Induction-type Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/248)
  • Patent number: 8847488
    Abstract: A plasma lamp apparatus. The apparatus can have a bulb coupled to at least the first end of a support member that is provided within a housing having an interior and exterior region. The housing can also have a first coupling member disposed within the housing, and a gap can be provided between the first coupling member and the support member. Additionally an rf source can be coupled to the support member. A fill material, which can include at least a first volume of a rare gas, a first amount of a first metal halide, a second amount of a second metal halide, and a third amount of mercury, can be spatially disposed within the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Topanga USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Doughty
  • Patent number: 8836219
    Abstract: A method and system for powering gas-filled lamps using radio and/or microwave frequencies is disclosed. The method and system may include a gas-filled lamp, an antenna positioned proximal to the gas-filled lamp, a conductive element surrounding the gas-filled lamp, and a power source connector coupled to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Elizabeth Marie Mako, Frederick Michael Mako
  • Patent number: 8796934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma source with an oscillator having an active element and a resonator connected to the active element. The resonator has a hollow body, a gas inlet, a gas outlet arranged at a distal end of the hollow body about a longitudinal axis of the hollow body, and a coil arranged along the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, said coil having an effective length of one quarter of a wavelength at a resonant frequency of the resonator. A distal end of the coil is arranged relative to the gas outlet such that a plasma section can form between the distal end of the coil serving as a first plasma electrode and the gas outlet of the hollow body serving as a second plasma electrode. At a proximal end of the hollow body, the coil is lead out of the interior of the hollow body through an electrically contact-free feed-through, and a proximal end of the coil contacts the hollow body at its external side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V.
    Inventors: Silvio Kuehn, Roland Gesche, Horia-Eugen Porteanu
  • Patent number: 8766539
    Abstract: An electrode-less plasma lamp, comprising generally of a bulb containing a gas-fill and light emitter(s) that is excited to produce light using radio-frequency (RF) energy. The present lamp includes compact air resonators/waveguides that use grounded coupling-elements with integrated bulb assemblies to reduce the size of the resonator and improve the performance of the lamp as well as reduce cost and simplify manufacturability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Topanga USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Timothy J. Brockett, Mehran Matloubian, Douglas A. Doughty
  • Patent number: 8749139
    Abstract: A lucent crucible of a Lucent Waveguide Microwave Plasma Light Source (LWMPLS) comprising a Light Emitting Resonator (LER) in form of a crucible (1) of fused quartz which has a central void (2) having microwave excitable material (3) within it. In one example, the void is 4 mm in diameter and has a length (L) of 21 mm. The LWMPLS is operated at a power (P) of 280 W and thus with a plasma loading P/L of 133 w/cm and a wall loading of 106 w/cm2. The lamp is thus operated with a high efficiency—in terms of lumens per watt—while having a reasonable lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew Simon Neate, Barry Preston
  • Patent number: 8749158
    Abstract: Driving a lighting device by a driving circuit for providing driving power for driving a lighting device, and by a decoupling unit for electrically decoupling the driving circuit from a lighting circuit. The driving power is transferred at least partially from the driving circuit to the lighting circuit, and the lighting device is arranged within the lighting circuit such that its anode is at ground potential of the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Georg Sauerlaender, Patrick Van Den Bogaart
  • Publication number: 20140145616
    Abstract: An induction RF fluorescent light bulb comprising a power coupler with a ferromagnetic core and conductive material in contact with the ferromagnetic core to reduce extraneous electromagnetic radiation emanating from the power coupler, where the RF fluorescent light bulb has an external appearance similar to an ordinary A19 incandescent light bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Goscha, Walter Peter Lapatovich, Zeng Zhi Yu, James N. Lester
  • Publication number: 20140145637
    Abstract: A dimmable induction RF fluorescent lamp comprising a burst-mode dimming facility that periodically interrupts the high frequency voltage and current to a power coupler in order to reduce the power being delivered to the power coupler, where the periodic interruptions are synchronized with the operating frequency of the electronic ballast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Goscha, Victor D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8736174
    Abstract: A plasma generation device includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a stripline resonant ring disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and defining a discharge gap; a pair of electrode extensions connected to the stripline resonant ring at the discharge gap; a ground plane disposed on the second surface of the substrate; a gas flow element configured to flow gas between at least one of: (1) the discharge gap, and (2) the pair of electrode extensions; and a structure disposed adjacent the substrate to form an enclosure that substantially encloses at least a region including the discharge gap and the electrode extensions, the enclosure being adapted to contain a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Urdahl, James Edward Cooley, Gregory S. Lee, August Jon Hidalgo, Martin L. Guth
  • Patent number: 8723440
    Abstract: The invention relates to an AC voltage conversion and switching device comprising a main circuit and a switching circuit. The input of the device is connected to the power supply, and the output to the consumer. In the main circuit a controlled transformer (T) is inserted. The essence of the invention lies in that the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is connected in series between the input (8) and the output (10) for decreasing the voltage at the consumer (F) during operation, and the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is bridged by a first controlled switch (12), whereas the primary coil (7) of the transformer (T) is connected in series with a second controlled switch (18), and the serial circuit formed by the primary coil (7) and the second controlled switch (18) is connected parallel with the consumer (F), the switches (12; 18) are in an operational connection with a central control unit (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Gradix Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Kálmán Csikszentimrei
  • Patent number: 8710751
    Abstract: An LED string with a capability to maintain a current path has multiple LED units electrically connected in series. Each of the LED units has a base, a holder, a bridge device, a cover and an LED device. The base has two conductive pads. The holder and the cover are mounted in the base. The bridge device is mounted in the holder. The LED device is mounted in the cover. The bridge device and the LED device are electrically connected in parallel and contact the conductive pads. When the LED device is damaged, the bridge device still contacts the conductive pads. Hence, the bridge device provides a path that allows a current to flow through the conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Polestar Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chucheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8698466
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inductive load detection circuit for detecting the presence of an inductive load on a dimmer circuit. The detection circuit provides for enhanced detection of the inductive load by detecting voltage ringing resulting from a turn-off of a switching element in the circuit. The ringing can be enhanced by providing a faster turn-off rate in an initial period than a turn-off rate in a steady state period. Also disclosed is a dimmer circuit comprising the inductive load detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventor: James Robert Vanderzon
  • Patent number: 8698411
    Abstract: In a discharge lamp lighting apparatus comprising a short arc type discharge lamp and a power supply unit, a relation of the natural frequency fe (Hz) of the electrodes, the ripple frequency fd (Hz) of the alternating current that is supplied to the discharge lamp, and the ripple power Pr (W) of the alternating current, satisfies a formula: Pr ? ? f e - f d ? · ( - 0.13 × Vh Va + 3.0 ) , wherein the volume of the electrode head portion is represented as Vh and the volume of the segment of the electrode axis portion that projects into the arc tube is represented as Va. When the alternating current supplied to the discharge lamp satisfies the formula, it is possible to prevent or control damage in the electrode axis portion, since vibration produced in the electrodes during lighting of the discharge lamp is small even if the discharge lamp is lighted for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kontani, Takashi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8698413
    Abstract: An induction RF fluorescent lamp configuration provides reduced EMI, including a lamp envelope with a re-entrant cavity both covered on the partial vacuum side with phosphor and filled with a working gas mixture, a tubular ferromagnetic core on the non-vacuum side said re-entrant cavity wound directly on the said core with two windings having different numbers of turns, a first active winding having one end connected to an RF ballast and the other end connected to local ground, and a second passive winding having one end grounded and the other end free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lucidity Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Valery A. Godyak, Jakob Maya, James N. Lester
  • Patent number: 8674603
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp includes a bulb containing a gas-fill and light emitter(s) excited to produce light using radio-frequency (RF) energy. Input and output coupling elements separated from each other by a gap couple RF energy from an RF source to the bulb. One end of the input coupling element is electrically connected to an RF source while the other end is connected to ground. One end of the output coupling element is connected to ground while the other end is connected to the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian, Timothy J. Brockett, David Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8674619
    Abstract: A high frequency power supply device includes a high frequency power generation unit configured to output a high frequency power to be supplied to a load and a control unit configured to detect a mean value of the high frequency power to control the high frequency power generation unit. A power change period detection unit detects a period of a level change of the high frequency power that is detected at an output side of the high frequency power generation unit due to a periodic change of a level of a high frequency power that is given to a load from another high frequency power supply device as a power change period TZ. A control period setting unit sets a control period TC to an appropriate value in accordance with the power change period TZ detected by the power change period detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daihen Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Nakamori, Tatsuya Ikenari, Daisuke Maehara, Masao Umehara, Satoru Hamaishi
  • Patent number: 8664860
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a device for heating a cathode of a magnetron, which includes a heater for heating the cathode of the magnetron, a heater current detecting module for detecting a value of heater current that flows into the heater, and a control module for determining the completion of preheating of the magnetron based on a change in the heater current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company, Limited
    Inventor: Dai Takemoto
  • Patent number: 8664858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light fixture comprising an electrodeless plasma source, said electrodeless plasma source comprises a resonator and a light bulb, said light bulb is operating inside a cavity of a TIR where the TIR lens comprises a metal grid covering at least a part of said TIR lens, the metal grid grounding electromagnetic radiation generated by said electrodeless plasma source. In another embodiment, the light fixture comprises blowing means sending an air stream into the cavity. A further embodiment also comprises at least one LED, which ELPS bulb and the LED are controlled by a control system, which control system performs dimmer control of at least the ELPS and the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Dennis Thykjaer Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8624519
    Abstract: The operation of gas discharge devices involves stabilizing drive stage with a highly dynamic load exhibiting both negative resistance and non-linear behavior. Stabilization is typically accomplished by inserting impedance in series with the plasma load so the combination impedance has a voltage division that is characterized by the intersection of the linear series impedance and the instantaneous voltage-current. This is stable as long as there is an ample excess of voltage driving the plasma/series impedance complex. However providing series impedance that insures stable operation over varying power levels, lamp types/chemistries and changes resulting from aging can lead to inefficient operation as a result of either high voltage/power drops in the series impedance or a high source voltage driving smaller impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robertson Transformer Co.
    Inventor: Denny D. Beasley
  • Patent number: 8626083
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tuning system for a communication device having an antenna where the tuning system includes at least one first tunable element connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on a closed loop process, and a matching network having at least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of the antenna for tuning the matching network based on an operational parameter of the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greene, Keith R. Manssen
  • Patent number: 8614543
    Abstract: A lamp comprises a light source in the form of a light emitting resonator 1, a magnetron 2 and a stub tuner 3. A reflector 4 is fitted at the junction of the light source and the stub tuner, for directing the light in a generally collimated beam 5. The light emitting resonator comprises an enclosure 11 formed of inner and outer envelopes 12,13 of quartz. These are circular cylindrical tubes 14,15, with respective end plates 16,17. A tungsten wire mesh 18, of a mesh size to exhibit a ground plane to microwaves within the resonator, is sandwiched between the tubes and the end plates respectively. Each envelope, comprised of its tube and end plates is hermetic. An earth connection 18? extends from the mesh to the outside of the envelope. The length axially of the enclosure between the wire mesh sandwiched between the end plates is ?/2 for the operating microwave frequency. At one end of the enclosure, a molybdenum drive connection 19 extends to a tungsten disc 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8525430
    Abstract: A plasma lamp apparatus includes a post structure with a material overlying a surface region of the post structure, which has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also has a helical coil structure configured along the post structure. The apparatus includes a bulb with a fill material capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation. A resonator coupling element configured to feed radio frequency energy to at least the helical coil causes the bulb device to emit electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Brockett, David P. Schmelzer, Mehran Matloubian, Frederick M. Espiau
  • Patent number: 8508131
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system is disclosed. A rectangular wave guide is bent substantially at a right angle, and a magnetron and a resonator are disposed at one side based on a wave guide space of the wave guide, thus reducing the space between the magnetron and the resonator and removing an unnecessary space within a casing to reduce the size of the electrodeless lighting system. Accordingly, the amount of space required for installation of the electrodeless lighting system can be reduced and the installation process can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeongwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8502482
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved compact induction lamp, which includes a lamp bulb coated with a phosphor layer on its inner wall and contains inert gas and mercury vapor. The lamp bulb is connected to a housing and mounted to a lamp base. The housing may include a control circuit. A magnetic ring located within a ring cover surrounded the lamp bulb and enclosed one cross section of the lamp bulb. A wire coil wrapped around the magnetic ring is connected with the control circuit and to the lamp base, which generates an electromagnetic field to lighten the lamp. A double wall exhaust tube containing mercury amalgam is disposed of in the housing at the lamp base to provide mercury vapor to the inner space of the lamp bulb. The double wall exhaust tube provides a mean to prevent the amalgam from penetrating into the lamp bulb and allows the lamp to be mounted in any direction the lamp may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 8487543
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp and a method of generating light are described. The lamp may comprise a lamp body including a dielectric material. The bulb is positioned proximate the lamp body and contains a fill that forms a plasma when radio frequency (RF) power is coupled to the fill. The conductive element is located within the lamp body and configured to enhance coupling of the RF power to the fill. The lamp may include a feed coupled to the RF power source and configured to radiate power into the lamp body. The at least one conductive element is configured to enhance the coupling of radiated power from the feed to the fill. In an example, two spaced apart conductive elements may be located within the lamp body. The bulb may be an elongated bulb having opposed ends, each opposed end of the bulb being proximate a corresponding conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Abdeslam Hafidi, Sandeep Mudunuri
  • Patent number: 8487544
    Abstract: A lamp assembly adapted to operate as one of a total number of lamp assemblies that are connected together in series and connected to a ballast. The lamp assembly comprises an electrodeless, closed-loop, tubular lamp envelope enclosing mercury vapor and a buffer gas, and a transformer core disposed around a portion of the lamp envelope. An input winding is disposed on the transformer core so that it has a particular number of turns, Ninput. An auxiliary winding is disposed on the transformer core so that it has a particular number of turns, Nauxiliary. The auxiliary winding is adapted to connect to the ballast and to couple with the input winding. The ratio of the particular number of turns Ninput to the particular number of turns Nauxiliary is substantially proportional to the total number of lamp assemblies that are adapted to operate in series together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Valery Godyak, Benjamin Alexandrovich, Robert Martin
  • Patent number: 8482203
    Abstract: A starter for electrodeless discharge lamp comprises a printed circuit sheet, at least one printed circuit trace, and at least one electrode. The printed circuit trace and the electrode are provided on the printed circuit sheet and are electrically connected to each other. The printed circuit sheet is arranged on a magnetic core of an electrodeless discharge lamp, such that the printed circuit trace surrounds the magnetic core and the electrode is located close to a discharge gas inside the electrodeless discharge lamp. The starter has simple structure and is easy to mount, and allows a ballast to start the electrodeless discharge lamp at a low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Chang-Shien Lin
  • Patent number: 8466609
    Abstract: An electrodeless or induction ceramic HID lamp includes a ceramic arc body having a generally spheroidal portion enclosing a discharge chamber and an induction coil received around a perimeter portion of the spheroidal portion. At least one leg extends from the spheroidal portion of the arc body. A mounting structure connects the arc body to the surrounding lamp assembly. In one arrangement, a mounting tube is received over at least a portion of the leg, and may further include a light transmissive shroud that also abuts with the induction coil to precisely locate the arc body relative to the coil. In another arrangement, first and second mounting members extend from spaced locations of the arc body, either as pins or legs extending from the spheroidal portion, or radially extending legs from an equatorial portion of the arc body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Ian Rintamaki, Andrew Lawrence Podevels, Jianwu Li, Paul M. Kuester, Viktor Karoly Varga, Glenn Howard Kuenzler
  • Patent number: 8461761
    Abstract: A lucent plasma crucible having a closed body for enclosing a fill material filled in a void formed within the closed body and enclosed by the closed body, the fill material being excitable by microwave energy to generate a light-emitting plasma. The crucible is dimensioned to have low order TE or TM microwave mode properties. The orders of the modes are 0, 1 or 2. Crucibles may be regular or irregular in shape. For circular cylindrical crucibles having diameter (d) in cm, length (l) in cm, and operating frequency (f) in MHZ, (d/l)2 is between 0 and 100, and (d×f)2 is between 0 and 2×109. Also 0<(d/l)2<20 and 0<(d×f)2<1.5×109 may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8461751
    Abstract: A light source to be powered by microwave energy, the source having: a body having a sealed void therein, a microwave-enclosing Faraday cage surrounding the body, a fill in the void of material excitable by microwave energy to form a light emitting plasma therein, and an antenna arranged within the body for transmitting plasma-inducing, microwave energy to the fill, the antenna having: a connection extending outside the body for coupling to a source of microwave energy; wherein the body is a solid plasma crucible of material which is lucent for exit of light therefrom, the plasma crucible is contoured with a contoured surface to reflect light internally within the lucent crucible material to exit in a particular direction, the Faraday cage is at least partially light transmitting for light exit from the plasma crucible in the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Simon Neate
  • Patent number: 8436546
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp and method of generating light are described. The lamp may comprise a lamp body, a source of radio frequency (RF) power and a bulb. The lamp body may comprise a solid dielectric material and at least one conductive element within the solid dielectric material. The source of RF power is configured to provide RF power and an RF feed configured to radiate the RF power from the RF source into the lamp body. The bulb is positioned proximate the lamp body and contains a fill that forms a plasma when the RF power is coupled to the fill from the lamp body. The at least one conductive element is configured to concentrate an electric field proximate the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Abdeslam Hafidi, Richard Gilliard, Dan O'Hare
  • Patent number: 8427067
    Abstract: Described is an electrode-less plasma lamp comprising a gas-fill vessel, a gas-fill contained within the gas-fill vessel, an RF electromagnetic radiation source, an RF electromagnetic resonator, an output probe that couples RF energy from the RF electromagnetic resonator to the gas-fill vessel, an input probe that couples RF energy from the RF electromagnetic radiation source to the resonator, and a grounding strap that holds a metal veneer surrounding the resonator and a portion of the gas-fill vessel at RF ground. Also described are many variations of the electrode-less plasma lamp; non-limiting examples of which include embodiments that employ other probes in a Dielectric Resonant Oscillator to drive the lamp, and many methods of improving light-harvesting, including raising the gas-fill vessel away from the resonator via a coaxial type transmission line, and collecting light with an optical reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Matthew Espiau, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 8421325
    Abstract: An RF electrodeless plasma lamp with improved efficiency in higher lumens per watt includes a waveguide body, in which an RF signal drives the entire structure at the resonant frequency of the structure. The resonant frequency of the structure is lowered by increasing the overall capacitance of the waveguide body by adding at least two layers of dielectric material between the input feed and the bulb of the lamp. The layered structure can include an air cavity disposed between a dielectric layer and the input feed. In lowering the resonant frequency of the lamp, the device is capable of using RF amplifiers that have higher efficiency, and thus has a higher lumens per watt ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Matloubian, Frederick M. Espiau
  • Patent number: 8410700
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting system and its control method are disclosed. When the electrodeless lighting system starts, a larger amount of filament current of a magnetron is applied to stably drive the magnetron, and when the electrodeless lighting system operates normally, a smaller amount of filament current is applied, thus avoiding interference with a wireless LAN, lengthening a life span of the magnetron, reducing noise, and improving an operational efficiency of the electrodeless lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Heo, Kyusuk Hwang, Sungkyeom Kim, Jeongwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8405046
    Abstract: The output wavelengths of an electrodeless lamp are controlled by passing a fluid over the surface of the lamp to control its temperature. The stabilized temperature prevents thermal runaway of the lamp and stabilizes the output wavelengths of the lamp. When the fluid passing over the lamp is water, the lamp can be used for sanitary treatment of the water. Lamp radiation can be enhanced by shaping the electrodeless lamp to provide maximally effective photonic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: David Richard NeCamp
  • Patent number: 8384300
    Abstract: An RF electrode-less plasma lighting device has a base member, which includes an outer region capable of being coupled to first AC potential and an inner region capable of being coupled to a second AC potential. In a preferred embodiment, the device has an RF module mechanically and integrally coupled to the base member. The RF module has an RF source, which has an output. The RF module has a first DC input and a second DC input. The first DC input of the RF module is coupled to a first DC potential and the second DC input of the RF module is coupled to a second DC potential. In a specific embodiment, the present device has an RF electrodeless plasma lighting assembly integrally coupled to the base member. The RF plasma lighting assembly has an RF input, which is coupled to the output of the RF source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Matloubian, Frederick M. Espiau
  • Patent number: 8378582
    Abstract: A plasma lighting system is disclosed. Interference with an electronic device using the same band as that of the plasma lighting system can be avoided by changing the shape of vanes constituting a magnetron, and a filament current of the magnetron at an initial starting stage and that in a normal state are adjusted to be different, thus avoiding interference with a wireless LAN and attenuating noise, and a resonator has a mash form to increase efficiency. Because a rectangular waveguide is bent substantially at a right angle, and the magnetron and the resonator are disposed at one side on the basis of a waveguide space of the waveguide, thus reducing the size and an installation space of the plasma lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeongwon Kim, Jonggil Jun, Seok Heo, Yongkwang Kim, Gyusuk Hwang, Jungsu Park, Changsin Park, Hyeonsoo Jung, Jingon Chang, Hoon Kim, Youngchul Chae, Ilgyu Kang, Kyunghoon Park, Sungkyeom Kim
  • Patent number: 8373352
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp array structure uses multiple plasma lamps to produce large amounts of electromagnetic radiation (visible, IR, UV, or a combination of visible, IR, and UV). An M by N array configuration is powered by either a single RF power source or multiple RF power sources. The array incorporates controllers to adjust the power delivered from the RF power source to each lamp within the array. By adjusting the delivered RF power, the intensity of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from each lamp is controlled independently allowing for the creation of an array of lamps that emit electromagnetic radiation of varying intensity levels at different places within the array. Using lamps with different color temperatures as part of the array allows the color temperature and the color rendering index of the illumination to achieve different lighting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Doughty, Mehran Matloubian, Frederick M. Espiau
  • Publication number: 20130009563
    Abstract: A field emission lighting arrangement of at least one embodiment includes a field emission light source including an anode and a cathode and having an inherent predetermined capacitance; an inductor having a predetermined inductance and connected to at least one of the anode and the cathode of the field emission light source; and a power supply connected to the field emission light source and the inductor and configured to provide a drive signal for powering the field emission light source, the drive signal including a first frequency component having a first frequency selected to be within a frequency range, based on the predetermined capacitance and the predetermined inductance, corresponding to the half power width at resonance of the field emission lighting arrangement. At least one embodiment results in lower power consumption as well as an increase in light output of the field emission lighting arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Qiu-Hong Hu
  • Patent number: 8350480
    Abstract: A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a shaped dielectric waveguide body. The shaped body may have a relatively thin region containing a bulb, and a second region thicker than the first region. Microwave probes may be positioned in the second region to provide power to the waveguide body. The body may be shaped to intensify the electric field in the first region adjacent to the bulb to allow operation at a lower frequency than a solid cylindrical or rectangular waveguide body having the same volume and dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Yian Chang, Frederick M. Espiau, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8344624
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp apparatus includes a waveguide body having at least a first material and a second material. At least one of the materials has a dielectric constant of less than two. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus also includes an RF power source coupled to the waveguide body to provide RF power to the waveguide body at least one frequency that resonates within the waveguide body. A bulb containing a fill which forms a plasma to cause emission of light when the RF power is provided to the waveguide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 8344625
    Abstract: A plasma lamp apparatus that includes an improved bulb support assembly to increase the lumens per watt output of the apparatus. The bulb support assembly includes a support structure that forms a cavity for receiving the bulb. The bulb is supported within the cavity though a protrusion that extends out from the support structure in a curved manner. By created a curved protrusion, the electric field within the resonating structure of the lamp apparatus is lowered. Lowering the electric field leads to lower resonating frequencies of the resonating structure. In lowering the resonating frequency, the resonating structure is driven to resonate at lower power levels, thereby increasing the lumens per watt output of the lamp apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 8304994
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp and a method of generating light are provided. The plasma lamp may comprise a power source to provide radio frequency (RF) power and a lamp body to receive the RF power. The lamp body may include a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2. A bulb is provided that contains a fill that forms a light emitting plasma when the RF power is coupled to the fill. Collection optics is provided to direct the light along an optical path to an aperture, wherein the optical path includes at least one reflective surface and at least two refractive surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventor: Markus Duelli
  • Publication number: 20120274229
    Abstract: A multi-strike ballast to ignite an electrodless lamp is disclosed, and includes an inverter circuit, an output voltage detection circuit (OVDC), and an inverter shutdown circuit. The inverter circuit, upon activation, sends an ignition pulse to the electrodeless lamp. The inverter circuit shut downs upon receiving a deactivation signal, and activates upon receiving an activation signal, triggering another ignition pulse. The OVDC detects an output voltage across the lamp. The inverter shutdown circuit includes a multi-strike diac and receives the detected output voltage. The multi-strike diac breaks upon the output voltage reaching a predetermined level. In response, a deactivation signal is sent to the inverter circuit. The multi-strike diac turns off upon the output voltage falling below the predetermined level. In response, an activation signal is sent to the inverter circuit, triggering a further ignition pulse. The process repeats, providing multiple ignition pulses to the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Nitin Kumar, Shashank Bakre, Ayan Choudhury
  • Patent number: 8299710
    Abstract: A lamp and methods of forming are shown. In one example, a dielectric layer is formed over a gap between conductors in a plasma lamp. Electric arcing is reduced or eliminated, thus allowing tighter gaps and/or higher voltages. In one example a glass frit method is used to apply the dielectric layer. A lamp is shown with a barrier layer that prevents tarnish such as tarnish from sulfur exposure. The barrier layer reduces or prevents degradation of the lamp due to conversion of a conductor material to non-conductive tarnish material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Abdeslam Hafidi, Sandeep Mudunuri
  • Patent number: 8292483
    Abstract: An optical waveguide system with an electrodeless plasma lamp as the electromagnetic radiation source. The system includes an optic source coupling element that receives the electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from at least one electrodeless plasma lamp. The optic source coupling element is coupled to at least one optical waveguide element. The optical waveguide element includes at least one fiber optic cable that is capable of transmitting the emitted electromagnetic radiation. The fiber optic cable can be positioned such that the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted at a desired position away from the electrodeless plasma lamp source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian
  • Patent number: 8294368
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp includes a bulb containing a gas-fill and light emitter(s) excited to produce light using radio-frequency (RF) energy. Input and output coupling elements separated from each other by a gap couple RF energy from an RF source to the bulb. One end of the input coupling element is electrically connected to an RF source while the other end is connected to ground. One end of the output coupling element is connected to ground while the other end is connected to the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Mehran Matloubian, Timothy J. Brockett, David Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8294382
    Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, an electrodeless plasma lamp includes a bulb configured to be coupled to a source of radio frequency (RF) power. The bulb contains a fill that forms a plasma when the RF power is coupled to the fill. An electrically-conductive convex shield is positioned proximate to the bulb with a convex surface of the shield being distal to the bulb. A resonant structure having a quarter wave resonant mode includes a lamp body having a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2 with an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The source of RF power is configured to provide RF power to the lamp body at about a resonant frequency for the resonant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Dan O'Hare
  • Patent number: 8283866
    Abstract: An electrode-less plasma lamps comprises generally of a bulb containing a gas-fill that is excited to produce light using radio-frequency (RF) energy. In specific embodiments, the use of grounded coupling-elements with integrated bulb assemblies simplifies manufacturability, improves resonant frequency control, and enables the use of solid, partially filled, and hollow lamp bodies. In some embodiments, a method of operating an electrodeless plasma lamp device includes transferring RF energy from the RF source to an input coupling-element and illuminating electromagnetic energy substantially from the length of a gas-filled vessel from discharge of the gas-filled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Timothy J. Brockett, Mehran Matloubian
  • Publication number: 20120249010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods to control an electrodeless plasma light source. In various embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes an electrodeless plasma lamp with a lamp driver circuit. The lamp driver circuit may include a voltage-controlled oscillator to provide radio frequency power to the electrodeless plasma lamp. A radio frequency power detector is coupled to an output of the voltage-controlled oscillator to detect a level of reflected power from the electrodeless plasma lamp. A microprocessor is configured to receive signals from the radio frequency power detector and control a frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator to minimize the reflected power from the electrodeless plasma lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg Hollingsworth, David Wetle, Sandeep Mudunuri, Gary Adishian