Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6190023
-
Patent Number
6,190,023
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Date Filed
Monday, April 7, 199727 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 20, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 362 263
- 362 297
- 362 304
- 362 305
- 362 346
- 362 347
- 362 348
- 362 303
- 362 539
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International Classifications
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Abstract
Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux to a playing field with improved uniformity, the invention provides primary reflector structures having shaped facets, the several reflectors being capable of maximizing lumen delivery onto the playing field when considered relative to economy of manufacture. In certain embodiments of the invention, a shielding device or flux manager is employed for producing target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light. Performance optimization is further provided in embodiments using the flux manager through additional use of a multi-faceted reflector insert which re-aims light which would have been incident on portions of the reflector structure and which light is blocked by the flux manager. The improved light distribution provided by the luminaires of the invention allow use of fewer luminaires for a given playing field lighting performance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the lighting of stadia, playing fields and similar areas and particularly to lighting fixtures intended for such lighting applications and which utilize reflective surfaces in combination with illumination sources to produce desired work plane illumination levels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The field of sports lighting has evolved over time into a form of outdoor lighting having characteristics similar to outdoor area lighting yet peculiar to those requirements which come into play when lighting athletic playing fields. Uniformity of illuminance is of critical importance as is illumination level per se with these factors being joined by the everpresent need for optimum performance at the lowest possible cost. Advances in the art thus occur at least in part through development of luminaire configurations which effectively deliver a maximal amount of flux onto a playing area. In the sports light field in particular both vertical and horizontal illuminances must also be addressed as must illumination levels required for optimum video camera operation inter alia. Luminaire design also typically takes into account conventional arrangements of pole locations, mounting heights and aiming angles. Other objectives include consistent overlap of beam patterns in order to maximize system performance while minimizing costly applications engineering efforts usually associated with sports lighting systems. The prior art has long encompassed the mounting of discrete clusters of sportslighting luminaires at periodic locations about the perimeter of a playing area. Within these conventional system constraints, luminaire performance is evaluated not only as a single unit but also within these discrete clusters, the net distribution of each cluster being necessarily considered in performance evaluation. As is therefore to be appreciated, luminaire design in the sportslighting field is a complex matter dependent upon a variety of factors not the least of which is total system cost.
When considering cost, operational costs cannot be dismissed as inconsequential. Prior sportslighting systems which utilize less efficient light sources such as incandescent and mercury vapor must be improved in order to gain the benefits of greater efficiency with comparable light levels and desirable light quality which are to be gained from sources such as high pressure sodium and metal halide, as example Greatest luminaire flexibility is attained through luminaire design capable of using the widest variety of illumination sources to include high pressure sodium and metal halide and the like.
Examples of prior art lighting designed for the purposes to which the present invention are directed are disclosed by Lemons et al in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,864,476 and 5,313,379 and by Tickner in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,290 and 5,377,086. As is conventional in the art, these patents disclose the use of reflector structures intended to provide desired illumination levels on a work plane. Sportslighting luminaires of the prior art can also be seen in the TV Sportslighting luminaire manufactured by Lithonia Lighting, a division of National Service Industries, Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., this luminaire including in its optical structure an anodized aluminum reflector capable of a range of beam spreads. The TV luminaire further includes a horizontal degree aiming scale and repositioning locator as well as a vertical aiming adjustment mechanism complete with degree aiming scale and a repositioning stop. While sportslighting luminaire devices such as the TV luminaire of Lithonia Lighting provide lighting capabilities of substantial utility and while other luminaire devices of the prior art also provide capabilities desirably useful in the sportslighting field, a need exists in the art for sportslighting luminaires capable of improved cost and energy efficiencies and which particularly provide performance capabilities allowing use of fewer luminaires within a given system arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides luminaire structures intended for illumination of stadia, playing fields and similar areas and which are particularly adapted to mounting in discrete clusters on poles or the like at locations about the perimeter of a playing area which is to be illuminated. The luminaire structures of the invention are particularly improved in the several embodiments of the invention by reflectors which usually include a faceted reflector body with individual facets being arranged in a manner intended to optimize performance. In the several embodiments of the invention, improved principal reflectors are used in combination with an illumination source to provide an improved luminaire useful in sportslighting applications. In certain embodiments of the invention, faceted reflectors are combined according to the invention with a shielding device or flux manager and a reflector insert for optimization of light uniformity and reduction of glare and “spill” light. The flux manager structures of the invention produce target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off of the principal reflector to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The reflector insert is a multi-faceted reflector with aimed facets which re-direct light which would have been incident on the flux manager. One embodiment of the invention is comprised of a principal reflector having individual facets aimed in a manner to optimize uniformity of light distribution with reduced glare and light “spill” without the need for a flux manager and reflector insert. The several embodiments of the invention provide improved light distributions and performance of a magnitude which allows use of fewer luminaires for a given playing field configuration.
The luminaire structures of the invention typically include a ballast and junction box housing assembly having mounting trunnion arrangements with a horizontal degree aiming scale and a respositioning locator. Vertical aiming adjustment is also provided to include a degree aiming scale and a repositioning stop. Mounted to the housing assembly is one of the primary reflectors of the invention, the reflectors being sealed by a hinged lens formed of heavy-duty thermal-resistant, shock-resistant and impact-resistant tempered glass. An illumination source such as a standard BT-56 jacketed lamp is mounted within the principal reflector by a porcelain mogul-base socket in a fixed relation to the reflective surfaces of the principal reflector. The luminaire structures of the invention typically utilize high pressure sodium or metal halide lamps of wattages within the range of 400 watts to 1500 watts. A range of beam spreads are provided by the luminaire structures of the invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide luminaire structures capable of efficiently illuminating stadia, playing fields and similar areas with light of improved uniformity.
It is another object of the invention to provide luminaire structures intended for sportslighting applications and having improved principal reflectors formed with facets intended to optimize performance, the principal reflectors being useful with conventional illumination sources and being improved in certain embodiments to reduce light “spillage” by the addition of a flux manager intended to produce desired target extinctions, the flux manager creating precise redirection of flux around original arc with the redirected flux being reflected by the principal reflector into the beam, the principal reflectors used with a flux manager further being optimized by addition of a reflector insert having aimed facets which re-direct light blocked by the flux manager.
It is a further object of the invention to provide luminaire structures having improved principal reflectors and/or improved reflector assemblies capable of sufficient improvement of illumination on the work plane of a playing field to allow use of fewer luminaires for a given playing field configuration.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent in light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a luminaire apparatus of the invention, and having a principal reflector configured with annular facets, a flux manager and a reflector insert;
FIG. 2
is a side elevational view of the luminaire apparatus of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a plan view of the luminaire apparatus of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is an exploded view in perspective of the principal reflector of
FIG. 1
configured as a portion of a reflector assembly forming a portion of a luminaire apparatus having a flux manager and a reflector insert disposed within sealed optics of said luminaire apparatus;
FIG. 5A
is a side elevational view in section of one-half of the principal reflector of
FIGS. 1 through 4
;
FIG. 5B
is a front elevational view of the principal reflector of
FIG. 5A
;
FIG. 5C
is a detail view in section of a rim portion of the principal reflector of
FIGS. 5A and 5B
;
FIGS. 6A through 6E
are elevational views of a shielding device or flux manager useful according to the invention;
FIGS. 7A through 7C
are elevational views of a reflector insert useful according to the invention;
FIG. 8
is a diagram illustrating the geometrical configuration of a flux manager conformed according to the invention;
FIG. 9
is a diagram illustrating the geometrical configuration of an involute;
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of a principal reflector of the invention having annular facets in the manner of
FIGS. 5A and 5B
and having a lens mounted thereto;
FIG. 11
is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention using the principal reflector assembly of
FIG. 10
on the optical structure of the luminaire as shown;
FIG. 12
is a plan view of the luminaire of
FIG. 11
;
FIG. 13
is a front elevational view of a principal reflector of the invention having multiple regularly-arranged facets;
FIG. 14
is a perspective view of the principal reflector of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 15
is a front elevation view of a multi-faceted principal reflector of the invention having all facets thereof aimed to create a desired light distribution;
FIG. 16
is a perspective view of the principal reflector of
FIG. 15
;
FIG. 17A
is a diagram illustrating lune segments of the principal reflector of
FIG. 15
;
FIG. 17B
is a diagram of the numbered lune segments forming the reflector of
FIGS. 15 and 16
;
FIGS. 18A through 18U
are diagrams illustrating respectively lines
1
through
21
of the reflector of
FIGS. 15 and 16
;
FIG. 19A
is a diagram illustrating the ideal vertical candela trace of the principal reflectors of the invention;
FIG. 19B
is a diagram illustrating the ideal horizontal candela trace of the principal reflectors of the invention, and;
FIG. 20
is a schematic illustrating an ideal illuminance distribution such as is intended to be produced according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
FIGS. 1 through 4
, a luminaire assembly
10
configured according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is seen to include a substantially weatherproof housing
12
formed of a ballast box
14
and a junction box
16
, the luminaire assembly
10
further including a reflector assembly
18
sealed by means of glass lens
20
mounted to the substantially circular periphery of principal reflector
22
. The reflector assembly
18
is sealed to prevent entrance of contaminants into an optical chamber
24
defined by the reflector
22
. Since the luminaire assembly
10
is intended for outdoor use, it is necessary to seal the reflector assembly
18
by means of the glass lens
20
in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter. Similarly, in order to house electronics (not shown) including ballast (not shown) and the like within the housing
12
, the ballast box
14
and the junction box
16
must seal together in a weatherproof manner and the housing
12
generally must be weatherproof. It is to be understood, however, that the luminaire assembly
12
can be used indoors such as in indoor stadia or the like. Even in an indoor environment, the luminaire assembly
10
is intended to retain weatherproof capabilities in order to positively seal electronics and the like within the housing
12
and to further seal the optical chamber
24
of the reflector assembly
18
in order to prevent degradation of the functioning of electronics within the housing
12
or degradation of the optical operation of the reflector assembly
18
which can be caused by miscellaneous contaminants including water and the like. Accordingly, even though the luminaire assembly
10
may be referred to herein as being an “outdoor” luminaire, it is to be understood that the luminaire assembly
10
can function in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The principal reflector
22
is formed of a heavy-gauge anodized aluminum material, inner wall surfaces of the reflector
22
primarily defining the optical chamber
24
sealed by means of the glass lens
20
. The reflector
22
, which is also seen in
FIGS. 5A through 5C
, has a thickness sufficient to provide the strength and rigidity necessary for functioning of the reflector
22
as the housing for the optical chamber
24
including mounting of the glass lens
20
about the periphery thereof and the supporting of structure including lamping which must be carried by the reflector
22
. Further, the reflector
22
must be sufficiently rugged to withstand winds and the like in a use enviroment. It should be understood that the light reflective inner wall surfaces of the reflector
22
could be formed on a backing of other material with that backing (not shown) being sufficiently rigid and having sufficient strength to accomplish the intended purpose. The housing
12
is preferably formed of die-cast aluminum, the electrical components (not shown) contained within the housing
12
being thermally isolated from the reflector
22
and the interior of the optical chamber
24
as well as thermally isolated from socketry and lamping which will be described hereinafter.
Lamping preferably takes the form of a standard BT56 jacketed metal halide lamp for wattages of 1000 and 1500 watts, an ED37 being usable for 400W. A 750 watt high pressure sodium lamp may also be employed. The lamp is referred to herein as lamp
40
but can take several forms and wattages such as are conventionally manufactured by OSRAM, Phillips, General Electric and Venture inter alia. The lamp
40
is mounted transversely within the optical chamber
24
as will be described hereinafter, the transverse orientation of the lamp
40
creating a small extinction angle when spill light control is desired. This orientation of the lamp
40
maximizes the average tilt factor through typical aiming angles.
The luminaire assembly
10
is further seen to include a trunnion
26
which mounts the housing
12
for pivotal movement necessary for aiming of the luminaire assembly
10
, the trunnion
26
further being seen to mount to a bracket
28
for mounting to cooperating structure (not shown) on a pole (not shown) or other structure intended for mounting of the luminaire assembly
10
in an elevated position about the periphery of an athletic field or the like. Although not shown in the drawings, a horizontal aiming scale is typically provided between the trunnion
26
and the bracket
28
to facilitate aiming of the luminaire assembly
10
. Further, a vertical aiming scale
30
is seen to be located at the connection of the housing
12
and the trunnion
26
for aiming of the luminaire assembly
10
. A socket arm
32
connects to and extends from the junction box
16
of the housing
12
to mount a socket bracket
34
which in turn mounts mogul socket
36
, the socket
36
extending through opening
38
into the interior of the reflector assembly
18
to mount the lamp
40
. Edge surfaces of the socket arm
32
which contact exterior surfaces of the reflector assembly
18
are flanged (not seen in the drawings) and shaped to conform to outer surfaces of the reflector
22
. The socket arm
32
also covers the opening
38
and effectively provides a sealing function with an appropriate gasket (not shown) in the area of the aforesaid flanged portions of the socket arm
32
. The socket arm
32
is essentially hollow interiorly and houses electrical connectors, wiring and the like (not shown) which connect to the socket
36
from the interior of the junction box
16
through the socket arm
32
. Reinforcing strips
39
disposed on inner wall surfaces of the reflector
22
facilitate mounting of the socket arm
32
to the reflector
22
through use of screws
41
. The socket arm
32
thus mounts the lamp
40
with the lamp
40
being disposed in a fixed location transversely within the optical chamber
24
in a predetermined relationship to the reflector
22
and to other portions of the reflector assembly
18
which will be described in detail hereinafter.
While the luminaire assembly
10
includes other functional elements of structure particularly including structure associated with and/or contained within the housing
12
, the primary advance in the art afforded by the invention relates to the reflector assembly
18
and thus those remaining portions of structure not described or shown involving the housing
12
including details of the boxes
14
,
16
and components associated therewith or contained therein will not be described further herein. It is to be understood that ballast devices (not shown) suitable for operation of the luminaire assembly
12
are known in the art and are devised to be housed by the ballast box
14
, for example, and structure such as gaskets (not shown) necessary for sealing of the ballast box
14
to the junction box
16
, for example, are also seen to be conventional in the art.
Considering now with continuing reference to
FIGS. 1 through 4
and with additional reference to
FIGS. 5A through 5C
, the reflector assembly
18
is also seen to include a shielding device known herein as a flux manager
42
which is mounted within the optical chamber
24
by means of brackets
44
and
46
respectively substantially at the periphery of the reflector
22
defined by reflector rim
48
. A detailed view of the reflector rim
48
is seen in
FIG. 5C
, the rim
48
including an annular trough
50
defined distally by annular flange
52
having an outwardly turned-up annular edge
54
. The glass lens
20
is mounted to the reflector rim
48
by means of a lens ring
56
which is substantially circular in conformation and which is split at one location thereof with riveted screw brackets
58
being located at the free ends of the ring
56
for receipt of a screw
60
which is tightened by torque nut
62
in a conventional manner to mount the glass lens
20
. The lens ring
56
is formed either of galvanized material or stainless steel. A lens gasket
64
is disposed about the periphery of the lens
20
and held thereon by the lens ring
56
, also in a conventional manner. The lens ring
56
can be provided with spaced slots
65
which receive a portion of a lens ring latch clip
66
, the latch clips
66
being regularly disposed about the lens ring
56
as is also conventional in the art. A hinge bracket
68
mounts to the exterior of the reflector assembly
18
by means of a rivet
70
and washer
72
, a portion of the hinge bracket
68
fitting between and aligning with portions of the brackets
58
disposed on the lens ring
56
to receive the screw
60
to provide a positive mounting of the lens
20
to the reflector
22
.
Centrally of the body of the reflector
22
, a flat
74
is formed, the flat having an aperture
76
formed therein for receiving a fastener such as a screw which in combination with fastening structure (not shown) attaches the reflector assembly
18
to the housing
12
. Interiorly of the optical chamber
24
and bounding the flat
74
, a semi-circular plate-like flat
78
having apertures
80
formed therein mounts a reflector insert
82
by means of pop rivets
84
which are received within aligned apertures
86
formed in the reflector insert
82
and further into the apertures
80
of the flat
78
. The reflector insert
82
is mounted in spaced relation to the flat
78
and to inner wall surfaces of the reflector
22
.
The flux manager
42
is mounted above a horizontal center line of the reflector
22
by the brackets
44
and
46
referred to hereinabove. The bracket
44
is substantially semi-circular in conformation and mounts immediately inside of the lens
20
, the bracket
44
having apertures
88
formed one each at each end thereof, which apertures
88
align with apertures
90
formed at each end of the bracket
46
, pop rivets
92
being received through the aligned pairs of apertures
88
,
90
to mount the bracket
46
in a location extending substantially across the reflector
22
. The bracket
46
effectively lies along the horizontal diameter of the reflector
22
, the flux manager
42
being mounted by clips
94
which attach to the flux manager
42
and to the bracket
46
by means of pop rivets
96
. The bracket
46
is provided with a central plate
98
having apertures
100
formed near either end thereof to receive the pop rivets
96
for mounting of the flux manager
42
, the plate
98
having an arcuate cutout
102
extending over central portions thereof to conform to the shape of adjacent portions of the flux manager
42
.
Referring particularly to
FIGS. 4
,
5
A and
5
B, the reflector
22
is seen to be provided with annular facets
104
through
118
which are essentially concentric. The facets
104
through
118
are defined by segments of the reflector
22
identified as segments
120
through
134
, these segments defining the reflector
22
and essentially comprising frusto-conical sections joined at annular perimeters thereof to form the reflector
22
, each of the segments
120
through
134
essentially having a linear cross section as is seen in FIG.
5
A.
FIG. 5A
further provides relative dimensions of the segments
120
through
134
for a reflector
22
having a diameter of essentially
24
inches.
FIG. 5A
also shows the angle of each of the annular facets
104
through
118
relative to a reference line
136
, these angles being chosen for optimization of the total reflector output with respect to a desired light distribution. It is to be understood that the relative sizes of the facets
104
through
118
and the angles of the facets
104
through
118
relative to a reference could be produced by formation of a reflector body having outer surfaces which do not take the particular shapes of the segments
120
through
134
but could effectively comprise another shape within which the facets
104
through
118
are formed. However, for ease of manufacture, the segments
120
through
134
comprise exterior surfaces of the reflector
22
and are relatively defined by the vertical and horizontal dimensions in x and y planes as can be inferred from the measurements provided in FIG.
5
A. In order that the thickness of the material forming the reflector
22
does not alter the optical characteristics of the reflector
22
, the dimensions given are to the inside surfaces of the reflector
22
.
Given the optical characteristics of the reflector
22
as provided by the annular facets
104
through
118
, it is seen that a shielding device capable of producing a target extinction is desirable and can be provided by the flux manager
42
, the flux manager
42
blocking light which would otherwise leave the lamp
40
and produce glare or “spill”. In luminaire structures of the prior art, this light is either absorbed by a low reflectance surface or redirected by a diffusing surface. In the present invention, the flux manager
42
optimizes performance of the principal reflector
22
. The flux manager
42
is provided with an involute conformation which precisely redirects the light which is blocked as aforesaid and redirects that light past the original arc provided by the lamp
40
to form a second image, this flux then being reflected by the principal reflector
22
into the beam which is directed onto the surface which is to be illuminated. The shape of the flux manager
42
acts to define an extinction angle which begins blocking the arc at 6.25° above center beam and completely blocks the arc at 11°. In other words, the flux manager
42
produces a beam which begins extinguishing at just above 6° above the aiming angle and is totally extinguished at 11°. The flux manager
42
therefore acts as a shielding device which redirects light, which would otherwise be glare, into the beam, thus optimizing light directed onto a playing field or the like by the principal reflector
22
. The flux manager
42
essentially produces a virtual arc which is close to the original arc, the virtual arc acting due to the provision of the flux manager
42
as a second source.
The particular conformation of the flux manager
42
is seen in
FIGS. 6A through 6D
and which is more appreciated by reference to
FIGS. 8 and 9
. The flux manager
42
takes the shape of an involute having the following equation as derived in FIG.
9
:
x=a
cos ∅+
a
∅ sin ∅ and
y=a
sin ∅−
a
∅ cos ∅
as related to Cartesian coordinates where BP={circumflex over (BA)}. As seen in
FIG. 9
, “a” is taken to be the radius of arc tube
41
of the lamp
40
, the arc tube
41
being centered in the optical chamber
24
. Referring to
FIG. 8
, the shape of the flux manager
42
is derived in x, y and z with 0, 0, 0 being the center of the arc tube
41
of the lamp
40
with the center of a circular section being taken as a point on that circle forming the arc tube of the lamp at (0.1381,0.0920) with the radius being taken as (3.6504) for formation of a circular curve. For the dimensions required, an angle of 75.8361° from the y axis is subtended with an angle of 10.9082° being subtracted therefrom, the involute lying there-between. As might be generally described, the involute which is the flux manager
42
has an arcuate central body portion
138
which is partially defined by a lowermost edge
140
which is substantially a straight line and which is located just above the horizontal centerline of the reflector
22
. At either end of the central body portion
138
, the flux manager
42
curves outwardly in two directions to form end portions
142
which are nearly spherical sections. The edge
140
of the flux manager
42
curves outwardly to form arcuate edges
144
. In essence, the involute which is the flux manager
42
is symmetrical about a line bisecting the lower-most edge
140
and uppermost edge
146
. The uppermost edge
146
also is linear and curves near either end thereof to form arcuate edges
148
. The arcuate edges
144
and the arcuate edges
148
intersect at outermost ends of the flux manager
42
thus terminating the involute at either end of the flux manager
42
. The flux manager
42
is preferably generated as a surface of revolution constructed of an involute in the vertical dimension and an empirical line having an arc at either end in the horizontal direction.
In those embodiments of the invention which utilize the flux manager
42
, the reflector insert
82
is also utilized, the structure of the reflector insert
82
being best seen in
FIGS. 7A through 7C
. The reflector
82
is seen to be comprised of a multiplicity of facets
150
which re-aim light which would have been incident on portions of the reflective surface of the principal reflector
22
and which then would be blocked by the flux manager
42
. In essence, the reflector insert
82
causes the flux which would have been impingent on the flux manager
42
to be redirected to exit the optical chamber
24
at the highest possible angle below center beam without striking the flux manager or being incident with the arc of the lamp
40
. As an alternative, some light can pass over and some light can pass under. The reflector insert is symmetrical about a centerline except that five facets are removed from one side thereof for mechanical convenience. A principal reflector such as the reflector
22
fitted with the reflector insert
82
and having a diameter of nominally
24
inches would have a reflector insert
82
having a length of approximately
13
inches. The facets
150
are empirically sized and shaped to direct flux incident thereon as aforesaid.
The reflector assembly
18
seen in
FIGS. 1 through 4
utilizes the principal reflector
22
having the annular facets
104
-
118
as particularly shown in FIG.
5
A. The reflector assembly
18
of
FIGS. 1 through 4
is provided with the flux manager
42
and the reflector insert
82
to provide the functions described herein. However, the principal reflector
22
can be utilized as seen in
FIG. 10
without the addition thereto of the flux manager
42
and the reflector insert
82
. In essence, the principal reflector
22
can be sealed by means of the glass lens
20
and the lens ring
56
inter alia with the principal reflector
22
being mounted to a housing such as the housing
12
of
FIG. 1
inter alia, thereby providing a reflector assembly
160
. For ease of illustration, the reflector assembly
160
is shown without the complication of a housing such as the housing
12
of
FIG. 1
inter alia. The reflector assembly
160
provides a desirable distribution of light to a playing field or the like albeit with some loss of lamp lumen output to glare or “spill”.
FIGS. 11 and 12
illustrate a luminaire assembly
170
having lamp
176
mounted transversely within optical chamber
174
defined by principal reflector
176
and sealed by lens
178
as afore-said relative to the mounting of the lens
20
to the principal reflector
22
. The lamp
172
is seen to be mounted by socket
180
which is a porcelain mogul base socket having a copper alloy nickel plates screw shell and center contact (not shown), the socket
180
being listed for up to 1500 watts at 600 volts and rated for 5KV pulses. The socket
180
essentially takes the same form as the mogul socket
36
described herein relative to the luminaire assembly
10
. The luminaire assembly
170
is illustrated in order to not only show in a simplified illustration the mounting of the lamp
172
by means of the socket
180
carried by diecast aluminum socket arm
182
, but also to point out that the several principal reflectors described herein can be utilized in a luminaire assembly such as the luminaire assembly
170
which does not utilize a shielded device such as the flux manager
42
or an internal reflector such as the reflector insert
82
. In essence, the luminaire assembly
170
could take the form of the principal reflector
22
having the annular facets
104
-
118
or could take the form of principal reflector
190
of
FIGS. 13 and 14
or principal reflector
200
of
FIGS. 15 and 16
inter alia, the principal reflectors
190
and
200
being described hereinafter.
Referring now to
FIGS. 13 and 14
, the principal reflector
190
is seen to be formed with annular concentric arrays
192
of facets
194
, each array
192
corresponding to the similarly located segments
120
through
134
of FIG.
5
A. Each array
192
is broken down into the facets
194
of each array by virtue of forty radial lune segments
196
which extend from the geometric center of the principal reflector
190
to cause each of the annular concentric arrays
192
to comprise forty of the facets
194
. A differing number of the lune segments
196
could be employed, the number chosen being suitable for manufacturing convenience and reflector performance. As is readily appreciated from a consideration of
FIGS. 13 and 14
, the facets
194
on the outermost array
192
have a different area and configuration relative to the facets
194
on those arrays
192
located progressively inwardly of the principal reflector
190
. For simplicity of illustration, only the principal reflector
190
is shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14
. As aforesaid, the principal reflector
190
can be placed into the luminaire assembly
170
of
FIGS. 11 and 12
in order to form a luminaire assembly utilizing the principal reflector
190
. Similarly, the principal reflector
190
can substitute for the principal reflector
22
in the luminaire assembly
10
and thus be utilized in combination with the flux manager
42
and the reflector insert
82
. The facets
194
are each essentially planar.
Referring now to
FIGS. 15 and 16
, the principal reflector
200
is seen to be formed of a multiplicity of facets
222
which are of irregular configuration and formed as will be described hereinafter. Essentially, each facet
222
of the principal reflector
200
is aimed in order to provide a desired light distribution and performance. The aiming of each of the facets
222
obviates the need for the use of a shielding device such as the flux manager
42
described above and also obviates the need for the use of the reflector insert
82
as also described herein. The principal reflector
200
shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16
can substitute for the reflector of
FIGS. 11 and 12
to form a luminaire assembly as aforesaid. The facets
222
of the principal reflector
190
are defined by twenty-one lune segments identified as lune segments
201
,
202
. . .
221
as identified in
FIGS. 17A and 17B
. The lune segments
201
through
221
essentially having the conformation suggested in FIG.
17
A and being fully defined in
FIGS. 18A through 18U
which provide the shape of each of the twenty-one lune segments. The shape of each of the lune segments
201
through
221
is provided by definition of points as Cartesian coordinates in x and y as shown in
FIGS. 18A through 18U
, the points being connected to form the lune segments
201
through
221
and then cross-connected to define inner reflective surfaces, that is, the facets
222
of the principal reflector
200
for one-half of the inner reflective surfaces of said reflector
200
. The other half of the reflector
200
are formed according to the lune segments
201
through
221
on an opposite half of the reflector
200
across a vertical centerline. In essence, the inner reflective surfaces of the reflector
200
are mirror images across the vertical centerline.
As noted above,
FIGS. 18A through 18U
are diagrams illustrating the cross-sectional shapes of each of the lune segments
201
through
221
in x and y coordinates with x and y dimensions being provided by relative reference in the following Tables I through XXI which correspond respectively to lune segments
201
through
221
.
TABLE I
|
|
Lune segment 201
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.641
2.717
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.691
4.573
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.159
5.784
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.873
6.602
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.751
7.161
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.728
7.521
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.796
7.751
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.919
7.883
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE II
|
|
Lune segment 202
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.641
2.717
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.689
4.573
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.158
5.783
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.872
6.601
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.749
7.160
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.728
7.521
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.795
7.750
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.919
7.881
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE III
|
|
Lune segment 203
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.635
2.717
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.684
4.573
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.157
5.783
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.872
6.601
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.747
7.157
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.727
7.519
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.795
7.749
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.919
7.881
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE IV
|
|
Lune segment 204
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.725
2.706
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.742
4.578
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.189
5.793
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.894
6.613
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.760
7.169
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.733
7.527
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.797
7.754
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.920
7.884
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE V
|
|
Lune segment 205
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.812
2.696
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.795
4.583
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.227
5.804
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.913
6.624
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.772
7.179
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.739
7.535
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.799
7.758
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.920
7.886
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.930
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE VI
|
|
Lune segment 206
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.894
2.686
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.855
4.588
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.265
5.816
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.936
6.637
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.779
7.186
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.740
7.537
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.799
7.758
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.920
7.888
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE VII
|
|
Lune segment 207
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.933
2.681
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.880
4.590
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.260
5.814
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.897
6.615
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.754
7.164
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.728
7.521
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.795
7.749
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.919
7.881
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.928
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE VIII
|
|
Lune segment 208
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.378
2.749
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.543
4.560
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.076
5.758
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.819
6.572
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.721
7.135
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.713
7.501
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.788
7.734
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.917
7.873
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.925
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE IX
|
|
Lune segment 209
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.368
2.750
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.506
4.557
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.068
5.756
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.819
6.572
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.720
7.134
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.713
7.501
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.787
7.733
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.917
7.873
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.923
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE X
|
|
Lune segment 210
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.230
2.767
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.522
4.559
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.150
5.781
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.822
6.574
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.723
7.137
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.713
7.501
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.788
7.736
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.917
7.873
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.925
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XI
|
|
Lune segment 211
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.334
2.754
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.506
4.557
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.068
5.756
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.814
6.569
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.715
7.130
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.710
7.497
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.787
7.733
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.917
7.871
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.923
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XII
|
|
Lune segment 212
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.340
2.754
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.506
4.557
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.043
5.748
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.807
6.565
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.709
7.125
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.707
7.493
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.786
7.730
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.916
7.869
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.922
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XIII
|
|
Lune segment 213
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.339
2.754
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.516
4.558
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.043
5.748
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.807
6.565
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.713
7.128
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.707
7.493
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.787
7.732
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.916
7.869
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.922
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XIV
|
|
Lune segment 214
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.340
2.754
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.514
4.558
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.043
5.748
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.807
6.565
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.708
7.124
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.707
7.493
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.785
7.729
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.916
7.869
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.922
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XV
|
|
Lune segment 215
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.361
2.751
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.516
4.558
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.051
5.750
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.807
6.565
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.710
7.126
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.707
7.493
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.785
7.729
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.916
7.868
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.922
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XVI
|
|
Lune Segment 216
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.380
2.749
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.528
4.559
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.060
5.753
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.808
6.566
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.714
7.129
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.707
7.493
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.786
7.731
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.916
7.868
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.922
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XVII
|
|
Lune Segment 217
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.546
2.728
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.605
4.566
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.098
5.765
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.832
6.579
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.723
7.137
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.713
7.501
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.787
7.733
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.917
7.873
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.926
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XVIII
|
|
Lune Segment 218
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.983
2.675
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.891
4.591
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.249
5.811
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.899
6.616
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.755
7.165
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.727
7.520
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.794
7.747
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.918
7.878
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.927
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XIX
|
|
Lune Segment 219
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.993
2.673
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.914
4.593
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.298
5.826
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.944
6.641
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.779
7.186
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.739
7.536
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.798
7.757
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.920
7.884
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.929
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XX
|
|
Lune Segment 220
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.641
2.717
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.693
4.574
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.165
5.785
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.875
6.603
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.752
7.162
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.729
7.522
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.796
7.751
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.919
7.883
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.928
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
TABLE XXI
|
|
Lune Segment 221
|
X
Y
|
|
11.328
0.000
|
9.996
2.673
|
9.107
2.782
|
7.918
4.593
|
7.394
4.547
|
6.306
5.828
|
5.977
5.728
|
4.960
6.650
|
4.758
6.538
|
3.795
7.199
|
3.665
7.086
|
2.748
7.548
|
2.681
7.459
|
1.802
7.765
|
1.776
7.709
|
0.921
7.890
|
0.914
7.859
|
0.070
7.934
|
0.000
7.931
|
|
Referring now to
FIG. 19A
, a vertical candela trace is seen which is characteristic of the principal reflectors of the invention and particularly of the principal reflector
200
with the principal reflectors
22
and
190
approximating the vertical candela trace as seen in FIG.
19
A. Use of the principal reflector
22
and
190
with shielding devices such as the flux manager
42
and further with the reflector insert
82
causes said principal reflectors
22
and
190
to more closely approximate the vertical candela trace seen in FIG.
19
A. In the vertical candela trace of
FIG. 19A
, the bottom side of the beam is to the right, the candela distribution being arranged so that the maximum candela will occur at center beam. The vertical candela trace of
FIG. 19A
is essentially the same regardless of set back and mounting height assumptions and are essentially asymmetric with the majority of flux being directed below center beam. A very sharp, nearly linear cutoff occurs above center beam and an exponential behavior is exhibited between center beam and the lower extinction angle. A horizontal candela trace is seen in FIG.
19
B and illustrates that the linear behavior required on either side of the illuminance pattern results in a linear and symmetric illuminance trace with respect to horizontal angle. Differing set back and mounting height assumptions essentially result in distributions with similar occurrence with the beam being linear and symmetric even though maximum value differs as does angular extent from left to right.
The optics of the luminaire assemblies described herein are intended to produce a unique distribution of light characterised by a linear sloping to the front of the luminaire assembly and to the sides with each luminaire providing an illuminance distribution shaped as is seen in
FIG. 20
, a plurality of the luminaire assemblies of the invention in a cluster acting to produce essentially half of a flat cone with the distribution of
FIG. 20
forming a section thereof which is perpendicular to the base of the cone which “halves” the cone with these distributions overlapping to some degree at edges thereof to produce the unique distribution of light provided by the present luminaire assemblies of the invention. It is to be understood relative to
FIGS. 19A
,
19
B and
20
that these figures define ideal distributions for all of the primary reflector assemblies of the invention.
While the invention has been described in light of explicit embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention can be embodied other than as explicitly described and shown herein, the scope of the invention being defined by the recitations of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising a primary reflector having reflective facets which direct light from a lamp onto the area, at least a portion of the light generated by the lamp being directly radiated to the area, the reflector defining an optical chamber, and shielding means mounted within the optical chamber to the primary reflector for blocking that portion of the light from the lamp which otherwise would produce glare and redirecting that light past lamp arc and against surfaces of the reflector and back into a beam directed onto said area.
- 2. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the lamp is transversely mounted within the optical chamber in a horizontal attitude when the assembly is oriented for operational use.
- 3. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the shielding means is involutely shaped.
- 4. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the shielding means is shaped as an involute curve capped by revolving the curve to form a surface of revolution.
- 5. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the shielding means is shaped as an involute curve and has the equationx=a cos Φ+aΦ sin Φ and y=a sin Φ−aΦ cos Φwhere x and y are variables identifying each locus of the involute curve on a Cartesian coordinate system having the arc of the lamp being placed at x,y=zero; a is a line coincident with a radius of a circle centered at x,y=zero the circle corresponding to a circumference of the lamp; Φ is the angle between the x-axis and the line a; B is a point on the circle at the intersection of the circle and the line a, a tangent to the circle at the point B intersecting the involute curve at a point P, the length of the line BP being equal to the arc length of an arc of the circle from the point B to a point A at the intersection of the arc BA with the x-axis.
- 6. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the shielding means is disposed above a horizontal centerline of the optical chamber.
- 7. The reflector assembly of claim 1 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber and between the shielding means and reflective inner wall surfaces of the reflector for redirecting flux which would impinge the shielding means to cause the maximum possible flux to exit the reflector assembly at the highest possible angle below center beam without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 8. The reflector assembly of claim 7 wherein the secondary reflector means comprises a plurality of reflective facets, each of the facets being aimed to redirect flux incident thereon.
- 9. The reflector assembly of claim 1 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber and between the shielding means and the reflective inner wall surfaces of the reflector for re-aiming flux blocked by the shielding means to cause the blocked flux to exit the reflector assembly without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 10. The reflector assembly of claim 9 wherein the secondary reflector means comprise a plurality of reflective facets, each of the facets being aimed to redirect flux incident thereon.
- 11. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the reflective facets are concentric annular facets.
- 12. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein the reflective facets are planar facets formed in concentric annular arrays of facets.
- 13. The reflector assembly of claim 1 wherein each reflective facet is planar and is aimed to direct light from the lamp into a beam illuminating the area.
- 14. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector having reflective inner walls and at least partially defining an optical chamber; a lamp mounted within the optical chamber to produce light, at least portion of the light generated by the lamp being directly radiated to the area; and, shielding means mounted within the optical chamber for blocking that portion of the light from the lamp which would exit the reflector assembly as spill light and redirecting the spill light past lamp arc and back into a beam directed onto said area.
- 15. The reflector assembly of claim 14 wherein the lamp is transversely mounted within the optical chamber.
- 16. The reflector assembly of claim 14 wherein the shielding means is involutely shaped.
- 17. The reflector assembly of claim 14 wherein the inner walls of the reflector are formed as annular facets.
- 18. The reflector assembly of claim 14 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber for redirecting light blocked by the shielding means to cause the blocked light to exit the reflector assembly without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 19. The reflector assembly of claim 14 wherein the shielding means is shaped with a section similar to or identical to a circular arc.
- 20. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector; a lamp mounted in association with the primary reflector, the reflector directing light from the lamp onto the area, portions of the light generated by the lamp being directly radiated to the area; and, means for distributing light from the lamp onto the area in a distribution characterized by an illuminance slope having a greatest illuminance forwardly of the assembly from a highest elevation at a point on the illuminated area nearmost the assembly and downwardly from said highest elevation to each side of the assembly.
- 21. The reflector assembly of claim 20 wherein the light distributing means comprise reflective facets formed on the primary reflector.
- 22. The reflector assembly of claim 21 wherein the reflective facets are concentric annular facets.
- 23. The reflector assembly of claim 21 wherein the reflective facets are planar facets formed in concentric annular arrays of facets.
- 24. The reflector assembly of claim 21 wherein each reflective facet is planar and is aimed to direct light from the lamp into a beam illuminating the area.
- 25. The reflector assembly of claim 21 wherein each reflective facet is aimed to direct light from the lamp into a beam illuminating the area.
- 26. The reflector assembly of claim 20 wherein the light distributing means comprise shielding means mounted within the optical chamber for blocking light from the lamp which otherwise would produce glare and redirecting that light past lamp arc and against surfaces of the reflector and back into a beam directed onto said area.
- 27. The reflector assembly of claim 26 wherein the shielding means is involutely shaped.
- 28. The reflector assembly of claim 26 wherein the shielding means is shaped as an involute curve capped by revolving the curve to form a surface of revolution.
- 29. The reflector assembly of claim 26 wherein the shielding means is shaped as an involute curve and has the equationx=a cos Φ+aΦ sin Φ and x=a sin Φ−aΦ cos Φwhere x and y are variables identifying each locus of the involute curve on a Cartesian coordinate system having the arc of the lamp being placed at x,y=zero; a is a line coincident with a radius of a circle centered at x,y=zero, the circle corresponding to a circumference of the lamp; Φ is the angle between the x-axis and the line a; B is a point on the circle at the intersection of the circle and the line a, a tangent to the circle at the point B intersecting the involute curve at a point P, the length of the line BP being equal to the arc length of an arc of the circle from the point B to a point A at the intersection of the arc BA with the x-axis.
- 30. The reflector assembly of claim 26 wherein the shielding means is disposed above a horizontal centerline of the optical chamber.
- 31. The reflector assembly of claim 26 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber and between the shielding means and reflective inner wall surfaces of the reflector for redirecting flux which would impinge the shielding means to cause the maximum possible flux to exit the reflector assembly at the highest possible angle below center beam without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 32. The reflector assembly of claim 31 wherein the secondary reflector means comprises a plurality of reflective facets, each of the facets being aimed to redirect flux incident thereon.
- 33. The reflector assembly of claim 26 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber and between the shielding means and the reflective inner wall surfaces of the reflector for reaiming flux blocked by the shielding means to cause the blocked flux to exit the reflector assembly without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 34. The reflector assembly of claim 33 wherein the secondary reflector means comprise a plurality of reflective facets, each of the facets being aimed to redirect flux incident thereon.
- 35. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector having reflective inner walls and at least partially defining an optical chamber; a lamp mounted within the optical chamber to produce light, at least a portion of the light generated by the lamp being directly radiated to the area; and, shielding means mounted to the primary reflector and spaced from the lamp for blocking that portion of the light from the lamp which would exit the reflector assembly as spill light and redirecting the spill light past lamp arc and back into a beam directed onto said area.
- 36. The reflector assembly of claim 35 wherein the lamp is transversely mounted within the optical chamber in a horizontal attitude when the assembly is oriented for operational use.
- 37. The reflector assembly of claim 35 wherein the shielding means is involutely shaped.
- 38. The reflector assembly of claim 35 wherein the inner walls of the reflector are formed as annular facets.
- 39. The reflector assembly of claim 35 and further comprising secondary reflector means disposed within the optical chamber for redirecting light blocked by the shielding means to cause the blocked light to exit the reflector assembly without striking the shielding means and without being incident on lamp arc.
- 40. The reflector assembly of claim 35 wherein the shielding means is shaped with a section similar to or identical to a circular arc.
- 41. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector; a lamp mounted in association with the primary reflector, the reflector directing light from the lamp onto the area; and, means for distributing light from the lamp onto the area in a distribution characterized by an illuminance slope having a greatest illuminance forwardly of the assembly from a highest elevation at a point on the illuminated area nearmost the assembly and downwardly from said highest elevation to each side of the assembly, the light distributing means comprising reflective facets formed on the primary reflector, the reflective facets being planar facets formed in concentric annular arrays of facets.
- 42. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector; a lamp mounted in association with the primary reflector, the reflector directing light from the lamp onto the area; and, means for distributing light from the lamp onto the area in a distribution characterized by an illuminance slope having a greatest illuminance forwardly of the assembly from a highest elevation at a point on the illuminated area nearmost the assembly and downwardly from said highest elevation to each side of the assembly, the light distributing means comprising reflective facets formed on the primary reflector, each reflective facet being planar and being aimed to direct light from the lamp into a beam illuminating the area.
- 43. A reflector assembly for illuminating an area, the reflector assembly comprising:a primary reflector; a lamp mounted in association with the primary reflector, the reflector directing light from the lamp onto the area; and, means for distributing light from the lamp onto the area in a distribution characterized by an illuminance slope having a greatest illuminance forwardly of the assembly from a highest elevation at a point on the illuminated area nearmost the assembly and downwardly from said highest elevation to each side of the assembly, the light distributing means comprising shielding means mounted within the optical chamber for blocking light from the lamp which otherwise would produce glare and redirecting all of that light past lamp arc and against surfaces of the reflector and back into a beam directed onto said area.
US Referenced Citations (10)