Lighting apparatus
View Patent ↗Lighting apparatus includes an effect wheel which is mounted on a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is mounted on a mechanism which moves the effect wheel from a position outside of the light path to a position in which the effect wheel intersects the light path to provide a continuous wheel effect. The translation mechanism can move the effect wheel between positions in which the effect wheel crosses the light path in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, respectively. The apparatus allows a continuous wheel effect to be added to a multi-purpose luminaire and also allows the direction of travel of the continuous wheel effect across the illuminated field to be continuously varied.
1. A lighting apparatus having a light path defined therethrough, comprising:
an effect wheel having a center and an effect region located radially outwardly of the center, the effect region being configured to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough;
a rotation mechanism arranged to rotate the effect wheel about the center; and a translation mechanism arranged to move the effect wheel between
a first position in which the effect region is outside of the light path, and
a second position in which the effect region intersects the light path and in which the center of the effect wheel is outside the light path
(iii) a third position in which the effect region intersects the light path and in which the center of the effect wheel is outside the light path and wherein a radius through the light path from the center of the effect wheel in the third position is substantially perpendicular to a radius through the light path from the center of the effect wheel in the second position.
2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the translation mechanism is arranged to move the effect wheel to any position intermediate the second and third positions.
3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third positions are collinear.
4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the translation mechanism is configured to move the effect wheel linearly from one said position to another said position.
5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the translation mechanism comprises a linear guide arrangement and a carriage mounted for linear movement along the guide arrangement, and the effect wheel is mounted on the carriage for movement therewith.
6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the translation mechanism includes an electric motor.
7. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotation mechanism includes an electric motor.
8. The lighting apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the electric motor is fixed relative to the light path and the rotation mechanism comprises a transmission arrangement arranged to transmit rotational movement of the electric motor to the effect wheel.
9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the transmission arrangement comprises:
a belt arranged in a loop between a drive pulley driven by the electric motor and a tensioning pulley, wherein
a driven pulley engages the belt between the drive pulley and the tensioning pulley and is arranged to impart rotational movement to the effect wheel.
10. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the center of the effect wheel is connected to a driven member of the rotation mechanism for rotation therewith.
11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the effect wheel is removable mounted on the rotation mechanism.
12. The lighting apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the effect wheel is magnetically attached to the rotation mechanism.
13. A luminaire comprising the lighting apparatus of claim 1 .
14. A lighting apparatus having a light path defined therethrough, comprising:
an effect wheel having a center and an effect region located radially outwardly of the center, the effect region being configured to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough the effect region of said effect wheel includes a removable optical component comprising:
an optical portion adapted to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough;
a magnetic portion arranged to attach the optical component to a surface of the effect wheel by magnetic attraction; and
at least one locating formation configured to engage with a complementary locating formation on said effect wheel to locate the optical component in position on said effect wheel;
a rotation mechanism arranged to rotate the effect wheel about the center; and
a translation mechanism arranged to move the effect wheel between
a first position in which the effect region is outside of the light path, and
a second position in which the effect region intersects the light path and in which the center of the effect wheel is outside the light path.