Lamps having multiple and aimed parabolic sections for increased useful light output

• US 4,494,176 A
• Filed: 03/14/1984
• Issued: 01/15/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Sands, Robert W., Fink, Thomas F. Jr., Marella, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Application Number:
  US06/589,903
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 362/297, 362/307, 362/308, 362/309, 362/310, 362/346, 362/347, 362/375, 362/350
• US Class Current: 362/297
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/15 Thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/09 with a combination of different curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/325 Reflecting coating

Abstract

A reflector lamp having multiple and aimed parabolic reflective sections so as to improve the desired beam pattern is disclosed. The reflector lamp may be of the parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) or the reflector (R) type lamps having primary, multiple intermediate and rear sections of a parabolic contour which improves the internal light reflective and absorption characteristics of the reflector lamp. The overall effect is to improve the optical efficacy of the reflector lamp.

Claims

1. A reflector lamp comprising a concave reflector and a finite light source having its geometric center located approximately at the focal point of the concave reflector, said concave reflector comprising a primary parabolic reflective section and at least first and second additional parabolic sections, said first and second additional parabolic sections being reflective and having a substantially common focal point confocal with the focal point of said concave reflector, said first and second additional parabolic sections being so aligned relative to said finite light source as to be effective to reflect light rays impinging on the surfaces to thereof onto said primary parabolic reflective section and thereby directing said light rays in an improved columnated beam pattern.

2. A reflective lamp according to claim 1 further comprising a lens located at the entrance of said reflector.

3. A reflector lamp according to claim 2 wherein said lens is contoured.

4. A reflector lamp according to claim 1 wherein said parabolic sections are joined by transitional sections each having a predetermined radius.

5. A reflector lamp according to claim 4 wherein said transitional sections each define a sharp circumferential line of demarcation.

6. A reflector lamp according to claim 1 further comprising a parabolic heat shield member having a reflective surface located below said light source so as to reflect light rays emitted by said light source in a more frontward manner.

7. A reflector lamp according to claim 1 wherein:

said concave reflector comprises;

a primary reflective section having a parabolic shape and a predefined focal point;

a first intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary surface and joined to said primary reflective surface by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 3 to about 4 mm;

a second intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary and said first intermediate reflective sections and joined to said first intermediate reflective section by a transitional radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and;

a rear reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary, first intermediate and second intermediate refractive sections and joined to said second intermediate reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and further wherein;

said finite source comprising a halogen gas light source having a focal point axially aligned approximately centered relative to said focal point of said concave reflective surface.

8. A reflector lamp according to claim 1 wherein:

said concave reflector comprises;

a primary reflective section having a parabolic shape and a focal point;

a first intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary reflective surface and joined to said primary reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 3 to about 4 mm;

a second intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary and said first reflective sections and joined to said first intermediate reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and;

a rear reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary, first intermediate and second intermediate reflective sections and joined to said second primary reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and further wherein;

said finite light source comprising a halogen gas light source having a focal point horizontally aligned approximately centered relative to said focal point of said concave reflector.

9. A reflector lamp according to claim 7 wherein each of said transitional sections define a sharp circumferential line of demarcation.

10. A reflector lamp according to claim 8 wherein each of said transitional sections define a sharp circumferential line of demarcation.

11. A reflector lamp according to claim 8 further comprising facets occupying a major portion of said front reflector section.

12. A reflector lamp according to claim 10 further comprising facets occupying a major portion of said front reflective section.

13. A reflector lamp according to claim 6 wherein:

said concave reflector comprises;

a primary reflective section having a parabolic shape and a focal point;

a first intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary reflective surface and joined to said primary reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 3 to about 4 mm, and;

a second intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary and said first intermediate reflective sections joined to said first intermediate reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and;

a nose section comprised of a substantially straight cylindrical section and a convergent section, and further wherein;

said finite light source comprises a halogen gas light source having a focal point axially aligned approximately centered relative to said focal point of said concave reflector.

14. A reflector lamp according to claim 6 wherein:

said concave reflector comprises;

a primary reflective section having a parabolic shape and a focal point;

a first intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary surface and joined to said primary reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 3 to about 4 mm;

a second intermediate reflective section having a parabolic shape substantially confocal with said primary, and said first intermediate reflective sections and joined to said first intermediate reflective section by a transitional section having a predetermined radius in the range of about 1 to about 2 mm, and;

a nose portion comprised of a substantially straight cylindrical section and a convergent section, and further wherein;

said light source comprising a halogen gas light source having a focal point axially aligned relative to said focal point of said concave reflector.