Abstract: A power supply is provided for a lamp system. The power supply may include structure to switch from a high power level to a low power level. The high power level and the low power level together are a cycle that is repeated. The high power level may be higher than the conventional steady-state power level used for the same lamp system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method providing substantially two-dimensionally uniform irradiation of a planar target surface. An irradiation source is within an elliptical reflecting trough, on the major axis of the trough, and spaced from the focal axes of the trough. Edges of the trough define a first plane substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the trough. Reflectors extend substantially equal distances from the longitudinal edges and the ends of the trough to define a target surface plane substantially parallel with the first plane. A translucent reflector is a positioned on the major axis of the trough, outside the trough. The translucent reflector has a first planar portion lying in a plane substantially parallel with the target surface plane, and second and third planar portions extending from the edges of the first planar portion and angled toward the target surface plane.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave excited lamp and a microwave gasket. A microwave excited lamp (10) in accordance with the invention includes at least one microwave source (12); a microwave structure (20) comprising a metallic material to which microwaves are coupled from the microwave source; the microwave structure, including a reflector (22) comprising the metallic material and containing a microwave excited bulb (24) which emits light in response to coupling of microwave power thereto from the microwave source; and at least one microwave gasket (100) which provides a microwave tight seal between a surface of the reflector and at least one other metallic part of the microwave structure with the gasket comprising the metallic material; and wherein during operation of the lamp a microwave current maxima flows on a surface of the gasket and the reflector.

Abstract: A lamp for more uniformly irradiating surfaces of fibers (including ribbon-shaped fibers), such as optical fibers, and methods of using such lamp, are provided. The lamp has primary and secondary elliptical-shaped reflectors, forming an elliptical space therebetween with the fibers in the vicinity of one focal point of the elliptical space, on the major axis of the elliptical space. The lamp bulb is centered on this major axis of the elliptical space, in the vicinity of the other focal point to provide a dispersed ray pattern at the fiber for more uniformity over the surfaces of the fibers. Ends of the primary reflector can be provided with end reflectors which can have mounts for the lamp bulb. The lamp can be used to cure a light curable coating (e.g., ink, polymer) on the fiber.

Abstract: A discharge lamp bulb includes a light transmissive envelope and at least one conductive fiber disposed on a wall of the envelope, where the fiber has a thickness of less than 100 microns. The lamp may be either electrodeless or may include internal electrodes. Suitable materials for the fiber(s) include but are not limited to carbon, silicon carbide, aluminum, tantalum, molybdenum, platinum, and tungsten. Silicon carbide whiskers and platinum coated silicon carbide fibers may also be used. The fiber(s) may be aligned with the electrical field, at least during starting. The lamp preferably further includes a protective material covering the fiber(s). For example the protective material may be a sol gel deposited silica coating. Noble gases inside the bulb at pressures in excess of 300 Torr can be reliably ignited at applied electric field strengths of less than 4×105 V/m. Over 2000 Torr xenon, krypton, and argon respectively achieve breakdown with an applied field of less than 3×105 V/m.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of treating a volume of fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid passageway through which the fluid flows, at least one source of irradiation, external to the fluid passageway, and at least two elongated elliptical reflecting troughs for reflecting irradiation from the at least one source of irradiation onto the fluid passageway. Open ends of the troughs face each other to define a space between the closed ends of the troughs. The fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation are positioned in the space, with each source of irradiation within a respective one of the at least two troughs. At least one of the fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation is spaced from the focal axes so as to provide a substantially uniform irradiation distribution within the fluid in the fluid passageway.

Abstract: The invention is a lighting system which produces visible and UV light. The system includes a light bulb (60) which emits light in response to excitation by radio frequency energy; an electrically powered bulb rotation motor (50) mechanically coupled to the light bulb which rotates the light bulb coupled thereto; an electrically energized radio frequency energy source (70) which provides the radio frequency energy coupled to the light bulb, the electrically energized radio frequency energy source including a heater (110) which is energized at least while the radio frequency energy source is turned on; and a control circuit (24), for coupling to an electrical power source, which controls application of a regulated voltage to the heater and the bulb rotation motor.

Abstract: A UV dryer for curing multiple surfaces of a product comprises a plurality of UV lamps connected end-to-end to form an assembly having a longitudinal axis. Each lamp includes a tubular envelope aligned along the longitudinal axis. The assembly is pivotable along the longitudinal axis at ± angle from a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis to direct radiation from the assembly toward a leading, top and trailing surface of the product as the product is moved toward, underneath, and away from the assembly, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave excited electrodeless bulb and a process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb. A process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb in accordance with the invention includes providing an electrodeless bulb (19) with an envelope (32) containing an ultraviolet emissive material which emits ultraviolet light in response to microwave excitation. The envelope is filled with an ultraviolet emissive material. The envelope has a major internal dimension (30) between ⅓ and ½&lgr; to which a strong field of the microwave excitation is coupled during emission of ultraviolet light with &lgr; being the free space wavelength of the microwave excitation which varies between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. The strong field is produced by a microwave source having a steady state rated output power of no greater than 0.85 kW. The bulb is rotated at a rotational velocity of at least 20 revolutions per minute.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tubular apparatus for UV curing coatings on a continuous filament in which concentric tubes are provided and through which the filament passes after being coated for curing the coating, with the apparatus having the first inner tube which passes the UV light through the tube to cure the filament passing therethrough, and a second concentric tube superposed over the first tube and spaced therefrom which reflects IR light and passes UV light to prevent burning and destroying the coating on the filament as it passes through the first tube.

Abstract: A method for passing multiple fibers having curable coating thereon through a high intensity curing zone comprises an irradiator having a curing zone; a transparent tube enclosing the curing zone; a plurality of coating dies disposed upstream of the irradiator to coat the fibers; and a plurality of take-up mechanisms disposed downstream of the irradiator to guide the fibers through the curing zone. The coating dies and the take-up mechanisms are rotatably displaced relative to each other about a longitudinal axis through the centerline of the curing zone so that the fibers at an intermediate location between the coating dies and the take-up mechanisms define a cylindrical volume having a diameter less than the diameter of the tube so that the multiple fibers can pass simultaneously through the tube.

Abstract: A compact, electrodeless, microwave-powered lamp (e.g., ultraviolet light emitting lamp) is provided, as well as methods of using this lamp. The lamp includes a microwave generator, waveguide and RF cavity. The RF slot between the waveguide and RF cavity, for introducing microwaves from the waveguide into the RF cavity, extends through an end member forming the RF cavity rather than through the elliptical-shaped reflector; and the RF slot is aligned with the bulb. Cooling air for cooling the bulb passes through the RF slot, and preferably this cooling air passes by both the bulb and microwave generator for cooling both. The bulb is rotated during use. The compact size of the lamp facilitates its use in small devices, such as inkjet printers for office use to cure ultraviolet light curable inkjet inks, among other uses.

Abstract: The invention is a microwave excited light source. A microwave excited light source in accordance with the invention includes a microwave source (100) which produces microwaves; a microwave excited light bulb (106), coupled to the microwave source, which produces an output spectrum 108 and operates within a first temperature range when producing the output spectrum with at least one frequency range of the output spectrum having a power level below a desired level; and an optical component (20, 40, 60, 70, 110, 116 and 118), spaced from the light bulb which operates in a second temperature range below the first temperature range, having at least one phosphor (112) which is excited by another frequency range of the output spectrum, the at least one phosphor in response to the another frequency range outputs light in the at least one portion which increases the power level to the desired level.

Abstract: An ink-jet applicator comprises a print head including a housing; a guide operably secured to the housing to guide the housing across a medium being imprinted; a UV light source disposed at one end of the guide to generate a beam of radiation; and a mirror carried by the housing adapted to reflect the beam onto the UV curable coating deposited by the print head onto the work surface.

Abstract: A air provided microwave powered lamp (100) and an assembly (300) of a microwave powered lamp.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tubular apparatus for UV curing coatings on a continuous filament in which concentric tubes are provided and through which the filament passes after being coated for curing the coating, with the apparatus having the first inner tube which passes the UV light through the tube to cure the filament passing therethrough, and a second concentric tube superposed over the first tube and spaced therefrom which reflects IR light and passes UV light to prevent burning and destroying the coating on the filament as it passes through the first tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for passing multiple fibers having curable coating thereon through a high intensity curing zone comprises an irradiator having a curing zone; a transparent tube enclosing the curing zone; a plurality of coating dies disposed upstream of the irradiator to coat the fibers; and a plurality of take-up mechanisms disposed downstream of the irradiator to guide the fibers through the curing zone. The coating dies and the take-up mechanisms are rotatably displaced relative to each other about a longitudinal axis through the centerline of the curing zone so that the fibers at an intermediate location between the coating dies and the take-up mechanisms define a cylindrical volume having a diameter less than the diameter of the tube so that the multiple fibers can pass simultaneously through the tube.

Abstract: A microwave-powered lamp comprises a microwave source; a non-resonant microwave cavity operably coupled to the microwave source, the microwave cavity being substantially cylindrical about a centerline; an elongated bulb disposed along the centerline of the microwave cavity; and a reflector operably associated with the bulb to direct radiation generated by the bulb to a product being cured. The bulb may be enclosed by a solid barrier such that cooling gas used for the bulb is isolated from the curing environment. The microwave cavity is separate from the function of focusing the radiation output from the bulb so that changes to the optical system can be made without also modifying the microwave cavity.

Abstract: An UV oven comprises a compact longitudinal elliptical reflector with first and second focal lines; a longitudinal small diameter bulb disposed along the first focal line that generates short wavelength UV radiation, IR radiation, visible radiation and heat to cure the coating on magnet wires or wire-like elements that are passed through the other focal line. The inside surface of the reflector is coated with material to enhance the reflectivity of the short wavelength UV, IR and visible radiation.

Abstract: A curing apparatus comprises a curing chamber for accommodating a controlled atmosphere for a product being treated and an irradiator for providing radiation directed at the product. The curing chamber has spaced inlet and outlet openings for the product establishing a path of travel underneath the irradiator. First and second nozzle assemblies are disposed adjacent respective inlet and outlet openings for supplying inert gas into the chamber and maintaining an inert atmosphere within the chamber. The nozzle assemblies are removably secured to the chamber. A pre-chamber is provided in the nozzle assemblies to moderate the pressure distribution of the gas within the nozzle assemblies.