Abstract: An inductively driven gas discharge lamp assembly (40) includes an electrodeless lamp (42), an inductive drive coil (44) disposed about the lamp, and a shield (10) disposed over an end portion (50) of the lamp. The shield (10) has a number of turns (12) of electrically conductive material, such as wire, with each of the turns being disposed generally coaxially about the central, longitudinal axis (20) of the drive coil (44). The turns (12) together form a continuous spiral helix and are shorted together via a number of electrical conductors (14) that are angularly disposed about the axis (20). These electrical conductors (14) extend generally perpendicularly to the turns (12) and are connected to the ground node (26) of a d.c. to a.c. inverter circuit 46 that is used to drive coil 44. This arrangement provides good r.f.

Abstract: An electrodeless gas discharge lamp includes a light-transmissive envelope having opposite ends and a midsection about which an induction coil is disposed. The envelope and coil are mounted transversely on a base with the ends of the envelope exposed such that light emitted from the envelope is transmitted through both ends of the envelope substantially unobstructed by either the base or coil to generate a high total light output of the assembly.

Abstract: An electrodeless gas discharge light assembly includes a lamp base (12) having a pair of light-transmitting lenses (14, 16) supported in axially opposed relation to one another. An electrodeless gas discharge light source (28) is mounted between the lenses (14, 16) and comprises a generally flat spiral induction coil (30) sandwiched between a pair of generally flat, planar envelopes (32, 34) in which an ionizable gas (46) is contained. Energizing the coil (30) inductively induces discharge illumination of the gas (46) causing light to be emitted in axially opposite directions through the lenses (14, 16) without obstruction by the coil (30).

Abstract: A light assembly (10) for a vehicle includes a housing (12) having a light-transmissive cover (18) and an RF emission gas discharge light source (22) provided as a self-contained module mountable in the housing (12). The module (22) includes an envelope (24) filled with an RF excitable gas (27) and an RF induction coil (28). The envelope (24) and coil (28) are fixed in working relation to one another in a common base (40). The base (40) also supports an electrical connector (32) that leads to the coil (28) and that mates with a corresponding connector (34) leading from the vehicle power supply (38). The module (22) and housing (12) have mutually connectable mounting portions (48, 50) for mounting the module (22) on the housing (12).

Abstract: An electrodeless gas discharge lamp assembly (10) includes a light-transmitting envelope (12) having an illumination gas (14) sealed therein. An induction coil (24) is disposed about the envelope (12) and is operative when driven to excite the gas (14) to inductive discharge illumination. The coil (24) and envelope (12) are prepared as separate components. The coil (24) has an inner circumference which is initially smaller in dimension than a fixed outer circumference of the envelope (12). The two are assembled by extending the envelope (12) into the coil (24). The envelope (12) expands the inner circumference of the coil (24) to the size of the envelope (12), achieving a constricted, intimate contact of the coil (24) about the envelope (12) and assuring that the flux lines generated by the coil (24) will pass through the envelope (12) and act on the gas (14).