System and method for controlling humidity and pressure in lighting device

Abstract

A lighting device includes a cover, an air valve, and a chamber. The cover body comprises a sealed cover and a light beam emitting component. An air valve is in air connection between the housing and the chamber. The chamber contains a desiccant and has an opening, and the membrane completely covers the opening. The membrane allows passage of air while reducing passage of water droplets in the air. The air valve, when closed, blocks an air passage between the housing and the chamber. A method of performing a test to determine a sufficient seal of a cover of a lighting device includes closing an air valve to seal the cover with respect to outside air; activating the heat generation component; determining whether the air pressure in the enclosure increases by an amount exceeding a threshold pressure change value; and transmitting a signal indicating a result of the determination. The method includes deactivating the heat generating component and opening the air valve.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application date of October 12, 2022, application number 202211250281.7, and invention name “System and method for controlling humidity and pressure in lighting devices”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting devices, and more particularly, to methods of controlling humidity and pressure within lighting devices. Background Art

[0003] Lighting devices with automated and remotely controllable functions (which may be referred to as automated lighting devices) are well known in the entertainment and architectural lighting markets. Such products are commonly used in theaters, television studios, concerts, theme parks, nightclubs and other venues. Typical automated lighting devices control the pan and tilt functions of the lighting device from a remote location, allowing the operator to control the direction in which the lighting device is pointing and therefore the position of the light beam on the stage or in the studio. Many automated lighting devices also or alternatively control other parameters from a remote location, such as the intensity, focus, zoom, beam size, beam shape and / or light wave pattern of the light beam emitted by the lighting device. For example, in theme parks or concerts, such automated lighting device products are often used outdoors. For the continued operation of the device, it is important to maintain a dry, controlled physical environment inside the automated lighting device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like features.

[0005] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a lighting system according to the present disclosure;

[0006] Figure 2 showing a first view of a lighting fixture incorporating a lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 3 show Figure 2 Overview of the lighting device in a fully assembled state;

[0008] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a humidity and pressure control system for a lighting device according to the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 5 show Figure 2 A second view of the lighting device;

[0010] Figure 6 A block diagram showing a control system according to the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 7 showing a first view of a lighting fixture incorporating a second lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 8 show Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a humidity and pressure control system for a second lighting device;

[0013] Figure 9 A flow chart showing a first process for testing a seal in a second lighting device humidity and pressure control system of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 10 A flow chart is shown of a second process for testing seals in a second lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system of the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0015] In a first embodiment, a lighting device includes a housing, a remotely operable air valve, and a chamber. The housing includes one or more lighting device components configured to change and emit a light beam. The housing also includes a sealed lid and a first opening; the housing is sealed from the outside air at all other locations. The air valve includes a second opening and a third opening, and the air valve is connected to the first opening of the housing at the second opening via a sealed air connection. The chamber includes a desiccant, a fourth opening, and a fifth opening; the chamber is sealed from the outside air at all other locations. The chamber is connected to the third opening of the air valve at the fourth opening via a sealed air connection. The fifth opening includes a membrane that completely covers the fifth opening, the membrane comprising a material configured to allow air to pass through while reducing the passage of water droplets in the air. The air valve is configured to block the air passage between the housing and the chamber when closed.

[0016] In a second embodiment, a method for performing a test to determine whether an enclosure of a lighting device is adequately sealed includes: closing an air valve to seal the enclosure from the outside air; and determining an initial air pressure in the enclosure. The method also includes activating a heat-generating component of the enclosure and waiting a predetermined period of time. The method further includes: determining whether the current air pressure in the enclosure has increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding a threshold pressure change value; and transmitting a signal indicating the result of determining whether the current air pressure in the enclosure has increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding the threshold pressure change value. The method further includes deactivating the heat-generating component and opening the air valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0018] If a lighting device (or luminaire) is used outdoors or in other areas subject to rain, weather, or high humidity, it is important to protect any lighting mechanisms and optical systems from the effects of moisture and humidity. Some luminaires may have sealed housings or semi-sealed housings with pressure equalization. Such luminaires may be susceptible to the effects caused by thermal operating cycles, as shown below. When an automatic lighting device is turned on, internal systems such as the light source, electronic circuitry, power supply, and motor generate heat, causing the temperature within the luminaire to rise. This temperature increase results in a corresponding increase in air pressure within the lighting device.

[0019] In some luminaires, hermetic seals are used to contain this pressure within the lighting fixture. The loads placed on these hermetic seals due to this increased pressure within the lighting fixture can be significant, and repair and maintenance of the seals can be expensive and / or difficult. Failure of these seals can allow water to enter the lighting fixture, potentially causing damage or degradation to the lighting mechanism and / or optical system.

[0020] In other lamps, the lamp is sealed but allows pressure to escape through a pressure relief valve. However, when such lamps are de-energized and cool, the pressure inside the lamp drops relative to the atmospheric pressure outside the lamp, and outside air (or outside air) and moisture can be drawn back into the lighting fixture through seals, pressure relief valves, or other pathways. This can also cause water to enter the lighting fixture or condense inside the lighting fixture, leading to damage or degradation of the lighting mechanism and / or optical system.

[0021] The lighting device according to the present disclosure is sealed but is also ventilated to the outside air through a system that removes excess humidity from the incoming air and reduces condensation within the lighting device. This has the advantages of reducing the ingress of moisture into the lighting device and reducing condensation within the lighting device, thereby reducing damage or degradation of the lighting mechanism and / or optical system.

[0022] The lighting device according to the present disclosure is divided into several enclosures that are sealed and interconnected to allow air to flow between the enclosures. The interconnected enclosures are connected to a separate water and humidity reduction system, thereby ventilating to the outside air. In these embodiments, the enclosures are connected via air ducts rotatably connected to the enclosures. This allows one or more enclosures to rotate relative to one another while reducing water ingress and condensation within the lighting device. The optical, mechanical, and electrical components of the lighting device can be located within each enclosure depending on the design and function of the lighting device.

[0023] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a lighting system 10 according to the present disclosure is shown. The lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting devices 12 according to the present disclosure. Each lighting device 12 includes an on-board light source, one or more color change systems, a light modulation device, and a translation and / or tilt system for controlling the head direction of the lighting device 12. The mechanical transmission system for controlling the parameters of the lighting device 12 includes a motor or other suitable actuator connected to a control system, such as the one described with reference to FIG. Figure 6 As described in more detail, the control system is configured to control an engine or other actuators.

[0024] In addition to being connected to the main power source, either directly or through the power distribution system, the control system of each lighting fixture 12 is connected in series or in parallel to one or more control consoles 15 via wired data links 14. Upon operator activation, the control console 15 sends a control signal (e.g., a command) via the data link 14, and the control system of one or more lighting fixtures 12 receives the control signal. The control system of the one or more lighting fixtures 12 that receives the control signal may respond by changing one or more parameters of the lighting fixture 12. The control signal is sent to the lighting fixture 12 via the control console 15 using DMX-512, Art Net, ACN (Architecture for Control Networks), Stream ACN, or other suitable communication protocols.

[0025] The lighting head of lighting device 12 includes an optical system that includes one or more lighting mechanisms, each of which includes one or more optical devices, such as gobo wheels, effects wheels, and color mixing (or other color changing) systems, as well as prisms, apertures, shutters, and lens movement systems. The term lighting mechanism further includes pan and tilt mechanisms that are configured to move the lighting head relative to the fixed portion of lighting device 12. Some or all of the lighting mechanisms may include stepper motors or other rotary actuators to move their associated optical devices.

[0026] Figure 2 A first view of a lighting fixture 200 is shown, including a lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2The lighting device 200 is shown with some components removed to make it easier to see and describe the humidity and pressure control system. The lighting device 200 can include multiple separate enclosures that can be protected by the humidity and pressure control system. The lighting device 200 includes a base enclosure 202, a motor enclosure 204, and a head enclosure 206. The base enclosure 202 is the portion of the lighting device that is typically fixedly attached to or placed on a support structure and remains stationary. The base enclosure 202 can include a power supply, interface electronics, and other control equipment. The motor enclosure 204 can include a motor and associated electronics that control the translation and / or tilt movement of the lighting head. The head enclosure 206 can include lighting device components, such as optical equipment and associated motors, as well as electronics and other control electronics. The light source 220 can be located within the head enclosure 206, or can be external to the head enclosure 206 but optically connected to the head enclosure 206, as described with reference to FIG. Figure 4 The light source 220 and the lighting device components generate and modify the light beam emitted from the head cover 206. The head cover 206 moves in a tilt direction relative to the engine cover 204, and the engine cover 204 moves in a translation direction relative to the base cover 202. Therefore, the head cover 206 is rotatably mounted to the base cover 202 via the engine cover 204.

[0027] Although the lighting device 200 includes three covers, in some other embodiments, any number of covers may be included. For example, a light bar or cyclorama lighting device may have only a head cover 206 mounted for tilting movement relative to the base cover 202. The motor and associated electronics that control the tilting movement of such a lighting device may be located in one or both of the base cover 202 and / or the head cover 206. Still other embodiments may include only one cover or more than three covers. The ability to increase the number of covers in a lighting device according to the present disclosure provides the advantage of increasing the number of lighting device components that can be protected from damage or degradation caused by water ingress and / or condensation, while also allowing additional components to rotate relative to each other. It should be understood that when the phrase "connected covers" is used in this specification, it refers to one or more covers.

[0028] All three enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are sealed from the outside air, such that outside air cannot pass through the seals. However, the enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are connected together and ventilated via drying ducts 212 and 214, which allow air to flow into and out of the enclosures. This ensures that the internal air pressure in the enclosures 202, 204, and 206 does not significantly exceed or fall below the outside atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the pressure on the enclosure seals. In lighting device 200, base enclosure 202 is ventilated to engine enclosure 204 via duct 208, which connects an opening in base enclosure 202 to an opening in engine enclosure 204.

[0029] The duct 208 provides a rotatable, sealed air connection between the base cover 202 and the engine cover 204. The connection is an air connection because it allows air to flow from the base cover 202 to the engine cover 204. The connection is a sealed air connection because it is sealed from the outside air. The connection is a rotatable, sealed air connection because it includes a rotating flange, gaskets, seals, and / or other components that are configured to allow the base cover 202 and the engine cover 204 to rotate relative to each other while still allowing air to pass through. A sealed air connection that does not allow the duct 208 to rotate relative to the base cover 202 or the engine cover 204 may be referred to as a sealed air connection or a fixed sealed air connection. The duct 208 provides a rotatably sealed air connection configured to pass air from the base enclosure 202 to the engine enclosure 204 through the rotational translation system at the bottom of the engine enclosure 204, sealed from outside air, as the engine enclosure 204 rotates relative to the base enclosure 202 via the rotational translation system.

[0030] Next, the engine enclosure 204 is vented to the head enclosure 206 via a duct 217. The duct 217 includes a sealed air connection at a first end 216 connected to an opening of the engine enclosure 204, and a rotary sealed air connection at a second end 218 connected to an opening of the head enclosure 206. The duct 217 is configured to transfer air from the engine enclosure 204 to the head enclosure 206 through the rotary tilt system on one side of the head enclosure 206.

[0031] Therefore, the three housings 202, 204 and 206 are connected together by pipes 208 and 217 to form a combined housing with pressure and humidity control. The combined housing is ventilated to the outside air via the opening of the head housing 206 through a vent pipe 209. The vent pipe 209 includes a rotating sealed air connector connected to the opening of the head housing 206 at a first end. The vent pipe 209 includes a sealed air connector connected to a drying tube (or chamber) 212 at a second end, and the drying tube 212 is airtightly connected to a drying tube 214. The drying tubes 212 and 214 include a desiccant, such as silica gel or other suitable desiccant materials. The outlet of the drying tube 214 includes a membrane 210, which connects the drying tube 214 to the outside air.

[0032] Membrane 210 may include a hydrophobic membrane material, such as GORE-TEX (a registered trademark of WLGORE & Associates, Newark, Delaware), or other suitable material that allows air to pass through but reduces or prevents the passage of water and / or moisture in the form of water droplets. Thus, membrane 210 is configured to remove water droplets from the incoming air, while the desiccants of drying tubes 212 and 214 are configured to remove water vapor (or moisture) from the incoming air.

[0033] During operation, when lighting device 200 is initially powered on, the temperature and internal air pressure within each of the three enclosures 202, 204, and 206 increase. This increase in air pressure forces air out of enclosures 202, 204, and 206 through vent tube 209 and drying tubes 212 and 214 before exiting lighting device 200 at membrane 210. When lighting device 200 is powered off, the temperature and internal air pressure within enclosures 202, 204, and 206 decrease, allowing external air to be drawn back into lighting device 200 through membrane 210, reducing or eliminating liquid water and / or moisture in the drawn-in air. The drawn-in air then passes through drying tubes 212 and 214. Drying tubes 212 and 214 remove water vapor from the drawn-in air, resulting in air with reduced humidity entering enclosures 202, 204, and 206 through vent tube 209. This process of forcing air out of the enclosures 202, 204, and 206 and subsequently drawing the air back into the enclosures 202, 204, and 206 may be referred to as the "air circulation path" of the lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system of the present disclosure.

[0034] Because the volume of air passing through desiccant tubes 212 and 214 in and out of enclosures 202, 204, and 206 is relatively small, desiccant tubes 212 and 214 are capable of removing moisture over multiple on / off cycles of lighting fixture 200. In some embodiments, desiccant tubes 212 and 214 contain sufficient desiccant to dehumidify for 400 on / off cycles of lighting fixture 200 before requiring regeneration or replacement by a service technician. The term "regeneration" refers to the drying process that removes absorbed moisture from the desiccant, restoring or regenerating the desiccant's ability to continue absorbing moisture. The term "lifespan" of a desiccant may refer to the time from the first use of the desiccant to the point at which its effectiveness as a desiccant decreases, requiring regeneration or replacement by a service technician. Although the illustrated embodiment uses two desiccant tubes 212 and 214, other embodiments may include one desiccant tube (or desiccant chamber) or more than two desiccant tubes. Similarly, although some embodiments use silica gel as a desiccant, in other embodiments, the desiccant tube or desiccant chamber may additionally or alternatively include other desiccants.

[0035] In some embodiments, the dry hot air exhausted when the lighting device 200 is powered on will regenerate the desiccant in the drying tube, extending the life of the desiccant. In further embodiments, a heater ( Figure 2 ) to enhance the drying and regeneration process.

[0036] In some embodiments, one or more of enclosures 202, 204, and 206 may include one or more sensors configured to measure characteristics of the enclosure, selected from, but not limited to, air pressure, air humidity, and / or air temperature. Data samples from such sensors may be collected by the control system of lighting device 200, and information related to the collected data samples may be transmitted (or transferred) to a user via one or more communication means, such as a display included in lighting device 200, a wired data link 14 using a protocol such as Remote Device Management (RDM), a network connection via data link 14, a cellular or WiFi wireless connection, or a Near Field Communication (NFC) or other wireless communication link. Such information transmission has the advantage of allowing a user of lighting device 200 to obtain information without turning on lighting device 200 or to receive information at a remote location without having to access lighting device 200. In some embodiments, multiple such data samples may be stored in a service log of lighting device 200, and the contents of the log may be sent to the user, a service technician, or the manufacturer via one or more of the aforementioned means. Such multiple data samples in the service log have the advantage of providing a historical record of the sensed characteristics within the lighting device. In some such embodiments, the service log may further include one or more timestamps associated with corresponding one or more of the plurality of data samples, wherein the timestamp may indicate the time when the data sample was collected. In this way, a user, service technician, or manufacturer may determine when a data sample of interest was collected.

[0037] Furthermore, in some such embodiments, the control system of the lighting device 200 can determine whether a sealed enclosure has been effectively sealed (or resealed after maintenance) based on data from such sensors. For example, when the lighting device 200 is powered on, if the air pressure sensor indicates no increase in air pressure within one or more of the enclosures 202, 204, and 206, while the temperature sensor simultaneously indicates an increase in temperature within the enclosure, the control system can interpret this data as an indication that one or more of the enclosures 202, 204, and 206 is not fully sealed from the outside air. Such a determination provides the following advantages: (i) enabling a service technician to determine whether the enclosure has been effectively resealed after maintenance before returning the lighting device 200 to service, and / or (ii) enabling a user of the lighting device 200 to remotely determine whether a seal in a previously effectively sealed enclosure has failed.

[0038] Figure 3 show Figure 2 Overview of the lighting device 200 in a fully assembled state. The sealed housing and associated connecting pipes are Figure 3 The device is hidden by an external housing or cover.

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system 400 according to the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 It is a reference Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of a lighting device humidity and pressure control system 400 for the lighting device 200 described. The base enclosure 402 is ventilated by a duct 408 that connects the base enclosure 402 to the engine enclosure 404. Next, the engine enclosure 404 is ventilated by a duct 417 (having ends 416 and 418) that connects the engine enclosure 404 to the head enclosure 406. Thus, the three enclosures 402, 404, and 406 are connected together by ducts to form a combined enclosure for pressure and humidity control. The head enclosure 406 is ventilated by a duct 409 that also ventilates enclosures 402 and 404. Finally, at the outlet of the drying tube 412, a membrane 410 connects the system to the outside atmosphere. The membrane 410 can be made of a micro-filter material (such as GORE-TEX) that allows air to pass through but reduces or prevents the passage of water or moisture. In Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, heater 422 is mounted around (or thermally connected to) desiccant duct 412 and can be controlled by the control system of lighting device 200 to heat the desiccant during the hot air discharge phase of the cycle and / or other desired times, providing the advantage of regenerating the desiccant and extending its life. In some other embodiments, heater 422 can be mounted within desiccant duct 412. Still other embodiments may not include heater 422.

[0040] Head cover 406 includes a sensor 424 that measures one or more parameters, such as air pressure, air humidity, or air temperature. In other embodiments, one or more such sensors 424 may be included in cover 402 and / or 404. In some embodiments, multiple such sensors 424 may be included in one or more of covers 402, 404, and 406.

[0041] Data samples from such sensors may be collected by the control system of the lighting device 200. The control circuit 426 is located in the base housing 402. In some other embodiments, the control circuit 428 may be located in the head housing 406 in addition or in lieu thereof. In still other embodiments, the control circuit 428 may be located in the head housing 406 in addition or in lieu thereof. Figure 4 A control circuit (not shown) may be located in the engine housing 404. Such one or more control circuits may individually or collectively form a control system for the lighting device 200. Information related to the collected data samples may be transmitted by the control system to a user via one or more communication means as described above. Also as described above, in various embodiments, the data samples may include a timestamp and may be stored and transmitted to a user, a service technician, or the manufacturer.

[0042] Figure 4 Further shown is a light source 420 external to the head housing 406. The light source 420 is optically and physically connected to the head housing 406, but is separated from and sealed relative to the head housing 406 by a transparent window and a gasket 421. The heat generated by the light source 420 can be significant, and this arrangement provides the advantage of keeping the heat emitted from the light source 420 outside the head housing 406 and helping to reduce temperature increases and air pressure increases within the head housing 406. Such reduction has the advantage of reducing the volume of air that leaves and re-enters the combined housing of the three housings 402, 404, and 406 during each on / off cycle, helping to increase the life of the desiccant in the desiccant tube 412.

[0043] Figure 5 Shows Figure 2 FIG2 is a second view of the lighting device 200. The lighting device 200 includes a drying box 226 in the base housing 202 and a drying box 228 in the head housing 206. In various embodiments, zero or more drying boxes may be included in any housing of the lighting device humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure.

[0044] Drying ovens 226 and 228 are not reference Figure 2 206 . The drying boxes 226 and 228 are part of the air circulation path described, which occurs when the lighting device 200 is heated and cooled. In contrast, the drying boxes 226 and 228 assist in initial assembly and subsequent maintenance. When the lighting device 200 is manufactured and the covers 202, 204 and 206 are first sealed, they will contain air from the factory, which may be humid. The drying boxes 226 and 228 include a desiccant (such as silica gel) and multiple openings in the box that expose the desiccant to the air in the cover. Once the cover is sealed, these boxes will remove some of the initial humidity trapped in the cover, even before the lighting device is powered on. The drying boxes 226 and 228 can also help ensure that the air in the cover remains dry during storage and transportation.

[0045] In some embodiments, the desiccant within any of the drying boxes 226 and 228 and / or drying tubes 212 and 214 changes color when it absorbs moisture. In some such embodiments, the drying boxes 226 and 228 and / or drying tubes 212 and 214 are configured to allow easy visualization of the color-changing desiccant. In some such embodiments, the drying boxes 226 and 228 and / or drying tubes 212 and 214 may be at least partially made of a transparent or translucent material. In other such embodiments, the drying box or drying tube may have a removable box or tube portion to expose the desiccant for inspection. In still other embodiments, one or more of the multiple openings in the drying box may be sized to allow the desiccant to be viewed through the opening. Such desiccant and drying box or drying tube provides the advantage of enabling a user or service technician to visually inspect whether the desiccant is ready or needs to be regenerated or replaced before sealing the housings 202, 204, and 206 of the lighting device 200.

[0046] The inclusion of drying ovens 226 and 228 provides the advantage of an additional initial drying cycle that can be used to extend the life of the desiccant in the drying tube within the lighting device. The inclusion of drying ovens 226 and 228 provides the advantage of allowing the lighting device 200 to be put back into service more quickly without the need to use external tools to dehumidify the sealed enclosure or to purge the moist air from the sealed enclosure with nitrogen or dehumidified air.

[0047] Figure 6 A block diagram of a control system (or controller) 600 according to the present disclosure is shown. The control system 600 is suitable for controlling a system of lighting fixtures including the lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure. The control system 600 is also suitable for controlling light sources, optical devices, pan and / or tilt systems, and other control functions of the lighting fixtures 12 and 200, as well as connecting to, responding to, and storing data read from sensors installed in the lighting fixtures 12 and 200.

[0048] The control system 600 includes a processor 602 electrically connected to a memory 604. The processor 602 is implemented by hardware and software. The processor 602 can be implemented as one or more central processing unit (CPU) chips, cores (e.g., multi-core processors), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and digital signal processors (DSPs).

[0049] The processor 602 is further electrically connected to and in communication with a communication interface 606. The communication interface 606 is connected to the data link 14 and is configured to communicate via the data link 14. The processor 602 is also connected to one or more sensors 424, motors, actuators, controllers, heaters 422, and / or other devices via a control interface 608. The processor 602 is configured to receive control signals from the data link 14 via the communication interface 606 and, in response, control the systems and mechanisms of the lighting device 12 via the control interface 608.

[0050] The processor 602 is also electrically connected to and in communication with temperature, humidity, and / or pressure sensors, such as the sensor 424, via the control interface 608. The processor 602 is configured to receive control signals from the data link 14 via the communication interface 606 and, in response, measure, store, and transmit information related to data sampled from the one or more sensors 424.

[0051] The control system 600 is adapted to perform processing, module control, optical device control, pan and tilt motion, parameter control, engine control, position sensor control, brake control, and other functions disclosed herein, and may be implemented as instructions stored in the memory 604 and executed by the processor 602. The memory 604 includes one or more magnetic disks and / or solid-state drives that may be used to store instructions and data that is read and written during program execution. The memory 604 may be volatile and / or non-volatile and may be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM), and / or a static random access memory (SRAM).

[0052] Figure 7 A first view of a lighting fixture 700 is shown that includes a second lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 The lighting device humidity and pressure control system shown is very similar, but it also includes a remotely operable air valve 719 that is configured to allow air to pass when open and to block the air passage when closed. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, it is positioned between the drying tubes 212 and 214. Thus, when closed, the valve 719 is configured to block the air passage between the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 and the drying tube 214 and membrane 210.

[0053] In this embodiment, the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are vented to the outside air through valve 719. Valve 719 can be a solenoid valve electrically connected to the control system of the lighting device 200 (which can be configured to open and close valve 719). The access panels and lids of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are equipped with seals, and when the seals are functioning as intended, air flows into and out of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 only through valve 719. Therefore, when valve 719 is closed, if air flows into or out of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206, it can be considered to have flowed through the seals.

[0054] Despite Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, valve 719 is positioned between drying tubes 212 and 214, but in other such embodiments, valve 719 may be positioned anywhere in the air path from the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 to membrane 210. However, positioning valve 719 so that at least one of drying tubes 212 and 214 is between valve 719 and membrane 210 may provide the following benefit: namely, in such a location, the air flowing through valve 719 is already dried, which reduces the likelihood that condensation will form within valve 719. When the ambient temperature drops below freezing, the presence of such condensation may increase the likelihood that valve 719 will freeze and cease to function properly.

[0055] Figure 8 show Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the humidity and pressure control system of the second lighting device. Figure 8 is a simplified schematic diagram of a second lighting device humidity and pressure control system 800 of the lighting device 700. Figure 7 As described, the second lighting device humidity and pressure control system 800 is connected to Figure 4 The lighting device humidity and pressure control system 400 is shown to be very similar, but the system 800 also includes a valve 819, which is Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 819 is positioned between the head housing 406 and the drying tube 412 .

[0056] Valve 819 is a solenoid valve that is electrically connected to the control system of lighting device 700, which is configured to open and close valve 819. Figure 7 As described, the connected enclosures 402, 404, and 406 are sealed, and when the seals are functioning as intended, air can flow into and out of the connected enclosures 402, 404, and 406 only through the valve 819. Thus, when the valve 819 is closed, air can only flow into or out of the connected enclosures 402, 404, and 406 (if at all) through the seals. Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment, valve 819 is positioned between head housing 406 and drying tube 412, but in other such embodiments, valve 819 may be positioned anywhere in the air path from the connected housings 402, 404, and 406 to membrane 410. However, as described above, positioning valve 819 so that drying tube 412 is between valve 819 and membrane 410 reduces the likelihood of condensation forming within valve 819.

[0057] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment shown (the following description also applies to Figure 8 , valve 819, and connected enclosures 402, 404, and 406), valve 719 can be operated to seal the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 from the outside air so that pressure changes can be measured in one or more of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206. This measurement provides a test of whether the seals of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are sufficiently airtight to allow the lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system 400 (or 800) to operate as designed and reduce the ingress of water into the lighting fixture.

[0058] When the lighting device 700 is first built, such a test may be run to confirm that the lighting device 700 has been properly assembled. The test may also be run after maintenance has been performed on the lighting device 700, which requires a technician (or other user) to remove and reattach a sealing cover (or a sealing panel in the cover, both collectively referred to herein as a sealing cover) to access a component in the connected enclosure 202, 204, or 206.

[0059] The test can be initiated by a control signal (e.g., a command) received via the data link 14 or via an input panel of the lighting device 700. In some embodiments, the user can initiate the test at any time when the lighting device 700 is powered on. The control system 600 of the lighting device 700 can be configured to automatically perform the test when the lighting device 700 is initially powered on. This configuration can be set by the user via a control signal received via the data link 14 or via an input panel of the lighting device 700.

[0060] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Flowcharts of a first process 900 and a second process 1000 are shown for testing a seal in a second lighting device humidity and pressure control system of the present disclosure. Both processes 900 and 1000 begin with the following steps:

[0061] 1. Determine the initial temperature of the lighting device 700 using one or more temperature sensors within one or more of the connected enclosures 202 , 204 , and 206 .

[0062] a. If the air in the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 is above a threshold maximum initial temperature, the process is delayed until the temperature is lowered below the threshold maximum initial temperature by active or passive means.

[0063] b. In some embodiments, if the air in the connected enclosure is below a threshold minimum initial temperature, one or more heat-generating components of the lighting device 700 are activated to actively raise the temperature in the connected enclosure. In some such embodiments, once the temperature rises above the threshold minimum initial temperature, the heat-generating components of the lighting device 700 are deactivated (until they are activated again later in the process). In other embodiments, the process is delayed until the temperature is allowed to rise above the threshold minimum initial temperature by passive means.

[0064] 2. Close valve 719 to seal the connected enclosures 202, 204 and 206 from the outside air.

[0065] 3. Determine the initial air pressure in one or more of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206.

[0066] 4. Increase the temperature within the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 by activating one or more heat-generating components of the lighting device 700. The temperature can be increased by performing any or all of the following actions: activating the light source 220, applying a holding current to the motor in the motor enclosure 204, activating electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board in the connected enclosures, activating a power supply in the base enclosure 202, or activating a separate heating element located in any or all of the connected enclosures. In some embodiments, a frame shutter or other light-blocking optical device can be used to prevent the lighting device 700 from projecting a beam of light during this step of the process.

[0067] Process 900 continues with the following steps:

[0068] 5. After the scheduled time period,

[0069] a. Determining whether the current air pressure in one or more of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 has increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding a threshold pressure change value.

[0070] b. Sending a signal indicating the result of determining whether the current air pressure in one or more connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 has increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding a threshold pressure change value.

[0071] c. Deactivate one or more heat-generating components of the lighting fixture 700 and the light-blocking optics (if used).

[0072] d. Open valve 719 and begin (or resume) normal operation of lighting device 700.

[0073] Process 1000 continues with the following steps:

[0074] 5. Monitor the current air pressure within the connected enclosures 202, 204 and 206.

[0075] 6. If the current air pressure has increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding the threshold pressure change value within the predetermined time period (e.g., if the threshold pressure change value is exceeded before the predetermined time period has elapsed), transmitting a signal indicating that the connected masks are adequately sealed. If the current air pressure has not increased from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding the threshold pressure change value within the predetermined time period (e.g., if the predetermined time period has elapsed without exceeding the threshold pressure change value), transmitting a signal indicating that one or more of the connected masks are not adequately sealed.

[0076] 7. Whether the current air pressure increases from the initial air pressure by an amount exceeding the threshold pressure change value within a predetermined period of time,

[0077] a. Deactivate one or more heat-generating components of the lighting fixture 700 and the light-blocking optics (if used).

[0078] b. Open valve 719 and begin (or resume) normal operation of lighting device 700.

[0079] In some embodiments, the threshold pressure change value is 7 mbar and the predetermined time period is 5 minutes. In other embodiments, the threshold pressure change value is 20 mbar and the predetermined time period is 30 minutes.

[0080] In some embodiments, the threshold minimum initial temperature in one or more of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 is 0°C. In some embodiments, the threshold maximum initial temperature in one or more of the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 is 55°C. In such embodiments, the temperature may be raised to 70-75°C during testing. In general, the threshold maximum initial temperature will be at least 10-15°C lower than the temperature reached by the heat generating component once activated. The threshold maximum initial temperature will be selected based on where the one or more temperature sensors are located in the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206.

[0081] In some embodiments, the control system may also monitor the temperature increase and correlate it with the expected pressure increase to determine whether the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are adequately sealed.

[0082] In some embodiments, the signal indicating the test result is sent as a message over a communication link, such as data link 14. In other embodiments, the signal is sent as an indicator or status display on lighting device 700. In still other embodiments, both methods are used to send the signal.

[0083] In some embodiments, the test sequence is executed each time lighting device 700 is initially powered on. In some embodiments, the test sequence is executed in response to a signal received from a user, such as a command received via an input panel of lighting device 700 or via a communication link (e.g., data link 14 or a wireless communication link). In some embodiments, as a user-selectable option, the control system of lighting device 700 will not begin normal operation if the connected enclosures 202, 204, and 206 are not adequately sealed.

[0084] Although the lighting fixture 700 and the second lighting fixture humidity and pressure control system 800 include three enclosures, in other embodiments, any number of enclosures may be included.

[0085] Although only some embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A lighting device, comprising: a cover, the cover comprising a light source, an air pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor, wherein the cover comprises a first opening and is sealed from the outside air at other positions except for the first opening; A remotely operable air valve, the remotely operable air valve comprising a second opening and a third opening, the air valve being connected to the first opening of the housing through a sealed air connection at the second opening, wherein: The third opening includes a membrane completely covering the third opening, the membrane including a material configured to reduce the passage of water droplets in the air while allowing the passage of air, and; The air valve is configured to block an air passage between the cover and the membrane when closed, and to leave an air passage between the cover and the membrane when opened; as well as A control system is connected to the air pressure sensor, the temperature sensor, and the air valve, wherein the control system is configured to determine whether the enclosure is adequately sealed based on the air pressure sensed by the air pressure sensor and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. 2 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting device further comprises one or more of a gobo wheel, a special effects wheel, a color mixing system, a color changing system, a prism, an aperture, and a shutter. The lighting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a light blocking device. The lighting device of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a separate heating element.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a first cover, and the lighting device further comprises: a second cover body, the second cover body being configured to support the first cover body for rotation; as well as A third cover is configured to support the second cover.

6. A lighting device comprising: an enclosure comprising one or more lighting components configured to modify and emit a light beam, the enclosure comprising a sealed cover and a first opening, the enclosure being sealed from the outside air at all other positions; as well as A remotely operable air valve, the remotely operable air valve comprising a second opening and a third opening, the air valve being connected to the first opening of the housing through a sealed air connection at the second opening, wherein: The third opening includes a membrane completely covering the third opening, the membrane including a material configured to reduce the passage of water droplets in the air while allowing the passage of air, and; The air valve is configured to block an air passage between the cover and the membrane when closed, and to leave an air passage between the cover and the membrane when opened.

7. The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the cover is a first cover, and the lighting device further comprises: A second housing, the second housing including electronic circuitry electrically connected to the lighting device components of the first housing, the second housing being sealed from the outside air at other locations except for the first housing, wherein: The first cover is rotatably mounted on the second cover; The second housing is connected to the first housing via a sealed air connection; and The air valve is configured to block an air passage between the first and second covers and the membrane when closed, and to leave an air passage between the first and second covers and the membrane when opened.

8. The lighting device of claim 6, further comprising a control system configured to perform a test to determine whether the enclosure is adequately sealed, wherein: The control system is electrically connected to the air valve and the air pressure sensor, and The control system is configured to: closing the air valve to seal the housing from outside air entering the housing through the membrane; Activate the light source; determining the initial air pressure by sensing the air pressure sensor; After determining the initial air pressure, determining a second air pressure; sending a signal indicating that the enclosure is not adequately sealed based on a comparison of the second air pressure and the initial air pressure; as well as After determining the second air pressure, the air valve is opened.

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein: The housing further includes an optical device for blocking light; The control system is electrically connected to the light-blocking optical device; and The control system is configured to: activating the light-blocking optical device to prevent the lighting device from projecting a light beam while conducting the test; and The light-blocking optical device is deactivated after determining the second air pressure.

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