With Actuator Patents (Class 362/284)
  • Publication number: 20130088690
    Abstract: A light source module and a projector using the same are provided. The light source module includes a monochromatic light source emitting a monochromatic light, a rotating wheel having a light transmitting area and a wavelength transforming area, a filter wheel rotating at a same rotation speed with the rotating wheel, and a dichroic mirror disposed between the rotating wheel and the filter wheel. The wavelength transforming area is coated with a first wavelength transforming material capable of transforming the first color light into a second color light. The filter wheel has a first color filter area and a second color filter area respectively corresponding to the light transmitting area and the wavelength transforming area. The dichroic mirror reflects the first color light to the rotating wheel and allows the second color light to transmit therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: BENQ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsiu-Tsu Wang, Yung-Yu Chiang
  • Patent number: 8408746
    Abstract: An artificial candle has a flexible glowing canopy that can flutter like a candle flame, and the canopy may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the canopy to glow. Such a diaphanous canopy can be actuated by a solenoid, piezoelectric actuator or other mechanism, which can be provided adjacent to the canopy. Light can emanate from at least one light emitting diode (LED), and the canopy can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the LED(s). The wick and the canopy can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace an incandescent light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Lauer
  • Patent number: 8401741
    Abstract: A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account a driving profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Justus Illium, Torsten Kanning
  • Patent number: 8398271
    Abstract: A LED lamp with adjustable beam direction includes a housing, a lamp base attached to one end of the housing for insertion into a lamp socket, a heatsink shaft mounted within the housing, a LED attached to one end of the heatsink shaft, a parabolic or elliptical or multi-facet reflector having a light output front opening and an asymmetric elliptical shaped rear opening, a first actuator for rotating the reflector about the LED, and a second actuator for tilting the reflector about the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Pak Ming Daniel Chan
  • Patent number: 8317347
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing section contribution characteristic data to achieve accurate measurements by compensating for unwanted phosphor output variations that occur at specific sections of phosphor on a rotating high intensity phosphor point source element. Phosphor grain size, density, blend homogeneity, or illumination gap variations may cause the unwanted variations. Based on the section contribution characteristics, excitation energy compensation may provide a stable output illumination spectrum or computational compensation may correct measurements for effects arising from predictable output illumination spectrum variations. The section contribution characteristic data may comprise section wavelength intensity profile data and/or section efficiency data, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the sections may be on the order of the size of the phosphor grains and may be characterized and compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Gladnick, Scott Allen Harsila
  • Patent number: 8246209
    Abstract: An exemplary illumination device includes a light source and a light-pervious light guiding barrel. The light source is configured for emitting light along a given light path. The light-pervious light guiding barrel receives the light source therein, and the barrel includes light guiding regions with different light directing and/or reflecting capabilities. In addition, the barrel is rotatable relative to the light source such that each of the light guiding regions can be selectively placed on the light path to direct and/or reflect the light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Lai
  • Patent number: 8226265
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lighting device that includes an array of LEDs arranged on a circuit board with a reflector that rotates relative to the LEDs to reflect the light in various directions. The reflector according to the present disclosure includes a compact construction that allows for effective light reflection. A related lighting system and method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Czajkowski, Myron F. Pavlacka, Jecek J. Jozwik, Charles P. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8218021
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an image capture unit which includes an image sensor in which pixels for photoelectrically converting an object image are two-dimensionally arrayed in correspondence with color filters of a plurality of colors, and generates an image signal, a reducing unit which reduces the image signal output from the image capture unit to generate a reduced image, an image processing unit which performs development processing for the reduced image to obtain a first developed image containing luminance components and color difference components and performs development for the image signal output from the image capture unit to obtain a second developed image containing luminance and color difference components, an enlargement unit which enlarges the first developed image to the same size as that of the second developed image, and a composition unit which performs composition of the second developed image and an enlarged image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kota Terayama
  • Patent number: 8210720
    Abstract: A mirror module includes a mirror. The module includes a mirror housing. The module includes a mounting box that fits into the housing. The module includes a motorized element disposed in the mounting box. The motorized element having a mirror mounting plate which holds the mirror, and a base plate which is attached to the mounting box through an axis screw at a central axis of the module about which the motorized element rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Irwin Kotovsky, Serge Cornelissen, Robert Cornelissen
  • Publication number: 20120162993
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a base, a light source, an optical color wheel, and a lens. The base has a plurality of fins for heat dissipation. The light source is disposed in the base, and the optical color wheel is disposed above the light source and in contact with the base. The lens is movably disposed on the base. The Light from the light source passes through the optical color wheel to form colored light. The colored light passes through the lens to form a light beam. Heat generated by the light source and the optical color wheel is dissipated by the fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHUN-CHUNG CHENG, CHIH-HUANG WANG, CHANG-MING CHENG
  • Patent number: 8182126
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a left lamp unit, a right lamp unit and a headlamp apparatus control unit. Each of the left lamp unit and the right lamp unit includes a bulb, a movable shade, a shade moving mechanism and a fixed shade. Each movable shade can advance or recede with respect to the light axis of the bulb, and forms an individual light distribution pattern for a low-beam by shielding part of a light at an advanced position while allowing formation of a partial shape of a light distribution pattern for a high-beam at a receded position. The fixed shade forms the partial shape of the light distribution pattern for a high-beam when the movable shade is located at the receded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8157398
    Abstract: A projector including a light source unit, a display device and a projector control means, wherein the light source unit includes a fluorescent plate 130 including fluorescent material layers 131 disposed adjacent for emitting light in predetermined wavelength ranges by absorbing light, a diffusion plate 140 including a diffusion layer 141 disposed adjacent to the fluorescent material layers 131 for emitting light in a diffusing fashion, a light source for shining light on the layers 131, 141, a driving device for rotating the plates 130, 140, and a light cut-off plate 160 having a light cut-off portion 161, the light cut-off plate 160 capable of rotating together with the plates 130, 140 and movable so that the light cut-off portion 161 covers an area on the diffusion plate 140 where light is to be shone by the locked state being released when the diffusion plate 140 comes off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8142050
    Abstract: A phosphor point source element comprises a substrate and light emitting phosphor particles arranged on the substrate to provide a circular operational track having a tightly packed particle arrangement adjacent to a flat operational surface of an operational track region. The operational track region is rotated while illuminated at a point to provide a high intensity point source. The tightly packed particle arrangement may be achieved by spinning the phosphor particles in a cavity to compress the phosphor on the substrate at the periphery of the cavity, or by other mechanical compression. The tightly packed phosphor arrangement may either be compressed against a forming element that bounds the cavity, or machined, to provide a flat operational surface. An adhesive binding agent that permeates the phosphor particles may be cured to fix the tightly packed arrangement. A window element may support and/or protect the operational surface, in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Casey Edward Emtman, Paul Gerard Gladnick, Scott Allen Harsila
  • Patent number: 8116019
    Abstract: An illumination system including at least one coherent light source, a light uniforming element, and a prism is provided. The coherent light source is capable of emitting a coherent beam. The light uniforming element is disposed on a transmission path of the coherent beam. The prism is disposed on the transmission path of the coherent beam and between the coherent light source and the light uniforming element. The prism has a light incident end and a light exit end. The light incident end has at least one incident polygonal pyramid portion protruding away from the light exit end. The prism is capable of rotating about an axis, and the axis extends from the light incident end to the light exit end. The illumination system effectively reduces the degree of the speckle phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventor: S-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8113691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive system for an optical light modulation system employing multiple light modulation element pairs. The each pair is driven by a single motor which drives one axis around which one element of the first pair rotates while the other element of the first pair free floats and rotates about a second axis. While the second axis drives the rotation of the first element of the second pair and the first axis provides a rotation pivot for the second element of the second pair. Thus the two pairs share the two axises providing a more compact drive system that can be used more flexibly in an optical train of an automated multiparameter lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ROBE Lighting s.r.o.
    Inventor: Pavel Jurik
  • Patent number: 8104940
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens, a halogen bulb disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and below an optical axis, a main reflector which forwardly reflects and converges a first part of direct light from the halogen bulb toward the optical axis, the halogen bulb being inserted in the main reflector in a sidewise direction, a movable shade disposed between the projection lens and the halogen bulb to shield a portion of the first part of the light reflected by the main reflector and a second part of the direct light from the halogen bulb to form a cutoff line, an actuator which moves the movable shade, and an auxiliary reflector disposed below the optical axis to forwardly and diffusely reflect a third part of the direct light from the halogen bulb such that the third part of the light passes below the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20110164422
    Abstract: A LED lamp with adjustable beam direction includes a housing, a lamp base attached to one end of the housing for insertion into a lamp socket, a heatsink shaft mounted within the housing, a LED attached to one end of the heatsink shaft, a parabolic or elliptical or multi-facet reflector having a light output front opening and an asymmetric elliptical shaped rear opening, a first actuator for rotating the reflector about the LED, and a second actuator for tilting the reflector about the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Pak Ming Daniel Chan
  • Patent number: 7963683
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lighting device that includes an array of LEDs arranged on a circuit board with a reflector that rotates relative to the LEDs to reflect the light in various directions. The reflector according to the present disclosure includes a compact construction that allows for effective light reflection. A related lighting system and method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Czajkowski, Myron F. Pavlacka, Jacek J. Jozwik, Charles P. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20110110073
    Abstract: An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: GARY W. SCHNUCKLE, DOUGLAS M. PATTON
  • Patent number: 7926993
    Abstract: A projector unit is provided with a mechanism for changing the spatial distribution of a light beam. The projector unit includes a housing, an action element having a revolving shaft, a first diaphragm for cropping the light beam, wherein the first diaphragm is fixedly coupled to the shaft of the action element, a second diaphragm for cropping the light beam, wherein the second diaphragm is rotatingly coupled to the shaft of the action element, a first biasing element disposed between the second diaphragm and the housing, wherein the first biasing element regulates a positioning of the second diaphragm relative to the housing, and a second biasing element disposed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, wherein the second biasing element regulates a spacing between the first biasing element and the second biasing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Petr Smajser, Libor Losak, Jiri Harabis, Tomas Jurasek
  • Publication number: 20110069492
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical analyzer having illumination optics that include a light source, such as a laser or other source, adapted to emit a collimated, or approximately collimated, light beam, and a focusing lens that focuses the beam onto a focus spot within a detection region, wherein the focusing lens is mounted in a lens positioning apparatus that allows for precise positioning of the focus spot within the detection region. The lens positioning apparatus comprises a lens holder adapted to rotate through a small angle around a pivot axis parallel to the optical path, such that the lens holder rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical path, and an actuator adapted to provide an angular displacement of the lens holder around the pivot axis. The lens holder holds the focusing lens at a first distance from the pivot axis, and is coupled to the actuator at a second distance from the pivot axis, wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Ger van den Engh
  • Publication number: 20110063847
    Abstract: A stage lighting fixture has a casing having a closed first end and an open second end; a light source housed inside the casing, close to the first end, to emit a light beam along an optical axis oriented longitudinally with respect to the casing; an objective optical system located along the optical axis, at the second end of the casing, and having a focus position; a circular-aperture diaphragm located along the optical axis, between the light source and the objective optical system, to intercept the beam; and an iris diaphragm located along the optical axis, between the light source and the objective optical system, and which can be set to the focus position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Clay Paky S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pasquale Quadri, Angelo Cavenati
  • Patent number: 7905631
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a coherent light source providing an illumination beam, a light integrator positioned on a transmission path of the illumination beam, and a first actuator connected to the light integrator. The light integrator has a light entering end and a light exit end opposite to the light entering end, and the light entering end faces the coherent light source. The first actuator is capable of driving the light integrator to about a rotation axis perpendicular to a light axis of the illumination beam passing through the light integrator, so as to change a position at the light entering end entered by the illumination beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Nan Chen, Keng-Han Chuang, Yi-Hsueh Chen, Yung-Kuang Liu
  • Publication number: 20110026259
    Abstract: A dichroic mixing flag for a multiparameter light is constructed that greatly improves the thermal shock tolerance of the flag and avoids having to use a more costly substrate material. The dichroic color mixing flag may be substantially circular in shape. The dichroic color mixing flag may be fixed to a mechanical component so that the flag cannot rotate with respect to the mechanical component. The dichroic color mixing flag may be fixed to the mechanical component so that the mechanical component can move the dichroic color mixing flag without moving any other dichroic color mixing flag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Keith Dennis Cannon
  • Patent number: 7862208
    Abstract: A dimming device for a searchlight for adjusting the brightness of a light field generated by a searchlight is provided. The dimming device comprising a plurality of different screening elements, which are formed and provided to partly or completely screen the light emitted by the searchlight. The screening elements are formed by different structured masks at least partly screening the light emitted by the searchlight, which include regularly arranged opaque or partly transparent regions and transparent regions. Means each are provided for incremental adjustment of the brightness of the generated light field of the searchlight either to bring the screening elements into the region of the light emitted by the searchlight, in order to reduce the brightness of the light field generated by one brightness level, or to remove the same from the region of the light emitted by the searchlight, in order to increase the brightness of the light field generated by one brightness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Erwin Melzner
  • Patent number: 7789532
    Abstract: A light source device includes a light source lamp, a rotary plate, a heat absorbing portion, and a filter mounting member. The light source lamp emits illumination light. The rotary plate includes multiple opening portions that are selectively disposed in the illumination light path of the light source lamp. A reflective filter that reflects light of a wavelength that acts a heat source in illumination light is provided in one of the multiple opening portions of the rotary plate. The heat absorbing portion absorbs heat included in reflected light reflected by the reflective filter in the opening portion. The filter mounting member disposes the reflective filter in the opening portion at a predetermined angle of inclination to the optical axis of the illumination light. By disposing the inclined reflective filter in the illumination light path, reflected light reflected by the reflective filter is reflected towards the heat absorbing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiki Toriyama, Mutsumi Oshima, Shinji Yamashita, Keiichi Tsuchida, Tomoya Takahashi, Atsushi Shimada, Yusuke Yabe, Kyosuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7771084
    Abstract: A light emitting system is disclosed, including a light generator, a complex lens and an activating unit. The light generator provides a light beam emitted in a first direction in parallel to an optic axis. The complex lens, disposed on a path of the light beam, includes a plurality of micro structures for refracting the light beam. The activating unit includes an activating member coupled to the complex lens. The activating member activates the complex lens with an activation frequency to reciprocally move in a second direction alternate to the first direction. By the disposition of the complex lens, the energy of the light beam is uniformly distributed. Additionally, speckle produced by the light beam is reciprocally moved within an area by the activating unit, creating a photogene reaction, to successfully eliminate existence of the speckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Chin Hsiung, Keng-Hui Lin, Wen-Lang Hung, Wei-Hsiang Peng, Chao-Yang Ke, Yi-Chung Hung
  • Patent number: 7766523
    Abstract: A lamp unit 18 is provided with a reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign and a light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign. The reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign reflects light from a light source 23a and is provided on an upper side of the light source 23a and rearward from a rear side focal point F of a projector lens 11. The light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign is provided on a front side of a movable shade 30 arranged between the projector lens 11 and the light source 23a. The light receiving face 28 forms overhead sign irradiating light P2 by reflecting light from the reflecting face 25b for the overhead sign to the projector lens 11. Illuminance reducer for reducing a portion of irradiating light is provided at a position of a vicinity of an upper end of the movable shade 30 of the light receiving face 28a for the overhead sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kinoshita, Akinori Matsumoto, Takehiko Tajima
  • Patent number: 7736023
    Abstract: A multiparameter lighting apparatus is disclosed that allows an operator of a central controller to remotely choose a first rotation of a selected gobo of the multiparameter lighting apparatus. The first rotation is typically a substantially smooth rotation. A second rotation can also be chosen, wherein the second rotation causes an animation of the selected gobo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: BARCO Lightning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, David K. Peck
  • Patent number: 7736037
    Abstract: A projector assembly having a light source and a reflector body positioned proximately to the light source for reflecting light forward along an axis of the projector assembly. Mounted to the reflector body is a lens. The lens is in front of and at a distance from the light source to focus the light into a beam pattern. An actuator is mounted to the reflector body and includes a pair of rotatable shafts extending from opposing ends along an axis that is perpendicular to and below the axis of the projector assembly. A light shield is mounted onto the rotatable shafts of the actuator and is rotatable between a first position, wherein substantially all of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is blocked, and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the light below the axis of the projector assembly is allowed to project forward through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Libor Losak, Vladimir Dobrus, Jiri Kopenec
  • Patent number: 7712934
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp. The headlamp comprises a light source and a reflector to direct light received from the light source out of the headlamp. A movable shade is positionable to control the light received by the reflector. A shade driver is coupled to the movable shade to position the shade. A first shade position configures the headlamp for high beam lighting. A second shade position configures the headlamp for low beam lighting. A third shade position configures the headlamp for daytime running lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Steven Kovach
  • Patent number: 7712909
    Abstract: A rotating lamp comprises a translucent globe, a shaft portion, arranged in the globe, made of a material containing metal, an LED device provided on the shaft portion, a rotatable support member rotatably set along the outer peripheral direction of the shaft portion, a reflecting mirror supported by the rotatable support member for reflecting light received from the LED device, a driving portion rotating/driving the rotatable support member and a heat radiating portion provided on the shaft portion. Thus, heat generated in LED devices can be discharged and a problem resulting from heat can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Arrow Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Nobayashi
  • Patent number: 7703948
    Abstract: A light effect system includes a light source and one or more aperture elements interposed between the light source and an exit lens of the system. The aperture element comprises at least one aperture and at least one light effect element positioned therein. This invention concerns a system where the aperture element comprises at least two “fingers” partly surrounding each light effect element in at least 180° of the circumference. These snapping “fingers” engage with the contour of the outer surface of the said light effect element in order to hold the light effect element in position in the aperture, and the said fingers are formed of a flexible material. Hereby, it is achieved that the locking and releasing of the light effect component can be done by push and pull in an ideal perpendicular direction to the light path. In other words, no angling, bending or twisting is necessary, so a minimum of space is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Dalsgaard
  • Patent number: 7703947
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a flexible color filter material coupled to a scrolling mechanism that moves the material in a first direction to position a selected portion of the color filter material in a part of a light beam from the fixture. A device coupled to the mechanism may move the mechanism in a second direction so that another part of the light beam passes unfiltered. Different areas of the color filter material produce different colors. The device may move the mechanism in a direction parallel to a plane of the color filter material. The device may rotate the scrolling mechanism about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the plane of the color filter material. The color filter material may include a dichroic filter. The light fixture may also include a second scrolling mechanism coupled to flexible diffusion material, such that at least a part of the light beam of the light fixture may be diffused by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Omnicolor, L.P.
    Inventors: Jack Calmes, Kevin Stone
  • Patent number: 7674022
    Abstract: To provide a headlight device, in which a change of the region of illumination afforded by the headlamp can be initiated substantially punctual to the start of cornering of the motorcycle, the headlight device includes a headlamp for illuminating forwardly of the motorcycle, a light-distribution adjusting mechanism for changing a region of illumination, a bank angle detecting unit for detecting a bank angle ? of the motorcycle in reference to an angular velocity ?y about a vertical axis of the motorcycle, an angular velocity ?r about a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle and a motorcycle velocity v, and a light-distribution controller for controlling the light-distribution adjusting mechanism based on the detected bank angle ? to change the region of illumination into an area further away from and at least inwardly of a direction of turn of the motorcycle during a cornering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakano, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mikio Domoto, Makoto Baino
  • Patent number: 7670027
    Abstract: A laser illuminator comprising at least one optical diffusion means capable of modifying an optical diffusion condition (3) and at least one optical suppression means for suppressing divergence of light (100), wherein the optical diffusion means and the optical suppression means are disposed along an optical path of a laser beam (6) radiating from a laser source and the laser beam is converted into a diffused and non-divergent light beam (6-2) for illuminating or exciting an object by passing through the optical diffusion means and the optical suppression means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Yasushi Nagamune
  • Patent number: 7649321
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the irradiation direction of a lamp for a vehicle is provided with an actuator 3R for controlling the irradiation direction of a headlamp 2R and a controller (ECU) 1 for controlling the actuator 3R in accordance with a pitch angle of a vehicle. The controller 1 includes a monitor unit for monitoring the state of a control signal line CL for sending a control signal for controlling the actuator 3R and determines an abnormality of the controller, the actuator or the control signal line based on the state of the control signal line. The controller is not required to be connected to the actuator via a wire harness dedicated for the monitoring which is provided independently, so that the number of the wire harnesses can be prevented from increasing. Further, since the actuator is not required to be provided with a dedicated monitor circuit, the configuration of the actuator is prevented from being complicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakazawa, Tomoyuki Sakai, Yohnosuke Hara
  • Publication number: 20090296401
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for effective, adjustable wide-field illumination. In particular resonant engines for illuminating a broad area by resonant oscillation, and methods of moving at least one mirror at or near a resonance are described. A resonant engine includes one or more mirrors that may be oscillated to reflect light from a light source(s) to create a target illumination pattern. Devices and systems in which the mirror or mirrors are oscillated at an energy-efficient manner are described. Also described are optics, control features, and techniques that may be utilized to enhance the energy efficiency of the resonant engines and system described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: OMNILUX, INC.
    Inventor: Enrique Gutierrez, JR.
  • Patent number: 7600904
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a light source bulb for emitting light, a base member fixed with a light source bulb, a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light source bulb, a projecting lens for projecting light reflected by the reflector to a front side along an optical axis Ax, and a shade for blocking a portion of light directed from the reflector to the projecting lens. The vehicle headlamp displaces the reflector from a first position to a second position which is upward and rearward from the base member. The vehicle headlamp can facilitate obtaining a light distribution suitable for driving on a motorway or in wet conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Hirohiko Ohshio
  • Patent number: 7575351
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a first reflector disposed fixed with respect to the light source; a second reflector rotatable in a direction that opens and closes a reflective surface of the first reflector; a bracket rotatably supporting the second reflector via a shaft that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source; an actuator attached to the bracket; an attachment includes an insertion hole into which the driving rod of the actuator is inserted and first and second connection holes into which the connecting shaft of the second reflector is inserted. The second reflector includes a connecting shaft that projects in a direction generally perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source. The actuator includes a body and a driving rod that projects from a portion other than a center portion of the body and moves in an axial direction. The first connection hole and the second connection hole of the attachment open one way and open in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ogino, Hirohiko Ohshio
  • Publication number: 20090168444
    Abstract: A guiding structure includes a base and a guiding unit. The base has an opening, and an inner wall of the base, facing the opening, is formed with at least one first guiding element and at least one first restricting element disposed adjacent to the first guiding element. The guiding unit is inserted into the opening and has at least one second guiding element and at least one second restricting element. The second guiding element is correspondingly coupled to or separated from the first restricting element by deforming, bending, rotating or displacing. The first guiding element is disposed corresponding to the second guiding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Chin-Chu Hsu, Chun-Hua Yang, Chia-Ying Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090168425
    Abstract: A bulb with rotating light effect comprises a bulb casing being a hollow casing; an inner lower side of the bulb casing being formed with an engaging portion; the engaging portion having a plurality of teeth for engaging with other elements; a seat having a receiving space for receiving other elements; a top end of the seat having a connecting portion; a motor installed in the receiving space of the seat for driving other elements; a gear connected to a spindle of the motor; the gear being an axial gear which is engaged on the spindle of the motor; rotation of the motor will drive the gear to rotate; the gear being engaged to the teeth of the engaging portion; thus, when the gear rotates, the bulb casing is driven to rotate; and an LED lamp set having at least one LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Chuang
  • Patent number: 7547114
    Abstract: A multicolor illumination device using an excitation light source and a multi-segmented moving plate with wavelength conversion materials (e.g. phosphors) is disclosed. The exciting light source is a light emitting diode or a laser diode emitting in the UV and/or blue region. The wavelength conversion materials absorb the excitation light and emit longer wavelength light. Each segment of the moving plate contains a different wavelength conversion material or no wavelength conversion material. The plate is supported to move so that different segments are exposed to the excitation light at different times. The plate may be a wheel or rectangular in shape and rotates or oscillates linearly. When the plate moves, light of different colors is generated sequentially in time by the different wavelength conversion materials in different segments of the plate. The multicolor illumination device may be used in a projector system having a microdisplay imager for image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: YLX Corp.
    Inventors: Yi Li, Li Xu
  • Patent number: 7537360
    Abstract: A color changer, particularly for spotlights, comprising at least one dichroic filter which is adapted to be arranged in front of a light source, a motor for moving the at least one dichroic filter which is adapted to place the dichroic filter at least partially in front of the light source, the color changer further comprising an actuator which is adapted to tilt the dichroic filter with respect to the axis of emission of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Coemar S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Allegri
  • Publication number: 20090109681
    Abstract: For lighting equipment for illumination of theatre and show stages and platforms there is designed an equipment for change of rotary gobos comprising a carrier disc supporting interchangeable segments with the gobos. The individual segments (2) are attached at the carrier disc (1) by central holding means, each segment (2) being provided with means for setting the segment (2) on the carrier disc (1). Each segment (2) is provided with a lamella (3) for attachment by the magnetic holding means. The magnetic holding means comprise a magnet (24) in attracted to a ferrous plate (23) attached to the carrier disc (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Pavel Jurik
  • Patent number: 7497595
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having a color-changing mechanism, such as a color wheel, for cycling through a plurality of colors, such as by rotating, at a first speed and a second speed. The second speed is faster than the first speed. A position pulse device, such as a position sensor, generates a reference position pulse when the color-changing mechanism is at a predetermined color or position. A circuit periodically generates a master pulse. A control device causes the color-changing mechanism to cycle through the colors at the second speed when the reference position pulse is generated after the master pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Mateescu, Kevin Potucek, Robert Bachman
  • Patent number: 7488091
    Abstract: A lamp holder comprises: a resin cover member made of resin and having an open space portion at a place where the light from the lamp body is irradiated; and a cover plate which is made of metal and has a projection window of the cover plate for the light emitted from the lamp body to pass through, and which is fixed to the resin cover member for covering the open space portion of the resin cover member. According to this lamp holder, the cover plate made of metal is provided at a place of the lamp holder where out gas would be most likely to be produced if a resin material were used at such place, preventing a portion of the resin cover member from being provided at such place. This makes it possible to prevent out gas from being produced from the lamp holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youta Yano
  • Publication number: 20090016061
    Abstract: An illumination system including a coherent light source, a light integrator and a first actuator is provided. The coherent light source is capable of providing an illumination beam. The light integrator is disposed on a transmission path of the illumination beam, and the first actuator is connected to the light integrator. The light integrator has a light entering end and a light exit end opposite to the light entering end, and the light entering end faces the coherent light source. The first actuator is capable of driving the light integrator to move and/or rotate, so as to change a position at the light entering end entered by the illumination beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: YOUNG OPTICS INC.
    Inventors: Sung-Nan Chen, Keng-Han Chuang, Yi-Hsueh Chen, Yung-Kuang Liu
  • Publication number: 20080316746
    Abstract: A method and/or apparatus is provided for constructing a dichroic color mixing flag for a multiparameter light that greatly improves the thermal shock tolerance of the flag and avoids having to use a more costly quartz substrate material as in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Keith Dennis Cannon
  • Patent number: 7453070
    Abstract: A beam density measurement system includes a shield, a beam sensor, and an actuator. The beam sensor is positioned downstream from the shield in a direction of travel of a beam. The beam sensor is configured to sense an intensity of the beam, and the beam sensor has a long dimension and a short dimension. The actuator translates the shield relative to the beam sensor, wherein the shield blocks at least a portion of the beam from the beam sensor as the shield is translated relative to the beam sensor, and wherein measured values of the intensity associated with changes in a position of the shield relative to the beam sensor are representative of a beam density distribution of the beam in a first direction defined by the long dimension of the beam sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul Gupta, Joseph C. Olson, Gregg A. Norris