Dual reflector Zoom study

[McGizmo]

Hi guys,

One of my side tracked days recently was spent on testing out an idea I had using a so17xa reflector along with a deep and narrow prototype reflector to see if some type of adjustable beam would result. The mod was more successful than I anticipated and it led to further considerations of reflective curves and how they might be depolyed in a telescoping assembly. I hope to visit this idea again later on when I have some more "parts" to play with along with the time. Anyway:

Above, the primary and secondary reflector are both in play and the resulting beam has both a wide spot as well as inner narrower angle and brighter spot. In the picture below, the secondary reflector is pushed aft and the beam is essentially that which you would get from a stock assembly using a so17xa reflector. It is some of the spill light from the so17xa that is caught by the secondary reflector and redirected into a narrower beam with noticibly greater range for illumination.

And for those who will insist, a beam shot (intentially underexposed so no spill is seen):

MORE INFO: CLICK HERE (I'm not shouting! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

I used one of my proto type
"E-screw" modules in this build which makes taking things apart and messing with them much easier.

 

[bindibadgi]

What does it look like as you move between the two modes?

 

[McGizmo]

You can see a "fan" of light come from the perimiter and converge into a hotter and smaller spot within the primary's hotspot. It's pretty cool actually because the so17xa alone is a nice medium beam reflector and its beam is still there and visible; unchanged really when you "scoop" up some of the spill and redirect it. The spill angle obviously narrows and it's intensity also seems to increase as the secondary is brought into play.

 

[Doug S]

Is this guy clever or what? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[bindibadgi]

Me likes!!

 

[tylerdurden]

brain... exploding...

wow!

 

[kj]

Great!

I previously tried experimenting the similar idea by cutting one reflector into two, but the result was I just ruined some reflectors /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif I'm looking forward to your improvements and future production of this /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[K-T]

Very impressive, Don. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[BigHonu]

I am always impressed by the non-linear, "outside-of-the-box" thinkning you exhibit when trying to problem solve. I also have been trying to come up with a viable variable *focus* solution, but would have never envisioned dual reflectors. Please get sidetracked more often.

Aloha
Brian

 

[McGizmo]

Well you know the collapsable drinking cups. That would be one way to go from full flood to a focused beam of increasing intensity as each segment was depolyed but that would also take some pretty fancy design and machining! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif I have also played with optics in front of the LED as a secondary to the fixed primary reflector but having them adjustable is not trivial. I am still convinced that a multiple set of optic elements could be arrayed similar to the adjustable zoom lenses on cameras but of course that is also beyond most of us in terms of making.

I think this approach here could be optimized if a small broad flood primary were used with a deep and reasonably tight beam secondary. The real challenge is in determining the geometry and resulting distribution of photons between the two reflectors. With a truly optimized mix, the question remains whether the results would be beyond a gimic and in the realm of a viable tool. Coupling this with a varible intensity output, I think the diversity in beam selection might be worth the compromises required. Sometimes a jack off all trades is better then a master of one. Did I loose an effing "f" somewhere? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nana.gif

 

[Mr. Blue]

yes, it is jafck off all trades.

nice work, do you slide the head forward to adjust it?

 

[gadget_lover]

Don, I really like the idea, but I was even more impressed by your machining! That's some classy work.

Daniel

 

[jtice]

Just when I think you couldnt get any more creative,.... MAN, thats cool

You are so full of ideas its just not human.
Excellent work, i think you are really onto something there.

 

[McGizmo]

Thanks guys!

Mr. Blue,
Yes the head will slide back and forth. Ideally, the outer head and "volume of the light" would remain constant and the head would rotate with some type of helical(sp) drive to theust the secondary reflector in and out. The geometry would get trickier to insure that spill photons weren't lost. Any way you slice it, this is simply a crude study and a viable solution would require some sophisticatd design and enginering well beyond my scope; if it even has merit. My gut tells me that a reflector optic may still be the best approach or multi optic elements. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[Mr. Blue]

fthanks Donf

 

[Kiessling]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif
IMHO this might be overkill for small lights, but in medium suzed ligths would add greatly to versatility.
Anyway, I am most impressed as always with your work Don. You are a constant source of true innovation, so much more than just improving existing ideas.
I thank you.
bernhard

 

[McGizmo]

Mr. Blue,
Thanks for the f's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Bernhard,
I agree and disagree with the size issue. Since this type of light would be a compromise to any one specific beam pattern, I kind of see it as a multi-tool VS a specific tool for a specific task. For some reason, I see size and the "multi-tool" approach somehow related but perhaps not. I suppose it would be the case of having one tool VS multiple variations available whether it's in a tool box or one one's person. It's all academic at best and flashaholic folly at worst anyway! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Kiessling]

Don, point taken /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If you can build it, I will be there to take it off your hands /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bernhard

P.S.: ... and I said so before Pascal ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[idleprocess]

Reflectors seem easier to work with than optics, so you might be onto something.

 

[jdriller]

This is just too cool.