WO2002053973A1 - Lampe de projection - Google Patents

Lampe de projection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002053973A1
WO2002053973A1 PCT/GB2001/005788 GB0105788W WO02053973A1 WO 2002053973 A1 WO2002053973 A1 WO 2002053973A1 GB 0105788 W GB0105788 W GB 0105788W WO 02053973 A1 WO02053973 A1 WO 02053973A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
projection lamp
ught
source
lamp according
cowl
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/005788
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Geoffrey Alan Ward
Original Assignee
Geoffrey Alan Ward
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0031838A external-priority patent/GB2370630A/en
Application filed by Geoffrey Alan Ward filed Critical Geoffrey Alan Ward
Publication of WO2002053973A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002053973A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/002—Stoves
    • F24C7/004—Stoves simulating flames
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F21S10/02—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect changing colors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F21S10/06—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2121/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/40—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
    • F21W2131/406—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use for theatres, stages or film studios

Definitions

  • This Invention relates to a projection lamp.
  • a flame effect is provided by reflecting light from a lamp off a plurality of reflective ribbons that are preferably coated silk or silk-like material. Air is forced by a fan or blower unit across the ribbons in order to create a flickering light. The reflected light is then projected on to a diffusion screen placed intermediate the lamp and an observer.
  • the screen may include smoked coloured glass or acrylic. The smoke coloured glass, when illuminated with the flickering light, produces a simulated flickering flame effect.
  • the effect is enhanced by enclosing the blower unit and ribbons inside an airtight chamber as this prevents the reflective surfaces of the ribbons from dulling from the ingress of dust.
  • the flame effect is made even more realistic by ensuring a stronger convection current in the central region of the ribbon array. This achieves the effect that flame activity is greater in the central region of the fire, which is indeed the case in a real fire.
  • a viewing screen is placed intermediate a light source and a viewer. Light rays are preferably diffused before they impinge the viewing screen. The total amount of light from a lamp is divided between an upper region, which simulates flickering flames, and a lower region, which illuminates artificial coals. A preferred embodiment avoids accumulation of dust by enclosing the complete arrangement in an airtight enclosure.
  • the aforementioned devices are expensive and complex; they also have a limited, intended function: namely to provide a simulated flame or fire effect.
  • Other similar devices tend to repeat a pattern over time (due to their use of rotating reflective and/or diffusive assemblies) and are also relatively complex in their construction, often requiring separate drive mechanisms for the rotating parts.
  • a first object of the present Invention is to provide a simply constructed lamp which produces a random or apparently random dappled or speckled lighting effect and which is also capable of providing significantly more naturalistic lighting effects than has heretofore been achievable.
  • a second object of the Invention is provide a projection lamp in which a programmed or controlled movement of lighting patterns, images or logos on a remote surface is produced by controlled projection of light through an assembly of small apertures.
  • a projection lamp which in use receives a light source, the lamp comprising: a displaceable interrupting means intermediate the source and a remote surface, said means being arranged to interrupt light from the source, and a cowl, including a plurality of apertures through which uninterrupted light rays pass so as to form images on said remote surface.
  • the cowl surrounds and encloses the interrupting means.
  • the present invention provides a lamp that is capable of creating random or apparently random modulation of the Ught source such that there is no perceived repetition to the light pattern and is of simple construction.
  • the modulation may be programmed and non-random and the projected pattern may have specific image information.
  • the cowl defines a plurality of small apertures, the images created are effectively formed by a series of pin-holes and are visible wherever emerging rays impinge on a surface. The practical effect of this is that no intermediate screen or surface is required by a viewer in order to appreciate the lighting effect.
  • aperture is meant an area through which light can pass, either completely open, or formed of a transparent, non-diffusive material. The light ray may pass undeviated or with some refraction of the light ray if the material is non- uniform in dimension or composition in that area.
  • the interrupting means might comprise a single flexible component, but preferably the interrupting means comprises a plurality of interrupting elements, each being displaceable one with respect to another.
  • the interrupting elements are preferably formed of a flexible material, though they might be formed from rigid components flexibly mounted.
  • the interrupting elements within the interrupting means are preferably substantially or wholly opaque, and more preferably reflective on the surface directed towards the light source. This enables multiple reflections of the source to be obtained. Such multiple reflections create the illusion of a multiplicity of light sources, especially when a relatively bright localised light source, such as a metal halide discharge lamp or tungsten halogen lamp, is used. A benefit of this is that several images of the source can be formed by the same aperture.
  • interrupting elements are formed from a sheet of a flexible metallic coated material, such as Mylar (Trade Mark) which has a series of discontinuities, defined herein as cuts, slots or apertures, formed therein so as to define strips or ribbons which are suspended by means of a peripheral support.
  • a flexible metallic coated material such as Mylar (Trade Mark) which has a series of discontinuities, defined herein as cuts, slots or apertures, formed therein so as to define strips or ribbons which are suspended by means of a peripheral support.
  • the interrupting elements are preferably disposed proximal the light source, such that a substantial part of the light from the source is screened from, and cannot pass directly to, an observer; only rays which pass between them are visible. In the case that the elements are reflective, light will largely only be viewable after it has been reflected by one or more of the elements.
  • the interrupting means can have a plurality of layers of interrupting elements, preferably of reflective material, to create complex patterns of reflection and obscuration. It may be made up of rigid elements mounted in such a way that they move relative to the Ught source.
  • the material of the reflective elements can be silvered, semi-silvered (i.e. so that direct Ught passes through, but obUque rays are reflected) and optionally coloured or multi-coloured. Colouring is preferably chosen so as to give addition of colours when projected onto a white surface. It might have a refractive capability so that white Ught is refracted on passing through a coloured film before reflection, or on reflection off its surface, in order to achieve spectral effects.
  • the reflective elements may have a smooth surface, so as to give specular reflection, or it might have a patterned surface or be physically distorted through its thickness, for instance crumpled or embossed, so as to reflect Ught in a non-specular manner.
  • Means may be provided to cause movement of the interrupting elements such that the exiting Ught rays appear to move in a random manner.
  • the elements might be moved by an actuator which provides a regular motion, the interrupting means being designed so that such regular actuation produces an apparently random or semi-random interrupting effect.
  • Agitation of the elements might be by a convection current produced by the Ught source; by convection currents from a separate heat source (if convection currents produced by the Ught source are inadequate), or by disturbing the interrupting elements by other means, for example a fan or a trembler device, an electricaUy driven actuator, or by a combination of more than one of these.
  • the overall effect is that, unlike devices in the prior art, the pattern of Ught from the device is dappled and not predominantly regular in time or space.
  • the displaced interrupting elements may have a range of rates of responses to actuation, so as to produce patterns of varying speed of movement in the reflected Ught, superimposed on one another.
  • cowl may be arranged so that external air currents, for example from people moving or fans or loudspeakers in operation nearby, move the interrupting elements so as to produce the effect, either in addition to or instead of actuation internal to the device.
  • external air currents for example from people moving or fans or loudspeakers in operation nearby
  • the means by which the interrupting elements are disturbed could be linked with sound patterns (either electricaUy, acousticaUy, or by other means).
  • This variation can, depending on the nature of the Ught source, the type of material employed, and the means by which it is disturbed from its resting state, provide effects from a gentle shimmer to more agitated effects. These effects are such that they can be used to simulate natural Ughting phenomena such as sunUght reflected off water or the dappled Ught pattern caused by Ught modulated by moving leaves in woodland.
  • the effect of the invention is achieved using a simple planar cowl with regular apertures, enhanced appearance and complexity of the projected Ught pattern depends on the design of the cowl and the choice of materials used for it.
  • the factors involved include the foUowing.
  • the dimensions of the apertures will affect the size, brightness and sharpness of the projected image; the depth or thickness of the cowl material and the uniformity of the aperture within this depth, and the distance from the source at which the effective smaUest dimension of the aperture Ues, will also affect the size and brightness of the image; the directionaUty of the Ught paths within the aperture and the degree of attenuation of any given Ught ray within the aperture dimension, in the case where the aperture has a non-uniform transmission, will also add to variability in the effect.
  • the cowl is advantageously formed from multiple layers of random apertures, as can be achieved with a material such as plastic matting or imitation foUage.
  • the cowl might comprise more than one layer or component, for example layers of differing properties of Ught transmission or modulation or regular or irregular aperture configurations.
  • the pattern of apertures in the cowl can contain image information, for example a graphic or logo, which will be projected as part of the pattern of varying direction and / or intensity by movements of the interrupting means.
  • image information for example a graphic or logo, which will be projected as part of the pattern of varying direction and / or intensity by movements of the interrupting means.
  • This can be combined with more random aperture configurations as described above to give a mixed image effect.
  • Image information is advantageously differently laid out on areas of the cowl in accordance with their desired appearance on the remote surface towards which that part of the cowl is orientated. This is particularly advantageous in the case of projection onto a surface far from normal to the direction between the cowl and the surface.
  • the cowl might itself be flexible, for example of one or more layers of a material such as silk or other fabric, either in sheet form with apertures, or in a crumpled form or an aggregate of separate pieces held together to give an irregular array of apertures.
  • a flexible cowl might be actuated by any of the means disclosed herein.
  • the cowl might comprise apertures which have defined optical properties. Diffuse behaviour of Ught rays as employed in the prior art is not preferred, as the projection properties of the apertures are degraded. However apertures with lensing properties, for example as found in lenticular raised areas or concentric Fresnel lens pattern embossing in some forms of plastic sheeting, are advantageous for formation of particular projected patterns.
  • some patterns will be similar in time and space, but they will not be identical, and so will not be perceived as repetitive.
  • the actuation of the interrupting means, of further reflective surfaces or of the cowl is envisaged as being either random or semi-random, or alternatively with predetermined sequences in time as will result from response to external electrical information or in response to signals from recorded sound.
  • a combination of these modes of operation is chosen to be advantageous for the location in which the lamp is to be used.
  • a combination of semi-random and repetitive motion might be used, for instance movement, for example rotation of a first cowl in addition to one of the above means appUed to a second or further cowl.
  • a combination of apertures, formed from a number of regular rotating motions, also produces an apparently random effect and is envisaged as an arrangement in one embodiment.
  • a Ught pattern varying according to the Moire effect can be projected onto the remote surface if the cowls have at least a partially regular pattern of apertures.
  • the cowl is advantageously designed so that account is taken of the effect of the movement in location of the image on the remote surface resulting from the actuation.
  • the projection lamp of the invention can operate with a variety of different Ught sources.
  • Preferred sources are those which are locaUsed, for example a metal haUde discharge source or a tungsten halogen bulb, or a filament source of other type, or a candle.
  • Laser sources are useable if a component is included to spread or fan the beam, such as a multi-faceted or actuatable mirror, or a corrugated reflector surface in the path of the beam in order to generate rays in a plurahty of directions.
  • Hght source Although a single Hght source is herein referred to, it is understood that more than one source might be provided, with appropriate positioning of the interrupting elements in one or more locations proximal to or around the various sources.
  • the source or sources might be displaceable with respect to the other lamp components in order to enhance the variability of the Ughting effect.
  • a number of sources might be controlled individually or together, for example to give the effect of one or more individual sources in motion.
  • the sources may produce differently coloured Ught, so as to produce colour addition effects from overlapping rays on the remote surface.
  • the projected image might be of the Ught source might itself, or the source might illuminate a transparent material bearing an image or graphics, or a soUd object, allowing image content characteristic of these to be projected.
  • logos or other graphics can be used on reflective, interrupting materials, causing these to be projected.
  • a focusing device might be used to concentrate Ught onto the graphics- bearing material or Ught leaving from it.
  • the source might ifluminate one or more source apertures in an opaque material, so aUowing the outline of the source aperture to be projected, or to allow a single source to create a number of spatiaUy separated sources at the source apertures, each of which wiU be projected.
  • the source apertures can be shaped or coloured or contain translucent image information, or logos or other graphics.
  • the pattern of locations of the source apertures might itself contain graphic or image information and so be used to project image content characteristic of this.
  • An advantage of this embodiment is that the sheet containing the source apertures can partition a compartment containing the Ught source or sources from that wherein the interrupting means is located. Therefore the sources can be cooled by air flow without this cooling flow displacing the interrupting means.
  • the arrangement allows hotter, brighter sources to be used than in those embodiments where the source and the interrupting means are located in the same housing without a partition.
  • the cowl and the image introduction means are advantageously designed together in order to retain desirable image projection characteristics for aU positions of the cowl that will be encountered in use.
  • a projection lamp which in use receives a plurahty of Ught sources, the lamp comprising a control means which acts in use to control the iflumination of the sources, and a cowl including a pluraUty of apertures through which Ught rays pass from the sources so as to form images on a surface remote from the lamp.
  • the function of the interrupting means in the first aspect of the invention is to control the illumination of the apertures in the cowl by rays from the source or sources, that is it acts to control the amount of Ught travelling along any given path from a source to an aperture.
  • the same function is achieved by providing a pluraUty of Ught sources, each of which will have a given Ught path from it to a given aperture, and a control rneans which controls the illumination of the various sources.
  • the various sources have different spatial and angular orientations from a given aperture and so when a the sources are modulated the rays arriving at that aperture appear the same as those that would arise from a combination of a single source, or smaUer number of sources, and an interrupting means as described above.
  • the sources can be of the same type as each other or of different types according to the style of Ught projection effect desired. Continuous sources, flash sources, or a combination of these can be used to provide a pattern of Rumination overlaid by flashed highUghts. SmaU, locaUsed sources or more diffuse sources, or a mixture of these can be used to provide sharp or more diffuse Ughting effects. Good results have been achieved with sources randomly arranged within the cowl, and these can be also be arranged advantageously in a regular or designed manner so that their positioning contributes to the projection effect, for example to give a variation in the effect with the angle of the remote surface relative to the lamp. In a preferred embodiment the sources are spatiaUy arranged so as to confer specific organisation or image content to the projected pattern, for example to project graphics or logos.
  • the control means advantageously controls the sources in a random or apparently random manner, but in an alternative preferred embodiment is made to be programmable in order to produce a sequence of operation which repeats over time and to be controUable in response to external stimuU, for example sounds or externaUy provided electrical information such as computer programme output or signals derived from recorded sound.
  • the control means preferably is capable of using a combination of any of these modes of operation.
  • the control means preferably is able to- control the sources such that, while they are arranged in a regular manner such as a two- or three-dimensional array with regular spacing, they are illuminated together or in sequence so as to give an impression that they are located in a random, or alternatively in a specificaUy designed, set of positions when the resulting Ught pattern is projected onto the remote surface.
  • a jprojection lamp according to the second aspect of the invention optionaUy additionally comprises an interrupting means as heretofore described in order to contribute a further Ught ray controlling function, particularly if response to external stimuU such as air currents in the vicinity of the lamp is desired.
  • the lamp can be employed in fittings of any shape and be mounted on waUs, floors, tables or other raised surfaces or mounted or hung from ceilings etc. It can also be configured as a portable lamp.
  • Figure 2a shows a vertical cross section and figure 2b a horizontal cross section of a second embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section of a third embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 4 shows a vertical cross section of a fourth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a vertical cross section of a fifth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 6a shows a vertical cross section and figure 6b a horizontal cross section of a sixth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section of a seventh embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 8 shows a vertical cross section of an eighth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 9 shows a vertical cross section of a ninth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figures 10 and 11 are ray diagrams showing Ught paths in two embodiments of a projection lamp according to the invention
  • Figure 12 is a diagram showing a cross section of a tenth embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention, and Ught paths within it
  • Figure 13 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of an embodiment of a projection lamp according to the second aspect of the invention
  • Figure la shows vertical cross section and figure lb shows a horizontal cross section of a first embodiment 10a of the projection lamp according to the invention, intended to stand on a floor or other flat surface and which comprises a Ught source 12, shown as a tubular bulb but which might take other forms, surrounded by a Ught interrupting means comprising a hanging array of thin flexible strips 14 which surround the bulb so as substantiaUy to prevent direct rays from passing from the bulb uninterruptedly to a distant location.
  • the strips are of a reflective material such as Mylar, preferably metallised, and preferably they are formed from a single piece of material with cuts or slots.
  • the material or set of strips 14 is suspended from a frame 16 above the source, in such a way that they are free to move in response to air currents around them, generated by convection from the source 12 or arriving from outside the lamp, or to movement of the projection lamp as a whole, for example if it is mounted on a vibrating surface such as a loudspeaker.
  • the strips, frame and source are mounted in a housing 18 which surrounds them, the housing having apertures at either random or regular intervals around it, a preferred housing being a metal mesh cylinder.
  • the source is supported on a member 20 which acts also to stiffen the construction; the apparatus stands on an extension 22 to the housing below the source which also acts to provide ventilation to the interior.
  • the housing is covered with a cowl 24 with a pluraUty of apertures smaUer than those in the housing.
  • the apertures act as pinhole sources by means of which images of the source are formed on surfaces at a distance from the apparatus.
  • the material of the cowl 24 is chosen for aesthetic effect and a density and size of aperture appropriate to form a larger or smaUer density of images, of chosen size, brightness and sharpness. Also the degree to which the strips 14 respond to external air currents is determined by the aperture size, and this can be set accordingly. While the cowl 24 is shown in figure la as being supported on a frame 18, the precise design of the cowl in this embodiment is determined by the materials used and the cowl might be of a self- supporting material.
  • An example of a preferred cowl material 24 is a layer of plastic imitation box hedge mat, which acts to give a Ught effect reminiscent of that in woodlands.
  • the convection currents produced by the heat generated by the bulb disturb the reflective strips which reflect the Ught produced by the Ught source in complex and random ways with the effect of casting varying patterns of Ught onto the hedge effect cylinder.
  • the artificial hedge material is both translucent in some parts (when thin) and opaque in others (thicker areas) as weU as having void spaces between the leaves, a Ughting effect of varying brightness is apparent on surfaces surrounding the lamp.
  • An optional reflector may be placed proximal the source to direct Ught to the most advantageous part of the projection lamp.
  • Figure 2a shows a vertical cross section and figure 2b a horizontal cross section of a second embodiment 10b according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • This embodiment is intended to be mounted on a waU or other vertical surface and so the housing 18 and cowl 24 are extended to cover the base of the lamp.
  • the rear waU 26 of the lamp can be made reflective or matt as required to enhance the image projection effect. It may further be faceted or comprise further hanging reflective strips, or non-reflective strips partiaUy obscuring a reflective surface.
  • This embodiment might be semicircular in horizontal cross section as shown or of any other geometry.
  • Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section of a third embodiment 10c of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • hanging strips are provided of a number of different lengths, the strips in groups 14a, 14b, 14c, suspended from frames 16a, 16b, 16c, so as to give a varied Ughting effect at different positions outside the apparatus.
  • the strips are preferably of different dimensions, spacing or degrees of mobility, aUowing for different styles of projected Ught to be achieved at different places or heights within the room.
  • the cowl 24 might be spatially varied to enhance this effect.
  • Such an embodiment is advantageously shaped to be representational and to give effects appropriate to its form, for example as a simulated Christmas tree, or a more complex representational form such as a mountain or other object, or an animal.
  • Figure 4 shows a vertical cross section of a fourth embodiment lOd of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed siimlarly to those in figure 1.
  • This embodiment is intended to hang from a cord 28, and can have a single array of hanging strips, or a pluraUty as in the embodiment in figure 3.
  • Figure 5 shows a vertical cross section of a fifth embodiment lOe of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • a fan 30 is included within the housing 18 to agitate the strips in a random manner.
  • a fan may alternatively be provided as part of the lamp assembly mounted outside the cowl.
  • Figure 6a shows a vertical cross section and figure 6b a horizontal cross section of a sixth embodiment 1 Of of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 2.
  • This embodiment is intended to be mounted on a vertical surface and is similar to that in figures 2a and 2b, except that a second flexible reflective surface 32 is provided proximal the Ught source, this surface being capable of actuation by an actuator, here shown as a loudspeaker 34 which moves the surface 32 by sound, or by pressure waves below audible frequency. If the surface 32 has discontinuities the loudspeaker might actuate the interrupting means 14 also.
  • Alternative actuator devices may contact and move the surface directly.
  • Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section of a seventh embodiment lOg of a lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • the lamp assembly comprising source 12, interrupting means 14, supporting frame 16 and cowl 24 are mounted on and suspended from a further cowl comprising one or more component layers 36, 38.
  • a loudspeaker 34 actuates the interrupting means. This can be achieved by generating sound or sub-sonic pressure waves, in which case the lower end 40 of the interrupting means is advantageously closed or restricted to maximise the displacement of the interrupting elements.
  • the interrupting means is suspended from or actuated directly by the moving part of the loudspeaker, in which case the support frame 16 is either attached to the moving part or is made flexible in order to aUow for the movement of the interrupting means.
  • Figure 8 shows a vertical cross section of an eighth embodiment lOh of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • the source 12 is replaced by a multiple source formed of a plurahty of sources 50 disposed within the interrupting means.
  • the sources which might be of more than one colour, can be controUed independently or together to produce variable projection effects.
  • Figure 9 shows a vertical cross section of a ninth embodiment lOi of a projection lamp according to the invention, in which the parts are labeUed similarly to those in figure 1.
  • the source 12 is surrounded by a pluraUty of rigid reflective surfaces 60, mounted on a frame 62 by flexible support means 64, such that they are free to move.
  • FIG 10 is a ray diagram showing the operation of the invention.
  • a source of Ught shown as an object 100 represented by an arrow, creates rays which pass through openings in a displaceable interrupting means 102 comprising a pluraUty of interrupting elements - the elements being either flexible, or rigid, but flexibly articulated so free to move and formed of a single piece or multiple pieces.
  • the positions and orientations of the interrupting elements are shown as at one moment in time and they, and the Ught paths shown, will change with time.
  • Some of the rays, for example rays 108 pass through apertures, for example 106, in the cowl 104, these apertures being smaUer in general than those between elements in the interrupting means 102.
  • the pinhole camera effect of the smaU apertures means that a pluraUty of inverted images 110 of the object are formed on a surface distant from the apparatus.
  • the reflective interrupting means are shown in a linear orientation with respect to the source in figures 10 and 11 but it is understood that the interrupting means can be of any appropriate arrangement and similar principles of reflection and transmission will apply.
  • Other ray paths 114, through other apertures 112 will form differently sized images in general and have different degrees of motion, according to the size and position of the apertures in the cowl and according to variation in the mobility of different parts of the interrupting meansl02. If a further reflective surface 120 is placed behind the source further Ught paths 124 are possible, forming further images 126. These will have a different degree of movement from those (110, 116) formed without reflection. Further and more complex paths are possible, for example those formed from multiple reflections from the source side of interrupting means 102 if this is reflective, which add to the random effect of the moving images of the object.
  • the object 100 can be the Ught source itself, a transparent image, or a soUd object illuminated by a Ught source, the images in each being projected onto the distant surface. If one or both of the interrupting means 102 and the surface 120 are moved for example by an actuator, then the images can be made to move in response to externaUy derived signals.
  • the surface 120 is shown here as comprising a pluraUty of elements similar to those in the interrupting means 102. It is understood that when the surface 120 is continuous as shown in figure 6 then similar Ught paths will arise.
  • Figure 11 is a further ray diagram showing Ught paths in an embodiment of a projection lamp according to the invention.
  • the cowl instead of the substantial thickness of cowl material 104 shown in figure 10, the cowl might be a thin sheet 140 as shown in figure 11 and the same effect will be achieved.
  • the apertures in the cowl might not be open, but might be transparent or translucent areas in an otherwise opaque material.
  • This embodiment differs from the prior art, for example in the field of fire simulators and flicker devices, in that here the intention is to project Ught onto a distant surface rather than to view as it appears on the cowl material - consequently, unlike in the prior art devices the transparent areas in sheet 140 are substantiaUy or wholly non-diffusive, in order to aUow Ught to pass without scattering so as to form the images 142, 144.
  • FIG 12 is a diagram showing a cross section of a tenth embodiment lOj of a projection lamp according to the invention, and Ught paths within it.
  • One or more Ught sources 200, 202 are mounted in a housing 205 and ffluminate a sheet member 206.
  • a reflective rear surface 204 may be provided so as to produce a substantiaUy even illumination of the sheet 206.
  • Sheet 206 contains source apertures, each of which itself acts as a smaU Ught source and hence as an object, 208, 210, which can be projected by the device.
  • the Ught from these source apertures passes through a displaceable interrupting surface 212 shown as a number of strips in cross section, which partiaUy obscures the source apertures, and can shutter or if reflective, re-direct Ught falling onto it.
  • Light which passes through it then passes through apertures in the cowl 214, forming images 224, 226 resulting from Ught paths 220, 222 respectively.
  • Further Ught paths 228 and images 230 can result from reflection from surface 212 and surface 206, if both are made reflective, and more and more complex paths will also occur.
  • the source apertures in sheet 206 can be made of varying sizes, can comprise transparent sheets with colour or image information and have varying outline or pattern of location so as to project the colour, image, outline or pattern information onto a distant surface.
  • Figure 13 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of an embodiment 10k of a projection lamp according to a second aspect of the invention, in which is provided a housing 18 supporting a cowl 24.
  • An assembly 300 comprising a pluraUty of Ught sources are provided mounted on a support means 302, for example a wire frame or a circuit board, in turn mounted on a support member 20.
  • the sources are shown in figure 13 as being in a regular array and of even size, but such an embodiment is also advantageously constructed using sources of different types and irregular location.
  • Advantageously sources are provided at different depths within the assembly 300 such that the patterns formed from them have a range of characteristics when projected onto a remote surface.
  • the assembly 300 is shown in figure 13 as occupying a significant region of the interior of the lamp.
  • the sources are grouped closely together so giving a more closely defined Ught pattern.
  • the sources are controUed by a control means 304, shown as separate here but which is preferably incorporated into the lamp itself.
  • the control means optionaUy receives control information from an external source 306 of control information, such as a computer or source of recorded sound signals.
  • interrupting means may vary in thickness, in a direction paraUel to the axis of the lamp, so as to provide regions of differing Ught absorption.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à une lampe de projection qui, au moment de l'utilisation, reçoit une source lumineuse et qui comprend un interrupteur déplaçable situé entre la source lumineuse et une surface distante et destiné à interrompre la lumière provenant de la source lumineuse et un capot comportant plusieurs ouvertures par où passent les rayons de lumière interrompus, afin de former des images sur la surface distante. Cette invention utilise une grande variété de moyens d'actionnement pour produire le déplacement, et une grande variété de conceptions de capots pour améliorer ou moduler les effets de la projection de lumière. Selon un second aspect de cette invention, plusieurs sources lumineuses et des moyens de commande associés sont utilisés pour produire la source lumineuse et l'interrupteur. Les motifs lumineux projetés peuvent être entièrement abstraits et apparaître sous la forme de zones de lumière et d'ombre se déplaçant apparemment en mode aléatoire, ils peuvent former des motifs ou des images plus dirigés se déplaçant de façon plus précise ou ils peuvent contenir des informations de motifs non aléatoires, tels que des graphiques ou des images, en fonction de la conception de l'interrupteur et du moyen de commande de la source, et en fonction de la conception de la source ou des sources de lumière et du capot.
PCT/GB2001/005788 2000-11-27 2001-12-31 Lampe de projection WO2002053973A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0031838A GB2370630A (en) 2000-11-27 2000-11-27 Projection lamp with displaceable interrupting elements and a cowl containing apertures
GB0031838.6 2000-12-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002053973A1 true WO2002053973A1 (fr) 2002-07-11

Family

ID=9906032

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/005788 WO2002053973A1 (fr) 2000-11-27 2001-12-31 Lampe de projection

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002053973A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20240035635A1 (en) * 2023-04-21 2024-02-01 Valentin Shcheglov Lamp with flame simulation effect achieved by light emission from through holes

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB978364A (en) * 1962-08-09 1964-12-23 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements in electrical illumination devices
GB1088577A (en) * 1964-11-27 1967-10-25 Thermair Domestic Appliances L Improvements relating to space heating apparatus having a simulated flame effect
GB1186655A (en) 1968-02-06 1970-04-02 Frost & Company Ltd H Electric Illumination Devices
GB2230335A (en) 1989-02-10 1990-10-17 Basic Engineering Ltd Apparatus for simulating flames
GB2357829A (en) * 1999-11-24 2001-07-04 Geoffrey Alan Ward Lamp with a light source and reflector which are displaceable relative to each other to generate a varying lighting effect

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB978364A (en) * 1962-08-09 1964-12-23 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements in electrical illumination devices
GB1088577A (en) * 1964-11-27 1967-10-25 Thermair Domestic Appliances L Improvements relating to space heating apparatus having a simulated flame effect
GB1186655A (en) 1968-02-06 1970-04-02 Frost & Company Ltd H Electric Illumination Devices
GB2230335A (en) 1989-02-10 1990-10-17 Basic Engineering Ltd Apparatus for simulating flames
GB2357829A (en) * 1999-11-24 2001-07-04 Geoffrey Alan Ward Lamp with a light source and reflector which are displaceable relative to each other to generate a varying lighting effect

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20240035635A1 (en) * 2023-04-21 2024-02-01 Valentin Shcheglov Lamp with flame simulation effect achieved by light emission from through holes
US11940105B2 (en) * 2023-04-21 2024-03-26 Valentin Shcheglov Lamp with flame simulation effect achieved by light emission from through holes

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