The Walt Disney Company
Special effects system for generating a midair laser blast illusion

Abstract:

A special effects apparatus for generating an illusion of a moving beam of light in midair. The apparatus includes a light source, such as a laser light source outputting colored light, generating a beam of light that is aimed along a linear light travel path. The apparatus further includes a dynamic light receiving assembly, and this assembly includes: an elongated support rod; a light receiving element attached to a first end of the support rod; and a driver coupled to a second end of the support rod opposite the first end of the support rod. The driver rotates the support rod about the second end at a high rotation rate, and the light receiving element moves along an arcuate travel path that intersects the linear light travel path of the beam of light. The arcuate travel path of the light receiving element and the linear light travel path are coplanar.