Abstract: A highly compact, light weight automated luminaire is disclosed having a head unit mounted on a support structure which provides pan and tilt of the head unit. The latter includes beam controlling optics providing precise control over beam parameters including color. Groups of the instruments are remotely controlled from a digital controller such as a PC connected by cable or a wireless link to the instruments. The lights each include processors for processing comands from the digital controller. By reason of its light weight and compactness, the luminaire is suitable for many applications barred to conventional automated lighting fixtures.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: For energizing remote lamp loads subjected to indeterminate transmission losses, a current regulating power supply is described which delivers a regulated current to the load using for example, a full wave rectifier supplying an unfiltered pulsating voltage to a switching regulator controlled by a feedback loop incorporating a current sensing resistor and pulse width modulator. The supply has a substantially unity power factor, a self-quenching characteristic in the presence of circuit interruptions, and can deliver regulated current to a variety of lamp types.

Abstract: A variable-geometry lens controlling the distribution of light in a beam, having a deformable, transparent membrane supported by a liquid-filled, transparent multi-cellular structure forming an array of variable-power lenslets for controlling the divergence or convergence of a light beam. An optically clear liquid is pumped into or out of the structure to deform the membrane into an array of convex or concave lenslets having adjustable optical power to control energy distribution. The index of refraction of the structure matches the index of refraction of the liquid to render the structure invisible so that it has no effect on the beam. The shape of the cells and the curvature of the membrane covering the cell affects the distribution of light refracted by the array of lenslets. The thickness of the membrane may vary across each cell to further affect the curvature and distribution of light refracted by the array of lenslets.

Abstract: A stage lighting system is comprised of a plurality of lamp units which may have diverse communication protocols, functions and data parameters. The stage lighting system is controlled by a modular control system comprised of a modular controller mainframe interconnected with a plurality of control devices which may have diverse communications protocols and data formats. The modular controller mainframe consists of a plurality of input and output modules, mass storage devices and a main processor kernel, all interconnected by a number of data buses. The input modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various control devices. Similarly, the output modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various types of lamp units.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A modular lamp power supply is adapted to provide lamp power supply signals to a plurality of different lamps, each lamp having different power requirements. The power supply can be reconfigured to supply power to a new group of lamps simply by replacing the power circuit modules within the supply chassis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A nonplanar mechanical dimmer for use in a variable parameter luminaire includes claws, a mounting region and a convex beam blocking region which does not reflect energy back onto a light source during dimming.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A storage trunk for storing and transporting lighting equipment is constructed using a rotationally molded cross linked polyethylene plastic. The storage trunk is comprised of an enclosure body and a separately removable lid. The lid may be secured to the enclosure body by means of a plurality of latches. The interior of the enclosure body may be molded as a generally open rectangular region or may include molded features for receiving and supporting specific lighting instruments within its interior. The hollow walls of the molded enclosure body are filled with polyurethane foam for reinforcing the walls and damping their movement. A perforated metal stiffening frame is molded into the base of the enclosure body during the molding process for added strength. The underside of the enclosure body provides a plurality of casters for easy movement. The storage trunk features a unitized, seamless construction having no fasteners or external reinforcements to leak, snag other objects, or fall off.

Abstract: A lighting truss utilizes a drive assembly to facilitate movement of lighting instruments between a protected transport position and a deployed position, extending the lighting instruments below the truss for operation. Once deployed, means are provided for spreading the lighting instruments apart from one another to allow unimpeded pan and tilt operation of the lighting instruments and allow for storage of the lighting instruments in a relatively small truss.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A stage lighting system is comprised of a plurality of lamp units which may have diverse communication protocols, functions and data parameters. The stage lighting system is controlled by a modular control system comprised of a modular controller mainframe interconnected with a plurality of control devices which may have diverse communications protocols and data formats. The modular controller mainframe consists of a plurality of input and output modules, mass storage devices and a main processor kernel, all interconnected by a number of data buses. The input modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various control devices. Similarly, the output modules serve as an interface between the modular controller mainframe and the diverse protocols of the various types of lamp units.