Optical system with array light source

• US 7,901,089 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Whiterock Design, LLC
• Inventors: Hough, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps; Georgia Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, DON J
• Application Number:
  US11/799,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 353/7, 353/15, 353/20, 353/29, 353/69, 353/121, 353/97, 362/268, 362/293, 362/554, 362/556, 362/545, 362/546, 250/205, 250/552, 250/553, 250/239, 385/115, 385/116, 359/637, 359/638, 359/649, 359/434
• US Class Current: 353/97
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/008 in the form of devices for effecting sequential colour changes, e.g. colour wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/023 comprising movable attenuating elements, e.g. neutral density filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/006 Filter holders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/00 Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor devices for changing pictures G03B23/00

Abstract

An optical system, projector and method are provided that include a projection gate between a light source array and a projection lens. The projection lens projects an image of the projection gate. A relay lens group between the light source array and the projection gate prevents the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array. A lamp housing is provided for use with a projector housing. The lamp housing includes a light source array and a relay lens group located between the light source array and a projection gate in the projector housing. An illumination source for optical fibers is provided that includes a relay lens group between a light source and a coupling in a housing. The relay lens group prevents an image of the light source from being formed at input ends of optical fibers positioned in the coupling.

Claims

1. A projection optical system, comprising:

a light source array;

a projection gate;

a projection lens configured to project an image of the projection gate, wherein the projection gate is located between the light source array and the projection lens; and

a relay lens group located between the light source array and the projection gate, wherein

the relay lens group is configured to relay an image of a field stop location,

the light source array is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

the relay lens group is configured to prevent the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array.

2. The projection optical system of claim 1, wherein the field stop location comprises a field stop and the light source array is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop.

3. The projection optical system of claim 1, wherein the light source array comprises a substantially planar array of light sources.

4. The projection optical system of claim 1, wherein the light source array comprises one of a plurality of light emitting diodes, a plurality of electrodeless lamps, and output ends of a plurality of optical fibers.

5. The projection optical system of claim 1, wherein the relay lens group forms an image of the light source array, the image of the light source array being disposed away from the projection gate.

6. The projection optical system of claim 1, wherein the relay lens group comprises:

a first lens group with negative optical power; and

a second lens group with positive optical power.

7. A projector, comprising:

a housing;

a light source array inside the housing;

a projection gate;

a projection lens configured to project an image of the projection gate, wherein the projection gate is located between the light source and the projection lens; and

a relay lens group inside the housing, the relay lens group located between the light source array and the projection gate, wherein

the relay lens group is configured to relay an image of a field stop location,

the light source array is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

the relay lens group is configured to prevent the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array.

8. The projector of claim 7, wherein the projection gate is inside the housing.

9. The projector of claim 8, wherein the projection lens is inside the housing.

10. The projector of claim 7, wherein the light source array comprises a substantially planar array of light sources.

11. The projector of claim 7, wherein the light source array comprises one of a plurality of light emitting diodes, a plurality of electrodeless lamps, and output ends of a plurality of optical fibers.

12. The projector of claim 7, wherein the light source array comprises output ends of a plurality of optical fibers, the projector further comprising a source of illumination outside the housing coupled to input ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

13. The projection optical system of claim 7, wherein the relay lens group forms an image of the light source array, the image of the light source array being disposed away from the projection gate.

14. The projection optical system of claim 7, wherein the relay lens group comprises:

a first lens group with negative optical power; and

a second lens group with positive optical power.

15. A method, comprising:

positioning a light source array to illuminate a projection gate;

configuring a projection lens to project an image of the projection gate, wherein the projection gate is located between the light source array and the projection lens; and

configuring a relay lens group located between the light source array and the projection gate to;

relay an image of a field stop location, wherein the light source array is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

prevent the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising positioning a field stop at the field stop location, wherein positioning a light source array further comprises positioning the light source array in a volume contiguous to the field stop.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning a light source array further comprises positioning light sources in a substantially planar array.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the light source array comprises output ends of a plurality of optical fibers and the method further comprises coupling a source of illumination to input ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the light source array comprises one of a plurality of light emitting diodes, output ends of a plurality of optical fibers, and a plurality of electrodeless lamps.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein configuring a relay lens group further comprises configuring the relay lens group to form an image of the light source array, the image of the light source array being disposed away from the projection gate.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the relay lens group comprises:

a first lens group with negative optical power; and

a second lens group with positive optical power.

22. A lamp housing for use with a projector housing comprising a projection lens projecting an image of a projection gate, the lamp housing comprising:

a light source array; and

a relay lens group located between the light source array and the projection gate, wherein

the relay lens group is configured to relay an image of a field stop location,

the light source array is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

the relay lens group is configured to prevent the projection lens from projecting an image of the light source array.

23. The lamp housing of claim 22, wherein the light source array comprises a substantially planar array of light sources.

24. The lamp housing of claim 22, wherein the light source array comprises one of a plurality of electrodeless lamps, a plurality of light emitting diodes and output ends of a plurality of optical fibers.

25. The lamp housing of claim 22, wherein the light source array comprises output ends of a plurality of optical fibers and the lamp housing further comprises a source of illumination outside the housing coupled to input ends of the plurality of optical fibers.

26. An optical system, comprising:

a light source configured to project a beam of light;

a filter apparatus configured to selectively move at least one variable density filter across the beam of light;

a coupling; and

a relay lens group located between the light source and the coupling, wherein

the relay lens group is configured to relay an image of a field stop location,

the filter apparatus is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

the relay lens group is configured to prevent an image of the filter apparatus from being formed at input ends of a plurality of optical fibers positioned in the coupling.

27. An illumination source for a plurality of optical fibers, comprising a housing, the housing comprising:

a coupling;

a light source configured to project a beam of light;

a filter apparatus configured to selectively move at least one variable density filter across the beam of light; and

a relay lens group located between the light source and the coupling, wherein

the relay lens group is configured to relay an image of a field stop location,

the filter apparatus is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

the relay lens group is configured to prevent an image of the filter apparatus from being formed at input ends of a plurality of optical fibers positioned in the coupling.

28. A method, comprising:

providing a light source configured to project a beam of light;

providing a filter apparatus configured to selectively move at least one variable density filter across the beam of light; and

configuring a relay lens group between the light source and a coupling, wherein the relay lens group is configured to;

relay an image of a field stop location, wherein the filter apparatus is located in a volume contiguous to the field stop location, and

prevent an image of the filter apparatus from being formed at input ends of a plurality of optical fibers located in the coupling.