. The variable light modifier can be used to deflect light beams generated by one or more light sources and can reflect the light from one or both reflective surfaces of the reflector.

Variable light modifier

An automated lighting instrument according to the present invention includes multiple motorized parameters and operates at a low noise level with improved thermal management devices such as a reflector coated with a cold mirror film, a metallic heat sink, a housing with ventilating holes, and thermally isolating motor mounts. The improved thermal management devices provide the basis for an improved method for managing the thermal characteristics of the automated lighting instrument of the present invention.

Growing community of inventors

Irving, TX, United States of America

Richard W Hutton