Method and apparatus for generating a flash or a series of flashes from a multiparameter light

A multiparameter light comprising:

• a base;
• a yoke coupled to the base;
• a lamp housing coupled to the yoke;
• an arc lamp having a maximum rated power level disposed in the lamp housing;
• a shutter disposed in the lamp housing;
• a variable lamp power supply disposed in the multiparameter light and having an output coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system disposed in the multiparameter light and having:
• an output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for operating the variable power supply to produce a plurality of lamp operating power levels, wherein at least one of the lamp operating power levels is over the maximum rated power level of the arc lamp;
• and
• an output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• an arc lamp;
• a shutter;
• a variable lamp power supply having an output coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system having:
• a communications input;
• an output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for operating the variable power supply to produce a plurality of lamp operating power levels in response to a single DMX control value received by the communications input;
• and
• an output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• a base;
• a yoke coupled to the base;
• a lamp housing coupled to the yoke;
• an arc lamp having a maximum rated power level disposed in the lamp housing;
• a shutter disposed in the lamp housing;
• a variable lamp power supply disposed in the multiparameter light and having an output coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system disposed in the multiparameter light and having
• an output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for operating the variable power supply to produce a plurality of lamp operating power levels, wherein at least one of the lamp operating power levels is substantially greater than the maximum rated power level of the arc lamp;
• and
• an output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• an arc lamp having a maximum rated power level;
• a shutter;
• a variable lamp power supply having an output coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system having:
• an output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter;
• and
• an output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for varying power to the arc lamp to operate the arc lamp at a plurality of lamp operating power levels, at least one of which being substantially greater than the maximum rated power level of the arc lamp.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• a base;
• a yoke coupled to the base;
• a lamp housing coupled to the yoke;
• an arc lamp disposed in the lamp housing;
• a shutter disposed in the lamp housing;
• a variable lamp power supply disposed in the multiparameter light and having an output coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system disposed in the multiparameter light and having:
• a first output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter;
• and
• a second output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for operating the variable power supply to produce at least three lamp operating power levels to obtain a stroboscopic effect.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• a base;
• a yoke coupled to the base;
• a lamp housing coupled to the yoke;
• a mercury filled lamp disposed in the lamp housing;
• a shutter disposed in the lamp housing;
• a variable lamp power supply disposed in the multiparameter light and having an output coupled to the mercury filled lamp;
• and
• a control system disposed in the multiparameter light and having:
• a communications input;
• and
• an output coupled to the variable lamp power supply for alternately operating the mercury filled lamp a plurality of times at a first operating power and at a second operating power to obtain a stroboscopic effect in response to a single DMX control value received by the communications input.

A multiparameter light comprising:

• an arc lamp having a maximum rated power level;
• a shutter;
• a variable power supply coupled to the arc lamp;
• and
• a control system having an output coupled to the shutter for operating the shutter to obtain a stroboscopic effect, and an output coupled to the variable power supply for furnishing power to the arc lamp over the maximum rated power level during at least part of the stroboscopic effect.

A method of operating a multiparameter light having a control system, a shutter and an arc lamp having a maximum rated power level to obtain a stroboscopic effect, comprising:

• operating the arc lamp;
• operating the shutter a plurality of times during at least part of the arc lamp operating step to obtain flashes, under control of the control system in response to a command signal;
• and
• applying an operating power greater than the maximum rated power level to the arc lamp during at least part of the shutter operating step, under control of the control system in response to a command signal.