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  Method of forming a burner assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070048682Title: Method of forming a burner assembly Abstract: A method of forming a burner assembly includes capturing at least one feature of a burner with an imaging system, determining a location of a fireball based on the feature, moving the burner to an aligned position relative to a header or reflector based on the location of the fireball, and securing the burner in the aligned position. (end of abstract) Agent: Hewlett Packard Company - Fort Collins, CO, US Inventors: Tim M. Bartel, Jimmy Perez, Kenneth Todd Coykendall, John W. Lee, David E. Huhn, Andrew R. Lovvorn, Robert C. Sattem USPTO Applicaton #: 20070048682 - Class: 431154000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, With Repair, Assembly Or Disassembly Adjunct The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070048682. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to "Method of Forming a Lamp Assembly", by Jimmy Perez et al., Attorney Docket No. 200407967-1, which is filed concurrently with this application. BACKGROUND [0002] Digital projectors, such as digital micro-mirror devices (DMD) and liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors, project high quality images onto a viewing surface. Both DMD and LCD projectors utilize high intensity lamps and reflectors to generate the light needed for projection. Light generated by the lamp is concentrated as a "fireball" that is located at a focal point of a reflector. Light produced by the fireball is directed into a projection assembly that produces images and utilizes the generated light to illuminate the image. The image is then projected onto a viewing surface. Misalignment of the focal point causes degradation of the image since less light is captured and creates "hot spots" on the screen instead of a uniform brightness. [0003] Efforts have been directed at making projectors more compact while making the image of higher and better quality. As a result, the lamps utilized have become more compact and of higher intensity. Higher intensity lamps produce high, even extreme heat. The outer surface of the lamps can approach temperatures of 900 degrees C. As a result, projector designs must account for the intense heat. In addition, losses due to misalignment of the fireball with respect to the reflector are amplified in systems utilizing high intensity lamps. [0004] Some methods of aligning the fireball with respect to the reflector include lighting the burner until the burner reaches its operating temperature. Thereafter, the burner is moved relative to the reflector to place the burner as near as possible to the focal point of the reflector and thereby maximize the light output of the lamp assembly. The burner is moved relative to the reflector until the light output of the lamp assembly is at an acceptable level. Such an approach may be time consuming. SUMMARY [0005] A method of forming a burner assembly includes capturing at least one feature of a burner with an imaging system, determining a location of a fireball based on the feature, moving the burner to an aligned position relative to a reference point based on the location of the fireball, and securing the burner in the aligned position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present apparatus and method and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present apparatus and method and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. [0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a display system according to one exemplary embodiment. [0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a burner assembly according to one exemplary embodiment. [0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming a burner assembly according to one exemplary embodiment. [0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of an alignment system according to one exemplary embodiment. [0011] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] A method and system is provided herein for forming a lamp assembly for use in a display system. The lamp assembly according to one exemplary embodiment includes a burner, a reflector, and a header. The burner generates light, which is then directed by a reflector to a light modulator assembly. The percentage of light generated by the burner that is directed to the light modulator assembly is dependent, at least in part, on the alignment and orientation of the burner relative to the reflector. According to one exemplary embodiment, the alignment of the burner relative to the reflector may be controlled by aligning the burner relative to a header that has surfaces that are aligned relative to the reflector. [0013] According to one exemplary embodiment, the features of the burner may be identified. These features may then be analyzed to determine the proper position and orientation of the burner relative to the header. Thereafter, the header and burner may be oriented, aligned, and secured in a specific position. An exemplary system, which will be discussed in more detail below, makes use of optical components and a processor to perform the alignment and orientation process. An exemplary display system will first be discussed, followed by a discussion of an exemplary burner assembly, a method of forming a burner assembly, and a system for aligning a burner and a header. [0014] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present method and apparatus. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present method and apparatus may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Display System [0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display system (100). The display system (100) generally includes a power source (115), a lamp assembly (117) including a burner assembly (120) and a reflector (125), a light modulator or projection assembly (130), and a viewing surface (135). According to the present exemplary embodiment, the burner assembly (120) is oriented relative to the reflector (125). The power source (115) is also coupled to the burner (120). [0016] In particular, the burner assembly (120) includes a burner (140) coupled to a header (145). The header (145) provides support and alignment for the burner (140) relative to the reflector (125). According to the present exemplary embodiment, the header (145) also allows the burner assembly (120) to be removably coupled to the reflector (125). As a result, when the burner (140) has surpassed its useful life, the burner assembly (120) may be replaced without replacing the entire lamp assembly (117). [0017] The burner (140) may be precisely aligned relative to the header (145) using a visual alignment process while the burner (140) is not in operation. As a result, the center of the burner (140) may be precisely aligned relative to the header (145). The reflector (125) is configured to receive the burner assembly (120). In addition, the reflector is configured to have the header (145) placed into aligned contact therewith. [0018] The alignment of the burner (140) relative to the header (145) and the alignment of the header (145) relative to the reflector (125) provides for alignment of the burner (140) relative to the reflector (125). More specifically, according to one exemplary embodiment, the burner (140) generates concentrated light, referred to as a fireball, in a central portion (150) thereof. By aligning the fireball with the focal point of the reflector (125), the amount of light generated by the lamp assembly (117) may be optimized. An exemplary burner assembly, including features used by an exemplary system and method of aligning a burner relative to the header will now be discussed in more detail. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method of forming a burner assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method of forming a burner assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method of forming a burner assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lock mechanism for increasing the safety of a lighter Next Patent Application: Highly controllable gas grill burner system Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method of forming a burner assembly patent info. 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