Patents Assigned to Whiterock Design, LLC
  • Patent number: 8282245
    Abstract: Spot illumination apparatus and methods are described. According to one implementation a spot luminaire includes a light source for emitting a beam of light and a projection lens configured to project the beam of light towards a distant target. A first field stop, through which the beam of light passes, is positioned between the light source and the projection lens. A filter apparatus is positioned proximate the first field stop and is adapted for selectively moving at least one variable density filter across the beam of light. A relay lens group is positioned between the first field stop and the projection lens. The relay lens group is configured to prevent the at least one variable density filter from being imaged by the projection lens. Methods for providing stage lighting are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Patent number: 8172428
    Abstract: An optical system, light fixture and method are provided that include a light source, a non-circular aperture, a filter apparatus, and a lens. The light source produces a first beam of light, a portion of which is passed by the non-circular aperture. The filter apparatus is positioned proximate to the non-circular aperture and is operable to selectively position a desired portion of a variable density filter in the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture. The lens collects the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture to produce a second beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Patent number: 7901089
    Abstract: An optical system, projector and method are provided that include a projection gate between a light source array and a projection lens. The projection lens projects an image of the projection gate. A relay lens group between the light source array and the projection gate prevents the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array. A lamp housing is provided for use with a projector housing. The lamp housing includes a light source array and a relay lens group located between the light source array and a projection gate in the projector housing. An illumination source for optical fibers is provided that includes a relay lens group between a light source and a coupling in a housing. The relay lens group prevents an image of the light source from being formed at input ends of optical fibers positioned in the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Patent number: 7490956
    Abstract: An illumination system, reflector and method for producing a beam with a substantially circularly symmetric irradiance distribution from a light source having a plurality of linear light emitting elements arranged with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel with each other and spaced substantially symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis. The reflector includes a plurality of reflecting zones corresponding to, and aligned with, the plurality of light emitting elements. A surface of a reflecting zone may be defined by rotating a generator curve around an axis of rotation that is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Patent number: 7452105
    Abstract: A wash light optical system for use with a light beam generator includes a converging optical element that reduces the size of a light beam from the light beam generator, a color filtration mechanism that is capable of filtering the reduced light beam to a selected one of two or more colors, a spreading optical element that increases the size of the filtered light beam, and a beam shaping optical element. The optical system may also include a dimming mechanism that is capable of reducing the intensity of the light beam to a selected one of two or more intensities. The optical system may be enclosed in a housing that includes a coupling mechanism capable of detachably mounting the housing to the light beam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Publication number: 20080002409
    Abstract: An optical system, light fixture and method are provided that include a light source, a non-circular aperture, a filter apparatus, and a lens. The light source produces a first beam of light, a portion of which is passed by the non-circular aperture. The filter apparatus is positioned proximate to the non-circular aperture and is operable to selectively position a desired portion of a variable density filter in the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture. The lens collects the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture to produce a second beam of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Hough
  • Publication number: 20070268700
    Abstract: An optical system, projector and method are provided that include a projection gate between a light source array and a projection lens. The projection lens projects an image of the projection gate. A relay lens group between the light source array and the projection gate prevents the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array. A lamp housing is provided for use with a projector housing. The lamp housing includes a light source array and a relay lens group located between the light source array and a projection gate in the projector housing. An illumination source for optical fibers is provided that includes a relay lens group between a light source and a coupling in a housing. The relay lens group prevents an image of the light source from being formed at input ends of optical fibers positioned in the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Hough
  • Patent number: 7226188
    Abstract: Spot illumination apparatus and methods are described. According to one implementation a spot luminaire includes a light source for emitting a beam of light and a projection lens configured to project the beam of light towards a distant target. A first field stop, through which the beam of light passes, is positioned between the light source and the projection lens. A filter apparatus is positioned proximate the first field stop and is adapted for selectively moving at least one variable density filter across the beam of light. A relay lens group is positioned between the first field stop and the projection lens. The relay lens group is configured to prevent the at least one variable density filter from being imaged by the projection lens. Methods for providing stage lighting are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hough
  • Publication number: 20060176696
    Abstract: A wash light optical system for use with a light beam generator includes a converging optical element that reduces the size of a light beam from the light beam generator, a color filtration mechanism that is capable of filtering the reduced light beam to a selected one of two or more colors, a spreading optical element that increases the size of the filtered light beam, and a beam shaping optical element. The optical system may also include a dimming mechanism that is capable of reducing the intensity of the light beam to a selected one of two or more intensities. The optical system may be enclosed in a housing that includes a coupling mechanism capable of detachably mounting the housing to the light beam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Hough
  • Publication number: 20060007688
    Abstract: An illumination system, reflector and method for producing a beam with a substantially circularly symmetric irradiance distribution from a light source having a plurality of linear light emitting elements arranged with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel with each other and spaced substantially symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis. The reflector includes a plurality of reflecting zones corresponding to, and aligned with, the plurality of light emitting elements. A surface of a reflecting zone may be defined by rotating a generator curve around an axis of rotation that is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Whiterock Design, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Hough