Abstract:
Multiple axis control for a lamp inside a reflector. At least multiple axes of control are made without increasing a length of the optical axis.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many modern lamps use a pinch style lamp inside a reflector.  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary pinch style light lamp, or “lamp”. Other analogous lamps may have similar geometry and/or performance. This lamp  100  includes two pinches  110 ,  112  where the glass has been reduced in size and at least one of the pinches, here  110 , may have one or more electrodes  114 . Electrical connectors  104 ,  106  to the electrodes  114  may be on a mounting plate  102 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present application teaches a way of fine controlling arc position in an arc lamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    In the Drawings: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a lamp in socket with a position adjust; 
           [0005]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a donut shaped socket and a lamp; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a view of a second plate that holds the donut shaped socket; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows positioners for the lamp; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates the safety against lamp touching reflector; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows the z axis motion device; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of all the parts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The term “lamp” is used herein to refer to the lamp that emits light. 
         [0012]    The inventor noticed that the position of the arc  150  may differ from lamp to lamp. However, it is important that the arc  150  be perfectly aligned relative to the reflector  155  in order to get the best operation. For example, every reflector has a sweet spot from which the point of light should emanate. However, the inventor found in practice that lamps that are simply placed into the connectors such as  102  may have arcs or center points which differ in position. 
         [0013]    In order to address this issue, x,y,z positioning is used for fine movement of an installed lamps in the x, y, and z directions. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the reflector sweet spot will produce maximum light output when the lamp is placed within about a quarter millimeter of the desired location. Fine adjustment of the position of the lamp may therefore improve the accuracy of the projection. 
         [0015]    However, even though the embodiment uses adjustment, it is undesirable to lengthen the overall light path that is used for the projection. The luminaires of the embodiments use a lamp that projects the light along a path. The path is formed by the positioning of the lamp, the reflector, and any other optical items that can be in the path of the light. These devices may include, for example, optical devices such as color changers, gobos, iris/shutter, zoom lenses, and any other devices that may change the light before it reaches its destination. In one embodiment, the luminaire may project light past these optical devices forming the optical train. The light projection axis is referred to herein as an optical axis. 
         [0016]    All of these items can add to the length of the optical train, and hence can add to the length of the overall packaged luminaire. 
         [0017]    In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, if an x,y,z positioner were put in the location  150  where the positioning arrows are shown, that positioner would be in the direction of the optical axis. It would hence lengthen the necessary length of the luminaire. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 2A-2B  show an embodiment using a lamp socket that adjusts the position of the lamp without lengthening the light length.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a doughnut shaped socket that goes over and surrounds at least a part of the connection part  102  and connects to the connectors  104 . This socket does not add any length to the luminaire, since it connects concentric to the lamp  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . Therefore, the length of the socket, shown as L in  FIG. 2B , goes around the lamp  210 . This as compared with in front or back of the lamp  210  where it could add length to the lamp  210 . 
         [0019]    An embodiment adds a plate to that socket  200 , also preferably concentric to the lamp. This first plate  320  shown in  FIG. 3  is connected to the socket. The lamp  120  extends through a central hole  330  in the first plate  320 . The first plate has shoulders  331  forming inner surfaces that fit over the outer surfaces  201  of the donut shaped first socket  200 . 
         [0020]    The plate  320  with the lamp therein is then held rigidly or “captured” by a second plate  300  that includes surfaces therein that hold the first plate  320 . In an embodiment, the first plate  320  has openings  301 ,  302  therein spaced around the edges of the plate  320 . Devices  304  are held on the second plate that hold into the first plate  320 . These devices also form tensioners such as  304  on multiple sides, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0021]    One or more of the tensioners may be screwed against the force of a spring. These tensioners hold the plate against movement, but can be adjusted to finely change the position of the socket, and hence change the position of the arc.  FIG. 4  shows x and y tensioners  400 ,  402  which respectively control the x and y positions of the lamp. The x-tensioner  400  biases against a spring  410  which is oppositely located to the x tensioner. The y tensioner  402  analogously biases against a spring  412 . 
         [0022]    One advantage of this configuration is that it allows changing the lamp without removing the xyz positioners as would need to be done if the xyz positioners were in the linear path of the lamp (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates how when the x,y,z changer is behind the lamp, it is in the linear path of the lamp, and also would need to be removed in order to change the lamp. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 3 , the lamp itself is to the rear in  FIG. 3 . Opening the back of the luminaire gives access to the area  299 . This allows changing the lamp without changing the positioner. 
         [0025]    The edges  450  of the outer plate  300  are larger than the edges of the smaller plate  320 . The edges of the two plates are set in locations that make it impossible for the lamp  210  to touch a reflector no matter where the lamp is moved.  FIG. 5  shows how these surfaces prevent the lamp from being moved enough to touch the reflector. 
         [0026]    The plate assembly discussed above controls x and y positioning from an area that is concentric to the lamp. 
         [0027]    The z axis position uses a separate assembly shown in  FIG. 6  as  700 . This may displace on a track on a linear bearing  705 . An adjustment  710  for the linear bearing adjusts the z axis position. This allows for x, y and z control of the lamp. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of all the parts and how they fit together.  FIG. 7  shows that the z positioner  700  is located under the first plate  320  attached to the second plate  300 , and moves the plates  300 ,  320  in that z direction. Again, this positioner does not add to the linear length of the luminaire. 
         [0029]    Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other optical structures can be used. 
         [0030]    Also, the inventors intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims. The computers described herein may be any kind of computer, either general purpose, or some specific purpose computer such as a workstation. The computer may be a Pentium class computer, running Windows XP or Linux, or may be a Macintosh computer. The computer may also be a handheld computer, such as a PDA, cellphone, or laptop. 
         [0031]    Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should be considered that the value may be increased or decreased by 20%, while still staying within the teachings of the present application, unless some different range is specifically mentioned. Where a specified logical sense is used, the opposite logical sense is also intended to be encompassed. 
         [0032]    The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.