Alignment structure for use with a light source and/or a light gathering reflector
View Patent ↗Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with a pre-aligned light source for use with a light gathering reflector are disclosed.
1. A projection lamp, comprising:
a light gathering reflector having an alignment lip and a reflective internal surface with a focus;
an arc lamp including a light generating portion and a connection portion, the connection portion to electrically couple the light generating portion to a power source; and
a substantially ring-shaped alignment structure sized to fit around the connection portion of the arc lamp so as to be moveable along a longitudinal axis of the connection portion of the arc lamp, the substantially ring-shaped alignment structure being selectively securable directly to a selected one of a plurality of different securement locations along the longitudinal axis of the connection portion when the ring-shaped alignment structure is fit around the connection portion of the arc lamp, where the substantially ring-shaped alignment structure abuts the alignment lip of the light gathering reflector such that the location of the alignment structure on the connection portion determines a relative position of the light generating portion to the focus of the light gathering reflector.
2. The projection lamp of claim 1 , where the alignment structure is sized to at least partially fit into a corresponding structure of the light gathering reflector.
3. The projection lamp of claim 2 , wherein the alignment structure and the corresponding structure of the light gathering reflector cooperate to pre-align the arc lamp with the light gathering reflector to produce a desired luminosity.
4. The projection lamp of claim 1 , wherein the alignment structure comprises an alignment notch.
5. The projection lamp of claim 1 , wherein the alignment structure is selectively securable to the light gathering reflector.
6. The projection lamp of claim 5 , wherein the alignment structure is securable by a retaining structure that engages at least a portion the light gathering reflector.
7. The projection lamp of claim 5 , wherein the retaining structure comprises a ring having a first set of threads that are spaced and sized to engage a second set of threads coupled to the light gathering reflector.
8. The projection lamp of claim 1 , wherein the alignment structure comprises a collar sized to fit over at least a portion of the arc lamp.
9. The projection lamp of claim 8 , wherein the light gathering reflector comprises an ellipsoidal reflector.
10. An image generating projection device, comprising:
a light generating assembly, including:
a light gathering reflector having a reflective internal surface with a focus;
an arc lamp including a light generating portion and a connection portion, the connection portion to electrically couple the light generating portion to a power source; and
a substantially ring-shaped alignment structure sized to fit around the connection portion of the arc lamp so as to be moveable along a longitudinal axis of the connection portion of the arc lamp, the substantially ring-shaped alignment structure being selectively securable directly to a selected one of a plurality of different securement locations along the longitudinal axis of the connection portion when the ring-shaped alignment structure is fit around the connection portion of the arc lamp, where the substantially ring-shaped alignment structure abuts the alignment lip of the light gathering reflector such that the location of the alignment structure on the connection portion determines a relative position of the light generating portion to the focus of the light gathering reflector;
an image generating assembly configured to modulate light from the light generating assembly; and
projection optics configured to project modulated light from the image generating assembly to an image viewing surface.
11. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , where the alignment structure is sized to at least partially fit into a corresponding structure of the light gathering reflector.
12. The image generating projection device of claim 11 , wherein the alignment structure and the corresponding structure of the light gathering reflector cooperate to pre-align the arc lamp with the light gathering reflector to produce a desired luminosity.
13. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , wherein the alignment structure comprises an alignment notch.
14. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , wherein the alignment structure is selectively securable to the light gathering reflector.
15. The Image generating projection device of claim 14 , wherein the alignment structure is securable by a retaining structure that engages at least a portion the light gathering reflector.
16. The image generating projection device of claim 14 , wherein the retaining structure comprises a ring having a first set of threads that are spaced and sized to engage a second set of threads coupled to the light gathering reflector.
17. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , wherein the alignment structure comprises a collar sized to fit over at least a portion of the arc lamp.
18. The image generating projection device of claim 17 , wherein the light gathering reflector comprises an ellipsoidal reflector.
19. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , wherein the viewing surface is a front projection screen.
20. The image generating projection device of claim 10 , wherein the viewing surface is a rear projection screen.