Induction-type Discharge Device Load Patents (Class 315/248)
  • Publication number: 20110037404
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp and a method of generating light are described. The lamp may comprise a lamp body including a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2. A lamp drive circuit is coupled to the lamp body and configured to provide radio frequency (RF) power to the lamp body. A bulb containing a fill is positioned proximate the lamp body. The fill forms a plasma when the RF power is coupled to the fill from the lamp body. A lamp drive circuit including modulation control circuit is provided to control modulation of a frequency of the RF power across a frequency band. The circuit may be configured to provide RF power across a frequency band around a resonant frequency for the lamp body to reduce peak amplitude and electro-magnetic interference while maintaining average power to the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Gregg Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 7888874
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an electrodeless plasma lamp is provided which comprises a lamp body comprising a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2, and a bulb adjacent to the lamp body, the bulb containing a fill that forms a plasma when RF power is coupled to the fill from the lamp body. An RF feed is coupled to the lamp body and a radio frequency (RF) power source for coupling power into the lamp body through the RF feed is provided. A shortest distance between an end of the bulb and a point on the RF feed traverses at least one electrically conductive material of the lamp body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Marc DeVincentis, Yian Chang, Frederick M. Espiau, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20110025221
    Abstract: Device generating high-luminance and highly-efficient ultraviolet rays by applying polyphase alternating current discharge plasma in a multi-poled magnetic field to a light source for generating ultraviolet rays and using a usual molecular gas other than mercury and rare gases. The inside of a flat container 3 is evacuated, and 1 Torr or less of a molecular gas for use in discharge light emission fills therein or is flowed thereinto. Next, a phase-controlled twelve-output alternating current power supply of 1 kW or lower is connected to twelve divisional electrodes 1 for supply of discharge electric energy. Thus, plasma P occurs with stable alternating-current glow discharge along the surface of the divisional electrodes 1 covered with a barrier layer 2. As a result of discharge, light with a wavelength unique to the molecular gas that contains ultraviolet rays is emitted and extracted outside from a light extraction window 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: TOYAMA PREFECTURE
    Inventors: Kazunori Matsumoto, Yuki Taira
  • Patent number: 7880402
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp is described comprising a lamp body including a solid dielectric material. The lamp includes a bulb received at least partially within an opening in the solid dielectric material and a radio frequency (RF) feed configured to provide power to the solid dielectric material. A conductive material is provided adjacent to the bulb to concentrate the power proximate the bulb. The conductive material may be located below an upper surface of the solid dielectric material. The conductive material may modify at least a portion of an electric field proximate the bulb so that the portion of the electric field is oriented substantially parallel to an upper surface of the lamp body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Richard Gilliard
  • Patent number: 7868529
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic light, having a magnetic energy generator, and a light body having at least a through slot for penetrating the energy generator, the magnetic energy generator includes a pair of detachable magnetic members jointed together with a face to face manner for defining a magnetic air gap between two magnetic members, as a result, the magnetic field center could be accurately positioned, wherein one of the magnetic members is adapted to penetrate the through slot to be coupled with the remaining magnetic member. In short, such magnetic light has a simpler structure, and solid cost saving, and more importantly prone to be manufactured with an industrial scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jin Li
  • Patent number: 7863988
    Abstract: A microwave signal generator includes a magnetron to generate a microwave signal, a coupler to receive the microwave signal generated by the magnetron and to send the microwave signal to a load; and a band-pass filter to receive the microwave signal from the coupler and to filter the microwave signal to obtain a signal from an oscillation frequency band of the magnetron. The band-pass filter feeds the signal from the oscillation frequency band back to the magnetron in order to fix an oscillation frequency of the magnetron and is a DR (Dielectric Resonator) filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Won Baek, Chae Hyun Baek, Yong Soo Lee, Jin Joo Choi
  • Patent number: 7863834
    Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp assembly and corresponding methods is operable to generate ultraviolet light for irradiating a substrate. The lamp assembly includes a magnetron, an electrodeless lamp for emitting ultraviolet light when excited by microwave radiation generated from the magnetron, and a power control circuit arrangement configured to control an output power of the microwave radiation generated by the magnetron corresponding to the intensity of ultraviolet light produced by the lamp. A first control loop of the power control circuit is configured to regulate an input current to the magnetron based upon an input current setting associated with a desired intensity of UV light output of the lamp and a second control loop coupled to the first control loop configured to adjust the input current setting used by the first control loop to regulate the input current to the magnetron based upon an input power to the magnetron, which is proportional to the intensity of UV light output from the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Bretmersky, James W. Schmitkons
  • Patent number: 7863547
    Abstract: Microwave apparatus for exposing materials on an elongated member, such as a mandrel, to microwave energy. The apparatus includes a cylindrical microwave exposure chamber (10). Elongated slots (20) spaced about the circumference of the chamber (10) are in communication with openings (50) in the walls of waveguides (28) attached to the exterior (19) of the chamber. Microwave energy fed into the waveguide (28) is coupled into the chamber (10) through the associated openings (50) and slots (20). Bars (54) spaced apart in the direction of wave propagation span the opening (50) in the waveguide for uniform or customized delivery of microwave energy into the chamber (10). A low-profile mode stirrer (38) at the rear end of the chamber further evens out the energy distribution. A front plate (62) seals to the chamber and supports a rotatable mandrel (60) on which material to be exposed to microwave energy in the chamber (10) is wrapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Esther Drozd, J. Michael Drozd
  • Patent number: 7855511
    Abstract: A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a waveguide body with an effective dielectric constant of at least 2. A drive probe is coupled to the waveguide body to provide the primary power for ignition and steady state operation of the lamp. A phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the power provided to the drive probe between ignition and steady state operation. The phase shifter may also be used to adjust brightness during steady state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Yian Chang, Frederick M. Espiau, legal representative, Marc DeVincentis
  • Publication number: 20100295453
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp having a bulb containing a fill that forms a light-emitting plasma is described. The lamp includes a power amplifier to provide radio frequency power to the fill at a frequency in the range of about 50 MHz to 10 GHz and the power amplifier is configured to operate in at least two classes of operation. Control electronics of the lamp is configured to change the class of operation of the power amplifier during operation of the plasma lamp. For example, the power amplifier may be configured to operate as a class A/B amplifier during at least a first mode of operation and a class C amplifier during at least a second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Paul Ralston, Gregg Hollingsworth, Jae Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20100295463
    Abstract: A magnetic energy lamp, the fluorescent of which is excited by the electromagnetic induction generated by a built-in magnetic energy generator for lighting, comprises a lamp body (101) in which at least one through or internal hole (104) is arranged, at least one magnetic energy generator (106) is disposed in the through or internal hole (104), and the magnetic energy generator (106) is coupled with a lamp driving pulse transformer or an inverting or alternating circuit comprising of a half-bridge or a full-bridge driving IC to generate electromagnetic coupling or electromagnetic induction. The vacuum cavity of the lamp, enclosed by the lamp body (101) and the through hole (104) at their two ends, is filled with the inert gas and coated with the rare earth phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Jin Li
  • Publication number: 20100283399
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power supply for an electrodeless lamp includes a pair of DC rails, an RF inverter having power input terminals connected between the rails, a first inductor arranged to inductively couple with an electrodeless lamp, first and second resonance capacitors that each connects a respective one of two input terminals of the first inductor to a same first rail of the pair of DC rails, and a second (ballasting) inductor connecting an output of the RF inverter to one of the two input terminals of the first inductor. Thus, the first inductor is connected in a symmetrical ?-filter and supplied by two equal but phase-opposite voltages whose sum is the lamp voltage. The inductance of the ballasting inductor is significantly reduced so that the RF efficiency of the power supply is 96%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Valery Godyak, Eugen Statnic, Felix Franck
  • Patent number: 7830092
    Abstract: An electrode-less plasma lamps, comprising 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Timothy J. Brockett, Mehran Matloubian
  • Publication number: 20100270940
    Abstract: A lamp includes a light emitter enclosing a material emitting light upon receiving irradiation of microwave, and a coil formed on an outer side of the light emitter. In the lamp, a position of the coil with respect to the light emitter is changed in response to a temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Takada, Makoto Inoguchi
  • Publication number: 20100253231
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an electrodeless plasma lamp as described. A drive probe is coupled to the lamp body to provide the primary power for ignition and steady state operation of the lamp. Feedback is used to adjust frequency in response to changing conditions of the lamp during startup. A phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the power between ignition and steady state operation. A sensor may detect a lamp operating condition that automatically triggers a shift in phase after the fill in the bulb is vaporized. The phase shift may then continue to be adjusted as the plasma heats up and the impedance continues to change. The bias conditions of an amplifier may be changed to change the operating class of the amplifier for different modes of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Paul Ralston, Gregg Hollingsworth, Jae Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20100253237
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp (EHID), including: a bulb containing a fill mixture for generating a light emission when excited by microwave energy; and at least two applicator arms for coupling the microwave energy to the fill mixture, the at least two applicator arms being separated by at least one delay line, the at least one delay line introducing a delay of ?/4, wherein ? is the wavelength of the microwave energy, wherein each of the at least two applicator aims are coupled to each other via an open loop structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Michael Meisser, Rainer Kling, Klaus Stockwald
  • Publication number: 20100244722
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrodeless high intensity discharge lamp is provided, which may include a bulb containing a fill mixture for generating a light emission when excited by microwave energy; and at least two applicator arms for coupling the microwave energy to the fill mixture, the at least two applicator arms being separated by at least one delay line, the at least one delay line comprising a stripline structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Rainer Kling, Michael Meisser, Klaus Stockwald
  • Patent number: 7800288
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic light, having a magnetic energy generator for supporting a light body penetrated through therein, the magnetic energy generator includes a pair of detachable members jointed together with a face to face manner, wherein each of the magnetic members has at least an indented groove define onto a facing side at an aligned position for supporting the light body, such that when such two magnetic members approach with each other, the correspondingly mated indented grooves will combine to clamp the light body therebetween and to from a magnetic air gap between two magnetic members for communicating seperated the indented grooves,accordingly, an insulated bakelite frame provided onto the magnetic air gap for winding up an electromagnetic wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jin Li
  • Patent number: 7791280
    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: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Yian Chang, Frederick M. Espiau, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7772783
    Abstract: A dimmable electronic ballast for an electrodeless discharge lamp comprises an inverter circuit, a resonance circuit, an induction coil and a start circuit. The start circuit has a variable time constant. The start circuit sweeps a drive frequency of the inverter circuit through a time constant for start or restart so that the voltage applied across the coil is raised from voltage lower than start voltage and restart voltage for starting and restarting the lamp to voltage higher than the start voltage and the restart voltage. The time constant for start during a start period for starting the lamp is larger than the time constant for restart during a restart period for restarting the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Makimura, Hiroshi Kido
  • Patent number: 7772753
    Abstract: In an electrodeless lamp, at least one core assembly is coupled to a tubular lamp envelope. The core assembly includes a lamp envelope protector disposed over an outer surface of the lamp envelope, and a core member surrounding the lamp envelope at a core mounting location such that lamp envelope protector is disposed between the core member and the lamp envelope. The core assembly further includes a coil bobbin coupled to the core member, and a coil wounded around the coil bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: U.S. Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Il Ham
  • Publication number: 20100171436
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Dan O'Hare
  • Publication number: 20100156310
    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 bulb containing a fill that forms a plasma when the RF power is coupled to the fill. The plasma lamp further comprises a resonant structure having a quarter wave resonant mode. The resonant structure includes a lamp body comprising a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2, an inner conductor, and an outer conductor. The power source is configured to provide the RF power to the lamp body at about a resonant frequency for the resonant structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg Hollingsworth, Marc DeVincentis, Sandeep Mudunuri
  • Publication number: 20100148669
    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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Abdeslam Hafidi, Sandeep Mudunuri
  • Patent number: 7737613
    Abstract: An electrodeless lamp assembly includes a tubular lamp envelope, at least one core having a closed-loop body disposed so as to surround a core mounting portion of the tubular lamp envelope. The core includes an indented coil winding section formed by an indentation formed in an inner side section of the closed-loop body adjacent to a centrally located opening. The electrodeless lamp assembly further includes an induction coil wound around the indented coil winding section of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: U.S. Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Il Ham
  • Publication number: 20100134008
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: FREDERICK M. ESPIAU, Timothy J. Brockett, Mehran Matloubian, Douglas A. Doughty
  • Publication number: 20100123409
    Abstract: A light-emitting device utilizing gaseous sulfur compounds is provided. This device includes a first substrate with an energy transmission coil disposed thereover, a dielectric barrier layer embedding underneath the energy transmission coil, a sealant wall circling around the dielectric barrier layer, a second substrate disposed against the first substrate and supported by the sealant wall, and a high-frequency oscillating power supply connected to the energy transmission coil. Normally the second substrate is a transparent substrate. Between the first and second substrates thereby defines an inner chamber, wherein a gaseous reactant comprising an inert gas and a sulfur-containing gas is filled. While powering up, the energy transmission coil induces an electromagnetic field within the inner chamber between the two substrates as causing decomposing/regenerating process cycles of sulfur molecules to lighting up the light-emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hung-Yuan Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100123396
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp comprising a lamp housing and a lamp body releasably received with the lamp housing. The lamp housing includes a first electrical connector operatively coupled a power source to provide radio frequency (RF) power. The lamp body includes a second electrical connector to releasably engage with the first electrical connector of the lamp housing. The lamp body includes a dielectric material having a relative permittivity greater than 2. RF power is coupled by the lamp body to a bulb containing a fill that forms a light emitting plasma. In an example embodiment, the plasma lamp includes a retaining arrangement releasably to retain the lamp body at least partially within the lamp housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Anthony D. McGettigan, Abdeslam Hafidi, Gregg Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20100123408
    Abstract: A light-emitting device having an excited sulfur medium by inductively-coupled electrons is provided. This device includes a substrate, an energy transmission coil disposed over the substrate, a transparent discharge cavity disposed over the energy transmission coil, having a substantially planar top and bottom surface, and a high-frequency oscillating power supply coupled to the energy transmission coil. While power up, the energy transmission coil induces an electromagnetic field within the transparent discharge cavity of the light-emitting device. In one embodiment, the transparent discharge cavity includes a sulfur-containing medium disposed within the transparent discharge cavity, and a buffer gas or a plurality of buffer gasses filling inner space of the transparent discharge cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hung-Yuan Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100123407
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventor: Markus Duelli
  • Patent number: 7719195
    Abstract: An electrodeless plasma lamp is described comprising a lamp body including a solid dielectric material. The lamp includes a bulb received at least partially within an opening in the solid dielectric material and a radio frequency (RF) feed configured to provide power to the solid dielectric material. A conductive material is provided adjacent to the bulb to concentrate the power proximate the bulb. The conductive material may be located below an upper surface of the solid dielectric material. The conductive material may modify at least a portion of an electric field proximate the bulb so that the portion of the electric field is oriented substantially parallel to an upper surface of the lamp body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Richard Gilliard
  • Publication number: 20100109504
    Abstract: Life of a starting conductor or coil in an induction lamp is significantly improved with the present disclosure. A mechanical support supports the starting coil adjacent the arc body of the lamp and has features that allow the starting coil to mount thereon. The mechanical support may be made of a high temperature material such as glass, quartz, or ceramic so that light from the lamp is not blocked. In another embodiment, the starting conductor is protected from oxidation by fully encasing the starting conductor within the high temperature material. In still another embodiment, a thin coating of a high temperature material that may or may not be light transmissive could be used as an alternative manner of support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Jianwu Li, Andrew Lawrence Podevels, Paul M. Kuester
  • Publication number: 20100109503
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Joshua Ian Rintamaki, Andrew Lawrence Podevels, Jianwu Li, Paul M. Kuester, Viktor Karoly Varga, Glenn Howard Kuenzler
  • Patent number: 7701143
    Abstract: A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a compact dielectric waveguide body. Example embodiments may use a shaped body to allow operation at a lower frequency (or at the same frequency with a body of smaller volume) than a solid cylindrical or rectangular waveguide body having the same dielectric constant. The diagonal or diameter of a cross section used for a particular frequency or range of frequencies may be reduced by shaping the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventor: Marc DeVincentis
  • Publication number: 20100079079
    Abstract: An induction lamp includes a bulb enclosing an induction coil and having a threaded base. The threaded base is electrically connected to the induction coil without an electrically intermediate frequency generator disposed between the threaded base and the induction coil. An induction lamp fixture includes a female threaded electrical bulb socket and a frequency generator convertor unit 50-60 Hz A/C electricity to a sufficient frequency to illuminate an induction bulb. A method for retrofitting a light fixture includes connecting an output of a frequency generator having an input receiving 50-60 Hz A/C electricity, to a female threaded electrical bulb socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Hockman
  • Publication number: 20100039041
    Abstract: The electrodeless discharge lamp of the present invention comprises: a bulb 1 provided with a substantially-spherical spherical portion 1a and a neck portion 1b extending from the spherical portion; a base 15 connected to the neck portion; a protrusion 4 formed at an apex of the spherical portion; and an induction coil 11a that causes light emission by discharge developed in the bulb. When defining the relations B=W/(4×p×(D/20)2), S=p×(d/20)2, L=p×(d/10), X=(B×S)/(L×A), where W (W) denotes the lamp input power, D (mm) denotes the diameter of the spherical portion, d (mm) denotes the diameter of a portion at a joint surface between the neck portion and the base, and A (mm) denotes the distance from a largest-diameter portion of the spherical portion to the joint surface, then the electrodeless discharge lamp satisfies the formula below: t?6=10959×X+25=t+6 ??(Formula) where t is the temperature (° C.) at the tip of the protrusion 4 during downward stable lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsuzuki, Kazuhiko Sakai, Kohji Hiramatsu, Atsunori Okada
  • Publication number: 20100026200
    Abstract: In an electrodeless discharge lamp (1) which is lit with PWM light control, a discharge gas including krypton is filled in a bulb (10), so that restriking voltage can be decreased and thus, and oscillation of the ferrite core (22) which is inserted inside of a cavity (5) of the bulb (10) can be decreased, and thus, occurrence of undesired sound can be restrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sakai, Yoshinori Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20090322240
    Abstract: An electrode-less plasma lamps, comprising 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Topanga Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Timothy J. Brockett, Mehran Matloubian
  • Publication number: 20090322239
    Abstract: An induction lamp lighting device includes an induction coil arranged adjacent to an induction lamp; a direct current power supply circuit for outputting a direct current voltage; a high-frequency power supply circuit for converting the direct current voltage to an alternating current voltage and supplying the alternating current voltage to the induction coil; and a control circuit for controlling the direct current power supply circuit and the high-frequency power supply circuit. The control circuit performs a startup preparation operation by which to control the high-frequency power supply circuit so that, immediately after the alternating current voltage begins to be outputted from the high-frequency power supply circuit to the induction coil, the alternating current voltage is gradually increased to such a voltage value as not to generate arc discharge in the induction lamp and then kept at the voltage value for a specified time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nakajo, Hiroshi Kido, Shinji Makimura
  • Patent number: 7638951
    Abstract: A plasma lamp with a positive-loop feedback topology, having a resonating waveguide body and at least one amplifier critically coupled to the body which is stable under all operating conditions both before a plasma is formed and after the plasma reaches steady state. An iterative method for configuring the lamp circuit includes determining the load trajectory of each amplifier under all operating conditions, and overlaying it on a polar-plot showing regions of stability, conditional stability, and instability. If the load trajectory passes through an unstable region, circuit alterations are made to avoid that region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Frederick M. Espiau, Yian Chang
  • Publication number: 20090284166
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Marc DeVincentis, Abdeslam Hafidi, Gregg Hollingsworth, Richard Gilliard
  • Publication number: 20090179577
    Abstract: A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William R. Duffy, III, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20090167201
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a drive probe is coupled to the lamp body to provide the primary power for ignition and steady state operation of the lamp. Feedback may be used to adjust frequency in response to changing conditions of the lamp during startup. A phase shifter may be used to adjust the phase of the power between ignition and steady state operation. A sensor may detect a lamp operating condition that automatically triggers a shift in phase after the fill in the bulb is vaporized. In another example embodiment, a method for sequentially optimizing the drive power and phase shift applied to the lamp is disclosed that may reliably regulate the lamp current consumption to desired startup and operational levels despite variations in lamp environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Markus Duelli, Richard Gilliard, Abdeslam Hafidi, Gregg Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20090146576
    Abstract: A lamp includes a discharge vessel. Tungsten electrodes extend into the discharge vessel. An ionizable fill is sealed within the vessel. The fill includes a buffer gas, optionally free mercury, a halide component which includes a rare earth halide selected from the group consisting of lanthanum halides, praseodymium halides, neodymium halides, samarium halides, cerium halides, and combinations thereof. A source of available oxygen is present in the discharge vessel. The rare earth halide is present in an amount such that, during lamp operation, in combination with the source of available oxygen, it maintains a difference in vapor phase solubility for tungsten species between a wall of the discharge vessel and at least a portion of at least one of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy D. Russell, Mohamed Rahmane, Peter J. Meschter, Gary W. Utterback
  • Patent number: 7525253
    Abstract: A plasma lamp including a waveguide body comprising at least one dielectric material. The body is coupled to a microwave power source which causes the body to resonate in at least one resonant mode. A lamp chamber integrated with the body contains a bulb with a fill forming a light-emitting plasma when the chamber receives power from the resonating body. A bulb either is self-enclosed or an envelope sealed by a window or lens covering the chamber aperture. Embodiments disclosed include lamps having a drive probe and a feedback probe, and lamps having a drive probe, feedback probe and start probe, which minimize power reflected from the body back to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Yian Chang
  • Patent number: 7518315
    Abstract: A plasma lamp including a waveguide body including at least one dielectric material with a dielectric constant greater than approximately 2. The body is coupled to a microwave source which causes the body to resonate in at least one resonant mode. At least one lamp chamber integrated with the body contains a bulb with a fill forming a light-emitting plasma when the chamber receives power from the resonating body. A bulb either is self-enclosed or an envelope sealed by a window or lens covering the chamber aperture. Embodiments disclosed include lamps having a drive probe and a feedback probe, and lamps having a drive probe, feedback probe and start probe, which minimize power reflected from the body back to the source both before each plasma is formed and after it reaches steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Yian Chang
  • Patent number: 7498747
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide integrated plasma lamp is disclosed for powering a small and bright bulb with a diameter of a few millimeters. The lamp is contained within a high dielectric constant material which guides the microwaves to the bulb, provides heat isolation to the drive circuit, contains the microwaves, provides structural stability and ease of manufacturing and allows efficient energy coupling to the bulb when used as a dielectric resonant oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Luxim Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Espiau, Chandrashekhar J. Joshi, Yian Chang
  • Publication number: 20090033240
    Abstract: An electrodeless lamp assembly includes a tubular lamp envelope, at least one core having a closed-loop body disposed so as to surround a core mounting portion of the tubular lamp envelope. The core includes an indented coil winding section formed by an indentation formed in an inner side section of the closed-loop body adjacent to a centrally located opening. The electrodeless lamp assembly further includes an induction coil wounded around the indented coil winding section of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Byung Il Ham
  • Patent number: 7474058
    Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to inductively receive power from a primary coil. The lamp assembly includes a lamp circuit including a secondary and a lamp connected in series. In a first aspect, the lamp circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with the lamp and the secondary to tune the circuit to resonance. The capacitor is preferably selected to have a reactance that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the reactance of the secondary and the impedance of the lamp. In a second aspect, the lamp assembly includes a sealed transparent sleeve that entirely encloses the lamp circuit so that the transparent sleeve is fully closed and unpenetrated. The transparent sleeve is preferably the lamp sleeve itself, with the secondary, capacitor and any desired starter mechanism disposed within its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 7462978
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for generating ultraviolet radiation includes a pair of magnetrons (12) coupled to a longitudinally extending microwave chamber (14) for generating standing microwave energy waves within the chamber (14). Microwave energy from the magnetrons (12) is directly coupled to the microwave chamber (14) without the use of coupling slots, antennas or other coupling structures. A longitudinally extending electrodeless plasma bulb (20) is mounted within the microwave chamber (14) and is operable to emit ultraviolet radiation (24) in response to excitation by the microwave energy generated by the pair of magnetrons (12). The microwave chamber (14) includes a pair of longitudinally extending tuning walls (42) positioned on opposite sides of the plasma lamp bulb (20) and capable of overlapping the standing microwave energy waves generally along the longitudinal length of the plasma bulb (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Schmitkons, James M. Borsuk